(A) Options. After unclaimed property has been held for the required period, the unclaimed property may be:
(1) Publicly auctioned off at a time convenient to the Police Department and the City Manager; or
(2) Retained by the city for the purposes provided for in Section 1.12.040(C) and (D); or
(3) Retained by the city if it is otherwise determined by the City Manager that such property is needed for
public use.
(B) Public auctions. If auctioned, the unclaimed property shall be sold to the highest bidder. Notice of the auction shall be given by the Chief of Police, or designee, at least five days before the time fixed for the auction by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation published in Riverside County. Any property remaining unsold after the auction may be retained by the city, destroyed or otherwise disposed of in any manner determined reasonable by the City Manager or designee.
(C) Donations. The city finds and determines that there is a public use and purpose in the city retaining the unclaimed property so that it may be donated to other public agencies or to charitable, civic or non-profit organizations. Any such donation shall be approved by the City Council pursuant to an agreement or other written document with the receiving entity.
(D) Money. The city finds and determines that there is a public use and purpose in the city retaining money held in the city's unofficial custody for the purpose of returning a portion of it to the person(s), organization(s) and/or other entity(ies) responsible for turning it over to the city. Those responsible shall be determined by the Chief of Police in his/her sole discretion. The portion returned shall be determined by the Chief of Police, after he/she reasonably deducts an amount necessary to reimburse the city for its investigative and other operational and administrative expenses incurred with respect to the unclaimed money.
(`78 Code, § 1.12.040.) (Ord. 3307 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1629 § 1 (part).)