This article establishes procedures for the disposition of city surplus personal property including, but not limited to, supplies, materials and equipment.
(Ord. 2317 § 2 (part), 2010; Ord. 2734 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2020)
A. 
If the estimated value of the surplus property is $500.00 or less, the city administrator or their designee may dispose of the property in any manner deemed to be in the city's best interests. If the estimated value of the surplus property is greater than $500.00 and up to and including $50,000, the city administrator or their designee may dispose of the property in any manner deemed to be in the city's best interests after the surplus has been approved by the city council finance and personnel committee.
B. 
If the surplus property has an estimated value greater than $50,000 or was originally acquired for public utility purposes as contemplated by RCW 35.94.040, prior approval of the sale or trade-in and method of disposition must be obtained from the city council. Such property may be disposed of through one of the following methods:
1. 
Transfer to another agency of government, subject to SMC § 3.36.140;
2. 
Public or privately operated consignment auction;
3. 
Donated to a 501(c)(3) organization;
4. 
Solicitation of written bids;
5. 
Negotiated sale to one or more designated buyers;
6. 
Trade-in upon the purchase of a like article; or
7. 
An advertisement posted in an online or paper publication or on the city's website.
(Ord. 2317 § 2 (part), 2010; Ord. 2470 § 4 (part), 2014; Ord. 2734 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2020)
The city council may fix a minimum price at which such property may be sold. No sale shall be made unless the minimum price fixed by the city council is bid.
(Ord. 2317 § 2 (part), 2010; Ord. 2734 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2020)
When sale of surplus property is to be by written bid or public auction, the city clerk shall advertise for bids on the sale of the personal property by either: (1) posting such advertisement on the city's website; or (2) posting such advertisement in printed or online classifieds. Advertisements shall be posted at least five calendar days prior to the final date for submitting the bids or the date of the auction. The notice of public auction or advertisement for bids shall particularly describe the property to be sold and shall designate when and where the bids are to be submitted or the place and the time of the auction, the minimum price, and the terms of sale.
(Ord. 2317 § 2 (part), 2010; Ord. 2734 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2020)
If the sale is upon sealed bids, bids shall be opened in public at the time and place stated in the advertisement. The city council may reject any or all bids, or the bid for any one or more of the articles included in the advertisement for bids.
(Ord. 2317 § 2 (part), 2010; Ord. 2734 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2020)
Sales of personal property must be for cash except as follows:
A. 
When property is transferred to a governmental agency;
B. 
When the city property is to be traded in on the purchase of a like article, in which case the proposed cash allowance for the trade-in must be a part of the proposition to be submitted by the seller in the transaction.
(Ord. 2317 § 2 (part), 2010; Ord. 2734 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2020)
Certain city ordinances and provisions of the Revised Code of Washington impose special conditions for the disposition of municipal property. Where necessary, city officials shall comply with those laws, treating them as limited exceptions if any provision of those laws otherwise conflict with the provisions of this chapter. Exceptions include, but are not limited to, chapters 35.94 (Surplus Utility Property) and 39.33 (Alternate Method for Intergovernmental Disposition of Property) RCW.
(Ord. 2317 § 2 (part), 2010; Ord. 2734 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2020)
Prior to the city's surplus and disposal of personal property that was originally purchased for utility purposes, the city shall hold a public hearing if required by RCW 35.94.040, as currently enacted or hereafter amended.
(Ord. 2734 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2020)