[Ord. No. 641, § 1, 2-12-1985; Ord. No. 845, 4-10-2001]
Any personal property, except motor vehicles, left unclaimed
upon the streets, alleys or other public ways or property for a period
of 10 days shall be considered abandoned. The City of Williston, acting
through its chief of police or other designated agents, shall have
the power to take, store and dispose of the abandoned property in
the following manner:
(a)
Upon determining that the personal property has been abandoned, the
City of Williston may take the property into its possession and store
the property for a period of not less than 60 days.
(b)
During the period of time the property is stored, the city shall
make a reasonable effort to determine the owner of the property. If
the owner is determined, written notice of the proposed sale shall
be given to the owner.
(c)
After holding such property for a period of not less than 60 days,
the property may be sold at a public sale. Notice of the sale shall
be published in a newspaper having general circulation within the
city at least one time, such publication to be made at least 10 days
prior to the sale.
[Ord. No. 641, § 2, 2-12-1985; Ord. No. 845, 4-10-2001]
Upon the sale of the property, the city shall convey to the
purchaser a merchantable title by a bill of sale. At any time within
six months after the sale, the owner of the property, upon written
application, shall be entitled to receive the proceeds from the sale
from the city, less the necessary expense of taking, storing, and
selling the property. The owner of the property may reclaim it at
any time prior to the sale upon payment of the necessary expense of
taking and storing.
