Any person driving any vehicle, object or contrivance upon any city, highway, or highway structure shall be liable for all damage that the highway structure may sustain as a result of the illegal operation, driving or moving of the vehicle, object or contrivance weighing in excess of the maximum weight specified by law. Whenever the driver is not the owner of such vehicle, object or contrivance, but is operating the same with the express or implied permission of the owner, then the owner and driver shall be jointly and severally liable for the damage. Such damage (together with the city's attorney fees and costs, if any) may be recovered in a civil action brought by the city attorney in the name of the city at the request of the department. (Ord. 96-17, 6-19-1996)