Rome board approves multiple contracts and bid solicitations, tables sale of city parcel

The City of Rome Board of Investment Contracts on Aug. 14, 2025 approved a slate of resolutions authorizing competitive bid solicitations, professional and construction contracts, a demolition award for 200 Railroad Street and several budget and property actions, and it tabled a proposed sale of city-owned Parcel 152 North Crescent Drive.

The board voted to advertise for bids on the Washington Street streetscape improvements (RFB 2025013), to solicit bids for the Mohawk River Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation Project (RFB 2025014), and to award RFB 2025011 for the 200 Railroad Street demolition project to Buckley’s Excavating and Landscaping LLC for $312,400.81. The meeting record shows routine voice votes with motions moved and seconded for each resolution; most items were carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: several actions commit city funds or authorize contracts affecting public works and property in Rome. The demolition award and the bid solicitations advance projects that involve construction contracts and public procurement; the tabling of one parcel sale pauses a proposed property transfer.

Key actions and amounts - Resolution No. 153: Authorize the city clerk to advertise for bids for Washington Street streetscape improvements (RFB 2025013). Carried. - Resolution No. 154: Authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with Moore Land Surveying for an amount not to exceed $7,075. Carried. - Resolution No. 155: Authorize a 2025 budgetary transfer. Carried (details not specified in the record). - Resolution No. 156: Authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with Rome Youth Baseball Incorporated for an amount not to exceed $1,500. Carried. - Resolution No. 157: Authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with Barton and the Judas DPC for an amount not to exceed $20,000. Carried. - Resolution No. 158: Authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with Vertex Geospatial Incorporated for an amount not to exceed $40,400. Carried. - Resolution No. 159: Authorize the mayor to award RFB 2025011 to Buckley’s Excavating and Landscaping LLC for the 200 Railroad Street demolition project, $312,400.81. Carried. The record states the contract provides 45 working days for completion; a start date had not been set at the time of the meeting. - Resolution No. 160: Authorize change order No. 1 to an existing contract with Essential Contracts pursuant to the board’s earlier contract resolution (Resolution No. 271 adopted Dec. 12, 2024) for $35,688. Carried. - Resolution No. 161: Authorize sale of city-owned Parcel 152 North Crescent Drive to a buyer for $13,464. The board voted to table Resolution No. 161. - Resolution No. 162: Authorize a former owner to repurchase property at 509 West Willis Street for $4,013.05. Carried. - Resolution No. 163: Authorize the city clerk to advertise for bids for the Mohawk River Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation Project (RFB 2025014). Carried. - Resolution No. 164: Authorize the mayor to extend an agreement with Act Signature (as listed on the agenda). The board approved an amendment to increase the initial order price shown in the agreement; the amendment carried and Resolution No. 164 as amended was carried. (Amount change as announced in the meeting record: from $2,853.81 to $3,003.00; transcript text for the amended figure is partially unclear.) - Resolution No. 165: Authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with William M. Buchanan, Esquire, at a rate not to exceed $350; the board amended the item to specify $350 per hour. The amendment and the amended resolution carried.

Discussion and next steps Few items drew extended discussion. The only substantive procedural question recorded concerned the demolition award for 200 Railroad Street: the contract specifies 45 working days for completion, but staff had not set a start date pending issuance of the award. Resolution No. 161 (sale of Parcel 152 North Crescent Drive) was moved and then tabled by the board; no vote to approve the sale occurred.

The board completed its agenda and adjourned.