(a) As used in this chapter, "abandoned scrap vehicle" means a vehicle which meets all of the following requirements.
(1) Is on public property or any other place open to travel by the public.
(2) Is seven or more years old.
(3) Is apparently inoperable or is extensively damaged, to the extent that the cost of repairing the vehicle so that it is operational and safe as required by Section 683 of Act No. 30 of the Public Acts of 1949, as amended, would exceed the fair market value of the vehicle.
(4) Is not currently registered pursuant to Act. No. 300 of the Public Acts of 1949, as amended.
(5) Is not removed within seventy-two hours after a written notice as described in Section 642.01(2)(b) is affixed to the vehicle.
(b) The Police Department or Building Department may take an abandoned scrap vehicle into custody, in which case the Police Department or Building Department shall do all of the following:
(1) Determine if the vehicle has been reported stolen.
(2) Take two photographs of the vehicle.
(3) Detail the damage or missing equipment to substantiate the vehicle as an abandoned scrap vehicle, on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State. The form shall contain all of the following information:
A. The year, make and vehicle identification number.
B. The date of abandonment.
C. The location of abandonment.
D. A detailed listing of the damage or missing equipment.
E. The police agency and address.
F. The reporting officer's name and title.
(4) Within twenty-four hours after taking the vehicle into custody, enter the vehicle as an abandoned scrap vehicle into the law enforcement information network.
(c) Within twenty-four hours, excluding Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays, after taking the vehicle into custody, the Police Department or Building Department shall complete a release form and release the vehicle to the towing service or a used vehicle parts dealer or scrap metal processor, who shall then transmit that release form to the Secretary of State and apply for a certificate of scrapping. Upon receipt of the release form and application, the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of scrapping. After the certificate of scrapping has been issued, the towing service, used vehicle parts dealer, or vehicle scrap metal processor may dispose of the abandoned scrap vehicle. The release form shall be prescribed by the Secretary of State and shall include an affidavit, to be executed by the applicable police agency when the abandoned scrap vehicle is released, which states that the police agency has complied with all the requirements of subsections (b)(2) and (3) of this section. The certificate of scrapping form shall be prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall retain the records relating to an abandoned vehicle for not less than two years.
(d) The two photographs taken pursuant to subsection (b)(2) shall be retained by the Police Department for not less than two years. After the certificate of scrapping has been issued, a certificate of title for the vehicle shall not be issued again.
(Ord. 2000-14. Passed 6-20-00.)