(1) The Police Department shall inspect and investigate complaints about the storing or keeping of junk vehicles, parts thereof, and automobile hulks on public and private property. Upon discovery of an alleged junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk, the Police Department may contact the landowner of the property where the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk is located, and determine if the landowner claims any ownership interest in or bailment responsibility for the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk. If the landowner claims no ownership interest or bailment responsibility the Police Department shall request the landowner to execute a statement to that effect under penalty of perjury.

(2) If the landowner claims an ownership interest or bailment responsibility for a junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk located on his or her property, and the landowner does not within fifteen days after notification by the Police Department voluntarily abate the nuisance either by removing it from the property or enclosing it as provided for in 12.30.060(1), the Police Department may proceed to deal with the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk as provided for in 12.30.050.

(3) Upon execution by the landowner of the statement of no ownership interest in or bailment responsibility for the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk, the Police Department shall cause a junk vehicle notification form to be mailed to the vehicle’s registered legal owner of record by certified mail, return receipt requested. Additionally, this notification shall inform the owner of the City’s intent to dispose of the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk. If the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk remains unclaimed for more than fifteen days after the junk vehicle notification form has been received, the Police Department may have the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk removed with notice to the Washington State Patrol and the department of licensing that the junk vehicle has been wrecked.

(4) If no information identifying the owner of the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk is available after the landowner has executed the statement of no ownership interest or bailment responsibility, the Police Department may place a legal notice of custody and sale in the official newspaper of the City. This notice shall comply with the provisions of RCW 46.55.230(5), as now enacted or hereafter amended, and shall additionally inform the owner of the City’s intent to dispose of the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk. If the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk remains unclaimed more than twenty days after publication of the notice, the Police Department may have the junk vehicle, parts thereof, or automobile hulk removed with notice to the Washington State Patrol and Department of Licensing that the junk vehicle has been wrecked. (Ord. 88-10 §4, 1988).