[1]
Editor's Note: Prior ordinance history: 1958 Code §§2.200, 2.202—2.212, Ordinance Nos. 83-03, 90-04.
[Ord. 94-02, § 2-27.1]
The City is authorized to establish purchasing policies for such items as petty cash, purchase orders, informal bids, and formal bids. These policies shall be authorized, established, and amended by resolution.
[Ord. #94-02, § 2-27.2]
Contracts for services for individuals or firms possessing a high degree of skill, for utility services and sole vendors are exempt from the City's bidding policies. A service contractor or vendor may be considered as a "sole vendor" because of shipping cost, time considerations, service availability, or established expertise in the desired field. The department head shall submit a memorandum to the Finance and Administrative Services Director documenting the reasons for selection under this section. Approval of the City Administrator is also required. In the event that purchases for equipment or vehicles are part of a major government purchasing contract which would generate a lower per unit cost, competitive bids and pre-approval by the City Council are not required. However, these purchases must be budgeted and shall be approved by the City Administrator prior to City participation.
[Ord. #94-02, § 2-27.3]
The bidding procedures for public works projects as set forth in Section 4.03 of the City Charter shall be followed.
[Ord. #94-02, § 2-27.4]
Real property shall be acquired only upon order of the City Council.
[Ord. #94-02, § 2-27.5]
Purchases of equipment, materials, supplies, or services determined by the City Administrator or his/her designee to be necessary to meet an emergency which threatens the public health, safety or welfare, may be made without competitive bidding and without City Council approval.
[Ord. #94-02, § 2-27.6]
Purchases of equipment, materials, supplies, or services determined by the City Council to be necessary to service the best interest of the City may be made without competitive bidding.
[Ord. #94-02, § 2-27.8; Ord. #99-01, § 1]
Any officer or employee of the City who violates the purchasing policies, except for purchases from petty cash or emergency purchases, may be subject to disciplinary action including termination from the City Council. Any purchases, contracts or obligations to pay, made contrary to these policies, shall be null and void.
[Ord. #94-02, § 2-27.9; Ord. #99-01, § 1]
In the case of a purchase or public project financed in whole or part by public gifts to which are attached conditions relating to special items to be purchased or special contracts to perform the work, such purchases or special projects are exempt from the purchasing policies, if the City Council approves of the project and the exemption.
[Ord. #90-04, § 13; Ord. #94-02, § 2-27.10; Ord. #99-01, § 1]
Any employee of the City soliciting contract proposals shall afford maximum opportunity to Albany, minority or woman owned business enterprises when competing for the City's business. This shall be done when after evaluation of all factors, including professional qualifications, proven expertise, and quality of the proposal and price, the services to be provided are judged equal to those of competitors.
The City shall give preference to purchasing recycled products and paper, and reusable products offered as alternatives to disposable products. In a competitive bid process, the preference shall be based on the lowest bid or price quoted and shall be no greater than ten (10%) percent above the cost of non-recycled products.