TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare an ordinance amending Chapter 2.78 of the Long Beach Municipal Code governing the sale of unclaimed personal property recovered from towed vehicles. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Towing and Lien Sale Division of the Fleet Services Bureau (Towing), in the Financial Management Department, is responsible for City towing and storage of vehicles impounded at the request of the Police, Public Works, and Parks, Recreation and Marine Departments. Unclaimed personal property, as well as other evidence found from towed vehicles, is stored by Towing as directed by the Police Department.
Before any vehicle is legally cleared for auction, an inventory of each vehicle’s contents is performed to ensure no contraband, personal identification, or firearms are sold with the vehicle. Personal property is released to its rightful owner prior to the lien sale, provided the claimant can verify ownership, as allowed by policy and law. Unclaimed personal property not designated as evidence by the Police Department is consolidated and palletized for auction during bi-weekly lien sales. Secured space for storage of these articles is extremely limited.
Currently, the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) allows for the sale of unclaimed personal property acquired strictly by the Police Department. Staff is recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 2.78 of the LBMC to formalize the current practices of the Department of Financial Management regarding the sale of unclaimed property acquired by other City departments.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on January 15, 2020 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on January 9, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on February 4, 2020, so the Long Beach Municipal Code can be amended expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
Revenue from unclaimed property sales recovered from towed vehicles will be de...
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