§ 15.20.040. Disposition of abandoned vehicles.
A.
An abandoned vehicle may be impounded.
B.
Adequate notice of impoundment and procedures for redemption of a vehicle shall be given to registered owners of vehicles and other persons known to have a legal interest in them. Adequate notice shall consist of a certified letter or personal service, when the persons involved are known, or publication for ten days if such persons are not known The notice shall contain:
1.
A description of the vehicle and any property therein,
2.
The date, time and place of removal;
3.
An indication of the place of impoundment;
4.
An itemized statement of amounts due the municipality for towing and storage and stating that such fees must be paid prior to redemption of the vehicle; and
5.
A statement that unless the right to possession is established to the satisfaction of the director and the vehicle reclaimed within 20 days from the date of mailing or publication of the notice, or unless arrangements are made for the storage of the vehicle within that time, the vehicle and its contents may be sold at public auction or, in the director's discretion, if the vehicle is determined by the director to be inoperable or worth less than $200.00 disposed of by crushing or other means of destruction.
C.
If a vehicle impounded pursuant to the provisions of this section is not redeemed within the 20-day period set forth in subsection B. of this section, the director may publish notice of public auction The notice shall contain a description of the vehicle, the name of the owner, if known, and a provision stating that the vehicles described will be sold to the highest responsible bidder, and a certificate of sale will be issued for vehicles sold. Such auction may be held ten days or more following the date of publication. Impounded vehicles may also be crushed or otherwise destroyed as provided in subsection B. of this section without further notice at the expiration of the 20-day redemption period. If a vehicle is destroyed, the director shall notify the state department of public safety as provided by AS 28.10.440.
D.
The department shall keep a record of all vehicles impounded, containing the date, time and place of impounding, a description of the vehicle and contents therein, the estimated retail value of the vehicle, its operating condition, the cause for which impounded, the place of impoundment, the date of redemption if redeemed, the amount paid upon redemption, the date of notice to owner and the means of notice, and the notice of sale, record of sale, price paid and name of purchaser, or record of other means of disposal.
E.
An abandoned vehicle may be removed from private property if the owner or person in lawful possession or control of the property makes a written request prior to removal.
(GAAB 18.20.040; AO No. 2009-134, § 1, 1-12-10)