(A) The provisions as to advertisement for bids shall not apply upon the happening of any emergency caused by fire, flood, explosion, storm, earthquake, riot, insurrection or other similar emergency, but in such case the Council may proceed in any manner which, in the judgment of three-fourths of the members of the Council present at the meeting, duly recorded in the minutes of the proceedings of the Council by aye and nay vote, will best meet the emergency and serve the public interest. Such emergency shall be declared and recorded at length in the minutes of the proceedings of the Council at the time the vote thereon is taken and recorded.
(B) When there are sufficient funds in the budget for supplies or equipment, the city may, without bid, purchase such supplies or equipment from government agencies available to cities when the same can be purchased by the city at a substantial saving to the city.
(C) In lieu of soliciting bids, the Council may purchase at public auction any vehicle, machinery, appliances, apparatus, building or materials and supplies for which must be paid a sum of $50,000 or less.
(1992 Code, § 4-1-504)