Except as otherwise provided in this section, the processing agency shall proceed under division (A) or division (B), but not both, in order to collect an unpaid parking penalty:
(A) File an itemization of unpaid parking penalties and administrative and service fees with the Department for collection pursuant to the Cal. Vehicle Code § 4760 or any successor statute thereto.
(B) (1) If more than $400 in unpaid parking penalties and other related fees have been accrued by any one registered owner or the registered owner's renter, lessee or sales transferee, proof thereof may be filed with the court with the same effect as a civil judgment. Execution may be levied and such other measures may be taken for the collection of the judgment as are authorized for the collection of unpaid civil judgments entered against a defendant in an action on a debt.
(2) The processing agency shall send notice by first-class mail to the registered owner or renter, lessee, or sales transferee indicating that a civil judgment has been filed and the date that the judgment shall become effective. The notice shall also indicate that: execution may be levied against that person's assets, that liens may be placed against that person's property, that the person's wages may be garnished, and that other steps may be taken to satisfy the judgment. The notice shall also state that the processing agency will terminate the commencement of a civil judgment proceeding if all parking penalties and other related fees are paid prior to the date set for hearing. If judgment is entered, then the city may file a writ of execution or an abstract with the Court Clerk's office identifying the means by which the civil judgment is to be satisfied.
(3) If a judgment is rendered for the processing agency, that agency may contract with a collection agency licensed pursuant to 16 Cal. Code of Regulations §§ 610 et seq. to collect the judgment.
(C) If the registration of the vehicle has not been renewed for 60 days beyond the renewal date, and the citation has not been collected by the Department pursuant to the Cal. Vehicle Code § 4760, or any successor statute thereto, then the processing agency may file proof of unpaid penalties and fees with the court with the same effect as a civil judgment as provided in division (B) of this section.
(D) The processing agency shall not file a civil judgment with the court relating to a parking citation filed with the Department unless the processing agency has determined that the registration of the vehicle has not been renewed for 60 days beyond the renewal date and the citation has not been collected by the Department pursuant to the Cal. Vehicle Code § 4760 or any successor statute thereto.
(`83 Code, § 10.17.140) (Ord. 93-31 § 2 (part), 1993)