(A) Except for vehicles governed by § 22-9-6 of this article, the Police Chief having custody of an abandoned vehicle shall make an inquiry concerning the last-registered owner of such vehicle as follows:
(1) Abandoned vehicles with license plates affixed, to the jurisdiction which issued such license plates; or
(2) Abandoned vehicles with no license plates affixed, to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(B) The Police Chief shall notify the last-registered owner, if any, that the vehicle in question has been determined to be an abandoned vehicle and that, if unclaimed, either it will be sold or will be offered at public auction after five days from the date such notice was mailed or title will vest in the city 30 days after the date such notice was mailed. If the agency described in division (A)(1) or (2) above also notifies the Chief of Police that a lien or mortgage exists, such notice shall also be sent to the lienholder or mortgagee. Any person claiming such vehicle shall be required to pay the cost of removal and storage of such vehicle.
(Ord. 3627, passed - -1999)