The Oregon City Commission approved the first reading May 16 of an ordinance replacing the city's disposition of abandoned property code with a new unclaimed property chapter that would shorten holding times and permit Internet auction disposition.

Lieutenant Nunez told commissioners the current ordinance required a six‑month hold of unclaimed items; state statute (ORS 98.245) allows disposal after 60 days. The proposed code aligns with state law by allowing disposal after a 60‑day period and adding 30 days of posting efforts to locate owners, meaning items could be sold or otherwise disposed of after roughly 90 days if unclaimed. Nunez said the Oregon City Police's property storage is limited (he estimated the department receives about 100 bicycles a year and that only one bicycle was reclaimed in the past year), and staff has contracted with propertyroom.com to handle Internet auction sales, which should generate higher returns and free storage space.

Commissioners passed the first reading 5–0. Staff said the change will reduce unclaimed property inventories and bring city practice into alignment with state law; the ordinance will return for a subsequent reading before final adoption.

Speakers quoted: Lieutenant Nunez.

Why this matters: Shortening the hold period and using an Internet auction service reduces demands on police storage space, may increase recovery of value for the city, and aligns the municipal code with state statute.

Ending: Staff will return with a final ordinance for adoption and will begin implementing the revised disposition process after adoption.

Topic primary: police_property