The police chief shall make provisions for receiving and safekeeping found property and found money delivered to him or her. A receipt shall be issued to the person delivering such property or money.
(Prior code § 2-6.01)
Such property shall be stored in a safe place and such money shall be deposited with the director of finance for a period of at least three months, unless sooner claimed by the true owner and shall then be deemed to be unclaimed property subject to disposal as provided in this chapter.
(Prior code § 2-6.02; Ord. 96-18 § 14, 1996)
During the time the property is so held, it may be delivered or paid to the true owner, upon proof of ownership satisfactory to the police chief, after ten days' notice by mail to any others who have asserted a claim of ownership to the property. Such money shall be paid to the true owner upon written order to the director of finance from the police chief. The police chief shall make such order upon the satisfactory proof of ownership and the same notice as prescribed in case of property. If ownership cannot be determined to the satisfaction of the police chief, he or she may refuse to deliver such property or the payment of such money to anyone until ordered to do so by a court.
(Prior code § 2-6.03)
If the true owner does not appear within such period of three months, the money or property may be delivered back to the finder, other than a city employee who found the same while performing his or her regular duties, if such finder is served written notice upon the city that he or she wishes to assert a claim to the property as a finder.
(Prior code § 2-6.04; Ord. 96-18 § 15, 1996)
All money received by the police chief and not delivered to the true owner within a three month period or to the finder shall thereafter be deposited in the general fund of the city.
(Prior code § 2-6.05; Ord. 96-18 § 16, 1996)
Upon the expiration of the three months' period, any property received and not delivered to the true owner or the finder may be appropriated to the use of the city upon order of the city manager.
(Prior code § 2-6.06; amended during 1996 codification)
Any property not appropriated to city use shall be sold at public auction to the highest bidder.
A. 
Notice. Notice of such sale shall be given by the director of finance at least five days before the time fixed therefor by publication at least once in the Hanford Sentinel.
B. 
Sale. The auction for the sale of unclaimed property shall be conducted by the city manager or duly appointed representative.
(Prior code § 2-6.07)
Any property offered for sale, but not sold and not suitable for appropriation to the use of the city, shall be disposed of in such manner as the city manager directs.
(Prior code § 2-6.09)
Any property coming into the possession of the police chief which he/she determines to be dangerous or perishable may be disposed of immediately, without notice, in such manner as shall be determined by the police chief.
(Prior code § 2-6.10)
The provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to apply to property or money subject to confiscation under the laws of the state or the United States and shall apply to property or money held as evidence only when the same is unclaimed by any person and no other provisions of law are applicable.
(Prior code § 2-6.11)