A. If an abandoned vehicle, at the time of abandonment, has no number plates of the current year affixed and is of a wholesale value, taking into consideration the condition of the vehicle, of five hundred dollars or less, title shall immediately vest in the City of Grand Island as provided by the laws of the State of Nebraska.
B. Except for vehicles governed by subsection (A) above, the City of Grand Island Police Department having custody of an abandoned vehicle, shall make an inquiry concerning the last-registered owner of such vehicle as follows:
1. Abandoned vehicle with number plates affixed, to the jurisdiction which issued such number plates; or
2. Abandoned vehicle with no number plates affixed, to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
C. The chief of police shall notify the last-registered owner, if any, and any lienholder, if any, within fifteen business days that the vehicle in question has been recovered as an abandoned vehicle and that, if unclaimed, either (a) it will be sold at public auction after five days from the date of such notice was mailed or (b) title will vest in the City of Grand Island thirty days after the date such notice was mailed. If the agency described in subsection (A) of this section also notifies the chief of police that a lien or mortgage exists, such notice shall also be sent to the lienholder or mortgagee. Any person claiming such vehicle shall be required to pay the cost of removal and storage of such vehicle.
D. Title to such abandoned vehicles, if unclaimed, shall vest in the City of Grand Island as provided by the laws of the State of Nebraska (a) five days from the date such notice is mailed if the vehicle will be sold or offered at public auction, (b) thirty days after the date the notice is mailed if the City of Grand Island will retain the vehicle or (c) if the last-registered owner cannot be ascertained, when notice of such fact is received.
E. After title to the abandoned vehicle vests pursuant to subsection (D) of this section, the City of Grand Island may retain for use, sell, or auction the abandoned vehicle. If the City of Grand Island has determined that the vehicle should be retained for use, the City shall, at the same time that the notice, if any, is mailed, publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the jurisdiction an announcement that the City of Grand Island intends to retain the abandoned vehicles for its use and that title will vest in the City thirty days after the publication.
HISTORY
Amended by Ord. 9962 on 2/14/2024