Council amends Park Drive Complete Streets capital account and authorizes bonds for water, sewer work

The Rome Common Council on Sept. 10 approved an amendment to the HGX Park Street Complete Streets capital account that raises the project budget from $3,850,000 to $4,600,000 and later authorized issuance of $410,000 in serial bonds to finance water and sewer work tied to the Park Drive project.

Councilor Anderson led questions during debate, and Matt Andrews — the legislation sponsor — and city staff explained the increase stemmed from a modest expansion in scope required to address additional water utility work and right-of-way needs encountered during design. Andrews said the project was originally funded in part by a congressional directed spending community development fund award and that the city is reallocating a portion of its 2025 New York State touring routes grant into the HGX project account.

“And the scope was expanded slightly, which the bid opening amount was pretty close to the engineering estimate for the total project,” Andrews said. The city said the higher account total does not reflect bids coming in over estimate but recognizes added work on utility and right-of-way needs; staff said the change brings the touring-route funds into the HGX account, an allowable use.

Before the bonds vote, the council waived Rule 6 to consider Resolution 131, a determination that reconstruction of the city’s water and sewer systems are Type II actions under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act. The council approved that SEQRA determination, then approved the bond authorization.

Councilors voted by voice; the meeting record shows the measures carried. Councilors and staff said the $410,000 in serial bonds will cover the water and sewer portion of the Park Drive Complete Streets project specifically, not unrelated projects.