The Manager may, within the amounts and items appropriated by the Council, make purchases and enter into contracts in behalf of the City without competitive bidding, in accordance with the provisions of the general laws of this State, except as may be otherwise provided by ordinance of the Council. No purchase in excess of those limitations provided by the general laws of this State, shall be made except with the lowest and best bidder as determined by Council after advertising for bids, in writing, for a period of at least two weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the City; provided, however, that the Council may authorize a contract for personal services without advertising for bids, and that Council may authorize a purchase or a contract involving an expenditure in excess of the limits as provided by the general laws of this State, without advertising for bids, if it determines and declares by an affirmative vote of all members that an emergency exists and sets forth the nature of the emergency in its resolution or ordinance. (Amended 5-8-01)