a. Fines. Presumptive fines for each parking violation and enhanced penalties for multiple parking violations within any calendar year shall be established by resolution of the City Council.

a. When a registered owner of a motor vehicle has either (1) five or more outstanding unpaid City of Ashland parking violations on any number of motor vehicles, or (2) a City of Ashland parking violation, or any number of such violations, with a total unpaid balance that exceeds $150, regardless of the number of motor vehicles involved, then any City enforcement official is authorized, directed and empowered to immobilize such a motor vehicle or vehicles found upon a public street within the City or in a City off-street parking lot by installing on or attaching to the motor vehicle a device designed to restrict the normal movement of the vehicle. In the alternative, or in addition to immobilization, after 24 hours has elapsed, any City enforcement official authorized, directed and empowered to order such vehicle towed, by a licensed tow company under contract with the City or its designee, as applicable.

b. For purposes of this section, bail or fine shall be outstanding on a citation when the citation is issued and shall remain outstanding until the bail is posted or the fine is paid.

c. Ten days before immobilizing or towing a vehicle according to the provisions of this section, the City, or the City’s contracted parking enforcement service provider shall post a notice on the vehicle or mail a notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the registered owner of such vehicle as shown by the records of any relevant state motor vehicles department notifying the owner that the motor vehicle or vehicles may be immobilized and/or towed if outstanding parking bail or fines have not been paid within ten days after posting or mailing of the notice.

d. If the vehicle is so immobilized, the person who installs or attaches the device shall conspicuously affix to the vehicle a written notice on a form approved by the City, advising the owner, driver, or person in charge of the vehicle that it has been immobilized pursuant to this section and that release of the vehicle may be obtained upon full payment of the outstanding balance owed to the contracted parking enforcement service provider. The notice shall also specify that the vehicle is subject to tow.

e. In the event the vehicle is towed, the person who orders the tow, shall send by certified mail, return receipt requested, a notice advising the registered owner of the vehicle that it has been towed pursuant to this section and that release of the vehicle may be obtained upon receipt by the towing company of full payment of the outstanding balance owed.

f. A vehicle towed and impounded pursuant to this section shall be held at the expense of the owner or person entitled to possession of the vehicle. Personnel, equipment and facilities of private tow companies under contract with the City or the contracted parking enforcement service provider may be used for the removal and storage of the vehicle.

a. Warning Letter. The Ashland Municipal Court may choose to send a warning letter by first class mail informing defendants they have outstanding parking tickets and that their attendance is necessary at a preliminary hearing before issuing a show cause order and warrant.

b. Show Cause. The Ashland Municipal Court may issue an order that requires a defendant to appear and show cause why the defendant should not be held in contempt of court, including contempt for failure to appear as ordered or failure to comply. The show cause order shall be mailed to the defendant by certified mail, return receipt requested, no less than ten days prior to the appearance date; alternatively service may be made by any other recognized method, such as personal service according to the same timeframe.

c. Warrant. If the defendant is served and fails to appear at the time specified in the show cause order, the court may issue an arrest warrant for the defendant for the purpose of bringing the defendant before the court. (Ord. 3122, amended, 2016)