(1) The City Council may, by ordinance, give the City Manager authority to contract for expenditure without further approval of the City Council for all budgeted items not exceeding limits set by the City Council. All contracts for expenditures involving more than the set limits must be expressly approved in advance by the City Council. All contracts or purchases involving more than the limits set by the City Council shall be let to the lowest qualified bidder whose submittal is among those responsive to the needs of the City after there has been opportunity for competitive bidding as provided by law or ordinance. The City Council, or the City Manager as he is authorized to act for the City, shall have the right to reject any and all bids.
(2) Emergency contracts as authorized by law and this Charter may be negotiated by the City Council, or the City Manager if given authority by the City Council, without competitive bidding. Such emergency may be declared by the City Manager and approved by the City Council, or may be declared by the City Council.