A. 
Subject to this chapter, the city manager may authorize department directors to sell property that is in the custody of the departments and owned by the city when said property is no longer of public use to the city.
B. 
Department directors shall certify in writing to the city manager or duly authorized agent that city-owned property is no longer of public use to the city, or that the sale thereof would be in the best interests of the city.
C. 
The city manager may declare personal property that is of no current or future public use to the city with an individual item value of less than $500.00 as scrap. Personal property declared scrap may be disposed of as prescribed by the city manager or sold by private sale at prices established by current market conditions.
D. 
The city manager may also authorize a donation of surplus property when the cost of disposition of the property is equal to or exceeds the current fair market value of the property, to a specific bona fide charitable organization which is tax exempt pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Sec. 501(c)(3).
E. 
If any surplus property is purchased with grant funds, the department directors shall consult with the granting agency to ensure sale or disposal of the property is consistent with any grant requirements or restrictions prior to providing certification to the city manager.
(Ord. 268 § 1, 2001; Ord. 795 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017)
A. 
Approval of the city council is not required for the sale or disposition of any city-owned personal property with an individual item estimated value of $5,000 or less.
B. 
When such property has been certified for disposition by a department director, sale or disposition shall be made by the city manager or duly authorized agent in accordance with informal procedures. No member of the city council or members of their immediate family, and/or city employees or members of their immediate family, may acquire such property if the city employee or official had any role in establishing the valuation or price of said property.
(Ord. 268 § 1, 2001; Ord. 795 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017)
Upon approval by the city council, surplus property owned by the city which is no longer of public use and which is valued at more than $5,000 shall be sold by calling for sealed bids or by public auction, at the council’s discretion.
A. 
Sale by Sealed Bidding.
1. 
The call for sealed bids shall contain a description of the property to be sold, the location thereof, the name and address of the person with whom the bid is to be filed, the last date for filing bids, and any other pertinent information required by the city manager. Such call shall be published by: (a) posting such notice on the city’s website; (b) notice in the official newspaper of the city; and/or (c) providing a news release of notice to potentially interested parties. Notice shall be provided at least five calendar days prior to the final date for submitting the bids or the date of the auction, whichever is earlier.
2. 
Each bid shall be accompanied by a deposit in the form of a certified or cashier’s check in the amount equal to but not less than 10 percent of the amount of the bid. All such deposits so made shall be returned to the unsuccessful bidders after award of a bid, if any. The deposit of the successful bidder shall be applied toward the bid price, or upon failure of such bidder to consummate the purchase, such deposit shall be forfeited as liquidated damages and such deposit shall be credited to the appropriate account.
3. 
Sealed bids shall be opened in public by the city clerk or duly authorized agent at the time and place specified in the call for bids. The city clerk or duly authorized agent shall make a tabulation of all bids received and forward the bids to the city manager for approval or rejection. The city manager shall accept the highest bid that exceeds the city’s estimated value.
4. 
In the event no bids are received, all bids are rejected, or no bid exceeds the city’s estimated value, the city manager may either ask for new sealed bids or direct the sale or disposition of such surplus property under the procedures adopted pursuant to SMC § 3.50.020.
B. 
Sale by Public Auction.
1. 
Public auction means an auction held in-person or online.
2. 
The public auction shall be conducted by the city manager or designee. The city shall accept the highest bid.
3. 
When the sale is to be by public auction, the city manager or designee shall provide notice of public auction for bids by: (a) posting such notice on the city’s website; (b) publishing notice in the official newspaper of the city; and/or (c) providing a news release of notice to potentially interested parties. Notice shall be provided at least five calendar days prior to the final date for submitting the bids or the date of the auction, whichever is earlier. The notice of public auction for bids shall particularly describe the property to be sold and shall designate when and where the bids are to be submitted, including a website for an online auction, or the place and the time of the in-person auction, the minimum price, and the terms of sale.
4. 
An online auction shall be conducted per the online auctioneer’s terms and conditions.
5. 
In the event no bids are received, the city manager may direct the sale or disposition of such surplus property under the procedures adopted pursuant to SMC § 3.50.020.
(Ord. 268 § 1, 2001; Ord. 795 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 1032 § 1, 2025)
A. 
Sale or disposition of surplus and personal property with an individual item value of $50,000 or less to another governmental entity shall be in accordance with SMC § 3.50.020.
B. 
Sale or disposition of surplus and personal property with a value of more than $50,000 to another governmental entity shall be in accordance with the procedures for public notice and hearing in RCW 39.33.020.
(Ord. 268 § 1, 2001; Ord. 795 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017)
A. 
Notwithstanding SMC § 3.50.030, approval of the city council is not required for the trade-in of surplus equipment with an individual value of more than $5,000 when purchasing new equipment, so long as the city receives appropriate trade-in value for the surplus equipment. Appropriate trade-in value shall be determined by reference to “The Blue Book” or other similar published reference book.
B. 
When surplus city equipment has been certified for trade-in by a department director in accordance with this chapter, such trade-in may be approved by the city manager in accordance with informal procedures. No member of the city council or members of their immediate family, and/or city employees or members of their immediate family, may acquire such property if the city employee or official had any role in establishing the valuation or price of said property.
(Ord. 268 § 1, 2001; Ord. 795 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017)