Chapter 2.30
DISPOSITION OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
Sections:
2.30.010 Chief of police to receive property and money.
2.30.020 Safekeeping for ninety days.
2.30.030 Redemption – Charges.
2.30.050 Disposition of money.
2.30.070 Costs chargeable to city.
2.30.080 Appropriation by city.
2.30.090 Proceeds of the auction.
2.30.100 Property not sold at auction.
2.30.110 Dangerous or perishable property.
2.30.120 Property held as evidence not affected.
2.30.010 Chief of police to receive property and money.
The chief of police shall make provisions for receiving and safekeeping property and money that is found and delivered to him or coming into his possession. A police property report shall be made by the officer receiving such property or such money. (Ord. 227 § 1(part), 1976).
2.30.020 Safekeeping for ninety days.
Property and money received as provided by Section 2.30.010 shall be stored in a safe place for a period of ninety days unless sooner claimed by the true owner, and shall then be deemed to be unclaimed property or unclaimed money, and be subject to disposal as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 430 § 1 (part), 1985: Ord. 227 § 1(part), 1976).
2.30.030 Redemption – Charges.
During such ninety-day period, such property may be delivered or such money paid to the true owner. Such property shall be delivered upon proof of ownership satisfactory to the chief of police. Charges for the care of the property or money, not exceeding ten percent of the value of the property or the amount of money, may be charged for its safekeeping. If ownership cannot be determined to the satisfaction of the chief of police, he may refuse to deliver such property or order payment of such money to anyone until ordered to do so by a court having jurisdiction. (Ord. 430 § 1(part), 1985: Ord. 227 § 1(part), 1976).
2.30.040 Delivery to finder.
If the true owner does not appear during the ninety-day period and claim the property or money, it may be delivered back to the person who delivered it to the chief of police, if, at the time of delivery, such person indicated in writing that he wished to assert a claim to the property or money as finder. Charges may be imposed as provided in Section 2.32.030. (Ord. 430 § 1(part), 1985: Ord. 227 § 1(part), 1976).
2.30.050 Disposition of money.
All money so received by the chief of police and not delivered to the true owner during the ninety-day period or to the finder shall, within thirty days thereafter, be deposited in the general fund of the city. (Ord. 430 § 1(part), 1985: Ord. 227 § 1(part), 1976).
2.30.060 Auction.
Property so received and not delivered to the true owner or finder shall be disposed of by public auction or appropriation to the use of the city not less than five days after a notice describing the articles to be disposed of and announcing the date, time and place of the auction is published once in a newspaper of general circulation within the city, or posted in at least three conspicuous public places within the city. (Ord. 227 § 1(part), 1976).
2.30.070 Costs chargeable to city.
Any costs or charges for keeping or depositing the property or money, and the costs or charges for advertising and sale shall be a proper charge against the city. (Ord. 227 § 1(part), 1976).
2.30.080 Appropriation by city.
Any articles of property appropriated to the use of the city shall be made available to the department in need thereof upon approval of such appropriation by the city manager. (Ord. 227 § 1(part), 1976).
2.30.090 Proceeds of the auction.
After the auction is completed, the chief of police shall deliver the proceeds of the auction to the city clerk or other appropriate city officer for deposit in the general fund of the city. (Ord. 227 § 1(part), 1976).
2.30.100 Property not sold at auction.
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 a manner as may be determined by the chief of police. No such items shall be given or sold to employees of the city. (Ord. 227 § 1(part), 1976).
2.30.110 Dangerous or perishable property.
Any property coming into the possession of the chief of police which he determines to be dangerous or perishable may be disposed of immediately, without notice, in such a manner as he determines to be in the public interest. (Ord. 227 § 1(part), 1976).
2.30.120 Property held as evidence not affected.
This chapter does not apply to property held by the chief of police as evidence. (Ord. 227 § 1(part), 1976).