A. If any vehicle impounded as hereinbefore provided is not claimed within thirty (30) days after the giving of notice as set forth in this chapter, it shall be deemed to have been abandoned by the owner or owners thereof. At the expiration of such period of time, the chief of police shall advertise such vehicle for sale and sell the same at public auction to the highest bidder for cash. Such advertisement shall be by publication of notice of sale at least once, not less than seven (7) nor more than fourteen (14) days prior to the time fixed for the sale in a newspaper published and having a general circulation in the city, and by publicly posting a notice of such sale for not less than seven (7) nor more than fourteen (14) days prior thereto in three (3) public places in the city and on the vehicle. The chief of police, in his or her discretion, may further advertise such sale by further notice to prospective purchasers; provided, that the cost of such additional advertisement shall not exceed five dollars, but such additional notice is not required.
B. The notice of sale shall describe the vehicle by manufacturer's trade name or make, body type, year model, if known, and motor and license numbers, if any, and shall specify the time and place of sale, which shall be within the corporate limits of the city. A copy of the notice of sale shall be mailed to the owner or owners of the vehicle, if known, at their last known address, at least seven (7) days prior to the date of sale.
C. At the time and place fixed for the sale, the chief of police shall offer for sale and sell the vehicle at public auction to the highest bidder for cash.
D. At such sale the city may bid upon and purchase the vehicle. If the city becomes the purchaser at sale, it may credit upon the purchase price the pound service fee, the storage costs and charges incident to the making of such sale. If the vehicle is not sold to another purchaser, as provided in this chapter, the chief of police shall strike off and sell the same to the city for the amount of such service fee, storage costs, charges and expenses. (Prior code § 42-14-10)