§ 8-2016. Immobilization of vehicles.

(a)

A police officer or any other person designated by the chief of police may immobilize by the use of vehicle immobilization equipment any vehicle which is parked in a public right-of-way, and for which there are three (3) or more outstanding, unpaid, overdue parking tickets, the latest of which has been unpaid for a period of at least fifteen (15) days.

(b)

When attaching vehicle immobilization equipment to a vehicle, the officer shall affix notice to the windshield or other part of the vehicle so as to be readily visible. The notice shall:

(1)

Warn that the vehicle has been immobilized and that any attempt to move the vehicle may result in damage to the vehicle;

(2)

State the total amount of civil penalties due for parking tickets which are overdue and unpaid that are attributable to such vehicle, in addition to an immobilization fee for the removal of the vehicle immobilization equipment; and

(3)

List the address and telephone number to be contacted to pay the charges to have the vehicle immobilization equipment removed.

(c)

If the civil penalties and the immobilization fee are not paid, or satisfactory arrangements in lieu of payment are not made, by 6:00 p.m. on the date of the attachment of the vehicle immobilization equipment the vehicle may be towed and impounded as provided in section 8-2003.

(d)

Upon payment of all civil penalties, overdue and unpaid parking tickets, and the immobilization fee, the vehicle immobilization equipment shall be removed and the vehicle released to the registered owner or any other person legally entitled to claim possession of the vehicle. The fee may be paid in the form of a refundable bond pending the outcome of a hearing requested pursuant to section 8-2018.

(e)

It shall be unlawful for anyone to remove vehicle immobilization equipment placed on a vehicle pursuant to this section without all civil penalties and application charges having first been paid, or a bond posted. The city shall not be responsible for any damage to an immobilized illegally parked vehicle resulting from unauthorized attempts to free or move the vehicle.

(f)

Charges. An immobilization fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be charged for the removal of the vehicle immobilization equipment.

(g)

Enforcement of this ordinance shall commence on November 1, 2002. Council hereby designates the month of October, 2002, as a one-time only amnesty period during which violators with three (3) or more outstanding, unpaid or overdue parking tickets shall be eligible to settle their account with the City Finance Department for half of the fee required in section 8-2002.

(Ord. No. O-03-02, 2-12-02; Ord. No. O-33-02, 9-24-02)