Sec. 61. Competitive bidding for contract work for erection, improvement and repair of public buildings, etc., where the amount is in excess of two thousandfive hundred dollars.

When a required expenditure exceeds five thousand dollars, it shall be contracted for and let to the lowest responsible bidder after notice. (4-6-71)

As used in this section public project means a project for the erection, improvement and repair of public buildings and works; work in or about streams, embankments; or other work for protection against overflow; street sewer work except maintenance or repair; furnishing supplies or materials for any such project, including maintenance or repair of streets, sewers or water lines.

The council may reject any or all bids presented and may, at its discretion, readvertise for other bids, or, the council may, after rejecting bids, determine and declare by a four-fifths vote of all of its members that the work in question may be more economically or satisfactorily performed by day labor, or the labor or materials purchased at a lower price in the open market and after the adoption of a resolution to this effect it may proceed to have the same done in manner stated without further observance of the foregoing provisions of this section.

The notice inviting sealed bids shall set a datefor the opening of bids; the first publication shall be at least ten days before the date of the opening of the bids; shall be published at least twice not less than five days apart in the official newspaper selected by the council.

In case of a great public calamity, such as an extraordinary fire, flood, storm, epidemic or other disaster, the council may, by resolution passed by a vote of four-fifths of its members, determine and declare that the public interest or necessity demands the immediate expenditure of public money to safe-guard life, health, or property, and thereupon they may proceed without advertising for bids or receiving the same, to expend, or enter into a contract involving the expenditure of any money required in such emergency, on hand in the city treasury and available for such purpose.

Amendment note: The first paragraph of Sec. 61 was amended April 6, 1971 by increasing the amount from $2,500 to $5,000.