Rome board approves multiple contracts, tables train-station change order over funding shortfall

The City of Rome Board of Investment and Contracts on June 26 approved a series of contract authorizations and funding actions and tabled one change order for train‑station repairs until additional funds are allocated.

The board approved Resolution No. 1‑27, updating the city’s investment policy; Resolution No. 1‑28, authorizing blanket legislation to advertise for proposals and bids and to enter agreements for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement activities for program year 2025; and four separate contract authorizations with specified not‑to‑exceed amounts. Those contracts authorize an agreement with CLA (site, landscaping, architecture, engineering and planning PC) for $75,834 (Resolution No. 1‑29); Build It Brothers Incorporated for $18,500 (Resolution No. 1‑30); Rome Environmental Solutions and Testing LLC for up to $12,590 (Resolution No. 1‑31); and Stephen S. Starr Mechanical Corp for up to $145,000 (Resolution No. 1‑32). All six items were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.

Commissioner Joe Giuliano, speaking about Resolution No. 1‑30, said the work was initially requested following damage from a 2024 tornado and that the same building sustained further damage the prior Sunday. “This contract was requested to be quoted out, from damage from the 20 24 tornado. Obviously, this legislation was put in a couple weeks ago. This past Sunday, the same building sustained more damage to the back wall of this building. We are, we, Tommy Jones and I, are talking to this successful, low quote, and they are gonna reassess what needs to be done,” Giuliano said, and added the board should expect a change order related to the more recent storm damage.

The board voted to table Resolution No. 1‑33, a proposed change order No. 1 to the contract with Essential Constructs linked to prior Board of Estimate and Contract Resolution No. 1‑53 (adopted 06/13/2024). A staff member told the board there are two capital projects and one special revenue account intended to pay for the train‑station repairs but that those accounts do not have enough money at this time; staff said they will propose a budget amendment to increase project funding at the council’s first meeting in July and requested tabling the change order. The motion to table was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.

Procedural items approved by voice vote included dispensing with the reading of the minutes of the preceding session and approving them. The board adjourned at the close of the session.

Items approved (voice votes unless noted): - Resolution No. 1‑27 — Authorization to update the City of Rome’s investment policy; carried. - Resolution No. 1‑28 — Authorizing blanket legislation to advertise for proposals and bids and enter into agreements for City of Rome CDBG entitlement activities for program year 2025; carried. - Resolution No. 1‑29 — Authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with CLA (site, landscaping, architecture, engineering and planning PC), $75,834; carried. - Resolution No. 1‑30 — Authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Build It Brothers Incorporated, $18,500; carried. Commissioner Joe Giuliano warned a change order will likely follow because of additional storm damage. - Resolution No. 1‑31 — Authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Rome Environmental Solutions and Testing LLC, amount not to exceed $12,590; carried. - Resolution No. 1‑32 — Authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Stephen S. Starr Mechanical Corp, amount not to exceed $145,000; carried. - Resolution No. 1‑33 — Authorizing change order No. 1 to contract with Essential Constructs pursuant to original Board of Estimate and Contract Resolution No. 1‑53 (adopted 06/13/2024); tabled for lack of allocated funds pending a budget amendment request.

The board did not provide roll‑call vote counts in the record; items were adopted or tabled by voice vote as noted.

Ending: The board indicated staff will bring a budget amendment for the train‑station repairs to the council in early July; no specific amendment amount was provided at the meeting.