Sierra Madre Municipal Code Ch. 3.16 Lost or Unclaimed Property

All lost, abandoned or unclaimed personal property coming into the possession of the city or any officer or employee thereof shall immediately be turned over to the custody of the chief of police. Such personal property shall be held by him/her for a period of at least six months unless sooner claimed and restored.

(Prior code § 2650)

If, at any time prior to the sale or destruction thereof, as hereinafter provided, any such property is claimed by any person who established his/her right of the possession thereof to the satisfaction of the police chief, such personal property shall be delivered to such person, provided, such person shall first pay to the city the reasonable cost of holding, protecting and returning such property.

(Prior code § 2651)

A. Except as otherwise provided by law, if any such property shall remain unclaimed and unrestored for at least six months, such property shall be sold at public auction to the highest bidder at such time or times as the public chief shall determine. Such auction shall be conducted by the police chief. Such property may be sold separately or in such lot or lots as the police chief may determine. The purchasers at such auction sale shall take a clear title to the property purchased free of any right of redemption.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, where such unclaimed property can be utilized by the city, upon the direction of the city administrator, such property may be devoted to such use.

(Prior code § 2652)

Notice of each such auction shall be given to the city clerk at least five days, and not more than twenty days, prior to the time fixed for such auction. The notice to be given shall be by publication in a newspaper of general circulation and by such other means as the clerk deems necessary to give adequate notice of such auction.

(Ord. 1084 § 1 (part), 1992; prior code § 2653)

If any such property shall be so offered for sale at such auction as provided in this chapter, and shall not be sold, such property shall be destroyed or otherwise disposed of, by the police chief, with the approval of the city administrator.

(Prior code § 2654)