Dan Berkhoudt

This 2026 Annual Action Plan outlines how the City of Rome will utilize its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to address national objectives, building upon its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and community input. The plan focuses on improving public facilities to enhance accessibility and quality of life, supporting economic activity through commercial façade and business assistance programs, funding public services for educational achievement, health, and safety, addressing slum and blight by targeting vacant and unsafe buildings, and promoting fair and affordable housing. The plan also includes strategic planning and administration, aiming for a broad impact on the low- to moderate-income community by balancing existing successful programs with new initiatives.

The meeting agenda included several resolutions and ordinances. Resolutions involved determining that proposed purchases of machinery and apparatus (including trucks and a payloader) are Type II actions under SEQR. Other resolutions authorized employee enrollment in a Pool Operator Certification Course, extension of an agreement with Oneida County for a Traffic Ticket Diversion Program, and authorization to enter into a Phased Mitigation Agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation and Oneida County regarding traffic mitigation for development along Perimeter Road and Route 825. Ordinances were introduced to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance the purchase of a six-wheel dump truck ($305,000), a six-wheel alley dump truck ($243,000), and a payloader ($275,000). Further ordinances authorized the Mayor to approve the sale of a city-owned parcel at 1213 Clinton Street for $3,650.00, and permitted the placement of two "30 Minute Parking" signs in front of 235 East Dominick Street. One ordinance regarding the discontinuance of a portion of an alley behind 1605 and 1607 North George Street was tabled.

The Common Council meeting agenda included a general public hearing, presentation of petitions and communications (including a notification of intent to obtain a liquor license for Dunn's Palisades Hotel), reports from city officials and committees, and discussion of several resolutions and ordinances. Key resolutions authorized expenditures from reserve funds for the Kessinger Dam Capital Project and police training equipment purchases, determined a purchase of machinery to be a Type II SEQR action, authorized an application to the NYSDOT Transportation Alternative Program, authorized a lease agreement for a Ford F-450, appointed a Commissioner of Deeds, and authorized the City to join the Equalis Group cooperative purchasing program. Ordinances addressed the issuance of bonds for a dump truck purchase for the Water Department, and the sale of several city-owned parcels including 716 Laurel Street, 229 Ridge Street, 229 Ridge Street, 301 Matthew Street, and 612 South James Street. There was also tabled legislation regarding the discontinuance of a portion of an alley.

The Common Council meeting agenda included several key actions. Financial reports for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, for the Capitol Theatre and Rome Art and Community Center were received and filed. Notification was noted regarding Bella Luna Tavern's intent to obtain a liquor license. Resolutions adopted authorized a Type II action determination under SEQRA for the purchase of blinds/window coverings for City Hall; accepted a $2,818.00 donation for a memorial park bench for Paul Temple, MD; authorized the use of $75,000.00 from the General Fund to fund the Future Construction Project(S) Capital Reserve; authorized an interfund transfer of $75,000.00 from the Water Fund to the General Fund; authorized the transfer of $500,000.00 in insurance settlement money; authorized the Mayor to execute lease agreements with Enterprise Fleet Management for one Ford F-250 and four Dodge Durangos for a five-year term; authorized the Mayor to waive unpaid surcharges on Rome City Court cases from 2014-present; and reopened Section 384-d of the Retirement and Social Security Law pursuant to Chapter 538, Laws of 2025, to allow Sergeant Scott Hoag to join said plan. An ordinance was introduced authorizing the issuance of $70,000 bonds to finance the purchase of blinds and/or window coverings for City Hall.

The Board of Estimate and Contract meeting addressed several resolutions authorizing the Mayor to enter into agreements. Resolution No. 30 authorizes an agreement with Upstate Cerebral Palsy, Inc. for a part-time worker at Rome City Hall at no cost to the city. Resolution No. 31 authorizes an agreement with REM Fire Systems, Inc. for monitoring alarm and security systems, not to exceed $4,020.00. Resolution No. 32 authorizes an agreement with Troy & Banks to audit Time Warner Cable/Spectrum Franchise fee payments, with compensation capped at 40% of the successful recovery. Resolution No. 33 concerns the authorization to amend the Approved Purchase Order and Voucher Signers List established in a previous resolution.