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Council OKs spending authorization to support Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities work
Summary
RochesterCity council committee approved Introductory 55, authorizing funds to support the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities "I-team" work tied to the city—s climate action plan. Council members asked for written answers about project selection, federal funding leverage and community engagement.
Rochester City—s Budget, Finance and Governance Committee voted to approve Introductory 55, authorizing an agreement and an amendment to the 202425 budget to fund work tied to the city—s Climate Action Plan and the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities program.
The authorization funds the local "I-team" provided under the Bloomberg initiative and covers program expenses such as public engagement and travel; the committee was told the I-team member on the call is paid through Johns Hopkins, not by the city. Council members requested follow-up details in writing about how projects will be chosen and how the program will leverage federal funding.
Why it matters: The Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities program pairs technical teams with U.S. cities for roughly three years to accelerate climate and infrastructure projects. Council members said they want clarity on how local priorities will be selected, how community engagement will be incorporated, and which dollars will come from Bloomberg versus federal sources.
At the meeting, Council member Gruber asked, "this is all tied to intro 55, correct?" Committee members asked when the Bloomberg team—s term began; the I-team member said, "I started August twelfth of last year, and that's when our 3 year grant with Bloomberg began." Members requested written answers on the timeline for project selection, the role of community engagement, and the council—s role in shaping projects.
Council members also noted the program—s stated aim to "leverage historic levels of federal funding." One member asked for a breakdown in writing of what portion will be federal aid and what portion will be Bloomberg funding.
The committee voted, with a recorded voice vote after a motion and second; all members present said "Aye" and the motion passed.
Next steps: Council members asked staff to provide written answers to the timeline, selection process, community engagement plans and funding-split questions and suggested scheduling a work session to review details and allow deeper questioning before substantial program decisions are made.
