No surplus or obsolete supplies, materials or equipment may be sold until the city council shall have declared them obsolete or surplus. The council may authorize the sale of any obsolete or surplus supplies, materials, or equipment either by sealed bids or by public auction. When the sealed bid procedure is used, the city manager, except as otherwise provided below, shall advertise them for sale in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or give notice in such other manner as he deems necessary adequately to reach prospective buyers to give them opportunity to make necessary bids. All bids shall be sealed and shall be opened in public at a designated time and place, except when the sale is by auction. The city manager may repeatedly reject all bids and advertise or give notice again. He shall sell such supplies, materials or equipment to the highest responsible bidder. In case of a tie, if necessary, he shall cast lots to determine to whom to sell, or he may divide the sale among two (2) or more tying, always selling to the highest responsible bidder or bidders. (1985 Code § 7-108)