§ 2-248. Claim and proof of ownership.

(a)

Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, if the personal property described in the notice required by section 2-247 remains in the possession of the officer without any person making satisfactory claim and proof of ownership therefore for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the notice describing it, the personal property shall be deemed to be abandoned, and title thereof shall be deemed to be in the city and become "city personal property" by reason of abandonment by the owner and possession by the city.

(b)

The conversion of unclaimed personal property for personal use is prohibited.

(c)

When dealing with property which is lost, found by a person not the owner (hereinafter referred to as the "finder") and then turned over to an officer, the finder shall be deemed to have made satisfactory claim and proof of ownership to be entitled to possession of the personal property at the end of thirty (30) days from the date of the notice. However, the finder's claim and proof of ownership under this section shall be inferior to and subject to a satisfactory claim and proof of ownership by any owner of the personal property. Upon delivery of the property to the finder as provided in this section, the city shall have no further interest in or obligations with respect to the property. The city shall, however, provide the name and address of the finder and the location of the property, if known, to any person making a satisfactory claim and proof of ownership subsequent to the delivery of the property to the finder.

(Code 1963, § 24A-4; Ord. No. 1042, § 3, 9-26-78; Ord. No. 1345, § 1, 3-5-85; Ord. No. 1605, § 3, 6-13-89; Ord. No. 2184, § 3, 2-13-01)