(a) When the Chief of Police or any member of his Department has knowledge of or discovers or finds any abandoned motor vehicle, any junked motor vehicle, old vehicle tire or inoperative or abandoned household appliance on either public or private property, he may take the same into his custody and possession. For that purpose, the Police Department may employ its own personnel, equipment and facilities or hire persons, equipment and facilities for the purpose of removing, preserving and storing abandoned motor vehicles, junked motor vehicles, old vehicle tires or inoperative or abandoned household appliances; provided, that before taking any abandoned motor vehicle or junked motor vehicle into custody and possession from private property, the enforcement agency shall give the private property owner and the owner of such motor vehicle, if ascertainable, thirty days' notice by registered or certified mail that such action will be taken unless the motor vehicle is restored to a functional use.
(Passed 8-6-79.)
(b) If the violation described in the notice delivered by registered or certified mail addressed to the owner of the property as mentioned in the above paragraph has not been remedied within the 30-day period described in said notice and the violation is affirmed by the Municipal Judge of the City, or in the event that a notice by the owner of the property requesting a hearing is timely filed, a hearing had, and the existence of the violation is affirmed, the Chief of Police, or his designee, shall have the right to take possession of the junked motor vehicle, old vehicle tires, inoperative or abandoned household appliances and remove it or them, as the case may be, from the premises. No person shall interfere with, hinder or refuse to allow such person to enter upon the private property for the purpose or removing a vehicle, or other properties mentioned herein, under the provisions of this section.
(Ord. 1995-3. Passed 7-25-95.)