(a) This chapter shall not apply to leases of real property to employees of the City of Saint Paul.

(b) Real property may be leased for a period in excess of one year (including all extension, renewal and option periods) using a competitive bid process. The City shall advertise for a period of not less than 14 days prior to the date of the bid opening. Advertisements shall include the minimum monthly rental amount, the legal description of the real property to be leased, use restrictions (if applicable) and the earliest date of occupancy. Advertising shall be in the local newspaper (if one exists), daily announcements on the local radio station (if one exists), posting on the City of Saint Paul’s website (if one exists) and posting at the City Hall, the post office and one other public gathering place on St. Paul Island. Additional advertising may be accomplished at the discretion of the City Manager. Bids shall be sealed bids and shall be accompanied by a deposit of not less than one month’s proposed rental amount in the form of a cashier’s check or other immediately available funds payable to the City of Saint Paul. No bid may be withdrawn after submission and prior to the opening of bids. Deposits shall be returned to all unsuccessful bidders not more than one week after the bid opening. The City Manager may negotiate terms of the lease with the highest bidder on all matters except the rental rate; provided, that the final agreement is subject to approval by resolution adopted by the City Council. In the event a successful bidder does not execute a lease, the deposit shall become the property of the City as liquidated damages. Any security deposit must be paid in full at the execution of the lease. The City Council may reject any and all bids.

(c) Real property may be leased for a period equal to or less than one year at rates and terms determined in the discretion of the City Manager to lessees selected in the discretion of the City Manager. [Code 1979 § 6.07.070.]