All lost, abandoned or unclaimed personal property, other than live animals, coming into the possession of the city or any officer or department thereof, shall immediately be turned over to the custody of the police department. Such personal property shall be held by the police department for a period of at least three months unless sooner claimed and restored, except that shopping carts need only be held for the period set forth in California Business and Professions Code Section 22435.7.
(Prior code § 21-2; Ord. 1608 § 1, 2016)
If at any time prior to the sale or destruction of any lost, abandoned or unclaimed personal property as provided in this chapter, any such property is claimed by any person who establishes his or her right to the possession thereof to the satisfaction of the chief of police or authorized deputy in charge of such property, such personal property shall be delivered to such person, provided that such person shall first pay to the police department the reasonable cost to the city of holding, protecting and returning such property.
(Prior code § 21-3)
A. 
If any lost, abandoned or unclaimed property shall remain unclaimed and unrestored for at least three months, such property shall be sold at public auction to the highest bidder at such time as the chief of police shall determine. Shopping carts shall be sold or disposed of as provided in California Business and Professions Code Section 22435.7.
B. 
Such auction shall be conducted by the chief of police or by any agent appointed by him or her for that purpose. Such property may be sold separately or in such lots as the auctioneer may determine. The purchaser at such auction sale shall take a clear title to the property purchased, free of any equity or redemption.
C. 
Notice of such auction sale shall be given by the chief of police at least five days and not more than twenty days before the time fixed therefor by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation printed, published and circulated in the city.
(Prior code § 21-4; Ord. 1608 § 1, 2016)