A. Removal:
1. If a vehicle has been removed to a private lot, the owner of the lot shall make reasonable efforts to ascertain the name and address of the owner of the vehicle. If the name and address of the owner of the vehicle can be ascertained, the owner of the storage lot shall notify such owner of the location of the vehicle.
2. If the Police Department retains custody of the vehicle after impounding the vehicle in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, the Police Department shall make reasonable efforts to ascertain the name and address of the owner of the vehicle and notify the owner of the location of the vehicle.
3. If the vehicle is registered in the office of the Motor Vehicles Division of the State, notice is deemed given when a registered or certified letter addressed to the registered owner and a similar letter addressed to any security holder shown on the registration at the latest address of each shown by the records in the office of the Motor Vehicles Division, return receipt requested and postage prepaid thereon, is mailed at least twenty (20) days before the vehicle is sold.
4. The notice shall state:
a. The location at which the vehicle is being held.
b. The reason for impounding the vehicle.
c. Existing costs charged against the vehicle.
d. An estimate of future costs to include the cost of advertising the vehicle for sale.
e. A statement that unless the owner redeems the vehicle within twenty (20) days from the date of mailing the notice and pays all costs incurred, the vehicle will be disposed of.
B. Sale:
1. When a vehicle is held upon City property, if the owner of the vehicle cannot be identified through reasonable efforts or no claim is made by a notified owner within the time specified above, the police department shall cause to be posted a notice of sale.
2. If the vehicle has been removed to a licensed storage lot, the owner of the storage lot shall be responsible for the notice of sale.
3. The notice of sale shall contain:
a. The sale is of abandoned property in possession of the city.
b. A description of the vehicle, including the type, motor number, serial number and any other information which will aid in accurately identifying the vehicle.
c. The terms of the sale and the date, time and place of the sale.
4. The notice of sale shall be posted no less than in three (3) public places within the city not less than ten (10) days successively prior to the sale.
5. A certified copy of such notice shall be sent to the owner of the vehicle if such owner has been identified. (Ord. 431, 9-4-1979)