Chapter 2.50
CONTRACT APPROVAL

Sections:

2.50.010    Contract approval authorization.

2.50.010 Contract approval authorization.

The following procedure is hereby established for the approval of certain contracts and granting the City manager authority with respect to such contracts:

(1) The City council authorizes the City manager to enter into and execute on behalf of the City the following contracts without individual approval of each contract by the City council, so long as the contract is consistent with the approved annual budget for the City, and the City’s liability under the contract does not exceed available fund balances:

(a) Contracts for purchase of goods, supplies, materials, or equipment involving a cost or fee (excluding sales tax) of less than $15,000.

(b) Professional service contracts, including contracts for architectural, engineering, legal, and consulting services involving a cost or fee (excluding sales tax) of less than $15,000.

(c) Maintenance contracts involving a cost or fee (excluding sales tax) of less than $10,000 per year.

(d) Public works projects involving a cost or fee of less than $35,000 for projects involving multiple trades and $20,000 for projects involving a single trade.

(e) Settlement agreements involving a cost or fee of less than $20,000.

(f) Retention of legal counsel and expert consultants, involving risk management claims or suits.

(g) Other routine agreements where no expenditure is involved, or the cost, expenditure, or fee (excluding sales tax) does not exceed $10,000.

(h) Lease agreements for materials, supplies, and equipment where the expenditure or fee does not exceed $10,000 per year.

(i) Sale of unneeded surplus personal property with an estimated cumulative value of $10,000 or less, which has been declared surplus personal property by the City manager may be disposed of by the City manager in accordance with state law and informal procedures that reflect the best interest of the City.

(j) Contracts that carry out or implement a provision of the Sammamish Municipal Code or established City policy, e.g., maintenance or performance bonds for plat improvements.

(k) Emergency Contracts. “Emergency” means a set of unforeseen circumstances that either:

(i) Presents a real, immediate threat to the proper performance of essential functions; or

(ii) May result in material loss or damage to property, bodily injury, or loss of life if immediate action is not taken; or

(iii) For public works projects, may result in a substantial loss to the City if the contract is not immediately entered into.

(l) Employment and Personnel Matters. Unless otherwise provided by statute, ordinance, or resolution, e.g., salaries and compensation are subject to City resolution.

(m) Contracts to purchase easements or rights-of-way, which may include the cost of required site work, in support of a construction project approved by the City council; provided, the funds to purchase the easements or rights-of-way have been budgeted for that purpose and the purchase price of the given easement or right-of-way, excluding the cost of the required site work, is within 10 percent of its appraised value.

(2) The breaking down of any purchase or contract into units or phases for the purpose of avoiding the maximum dollar amount is prohibited. The amount of a contract includes all amendments; provided, however, that amendments that do not exceed in total 10 percent of the contract amount may be entered into without prior City council approval.

(3) The City manager may present any contract to the City council for prior approval, even if the contract is allowed to be approved without prior City council approval.

(4) All interlocal agreements shall be presented to the City council for prior approval.

(5) The City manager shall promptly, within 10 days, provide to the City council a copy (or summary) of any contract (or amendment) that has not received prior approval by the City council.

(6) “Contract” means any agreement creating a legal relationship between the City and another person or entity, or any amendment thereto. (Ord. O2004-145 § 1; Ord. O2001-76 § 1; Ord. O2000-50 § 1)