Administration of City Government

Section 300 - Disposition Of Unclaimed Property

300.01 - Unclaimed property; purpose and statutory authority

This section has been enacted to provide for the custody and disposal of property other than motor vehicles coming into the possession of the city in the course of municipal operations and remaining unclaimed by the owner. This section has been adopted pursuant to provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 471.195.

300.03 - Method of disposition

Property that has come into the possession of the city and has remained unclaimed by its owner for a period of six months or more may be disposed of by the city by sale to the highest bidder at public auction or sale. The public auction or sale is conducted under the direction of the city clerk-treasurer, following published notice in the official newspaper at least ten days in advance of the sale.

300.05 - Property having insubstantial value

Property having no substantial value may be discarded or given away by the city, but a list of such items so disposed of must be retained in the files of the city for at least six years.

300.09 - Items which may be destroyed

Items of personal property having nuisance potential, such as firearms, dangerous weapons, liquor and narcotics, may be destroyed upon order of the city clerk-treasurer. A list of items so destroyed must be maintained for a period of at least six years.

300.09 - Disposition of proceeds

The proceeds of the sale must be deposited in the general fund of the city, subject to the right of the former owner to payment of the sale price from such fund upon application and satisfactory proof of ownership within six months of the sale.