The Administrator shall be the contracting officer of the municipality and shall award and execute contracts and agreements on the behalf of the Municipality in the manner and under the procedures required by Section 5.04(j) and (k) provided that:
(a) When the expenditure of funds for the purchase of supplies, equipment or materials, or to provide labor for any work to be performed under a contract exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000), the Administrator must receive the prior approval of a majority of the Council members by motion. The Council may authorize by motion expenditures in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) or the amount equal to the amount permitted by Ohio Revised Code 731.141 without advertising and competitive bidding. When the expenditure of funds exceeds the amount permitted by Ohio Revised Code 731.141, the Administrator shall award a written contract to the lowest and best bidder after advertisement on the same day of each week for not less than two (2) nor more than four (4) consecutive weeks in a newspaper determined by the Council to be of circulation within the municipality, provided said contract is first authorized by ordinance or resolution of Council. Council may reserve the right to reject any and all bids.
(b) Compensation of persons and employees; contracts with persons, firms or corporations for services requiring specialized skill, knowledge or training; expenditures required because of a real and present emergency arising in connection with the construction, maintenance, operation or repair of Municipal buildings, equipment and facilities; and provision for municipal services, when authorized by ordinance adopted by an affirmative vote of four (4) members of the Council, need not be advertised and notices need not be published as provided hereinabove.
(c) Modification and changes to contracts awarded under competitive bidding, and in excess of the amount specified by this Charter for which competitive bidding is required shall first be authorized by ordinance, however competitive bidding shall not be required.
(d) The Administrator may designate an administrative officer or employee of the Municipality to act as purchasing agent to award and execute contracts, orders or agreements on behalf of the Municipality, when such contracts, orders or agreements do not authorize an expenditure of money in excess of the amount specified by this Charter for which competitive bidding is required.
(e) The Administrator or any other person designated by him as purchasing agent, shall not willfully cause or allow any contract or order to be spilt or divided into separate orders or contracts in order to avoid the requirements of competitive bidding as provided by this Charter.