The new term got organized first. Before the regular session, the council held its organizational meeting. It welcomed new 5th Ward Councilor John Reilly and named Councilor Sparace as President Pro Tempore, on a nomination from Councilor Mortise. It created the standing committees for the 2026–2027 term and re-designated the Rome Daily Sentinel as the official newspaper. The mayor was also authorized to attend conferences during the year.

Most of the night was the city's annual funding agreements. January is when the council renews its yearly agreements with local organizations, and the totals add up quickly. The largest was $322,932 for the Jervis Public Library Association. The council also approved $32,224 for the Rome Art and Community Center, $31,680 for the Senior Citizens Council of Rome, $31,616 for the Rome Historical Society, $12,160 for the Capitol Civic Center, and $10,880 for the South Rome Senior Citizen Center. Smaller agreements went to the Lake Delta and Stanwix Heights volunteer fire departments ($4,000 each), the Rome Cemetery Association ($2,000) for care of the city's plot, and the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency's runaway and homeless youth program ($1,600).

Two councilors abstained on agreements tied to groups they belong to. Councilor Mortise abstained from the Stanwix Heights Volunteer Fire Department agreement, noting he is a member. Councilor Dursi abstained from the Rome Historical Society agreement, noting he works with its board. These were the only votes of the night that weren't unanimous.

The council sold four city-owned properties. Two came with rehabilitation agreements requiring the buyer to fix up the property. The other two were straight sales.

A cost sharing agreement with the Town of Vienna. A cost sharing agreement with the Town of Vienna passed, worth up to $100,450. The council also approved a lease through Enterprise Fleet Management for five vehicles.

The council approved conference travel and a state grant. Three treasurer's office employees were cleared to attend the state Government Finance Officers Association conference, at about $1,665 plus tolls and mileage. Four codes office employees were cleared for a Northern Adirondack code-enforcement conference, at $4,124 plus tolls and mileage. The council also accepted a state SWIMS grant of up to $20,000 for a lifeguard recruitment and retention program.

A resident pressed the city on sidewalk shoveling. A River Street resident told the council that businesses along Erie Boulevard, Black River Boulevard, and Dominick Street plow their own parking lots but leave the public sidewalks impassable. That forces people to walk in the road, she said. She urged the council to use its authority to cite property owners rather than just acknowledge the problem, and noted that some city-owned property near the fire department has the same issue.

The Rome Art and Community Center invited councilors to visit. The center's executive director, asked councilors to tour the building at 308 West Bloomfield Street, which the city owns. He described its programming as an 80-child, eight-week summer camp at $60 a week, supported through the city's Community Development Block Grant funding, plus a preschool, exhibits, and concerts. Later in the meeting, the council approved both the center's $32,224 annual payment and a new lease for the building. Councilor Reilly, who had recently toured the center, encouraged residents to visit.

A committee gave an update on the POST plan. The Parks, Recreation and Youth Activities Committee reported that consultants are working on a draft of the POST plan, which is short for Parks, Open Space and Trails. It will go to a steering committee, be posted online for public feedback, and include public meetings before anything is finalized.