Sonora Municipal Code § 2.56 Sale, Transfer and Destruction of Unclaimed Property

Pursuant to Section 2080.4 of the Civil Code, the chief of police is authorized and empowered to sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash any article of personal property in his possession which remains unclaimed for a period of three months. If the chief of police determines that the value of said unclaimed personal property is less than his costs of sale, he is authorized and empowered to destroy the unclaimed property. If the chief of police elects to sell said unclaimed property, he shall give notice of the time and place of the sale at least five days before the time fixed therefor by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the county. Once the unclaimed property is sold by the chief of police, such property shall not be redeemable by the owner or other person entitled to its possession.

(Ord. 706 (part), 1995.)

As an alternative to the sale or destruction of unclaimed property as provided for in Section 2.56.010, the chief of police may transfer any article of personal property in his possession which remains unclaimed for a period of three months to the city administrator. Once transferred to the city administrator such unclaimed property shall not be redeemable by the owner or other person entitled to its possession. The city administrator shall either sell the unclaimed property in the manner prescribed for the sale of surplus personal property or, if he/she determines that the unclaimed property is needed for public use, he/she may transfer the unclaimed property to another city department for its use.

(Ord. 706 (part), 1995.)

The net proceeds from any sale of unclaimed property pursuant to this chapter shall be paid to the city and credited to the general fund.

(Ord. 706 (part), 1995.)