A. Unclaimed property shall be interpreted to mean and include bicycles, automobiles, vehicles of whatever nature, suitcases, trunks and other baggage and any such property except livestock and any weapons that come into the possession of the police department and which is held for more than sixty days without being claimed by and returned to the owner.
B. Upon taking possession of any property by any officer, agent or employee of the city, the same shall be delivered to the police department, and it shall be the duty of the police department to ascertain, if possible, the owner thereof and to notify the owner by mail or in person that such property is in the possession of the police department.
C. In the event the owner of unclaimed property cannot be found or does not claim such property, the police department shall sell such property in the manner set forth in this section:
1. The police department shall hold all such property for a period of sixty days before selling;
2. At least ten days prior to the holding of the sale the police department shall cause to be published in the official city newspaper, notice of such sale, in which shall be stated the time and place of holding the sale and the general nature of the unclaimed property to be sold, and shall mail a copy of such notice to the owner, if known;
3. The police department shall also post a notice of such sale on the bulletin board at the city hall, at least ten days prior to the date of sale;
4. Unclaimed property shall be sold at public auction for cash, either singly or otherwise as the police department may see fit, to the highest bidder;
5. All proceeds of such sale over and above the sale and advertising costs shall be paid over to the treasurer and retained in a separate fund for six months. Upon the expiration of such time, unless sooner claimed as hereinafter provided, such moneys shall be paid into the general fund;
6. Within six months following the sale any person claiming the ownership of any property sold may receive the proceeds from the sale of such property, less its proportionate share of the costs of sale, upon proof of ownership to the satisfaction of the police department.
D. Upon delivery to any purchaser of any property sold under the provisions of this section, the police department shall execute to the purchaser a certificate of sale, describing the item sold and the date of sale, and the certificate shall serve to pass title to the purchaser.
(Prior code § 5-1-6)