(A) After a vehicle has been towed and impounded and within 48 hours after the vehicle is towed, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, notice of removal shall be provided to the owner of the vehicle and any lessors or security interest holders as shown in the records of the Department of Transportation by sending, via certified mail, notice stating the following:
(1) The vehicle has been towed and impounded;
(2) The reason the vehicle has been towed and impounded;
(3) An address and telephone number that may be used to obtain information on the charges which must be paid before the vehicle will be released and on the procedures for procuring such release;
(4) The owner is entitled to and may request a hearing on the validity of the impoundment by filing a request for hearing with the City Police Department within ten calendar days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, of the receipt of the notice;
(5) The location of the vehicle;
(6) The vehicle is subject to towing and storage charges, the amount of charges that have accrued as of the date of the notice, the rate of the daily storage charges and that daily storage charges will continue to accrue;
(7) The person who towed and is storing the vehicle has a lien on the vehicle for the towing and storage charges, and will retain possession of the vehicle until the charges are paid and, if the charges remain unpaid for more than 30 days, may have the vehicle sold to satisfy the lien;
(8) The vehicle and its contents may be immediately reclaimed upon presentation to the Police Department proof of ownership or right to possession, payment to the Police Department of the fee specified in § 74.07, any payment to the person who towed and is storing the vehicle all towing and storage charges; and
(9) The vehicle may be sold or otherwise disposed of if a person entitled to possession of the vehicle does not reclaim the vehicle within 30 days of the date vehicle was towed.
(B) No notice is required under this section in the following circumstances:
(1) The vehicle does not display license plates or other identification by which registration or ownership of the vehicle can be determined; and
(2) The identity of the owner of the vehicle is not available from the State Department of Transportation or other registration authority or the identity and address of the owner cannot reasonably otherwise be determined.
(Ord. 1203, passed - -1999)