(A) All hearings held pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be held before the City Manager or one or more of his deputies, designated by him as Hearing Officer, who shall hear all facts and testimony deemed pertinent. Such facts and testimony may include testimony on the condition of the vehicle, or part thereof, and the circumstances concerning its location on private property or public property. The Hearing Officer shall not be limited by the technical rules of evidence. The owner of the land on which the vehicle is located may appear in person at the hearing or present a sworn written statement denying responsibility for the presence of the vehicle on the land, with his reasons for such denial.
(B) The Hearing Officer may impose such conditions and take such other action as he deems appropriate under the circumstances to carry out the purposes of this chapter. He may delay the time for the removal of the vehicle, or part thereof, if, in his opinion, the circumstances so justify. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the Hearing Officer may find that a vehicle, or part thereof, has been abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or is inoperative on private or public property, order the same removed from the property as a public nuisance and disposed of as provided in this chapter, and determine the administrative costs and the costs of removal to be charged against the owner of the parcel of land on which the vehicle, or part thereof, is located. The order requiring removal shall include a description of the vehicle, or part thereof, and the correct identification number and license number of the vehicle, if available at the site.
(C) If it is determined at the hearing that the vehicle was placed on the land without the consent of the landowner and that he has not subsequently acquiesced in its presence, the Hearing Officer shall not assess costs of administration for removal of the vehicle against the property upon which the vehicle is located or otherwise attempt to collect such costs from such landowner.
(D) If an interested person makes a written presentation to the Hearing Officer but does not appear, such interested person shall be notified in writing of the decision.
('65 Code, § 5-24.09) (Ord. 40-C.S., passed - - ; Am. Ord. 97-C.S., passed - - )