City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: May 9, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Article C (Disposition of Abandoned, Unattended and Immobile Motor Vehicles) of Chapter 8 (Parking and Traffic Regulations) of Title 5 (TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to amend the City Code provisions related to the disposition of abandoned, unattended and immobile motor vehicles to align with current City practice and amendments to the Code of Virginia.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council pass the proposed ordinance (Attachment 2) on first reading on May 10, 2022 and schedule it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on May 14, 2022.
BACKGROUND: The City last made major revisions to Article C in the City Code related to abandoned, unattended and immobile motor vehicles in 2009. Since that time the General Assembly has amended the authorizing statutes under Chapter 12 (Abandoned, Immobilized, Unattended and Trespassing Vehicles; Parking) of Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles).
DISCUSSION: The City auctions impounded abandoned, unattended and immobile motor vehicles after the City: (1) sends notice to the owner of record and (2) conducts a records search for the owner and lienholder of the motor vehicle through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”) system and mails notice to the record owner and lienholder. The amendments to the City Code reflect the process that is undertaken by the City and updates to the DMV process for the disposition of these motor vehicles. The changes do not constitute a major departure from the current process undertaken by the City since it has been following updated DMV guidance as it has been issued but rather is an effort to align the City Code more closely with the current Code of Virginia provisions.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Ordinance Cover
Attachment 2: Ordinance
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Director, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services
Joanna C. Anderson, City Attorney
Christina Zechman Brown, Deputy City Attorney
Phil Pugh, Deputy Director, Traffic Operations, Department of Transportation and
Environmental Services
Bob Garbacz, Division Chief, Traffic Operations, Department of Transportation and
Environmental Services
Zygmond E. Slevinski, Property and Evidence Section, Alexandria Police Department