The true owner of any such unclaimed personal property held for sale or disposal by the city may reclaim his property upon satisfactory proof of ownership thereof prior to the sale or other disposition hereunder. If such unclaimed personal property has been sold or otherwise disposed of under the provisions of this chapter, the true owner, upon application to the city clerk within six (6) months of such sale or disposition and upon satisfactory proof of ownership, shall be entitled to receive the actual sale price of such property; except, that there shall be deducted from said sale price any expenses incurred by the city in connection with the retention, storage, and sale of such property. (1981 Code 912 § 2)