(A) When the Police Department or agent of the Police Department takes into custody an abandoned motor vehicle located within the city, it shall notify, not later than the tenth day after taking the motor vehicle into custody, by certified mail, to the last known registered owner of the motor vehicle and all lien holders of record pursuant to the Certificate of Title Act (Tex. Transportation Code §§ 501.001 et seq.) or Tex. Parks and Wildlife Code §§ 31.001 et seq., that the vehicle has been taken into custody. The notice shall describe the year, make, model and vehicle identification number of the abandoned motor vehicle, set forth the location of the facility where the motor vehicle is being held, inform the owner and any lien holders of their right to reclaim the motor vehicle not later than the twentieth day after the date of the notice, on payment of all towing, preservation and storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, or garage keeper’s charges if notice is made by a garage keeper. The notice shall also state that the failure of the owner or lien holders to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided constitutes a waiver by the owner and lien holders of all right, title and interesting the vehicle and their consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction.
(B) If the identity of the last registered owner cannot be determined, if the registration contains no address for the owner, or if it is impossible to determine with reasonable certainty the identity and addresses of all lien holders, notice by one publication in one newspaper of general circulation in the city is sufficient notice. The notice by publication may contain multiple listings of abandoned vehicles, shall be published with the time requirements prescribed for notice by certified mail and shall have the same contents required for notice by certified mail.
(C) The consequences and effect of failure to reclaim an abandoned motor vehicle are as set forth in a valid notice given under this chapter.
(Ord. 2006-02, passed 7-18-2006)