Soledad Municipal Code Ch. 3.32 Unclaimed Property in Possession of Police

All personal property in the possession of the police department of the city which is not claimed by the lawful owner thereof shall be held by the department for a period of at least three months from the date possession is acquired. If any such property is not claimed within that period of time, it constitutes "unclaimed property" within the meaning of this chapter.

(Amended during 1986 codification; prior code § 18-3)

At any time after any item of unclaimed property has been held for three months, as provided by Section 3.32.010 and before the property is claimed by the lawful owner thereof, the chief of police, or his duly designated representative, may sell unclaimed property at public auction to the highest bidder, after not less than five days' notice thereof published in a newspaper of general circulation printed, published and circulated in the county. The notice shall contain a general description of the item or items of property to be sold, and shall state the time and place of sale. The proceeds derived from such sale shall first be applied to the expenses of the sale, and the balance of the proceeds shall forthwith be deposited in the city treasury.

(Amended during 1986 codification; prior code § 18-4)

If any unclaimed property which has been held for three months has no monetary value, or if in the judgment of the chief of police the value of the property is not sufficient to defray the expenses of sale, or if no bid is received for any such property at the time of sale, the chief of police or his duly designated representative may, in any such event, destroy or otherwise dispose of the unclaimed property.

(Amended during 1986 codification; prior code § 18-5)

Within ten days after any sale of unclaimed property, the chief of police shall file with the city clerk a report specifying the item or items of property sold, the amount received from each item, the expenses of sale, and the net amount deposited in the city treasury. If any item of unclaimed property has been destroyed or otherwise disposed of pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.32.030, the chief of police shall likewise file a full report thereof with the city clerk within ten days after the destruction or disposal.

(Prior code § 18-6)