§ 28-50. Auction of abandoned motor vehicles.

(a)

If an abandoned motor vehicle has not been reclaimed as provided by section 28-49, the police department shall sell the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction. The public auction shall be preceded by a notice published once in one newspaper of general circulation in the county where the auction is to take place, at least three weeks prior to the date of the auction, and in the case of a garagekeeper's lien, the garagekeeper shall be notified by certified mail. The notice shall describe the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number of the abandoned motor vehicle, and set forth the time and place of the auction.

(b)

The purchaser of the motor vehicle takes title to the motor vehicle free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership, shall receive a sales receipt from the police department of the city, and is entitled to register the purchased vehicle and receive a certificate of title. From the proceeds of the sale of an abandoned motor vehicle, the police department shall reimburse itself of the expenses of the auction, the costs of towing, preserving, and storing the vehicle that resulted from placing the abandoned motor vehicle in custody, and all notice and publication costs incurred under section 28-49. Any remainder from the proceeds of a sale shall be held for the owner of the vehicle or entitled lienholder for 90 days and then shall be deposited in a special fund that shall remain available for the payment of auction, towing, preserving, storage, and all notice and publication costs that result from placing another abandoned vehicle in custody, if the proceeds from a sale of another abandoned motor vehicle are insufficient to meet these expenses and costs.

(Code 1994, § 7.504)