No surplus or obsolete supplies, materials or equipment of a value of more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) may be sold until the city council shall have declared them obsolete or surplus. Before the city sells any surplus or obsolete supplies, materials or equipment, except as otherwise provided below, the city purchasing officer shall advertise them for sale in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or give notice in such other manner as the city purchasing officer deems necessary adequately to reach prospective buyers to give them opportunity to make necessary bids or have notice of public auction. 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 may repeatedly reject all bids and advertise or give notice again. The city purchasing officer shall sell such supplies, materials or equipment to the highest responsible bidder. In case of a tie, if necessary, the city purchasing officer shall cast lots to determine to whom to sell, or the city purchasing officer may divide the sale among two (2) or more tying, always selling to the highest responsible bidder or bidders. (1986 Code)