(A) Property that is abandoned and unclaimed for 90 days after being taken into custody by the city may be sold by the Chief of Police at public auction after giving due notice thereof by advertisement published weekly for three consecutive weeks. The Chief of Police may have the proceeds from this auction, in full or part, deposited into the Law Enforcement Trust Fund.
(B) In the alternative, the city may keep the property, or the Chief of Police may contribute proceeds, in full or part, from the auction (see division (A)) to a recognized citizens reward program for use exclusively for the payment of rewards or the Chief of Police may contribute the property to one or more public or nonprofit agencies (provided no part of the net income inures to the benefit of any private agency’s shareholder or individual and no substantial part of the agency’s activities consist of promulgating propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation or to one or more organizations satisfying IRC 501(c)(3) or (c)(19).
(C) This section shall not apply to property required for disposition pursuant to R.C. §§ 2981.01 et seq. or other similar sections of the Revised Code, except as provided otherwise in this chapter.
(D) Bicycles that are abandoned and unclaimed for 60 days and have no value may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the Chief of Police without public sale.
(E) The Chief of Police or his/her designee shall determine any claimant’s rights to possession of the abandoned or unclaimed property. If the claimant is dissatisfied with the decision of the Chief of Police or his or her designee, he or she may appeal the decision to the City Manager or his designee within 7 days of the decision. The City Manager and/or his or her designee shall hold a hearing within 14 days of receipt of the notice of appeal. The decision of the City Manager shall be final.
(Ord. 27-99, passed 9-7-99; Am. Ord. 7-05, passed 5-16-05; Am. Ord. 4-07, passed 2-5-07; Am. Ord. 1-10, passed 1-19-10; Am. Ord. 8-11, passed 8-16-11; Ord. 3- 12, passed 2-7-12)