Chapter 3.70
CONTRACT APPROVALS

Sections:

3.70.010    Contract approval authorization.

3.70.010 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 purchases 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, including the cost of materials, supplies and equipment, which does not exceed the amounts for which competitive bidding is required by RCW 35.23.352(1), as the same now exists or as hereafter amended. As of the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this section, those amounts are not more than $99,000 for projects involving multiple trades, and $50,000 for projects involving a single trade or street signalization or street lighting; the intent of this subsection is for the limits set forth herein to be consistent with RCW 35.23.352(1), as the same now exists or as hereafter amended.

(e) Settlement agreements involving a cost or fee of less than $20,000, including retention of legal counsel and expert consultants, involving damage claims or suits.

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

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

(h) Sale of unneeded surplus personal property with an estimated cumulative value of $10,000 or less, which has been certified for disposition, such sale or disposition to be made by the city manager in accordance with informal procedures and in the best interest of the city.

(i) Contracts that carry out or implement a provision of the Normandy Park Municipal Code or established city policy, e.g., maintenance or performance bonds for plat improvements.

(j) 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.

(k) Employment and personnel contracts for positions that have been approved by the city council. All compensation, including wages, salaries and benefits such as health, dental and vision insurance, vacation time, sick leave, severance pay and similar matters, shall be established by the city council through budget allocation, motion, resolution, ordinance or approval of a contract. Compensation may be established in a fixed sum or the city manager may determine the exact sum if the city council establishes a compensation range.

(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 community grants awarded by the city shall be presented to the city council for prior approval.

(5) The city manager shall promptly, within 10 days, provide the city council a copy (or summary) of any contract (or amendment, extension or renewal) 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, extension or renewal thereto. (Ord. 1003 § 1, 2019; Ord. 789 § 1, 2006).