§ 12.85.080. Procedures for immobilization or impoundment.

A.

When a vehicle is found parked, whether legally or illegally, or stopped at any time upon a public street or public property in the city, and such vehicle has met the criteria for immobilization or impoundment as provided in Section 12.85.070, any authorized parking enforcement agent of the city may immobilize the vehicle by the installation on or attachment to the vehicle of a device, or boot, designed to restrict the normal movement of the vehicle. In the alternative, or when a police officer has found a stopped vehicle meeting the criteria for immobilization or impoundment as provided in Section 12.85.070, such vehicle may be towed and impounded; provided, that the towing and impoundment is authorized at the direction of a peace officer.

B.

At the time of immobilization, the authorized parking enforcement agent shall also conspicuously attach to the vehicle a written notice on a form provided by the city, the notice to contain the following information:

1.

Notice that the vehicle has been immobilized pursuant to this chapter, and that attempted movement may cause damage to the vehicle;

2.

That the release of the vehicle may be obtained at a designated place;

3.

That there is a right to a hearing regarding the immobilization; and

4.

That the vehicle may be towed and impounded after a designated period of time.

C.

In the event that a vehicle is towed and impounded, the registered owner of the vehicle thereof shall be responsible for payment of all applicable fees for towing, impoundment and storage, in additions to the fines, costs and fees provided for herein. A police officer may summon a taxi or other public transportation for a person when the vehicle he was driving or riding in has been impounded pursuant to this section. Such person shall be responsible for payment of the costs of such transportation. Any costs incurred by the city to transport such persons shall become a cost assessed on the registered owner, who shall be responsible for payment of these transportation costs. Towed vehicles that are not redeemed within the time allowed under the Texas Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act will be disposed of in accordance with that Act.

D.

This section is to be cumulative of existing law, and nothing herein shall be construed to restrict or limit the right to tow and impound vehicles under other applicable law.

(Ord. 12170 § 1, 1994: Ord. 11051 (part), 1992; Ord. 10971 § 1 (part), 1992)