Amending Chapter 20 Abandoned Vehicles

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(e) Within forty -eight (48) hours after removal of an abandoned vehicle or parts to a storage area, pursuant to sub- section (d) of this section, the Environmental Protection Office shall: (1) Prepare and send to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles a notice containing: a description of the vehicle including the make, model, engine number, identification number, and license plate number affixed thereto. A request shall be made of the Bureau as to the name and most recent mailing address of the owner and any lienholder, or furnish an abstract of title to such vehicle. (2) Upon receipt of the information required of the Bureau, written notice shall be sent by certified mail to the owner with a copy to any lienholder that the vehicle has been impounded and must be removed within thirty (30) days of the date of mailing said notice. The notice shall also advise that said vehicle shall be disposed of after that date, and that all costs incurred in re- moving and storing said vehicle are the owner's responsibility and a detailed list of all costs incurred and anticipated shall be given. (3) If the owner or lienholder appears prior to disposal of said vehicle and pays all costs incurred, he shall then be en- titled to the return of said vehicle. If the owner cannot be lo- cated and if he and the lienholder do not appear, the Board of Public Works shall authorize a public sale pursuant to Indiana Code Section 5 -3 -1 -1 through 5- 3 -1 -8, except that only one (1) newspaper insertion shall be required. (4) If the vehicle or parts are in such condition that ve- hicle identification numbers or other means of identification are not available to determine the owner of record with the bureau, the vehicle may be disposed of without notice. (f) Fees. In accordance with this Article, the owner shall under no circumstances be charged more than fifteen dollars ($15.00) towing expense and two dollars ($2.00) per day of actual storage. (g) The City and its subdivisions, auto wrecking, scrap processor, owner, lessee, or occupant of the premises from which any abandoned vehicle shall be removed shall not be liable for any loss or damage to said vehicle which occurs during its removal or while in the possession of the City or its contractual agent. SEC. 20 -30 Exceptions. This article shall not apply to the following vehicles: (1) any vehicle in operable condition specifically adopted or constructed for operation or privately - owned raceways; (2) any property stored as the property of a member of the armed forces of the United States who is on active duty assignment; (3) any vehicle located on a vehicle sale lot, at a com- mercial vehicle servicing facility or a vehicle located upon premises duly licensed or zoned as a junkyard, auto graveyard or scrap processing facility; and (4) any vehicle eligible for registration and licensing as an antique motor vehicle. -4-