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City says most of $41M in state infrastructure aid already encumbered; DPW outlines project timing and pothole plan
Summary
City officials told the finance committee that roughly $36.3 million of $41 million in state infrastructure funding is already committed to projects and explained how state reimbursement timing creates apparent reporting discrepancies. Council members pressed for timelines on Bailey Avenue and on hot‑mix pothole repairs.
The Department of Public Works told the Finance Committee on March 10 that apparent discrepancies between New York State’s project database and the city’s records come from the multi‑step process of allocation, project encumbrance, invoicing and later reimbursement. "Of the $41,000,000 that was previously reported on the state's website, about $36,300,000 is actively funded in projects," the DPW presenter said, and roughly $3,000,000 remains earmarked for future encumbrance.
The DPW official ran through the five state funding pots commonly used—often referred to in DPW as "CHIPS and touring routes," along with extreme winter recovery and other streams—and said larger projects can show as unspent on state sites until invoices and reimbursements complete the process. The presenter listed major 2026 projects that will use the funds and said Niagara‑Main, Jefferson Avenue and Seneca Street are examples of work either underway or planned.
Council member Waddell pressed for specifics on Bailey Avenue and for a clearer timeline. The DPW presenter said Bailey and similar projects are phased and are expected to be slated for bid later this year, with portions of next season’s allocation to be assigned when the city receives the May/June tranche. On potholes, the department said crews have continued cold‑patching through winter and that hot‑mix patching will increase as weather permits; the department is testing different cold‑patch mixes and plans to ramp up hot‑mix once freeze‑thaw risk subsides.
Council members also raised public communication concerns: one member noted constituents see headlines suggesting the city has not spent funds when, DPW says, much of the money already is encumbered in multi‑year projects.
Next steps: DPW will provide additional project lists and timing details on request; the committee tabled substantive votes and requested follow‑up.
