As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them:
CONTRACTUAL SERVICES Personal services, all telephone, gas, water, electric light and power services, towel and cleaning services, leases for all grounds, buildings, offices or other space required by the using agency and the rental, repair or maintenance of equipment, machinery and other City-owned personal property. The term shall not include insurance, professional and other contractual services which are in their nature often unique and not subject to normal competitive bidding.
COOPERATING AGENCY Any department, agency, commission, bureau or other unit in the City Government not under the direction and control of the Board of Aldermen or in any other governmental unit whether school district, special authority, other municipality, County or otherwise which cooperates with the City through its Director of Purchasing in purchasing any items covered by this Chapter.
SUPPLIES All supplies, materials, equipment, commodities and capital outlays.
USING AGENCY Any department, agency, commission, bureau or other unit in the City Government using supplies or procuring contractual services as provided for in this Chapter and which shall be under the direction and control of the Board of Aldermen.
Any purchase order or contract within the purview of this Chapter in which any officer or employee of the City is financially interested, directly or indirectly, shall be void unless the Board of Aldermen waives compliance with this Section before the execution of a purchase order or contract. The Board of Aldermen shall waive this Section only when the best interests of the City require such action and the laws of the State do not prohibit the transaction. The City Administrator shall immediately report to the Board any information that he/she has or that comes to his/her attention that would indicate any such interest either before or after a purchase has been made.
The Director of Purchasing and each officer and employee of the City is expressly prohibited from accepting, directly or indirectly, from any person to which any purchase order or contract is or might be awarded any rebate, gift, money or anything of value whatsoever, except where given for the use and benefit of the City.
All purchases and contracts for supplies and contractual services, and all sales of personal property which has become obsolete and unusable shall, except as expressly provided in this Chapter, be based wherever possible on competitive bids.
No resolution or ordinance shall finally be passed approving any contract for supplies or contractual services (except for professional services) unless such resolution or ordinance shall contain the endorsement of the City Administrator on the face thereof indicating that proper purchasing procedures have been followed.