[Amended 5-21-1974 by L.L. No. 2-1974; 10-17-1978 by L.L. No.
5-1978; 12-20-1983 by L.L. No. 1-1984; 12-15-1992 by L.L. No.
10-1992]
Except as otherwise provided by law, it shall be the duty of
the Common Council and each board and commission after public notice
to let to the lowest responsible bidder who will give adequate security
therefor, all contracts for public works involving an expenditure
equal to or greater than the amount specified for public works in
Subdivision 1 of § 103 of Article 5-A of the General Municipal
Law as it may be amended from time to time and all purchase contracts
involving an expenditure equal to or greater than the amount specified
for purchase contracts in Subdivision 1 of § 103 of Article
5-A of the General Municipal Law, and the nature of such public works
or purchase contracts will admit of competition on the part of those
who might perform the same. The notice shall describe the work and
materials for which contracts will be let, and the day and hour and
place of the meeting at which proposals therefor will be opened, and
shall be published in the official newspaper of the City at least
two successive days prior to the date of said meeting. At least five
days shall elapse between the first publication of such advertisement
and the date so specified for the opening and reading of bids. Specifications
of work to be done, or the materials to be furnished, shall be prepared
and set forth with sufficient detail to inform all persons of the
materials to be supplied and written or printed copies thereof shall
be delivered to all applicants therefor. Surplus and secondhand supplied
materials or equipment may be purchased without competitive bidding
from the federal government, the State of New York or from any other
political subdivision or district, as well as materials and/or equipment
through New York State or Columbia County uniform bids.
No contract shall be let except after the receipt of sealed
bids or proposals therefor, and no bids or proposals shall be received
at any time other than at a regular meeting of the Common Council
or of such board or Commissioner in accordance with published notice
under the provisions of this Charter.
In case of public emergency involving accident or other injury
by which the heating, plumbing or safety of any public building, or
the fire apparatus of said City, or the water supply or sewer system
of said City, or the safety or welfare of the public, shall become
disabled or be in danger of becoming disabled, the Common Council
or the board or Commissioner having jurisdiction thereof shall cause
repairs thereto to be made without letting by contract, upon filing
with the City Clerk a certificate approved by the Mayor, showing such
emergency and necessity of such repair.
The provisions of this Charter, or of any law requiring advertisements
for bids or proposals for the awarding of contracts for supplies to
be furnished for any of said departments, shall not be applicable
to the supplies which may be furnished under the provisions of the
Correction Law.
Every contract for a public improvement shall be based upon
an estimate of the whole cost thereof, including all expenses incidental
thereto and connected therewith, to be furnished by the proper officer
or Commissioner having charge of such improvements, and no contract
for a public improvement shall be entered into for a sum greater than
the estimated cost thereof.
All municipal lighting shall be supplied according to plans
and specifications prepared under direction of and approved by the
Common Council and pursuant to contract therefor awarded by the Common
Council as herein provided. No contract for municipal lighting shall
be advertised for or entered into for a period exceeding five years.