The authority to contract on behalf of the City is vested in the Council and shall be exercised in accordance with the provisions of this Charter. The Council shall establish procedures for the letting and making of contracts, but no contract, except an agreement of employment or an agreement for the purchase or sale of goods, wares, or merchandise in an amount of one thousand dollars or less, shall be made unless the same shall have first been submitted to the Attorney and his opinion obtained with respect to its legality and form, and unless the officer charged with maintenance of the City's accounting system shall first have certified that sufficient funds are available or that an appropriation has been made for the payment thereof. In the case of a contract obligating the City for periodic payments in future fiscal years for the furnishing of a continuing service or the leasing or purchase of property, such certification need not cover payments on the contract which will be due in future fiscal years, but this exception shall not apply to a contract for the construction of a public improvement. A copy of all contracts requiring such opinion and certification shall be filed in the office of the Clerk.
No exclusive contract shall be made with any person, firm, association, or corporation, except such as may be necessary for the normal purchasing of supplies and equipment for the City, the making and acquisition of public improvements, and such as may be authorized or permitted by this Charter.
No contract shall be amended after the same has been made except upon the authority of the Council.
No compensation shall be paid to any contractor except in accordance with the terms of the contract.
No contract shall be made with any person, association, firm, or corporation who is in default to the City.