If the contractor abandons the making of the improvement, or fails to proceed with it as rapidly as required by his contract, the city council may relet the contract in the same manner as in the case of the first letting thereof and retain the amount of the cost of the portion relet, and of any expenses incidental to the reletting, out of any funds due or to become due to the contractor. The city council may also hold the contractor and his sureties responsible upon his bond for such cost and expense, and for any damages resulting from such abandonment or failure.