(A) Owner known. If the owner of the property is known, the Department shall make a reasonable attempt to provide notice to the owner. The notice shall advise the owner that they must claim the property (providing proof of ownership) and take away the property no later than 30 days following the date on the notice or the property will be disposed of by the city as provided in this chapter.
(B) Service of notice. Service of notice to known owner.
(1) Service of notice may be accomplished by any of the following methods:
(a) First class mail, postage prepaid, to the last known address provided by the owner to the Department. Service of notice by mail shall be considered complete upon mailing; or
(b) Posting the notice on the Police Department property disposition webpage, or its equivalent, including Department social media pages, not less than 30 days prior to disposition by the city. If the owner fails to claim (providing proof of ownership) and take away the property within 30 days of initial posting of the notice, the city may dispose of the property as it deems appropriate and in compliance with this chapter.
(C) Unknown owner. If the owner of the property is not known, the property may be disposed of as follows:
(1) If the property value of the item is less than $150, the property may be disposed of by the city as it deems appropriate.
(2) If property value of the item exceeds $150, notice containing a description of the property shall be posted on the Department property disposition webpage, or its equivalent, including social media pages, not less than 30 days prior to disposition by the city. If the owner fails to claim (by providing proof of ownership) and take away the property within 30 days from the date of posting, the city may dispose of the property as it deems appropriate and in compliance with this chapter.
(D) Disposition of property. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, unclaimed property may be disposed of by the city as provided below without further notice or court order. Unclaimed property may be:
(1) Returned to the owner, if proof of ownership is provided and the property has not otherwise been disposed of by the city;
(2) Returned to the person who found the property if the person who found the property is not a public employee of a federal, state, or local government, or if the property was not found as a result of the duties of the office or employment;
(3) Destroyed;
(4) Converted and utilized by the city to the extent allowed by law;
(5) Sold, loaned, or donated to any local, state, or federal governmental entity; any nonprofit or charitable organization; or any museum or similar education institution, to the extent allowed by law, with expenses for keeping and transferring such property are to be paid by the recipient; or
(6) Treated as surplus and disposed of in accordance with this chapter and the city’s procurement code.
(Ord. O-20-10-07, passed 10-20-2020; Res. R20-10-20, passed 10-20-2020)