Section 34-185. Notification of owner following removal by city.
(a) Notice to owner. The enforcement authority, after taking possession of any motor vehicle pursuant to this article, shall furnish notice in accordance with this section by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner of the motor vehicle at his last known address within 15 days of the date on which possession of the motor vehicle is taken, with a copy of the notice to the owner or occupant of the property from which the motor vehicle was taken.
(b) Notice to state, other official agencies. The enforcement authority shall also contact the state division of motor vehicles and such other agencies and departments of government in this and other states as are reasonably necessary to ascertain the names and addresses of other persons with record interest in any motor vehicle, including lienholders. Such other persons shall be given notice in the same manner as stated in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Contents of notice. Notice under this section shall contain the following information:
(1) For any motor vehicle taken into possession by the enforcement authority pursuant to this article:
a. The year, make, model and serial number of the motor vehicle.
b. The name and address of the last-known registered owner of the motor vehicle, if available.
c. The vehicle registration number and the title registration number of the motor vehicle, if available.
d. The date on which the motor vehicle was removed.
e. The location from which the motor vehicle was removed.
f. The location at which the motor vehicle is being stored.
(2) For any abandoned property other than a motor vehicle taken into possession by the enforcement authority pursuant to this article, a description sufficient to identify the property with reference to the type of property and any manufacturer's name and serial number apparent to the enforcement authority.
The notice shall also advise the persons to whom it is given that the person who is entitled to possession of the abandoned property or inoperable vehicle may reclaim it upon payment to the city of all charges incurred by the city in the removal and storage thereof, except that if such reclamation is not made within 30 days after the date of the notice, the right to reclaim the abandoned property or inoperable vehicle as well as all right, title and interest of the person in the abandoned property or inoperable vehicle shall be deemed to be waived and such person shall be deemed to have consented to the disposition of the abandoned property or inoperable vehicle by the city.
(d) Notice by publication. If unable to identify properly the last registered owner of any abandoned property or inoperable motor vehicle, or if unable to obtain with reasonable certainty the name and address of the owner or other interested party, including lienholder, or if any person shall refuse notice by certified mail, it shall be sufficient notice under this section to publish the notice described in subsection (c) of this section once in one newspaper of general circulation in the city. Such notice by publication may contain multiple listings of abandoned property or inoperable vehicles.
(e) Documentation filed with state. A copy of any notice required in this section for motor vehicles, as well as a copy of any certificate of sale issued under this section by the city, shall be forwarded to the state division of motor vehicles.