Mountain View Municipal Code Art. II Lost or Abandoned Property

* For state law as to finding of lost or abandoned property, see C.C., Sec. 2080 et seq.

Under such regulations as may be prescribed from time to time by the city manager, the police department shall take charge of all lost or abandoned property which is turned in to the police department or which comes into possession of the police department in the course of its work.

(Ord. No. 175.277, 9/8/54.)

Property received as provided in the preceding section shall be kept for the purpose of restoring it to the person enTitled thereto; provided, however, that if such property shall remain unclaimed for a period of at least three (3) months, then, in that event, such unclaimed property shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 175.277, 9/8/54; Ord. No. 129.63, 12/9/63; Ord. No. 5.99, 4/13/99.)

The city manager shall establish a schedule of reasonable storage charges to be paid by the parties entitled to any property taken into the custody of the police department, and for the necessary costs and disbursements incurred in caring for such property and locating the person entitled thereto.

(Ord. No. 175.277, 9/8/54.)

If any such property taken into custody by the police department, shall remain unclaimed for a period of not less than three (3) months or the claimant shall refuse to pay the charges prescribed within the required period of time, then the property may be sold at public auction by the chief of police to the highest bidder, provided, however, that notice of such sale shall be given by the chief of police at least five (5) days before the time fixed therefor by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county.

In the case of bicycles unclaimed under this section, the chief of police may, with the approval of the city manager, authorize the donation of the unclaimed bicycles for distribution for charitable purposes within the corporate limits of Mountain View.

(Ord. No. 175.277, 9/8/54; Ord. No. 129.63, 12/9/63; Ord. No. 9.72, 3/13/72; Ord. No. 5.99, 4/13/99.)

Prior to the sale of any automobile, or other motor vehicle, twenty (20) days notice by registered mail shall be given to the legal owner and to the registered owner of such vehicle as registered in the state, and as such ownerships appear in the registration certificate, and such notice shall also be given to the division of motor vehicles; and further, within twenty (20) days after such sale the legal or registered owner may redeem any automobile so sold by paying the costs and charges, together with interest on the sum at the rate of twelve (12) percent per annum from the date of the sale until payment of such sum. The police department shall retain possession of the vehicle during the period of redemption.

(Ord. No. 175.277, 9/8/54.)

The proceeds from sales of any unclaimed property as described in this article, shall be delivered to the director of finance of the city and deposited in the general fund of the city after deducting necessary and reasonable expenses of sale.

(Ord. No. 175.277, 9/8/54.)