Pursuant to Section 2080.4 of the California Civil Code the police department is authorized to sell at public auction to the highest bidder all unclaimed property which has been in the possession of the department for a period of at least three months upon notice of such sale, given by the chief of police at least five days before the time fixed therefor by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation published in the city. (Ord. 1330 § 1, 1997: Ord. 963 § 1, 1983: prior code § 4280.1)