A. By the order of the mayor or any member of the city council, any duly sworn police officer of the city may order any abandoned, wrecked, or junked vehicle, a major household furnishing or appliance or machinery, or parts thereof removed from the premises from which they reside within ten (10) days.
B. Notice of the order shall be placed by the policeman upon the vehicle, furnishing, appliance, machinery, or parts thereof, and a copy of the notice shall additionally be served upon any adult person occupying the premises upon which same item is located and upon the owner of the item, if said person is known.
C. If there be no occupant or owner of the premises, any notice affixed to any building or upon any other prominent object upon the premises shall constitute notice to such owner or occupant of the premises of the owner of the item involved; provided, however, that if such owner or occupant is only temporarily absent, such notice shall be by certified mail.
D. If removal is not accomplished within the time and in the manner prescribed by the order and notice, the police department by the direction of the mayor and city council, may seek an order from the appropriate court of competent jurisdiction, directed to the owner or occupant to show cause why the item of abandoned, wrecked or junked vehicle, major household furnishing or appliance, or machinery, or part thereof should not be removed.
E. Upon obtaining a proper order, the police department may cause such item of abandoned, wrecked, or junked vehicle, a major household furnishing, or appliance, or machinery or parts thereof to be removed at the expense of the owner and placed in an impounding yard where it shall be offered for sale to the highest and best bidder at a public auction after two (2) publications in any newspaper published within the city, only in full accordance with such laws and regulations as may govern such dispositions of abandoned or junked vehicles as established by the proper agency of the state.
F. The proceeds of such a sale shall be used to pay expenses of removal, impounding and sale, and if the proceeds are not sufficient therefor the balance shall immediately become due alone from the owner or occupant of the premises if not paid by such owner. (Ord. 627(VV), 1980: prior code §16-10(e))