(a) Immobilization. Any unattended motor vehicle found parked at any time upon any public thoroughfare of the City against which there are five or more unpaid citations or other process charging that such vehicle was parked, stopped or standing in violation of any law, ordinance or local authority of the City, and which citations contain notices that the vehicle may be towed or immobilized for nonpayment of the fine, may be immobilized in such manner as to prevent its operation by a member of the Police Department or any other agent assigned to traffic duty. No such vehicle shall be immobilized by any means other than by use of a device or other mechanism which will cause no damage to such vehicle unless it is moved while such device or mechanism is in place.
(b) Notice of Immobilization. In any case involving immobilization of a vehicle pursuant to this article, the member of the Police Department or agent assigned to traffic duty immobilizing the vehicle shall cause to be placed on such vehicle, in a conspicuous manner, notice sufficient to warn any individual to the effect that such vehicle has been immobilized for failure to pay the five or more citations or other process, and that any attempt to move such vehicle might result in damage to such vehicle.
(c) Release of Vehicle. Vehicles immobilized pursuant to this article shall be released to their lawful owner, or person entitled to possession, upon showing adequate evidence of a right to its possession and paying all accrued fines and costs for each outstanding unpaid citation and, in addition, a “boot” fee of thirty dollars ($30.00); or by requesting, in writing, a hearing before Municipal Court to contest the validity of the immobilization. Such request for a hearing shall be accompanied by a bond to cover the potential fines for the criminal charges which caused the immobilization. The release shall be signed by an authorized officer.
(Ord. 1957. Passed 4-1-99.)