Chapter 3.36 — UNCLAIMED PROPERTY

When lost, stolen, abandoned or otherwise unclaimed property, except vehicles subject to registration under the Vehicle Code of the state, comes into possession of the police department of this city, such department may hold or store the same with some responsible person until it is claimed and all just and reasonable charges for saving and storage thereof have been paid. (Prior code § 2.30)

• A. If the owner or other person entitled to the possession thereof fails to claim the property within six months and to pay the charges, the police department or the chief of police may sell it to the highest bidder at public auction at the place where the same may be held or stored, having first caused notice of sale to be given at least five days before the time fixed therefor, by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation published in the city.

• B. Any excess in the proceeds of the sale after paying such charges and expenses of sale, including but not limited to the cost of advertising and a fee of not exceeding $10 to be charged by the department for making the sale, shall be deposited in the city treasury in the general fund.

• C. Upon payment of the price bid for the property sold, the delivery of the property, with the chief of police's bill of sale vests title in the purchaser.

• D. In any case where there is no bid offered for the property, or if the highest bid offered does not exceed the charges for saving, holding and storage and the expenses of sale, the same shall become the property of the city as compensation for expenses incurred and may thereafter be sold by the city, as surplus property, without notice and without bids, for such sum as the city council, upon the recommendation of the chief of police, shall deem satisfactory.

• (Prior code § 2.31)