Chapter 2.32
UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
Sections:
2.32.010 Sale and disposition authorized.
2.32.030 Sale to highest bidder.
2.32.060 Deposit of unclaimed money.
2.32.070 Unsaleable and unusable property.
2.32.075 Dangerous or perishable property.
2.32.010 Sale and disposition authorized.
Whenever any property of any kind or nature comes into the possession of the police department and is unclaimed for the periods specified in this chapter, the property shall be sold or disposed of by the police department unless the owner in the meantime has claimed such property. (Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 237 § 1, 1966)
2.32.020 Holding period.
Such unclaimed property in the possession of the police department shall be held for a period of at least ninety days, and during such time the police department shall try to ascertain the owner thereof. If such owner can be found or ascertained, such property shall be restored to such owner on demand upon the payment of any and all costs incurred by the police department in caring for the personal property. (Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 237 § 1, 1966)
2.32.030 Sale to highest bidder.
After holding such property for six months, except unclaimed bicycles which shall be held for a period of at least ninety days, in the event any such property is unclaimed or unredeemed by the owner by paying the cost of the care thereof, the chief of police shall sell such property and the whole thereof at public auction to the highest bidder. If there is no bidder for any part of the property, the chief of police shall dispose of all such unclaimed and unsold property by destroying the same and disposing of it as trash. (Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 237 § 1, 1966)
2.32.040 Advertisement.
Before selling such property, the chief of police shall advertise such property for sale by publishing a notice thereof for at least ten days prior to the date of sale in the official newspaper of the city, in which notice the chief of police shall give the time of sale and the place of sale, and any storage charge against the property. (Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 237 § 1, 1966)
2.32.050 Redemption by owner.
The owner of such property, or any part thereof, which may establish ownership thereto, may reclaim and redeem the property, or any part thereof, at any time prior to the actual sale thereof. (Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 237 § 1, 1966)
2.32.060 Deposit of unclaimed money.
All moneys so received by the police chief and not delivered to the true owner during a six-month period shall thereafter be deposited in the general fund. (Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)
2.32.065 Sale proceeds.
After the auction is completed, the finance director shall deposit the proceeds of the auction in the general fund. (Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)
2.32.070 Unsaleable and unusable property.
Any property advertised and offered for sale but not sold and not suitable for appropriation to the use of the city shall be deemed to be of no value and shall be disposed of in such manner as the city manager directs. (Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)
2.32.075 Dangerous or perishable property.
Any property coming into the possession of the police chief which he or she determines to be dangerous or perishable may be disposed of immediately, without notice, in such manner as he determines to be in the public interest. (Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)
2.32.080 Applicability.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to property subject to confiscation under the laws of the state or of the United States, and shall apply to property held as evidence. This chapter only applies when the property is unclaimed by any person and no other provisions of law are applicable concerning its disposition. (Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)