§ 11-103. Abatement by city; unpaid expenses constitute lien.

If the owner of the premises or the occupant thereof fails, neglects or refuses to obey any order issued under this article, or if the premises are unoccupied, and the owner or his agent cannot be found, the city manager or his designee shall abate such public nuisance by impounding the junked vehicle or junked vehicles and shall defray the expenses thereof out of moneys in the city treasury available for such purpose. All expenses so incurred in the abatement of such public nuisance shall be charged against the owner or owners of the junked vehicle or vehicles, and a statement of the cost incurred by the city to abate such public nuisance shall be sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the owner or owners. When mailed, the cost statement shall state that the amount due shall be paid within thirty (30) days of such mailing. If such cost statement is returned undelivered, public notice of the cost statement shall be given, and the notice shall state that the amount due shall be paid within thirty (30) days from the giving of such notice. If the amount due has not been paid within the thirty-day period, the city manager or his designee may file a statement with the county clerk of the expenses incurred to abate such public nuisance, and the city shall have a privileged lien on such junked vehicle or vehicles, together with ten (10) percent on the delinquent amount from the date such payment is due.

(Code 1970, § 18-39)