No surplus or obsolete supplies, materials or equipment of a value of more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) may be sold until the council shall have declared them obsolete or surplus. Before city personnel sells any surplus or obsolete supplies, materials or equipment, except as otherwise provided below, he 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 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 mayor may repeatedly reject all bids and advertise or give notice again. He shall sell such supplies, materials or equipment to the highest responsible bidder for cash. In case of a tie, he may sell to either of the bidders tying, or may divide the sale among two (2) or more tying, always selling to the highest responsible bidder or bidders for cash. (Prior Code, Sec. 23)