A. Vehicles Seven Years Of Age Or Newer:
1. Known Owner: Whenever an abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed motor vehicle or other vehicle, seven (7) years of age or newer, remains unclaimed by the registered owner, lien holder or other legally entitled person for a period of thirty (30) days after notice has been given as provided herein, the police department shall cause it to be sold at public sale to the highest bidder. Notice of time and place of the sale shall be posted in a conspicuous place for at least ten (10) days prior to the sale on the premises where the vehicle has been impounded. At least ten (10) days prior to the sale, the police department shall cause a notice of the time and place of the sale to be sent by certified mail to the registered owner or other person known by the police department or towing service to be legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle. Such notice shall contain a complete description of the vehicle to be sold and what steps must be taken by any legally entitled person to reclaim the vehicle. In those instances where the certified notification specified herein has been returned by the postal authorities to the police department due to the addressee having moved or being unknown at the address obtained from the registration records of this state, the sending of a second certified notice will not be required.
2. Unknown Owner: When the identity of the registered owner, lien holder or other legally entitled persons of an abandoned, lost or unclaimed vehicle of seven (7) years of age or newer cannot be determined by any means provided for in this chapter, the vehicle may be sold as provided herein or disposed of in the manner authorized by this chapter without notice to any person whose identity cannot be determined.
B. Vehicles Older Than Seven Years: When an abandoned vehicle of more than seven (7) years of age is impounded as specified by this chapter, or when any such vehicle is towed at the request or with the consent of the owner or operator and is subsequently abandoned, it will be kept in custody or storage for a minimum of ten (10) days for the purpose of determining the identity of the registered owner, lien holder, or other legally entitled persons and contacting the registered owner, lien holder, or other legally entitled persons by the U.S. mail, public service or in person for a determination of disposition and an examination of the state police stolen vehicle files for theft and wanted information. At the expiration of the ten (10) day period, without the benefit of disposition information being received from the registered owner, lien holder, or other legally entitled persons, the vehicle shall be disposed of as junk or salvage. (Ord. 112, 12-28-1970; amd. 2008 Code)
C. Hazardous Dilapidated Vehicles: Any hazardous dilapidated motor vehicle impounded pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, whether impounded at a public facility or on the property of private towing service, shall be kept in custody for a period of ten (10) days for the purpose of determining the identity of the registered owner or lien holder and contacting such owner or lien holder, if known, by regular U.S. mail. At the expiration of the ten (10) day period, without benefit of disposition information being received from the registered owner or lien holder, the police department will authorize the disposal of the vehicle as junk. (2008 Code)
D. Records Kept: When a motor vehicle or other vehicle in the custody of the police department is reclaimed by the registered owner or other legally entitled person, or when the vehicle is sold at public sale or otherwise disposed of as provided in this chapter, a report of the transaction will be maintained by the police department for a period of one year from the date of the sale or disposal.
E. Antique Vehicles Exempt: A motor vehicle or other vehicle classified as an antique vehicle is excluded from this section. (Ord. 112, 12-28-1970)