(A) When an officer, as defined in § 92.02, finds a motor vehicle or motor vehicle parts believed to be abandoned, he or she shall attach in a prominent place on the vehicle a notice tag containing the following information. Identity of vehicle or parts to be removed and classify the vehicle or parts as:
(1) Abandoned;
(2) A traffic hazard; or
(3) A vehicle parked in violation of a traffic ordinance.
(B) After attaching the notice tag to the abandoned motor vehicle or parts, the officer shall also conduct an owner identification search. If the owner is known or identified, the officer shall serve a notice to abate.
(C) The notice to abate served on the owner shall contain the following information:
(1) The date, time, officer’s name, public agency, and address and telephone number to contact for information;
(2) The vehicle or parts are considered abandoned;
(3) The vehicle or parts will be removed after 72 hours if located on public property or private property without the consent of the property owner, or after 240 hours if located on private property;
(4) The person who owns the vehicle or parts will be held responsible for all costs incidental to the removal, storage, and disposal of the vehicle or parts;
(5) The person who owns the vehicle or parts may avoid costs by removal of the vehicle or parts within the time periods outlined in division (C)(3) above;
(6) The owner of the vehicle or parts may petition for an appeal of the officer’s citation to the Town Council;
(7) The owner of the vehicle or parts may avoid impoundment of the cited vehicle and/or parts by removing the vehicle or parts within the time frame established on the citation and notifying the appropriate agency of said removal. If the owner petitions for an appeal to the Town Council, no further action on the abatement notice will occur until after the hearing date, unless the abandoned motor vehicle poses an immediate safety concern; and
(8) In the event the owner of the motor vehicle cannot be found and the property owner, upon which the vehicle is located, cannot locate the owner or fails or refuses to give the officer the name of the owner, then, and in that event, the property owner shall be responsible for removal of the vehicle as provided above.
(1996 Code, § 6-24) (Ord. 96-11-01, passed 11-25-1996)