Rome board approves contracts, change orders, easement and joins opioid settlement

The Rome City Board of Investment and Contract on Sept. 25 approved a package of resolutions authorizing bids, vendor agreements, change orders and a temporary easement, and added a late item permitting the corporation counsel to participate in nationwide opioid litigation settlements.

The approvals include authorizations to advertise for bids on environmental restoration and disaster-recovery projects, vendor contracts ranging from $6,197 to $649,965, and multiple change orders to existing construction contracts. Mayor Mary Lanigan also explained a temporary easement for an alley at 409 Walnut Street was written as temporary so the city would retain control and could later offer portions for auction to adjacent property owners.

The board handled the items in a single short meeting with unanimous voice votes. Most resolutions were moved and seconded with little discussion; staff answered a brief question about the scope of a $6,001.97 landscaping work near City Hall.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 179: Authorize city clerk to advertise for bids for 1030 East Dominic Street environmental restoration project, RFB 2025016 — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 180: Authorize intermunicipal agreement with Oneida County to ensure contribution of CNYRTA transportation services with the City of Rome — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 181: Authorize agreement with Oneida County for use of Rome City Hall during election seasons — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 182: Authorize sale of surplus equipment via public auction (item 1) — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 183: Authorize sale of surplus equipment via public auction (item 2: police department vehicles/equipment such as dirt bikes, ATVs) — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 184: Authorize city clerk to advertise for bids for DR Dash 4625 NY disaster recovery, Pinty Field and Mohawk River banks debilitation project, RFB 2025017 — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 185: Authorize mayor to enter agreement with Rome Environmental Solutions and Testing LLC, amount not to exceed $24,510 — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 186: Authorize mayor to enter agreement with BB Construction Services Incorporated, amount not to exceed $93,900 — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 187: Authorize mayor to enter agreement with MJ Dakota Incorporated, amount not to exceed $649,965 — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 188: Authorize mayor to enter agreement with Maple Ridge Organics LLC, $6,197 (landscaping/topsoil/mulch for City Hall frontage) — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 189: Authorize change order No. 2 to contract with Adirondack Tree Surges Incorporated, pursuant to original Board of Estimate and Contract resolution No. 215 adopted September (change-order approval) — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 190: Authorize change order No. 6 to contract with Murnane Building Contractors Incorporated, pursuant to original Board of Estimate and Contract No. 136 adopted 06/15/2023, $52,690 — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 191: Authorize change order No. 5 to contract with JCI Jones Chemicals Incorporated, pursuant to original Board of Estimate and Contract resolution No. 128 adopted 06/15/2023, $4,050.30 — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 192: Authorize approval of a temporary easement for property located at 409 Walnut Street (temporary easement to preserve city control of alley; potential later split and auction to adjacent owners) — Approved (voice vote). - Resolution 193: Late addition: authorize corporation counsel to settle pending opioid litigation (added to agenda and approved on first consideration) — Approved (voice vote).

Details and context Most items were routine procurement and contract-management actions on the board’s consent calendar. Board members asked only brief clarifying questions during the meeting. Staff identified that Resolution 182 covered small items such as printers, while Resolution 183 covered surplus police equipment including dirt bikes and four-wheelers, which explains the duplicate titles for the separate surplus-equipment approvals.

A staff member pulled maps and bid documents to clarify that the $6,001.97 Maple Ridge Organics item (Resolution 188) covers landscaping on the City Hall frontage from Liberty Street to the building’s front, including mulch, topsoil, lawn restoration and limited earthwork. Mayor Mary Lanigan told the board she recorded the easement at 409 Walnut Street as temporary so the city would retain control; she said she intends to split that alley later and offer portions for auction to adjoining property owners.

The board agreed to add Resolution 193 as a late item to permit the corporation counsel to participate in specified nationwide opioid settlements. Staff told the board the relevant settlement deadlines fell on Sept. 30 or Oct. 8, and recommended action at this meeting to preserve the city’s ability to join the programs.

Meeting process and votes All motions recorded on the transcript were made and seconded. Each resolution was approved by voice vote with all members present indicating “aye.” The board’s roll call at the start of the meeting recorded five members present: Mayor Mary Lanigan, John Nash, Jared Feeney, Joe Giuliano and Brian Adams. Individual mover/second attributions were not specified in the transcript for each resolution.

What's next Contracts and change orders approved will proceed according to procurement timelines and the terms specified in the individual agreements. Staff will continue to execute required bid advertisements and agreements; the corporation counsel will proceed with any settlement steps authorized by Resolution 193.