2011-050 ORD ADDING NEW ARTICLE VII TOWING AND IMPOUNDMENT POLICY TO TRAFFIC CODE

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(b) All towing, storage and administration fees shall be paid before such vehicle or other property is released from the vehicle storage facility. (c) Payment of the fees charged under this section shall not excuse the owner or operator of the impounded vehicle or other property from any other charge of violating any city ordinance or state law. Sec. 31-137. Notice to owner and lienholders. (a) After a motor vehicle or other property is impounded, the wrecker service company shall send notice not later than the 10th day after the date of impoundment, by certified mail, to the last-known registered owner of the motor vehicle or other property and all lienholders recorded under Chapter 501, Texas Transportation Code, as amended, that the vehicle or other property has been towed and impounded. (b) The notice under Subsection (a) must: (1) Specify the year, make, model and identification number of the impounded motor vehicle or other property, if applicable; (2) Give the location of the facility where the motor vehicle or other property is being held; (3) Inform the owner and any lienholders of the right to claim the motor vehicle or other property not later than the 30th day after the date of the notice upon payment of all towing, storage and administration fees; and (4) State that the failure of the owner or lienholders to exercise their right to claim the vehicle or other property within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner and all lienholders of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle or other property and their consent to the sale of the vehicle or other property at a public auction. (c) If the identity of the last-registered owner cannot be determined, or if the registration contains no address for the owner; or if it is impossible to determine with reasonable certainty the identity and addresses of all lienholders, notice by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the vehicle or other property was impounded shall be sufficient to meet all requirements of notice pursuant to this section. (d) Notice by publication under Subsection (c): (1) May contain multiple listings of impounded vehicles or other property; (2) Must be published within twenty (20) business days of date the vehicle was impounded; and (3) Must contain the same contents required for notice under subsection (b). Sec. 31-138. Claim of impounded vehicle or other property.