At any time prior to publication and posting notice inviting bids, the legislative body by resolution, may determine that if the contractor, contracting owners included, does not complete the work within the time limit specified in the contract or within the further time that the legislative body authorized, the contractor or contracting owners, as the case may be, shall pay to the city liquidated damages in the amount fixed by the legislative body in the resolution. The amount so fixed is valid as liquidated damages unless manifestly unreasonable under the circumstances existing at the time the contract was made. If this determination is made, the plans or specifications and the contract shall contain provisions in accordance with that determination.
Any moneys received by the city on account of those liquidated damages shall be applied as follows:
Ca. Pub. Cont. Code § 20427