Chapter 2.48
PUBLIC AUCTION OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
Sections:
2.48.010 Lost or unclaimed property – Custody.
2.48.020 Lost or unclaimed property – Claiming.
2.48.030 Public auction – Authorized.
2.48.040 Public auction – Notice.
2.48.050 Destruction of unsold property.
2.48.090 Registration – Waiver of fees.
2.48.010 Lost or unclaimed property – Custody.
All lost, abandoned, or unclaimed personal property, other than live animals, coming into the possession of the city or any officer or department thereof shall immediately be turned over to the custody of the police department. Such personal property, with the exception of bicycles, shall be held by the police department for a period of at least four months unless sooner claimed and restored. (Ord. 734 § 1, 1987; Ord. 49, 1955; prior code § 7-501)
2.48.020 Lost or unclaimed property – Claiming.
If, at any time prior to the sale, disposition, or destruction thereof as provided in this chapter, any such property is claimed by any person who establishes his right to the possession thereof to the satisfaction of the chief of police or his authorized deputy in charge of such property, such personal property shall be delivered to such person; provided, the person shall first pay to the police department the reasonable cost of the city of holding, protecting, and returning the property. (Ord. 734 § 2, 1987; Ord. 49, 1955; prior code § 7-502)
2.48.030 Public auction – Authorized.
If any such property, except unclaimed bicycles, remains unclaimed and unrestored for at least four months, the property shall be sold at public auction to the highest bidder at such time or times as the chief of police shall determine. Such auctions shall be conducted by the chief of police or by any agent appointed by him for that purpose. Such property may be sold separately or in such lot or lots as the auctioneer may determine. The purchaser at such auction sale shall take a clear title to the property purchased free of any equity or redemption. (Ord. 734 § 3, 1987; Ord. 427 § 1, 1973; Ord. 49, 1955; prior code § 7-503)
2.48.040 Public auction – Notice.
Notice of each such auction sale shall be given by the chief of police at least five days and not more than twenty days before the time fixed therefor, by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation printed, published, and circulated in the city. (Ord. 49, 1955; prior code § 7-504)
2.48.050 Destruction of unsold property.
If any such property shall be so offered for sale at such public auction as provided in this chapter and shall not be sold, such property shall be destroyed by the chief of police, or disposed of as directed by the city council. (Ord. 49, 1955; prior code § 7-505)
2.48.060 Disputes.
In the event of any dispute regarding the administration or application of this chapter, appeal may be made to the city council and the city council shall thereupon settle such dispute. (Ord. 49, 1955; prior code § 7-506)
2.48.070 Proceeds.
All moneys collected under this chapter shall be placed in the general fund of the city. (Ord. 49, 1955; prior code § 7-507)
2.48.080 Unclaimed bicycles.
Any bicycles in the possession of the police department which have been unclaimed for a period of at least sixty days may, instead of being sold at public auction, be turned over to any charitable or nonprofit organization which is authorized under its articles of incorporation to participate in a program or activity designed to prevent juvenile delinquency and is exempt from federal or state income taxes, for use in any program or activity designed to prevent juvenile delinquency. (Ord. 734 § 4, 1987)
2.48.090 Registration – Waiver of fees.
Unclaimed bicycles shall be registered with the city prior to distribution and the fee required therefor shall be waived. (Ord. 734 § 5, 1987)