2017-004 - Amending Article VII, Towing and Impoundment Policy of Chapter 31 Traffic Code to remove the requirement in Sec. 31-138ORDINANCE NO. 2017 -004
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AMENDING ARTICLE VII, "TOWING AND IMPOUNDMENT POLICY" OF
CHAPTER 31, " TRAFFIC CODE," OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY
OF PARIS, TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT IN SEC. 31 -138 THAT VEHICLE
OWNERS PROVIDE PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (LIABILITY
INSURANCE) TO CLAIM VEHICLE IMPOUNDED UNDER SAID ORDINANCE;
MAKING THIS ORDINANCE CUMULATIVE OF STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS;
MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT;
PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS
CLAUSE, A PENALTY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Texas Transportation Code Section 601.051 provides that a person may not
operate a vehicle in the State of Texas unless financial responsibility is established for that
vehicle; and
WHEREAS, on October 11, 2011 the City Council of the City of Paris, Texas passed
Ordinance 2011 -050 amending Chapter 31, Article VII, "Towing and Impoundment Policy," to
allow for the impoundment of vehicles when no evidence of financial responsibility could be
provided; and
WHEREAS, Section 31 -138 specifically set out the requirements for claiming an
impounded vehicle which required proof of ownership of the vehicle along with proof of financial
responsibility for the vehicle; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Attorney General has issued an opinion stating that cities do not
have the authority to require an owner of a vehicle impounded pursuant to City Ordinance to
present proof of financial responsibility before reclaiming such impounded vehicle; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris, Texas hereby finds and determines that it
is in the best interest of the City and its citizens to amend the current ordinance to comply with
the state law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS
THAT:
Section 1. The findings set out in the preamble to this ordinance are hereby in all things
approved.
Section 2. That Chapter 31, Section 31 -138 Traffic Code of the Code of Ordinances of the
City of Paris, Texas be amended to read in its entirety as follows:
"Sec. 31 -138. Claim of impounded vehicle or other property.
To claim an impounded vehicle or other property, satisfactory evidence of ownership or
right of possession must be presented to the vehicle storage facility where the vehicle is
located."
Section 3. That all provisions of the ordinances of the City of Paris, Texas in conflict
with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed, and all other provisions of the
ordinances of the City of Paris not in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance shall remain in
full force and effect.
Section 4. That the repeal of any ordinance or part of ordinances affected by the
enactment of this ordinance shall not be construed as abandoning any action now pending under
or by virtue of such ordinance or as discontinuing, abating, modifying, or altering any penalty
accruing or to accrue, or as affecting any rights of the municipality under any section or
provisions of any ordinance at the time of passage of this ordinance.
Section S. That it is the intention of the City Council of the City of Paris that this
ordinance and every provision hereof, shall be considered severable, and the invalidity or partial
invalidity of any section, clause, or provisions of this ordinance shall not affect the validity of any
other portion of this ordinance.
Section 6. That any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine in accordance with provisions of
Sec. 1 -6 of Chapter One of the City of Paris Code of Ordinances, and each and every day's
continuance of any violation of the above - enumerated sections shall constitute and be deemed a
separate offense.
Section 7. That this ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage and
publication as required by law.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on this 9th day of January, 2017.
A.J. ashmi, rJD.,V6Xor
OVED AS TO FORM:
4St ie H. Harris, City Attorney