§ 34-107. Removal of vehicle by city or its agent or contractor; costs of removal.

If any of the persons described in section 34-102 fails, neglects or refuses to remove the abandoned or inoperative vehicle or parts thereof, or house the same in a building, as provided in such section, or abate such nuisance after the required notice and such nuisance constitutes a serious threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, the city, its agent or contractor may remove the vehicle or parts thereof, and the costs thereof shall be charged and billed to the registered owner of such vehicle or parts thereof or the owner of the private property or lessee or other person in possession of private property upon which such vehicle or parts thereof is located. Unless payment is made within 30 days of such billing, the city commission may, by the adoption of a resolution levying such charges, assess against the property a lien in the amount of the charges outstanding, or such lesser amount as the city commission shall decide is just and fair. Assessment liens levied in this manner shall be filed in the office of the city clerk and in the public records of the county as a lien against the property and shall be prior in dignity to all other liens against the property, save and except a lien for taxes. Such assessments shall bear interest at the legal rate, and such liens may be foreclosed in the same manner in which mortgage liens are foreclosed.

(Code 1979, § 13-91)