A battery storage developer asked the council not to ban the systems. A senior project developer for Carson Power, a New York City company that builds solar and battery storage projects, spoke during public comment about the city's proposed permanent ban. She said she appreciated that the council adopted a moratorium first and took time to study the technology. The projects her company proposes connect to the local distribution grid rather than sending power downstate, she said, and can improve local reliability and delay costly utility upgrades that ratepayers would fund. On safety, she told the council that New York has adopted some of the strictest fire standards in the country for battery storage, including site-specific emergency response plans, firefighter training, and continuous monitoring. She urged the council to use the rest of the moratorium to write a local law that sets size tiers, zoning districts, setbacks, screening, and decommissioning standards rather than institute an outright ban. President Nash asked for her contact information to set up a meeting.

The council authorized an application for a boat launch grant worth up to $825,000. Members authorized the mayor to apply for a Canalway grant and Environmental Protection Fund money for the first phase of the Muck Road Boat Launch project. The request is for up to $825,000. The city would provide a local match of up to $225,000, putting the total project cost at about $1.05 million.

The council also sought $300,000 to study polluted properties. Members authorized an application to the state's Brownfields Opportunity Areas program to pay for environmental testing along Erie Boulevard and in downtown Rome. The grant would cover up to $300,000, with a city match of $30,000. Four properties are named in the resolution. The testing would identify what contamination is present before the sites can be put back into use.

The council moved money in a sewer funding resolution. Members approved moving money from the sewer department's reserve account into the city's sewer improvements capital project. After the vote, a councilor noticed the resolution listed two different figures, showing $356,000 coming out of the reserve, but $365,000 going into the project. The council reopened the item, amended it to read $365,000, and passed it again as amended.

Water service line inspections are now underway. Commissioner Guiliano said contractors have started going door to door to inspect what water service lines are made of, work the city has been preparing for roughly 20 months. Crews wear marked vests and hats, as well as carry ID badges. The city is mailing postcards and leaving door hangers where no one answers, and residents can self-report or call his office to schedule an appointment. Guiliano said the police department has a list of the crews' vehicles, so anyone who sees an unfamiliar vehicle parked on their street for hours can call and confirm.

The city is managing $44 million in construction this summer. Guiliano asked residents to be patient with the disruption. Projects include work on Route 825 and Erie Boulevard, plus the city's annual paving program, which started the week before. There is also work on Route 46 near the fish hatchery and at the Wright Settlement Road and Madison Street intersection. He said the city gets only about seven good months of construction weather, so much of the work has to be packed into the summer.

An update on the train station is coming in August. Guiliano told the council he will report on the train station tunnel restoration project at the council's second meeting in August. He said he is still evaluating a new design for the ceiling, and the cost that comes with it, before he can give an accurate accounting.

The council approved street closings for Canal Fest. Canal Fest is set for August 1st. At the request of the Rome Rotary Club, which runs the event, the council introduced and passed a new ordinance closing East Whitesboro Street for the day. A Rotary representative said the closing would help with vendor parking, a children's run, and general safety. The council also waived the club's right-of-way permit fee, up to $100.

The council cleared the way for two rehabbed houses to sell. Members amended the transfer documents for 8366 and 8368 West Thomas Street, two former tax-foreclosure properties the city sold to Rome Building Contractors. The deeds carried a restriction barring the properties from ever going back to a previous owner or mortgage holder. That language was keeping buyers from obtaining title insurance, which made the properties hard to sell. The council removed the restriction so the rehabilitated homes can be sold and returned to the tax roll.

Councilors reported on constituent calls. Councilor Sparace thanked Commissioner Guiliano, Public Safety Commissioner Ken White, and Police Chief James for responding to residents in his ward. Councilor Reilly, in his first summer on the council, said he has fielded calls about everything from grass cutting to boarding up houses going through nuisance hearings. He said the city is behind on mowing but working at it, and encouraged residents to call him if they are not getting answers.

Other business. The council approved street closings on West Court Street and North Jay Street for a Tabernacle of Praise Ministries service on August 15th. It waived up to $175 in permit fees for a Rome Chamber of Commerce banner for Honor America Days. Quarterly financial reports from the Senior Citizens Council of Rome, the South Rome Senior Citizens Center, and the Rome Art and Community Center were received and filed.

Summer events. Bobby O'Brien reminded residents about Honor America Days, including the parade, symphony, and fireworks, and about Canal Fest. She also said a new tugboat named Rome will be christened Friday morning at 10:30, with representatives from the state Canal Corporation on hand.