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April 24, 2020 - In This Issue:
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A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
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We are keeping updated on Coronavirus and doing our best to share this information widely.
What you need to know today:
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We have 145 confirmed cases in Kingston as of today, with a total of 1,143 cases in Ulster County and 23 deaths reported. The County
now tracks recovered cases as well, which is currently 161.
- County Executive Pat Ryan announced a new unit to review tenant complaints related to COVID-19 and will serve as a liaison between the tenant and appropriate law enforcement jurisdiction, the State Attorney General, building inspectors and landlords, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, and other government resources to help protect tenants from illegal evictions. Tenants can make a complaint by calling 845-303-5503 or visiting: https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/covid-19-tenants-protection-unit-form/
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Governor Cuomo passed an executive order for virtual marriages. To obtain a marriage license during Pause New York, find the list of documents on our website that need to be included in a sealed envelope & placed in the drop box at the side door of City Hall. Call 845-334-3914 with questions.
- Hudson Valley Community Services is helping folks get signed up for SNAP benefits. Visit: www.MyBenefits.ny.gov or call (845)-579-2558.
- We are asking everyone to abide by the guidelines of staying home if you are sick, distancing yourself from others even if you are well, and washing hands and surfaces often. For the sake of yourself and your community, stay safe and take good care.
As always, contact th
e County's COVID-19 hotline with questions: 845-443-8888.
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Applications Open for Emergency CDBG Funds
The City of Kingston has received over $440,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding to aid in COVID-19 recovery.
Through the provisions of the recent Federal CARES Act, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development has allocated the City of Kingston an additional $440,426 of CDBG-CV funding to support the needs of residents during and in the wake of this pandemic. Due to the emergency nature of the current situation, the City is not required to conduct its traditional application process to allocate these funds, and instead is asking for proposals for projects, programs or services that will help our community fight this pandemic and recover quickly. In order to speed up the process of distributing funds to documented not-for-profit organizations, the City is calling for letters of intent. Letters must explain how the funds will be used in direct response to the COVID-19 health emergency and any damages, injuries or challenges caused by it. The recovery efforts proposed must take place within the municipal boundary of the City of Kingston and the beneficiaries of proposed activities must primarily be low- to moderate-income residents of the City.
"We are fortunate to receive this incredibly needed funding, and our aim is to identify as many effective and innovative uses as we can," said Mayor Noble. "I personally recognize the need for housing and rent assistance, emergency and long-term food support, job creation, and other unique programs to help uplift those who are struggling to make ends meet. Our community has already shown so much ingenuity in the ways they've helped each other and this funding will support and enhance these efforts."
Letters of intent should be submitted to Brenna Robinson, Director, Office of Economic & Community Development via email to brobinson@kingston-ny.gov no later than 4:30 PM on Friday, May 1, 2020. No late submissions will be accepted.
The City of Kingston receives an annual Entitlement Grant allocation through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. These funds are used to support projects and programs that primarily serve low and moderate income residents of the City through activities that expand economic opportunities and provide for decent housing and a suitable living environment.
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Mayor Noble's Daily Update
Mayor Noble is live on the City of Kingston's Facebook page and at Radio Kingston each weekday at 5:00pm. Submit your questions for the Mayor on Facebook and he will try to address all related questions and concerns. Then tune in to hear the day's news and updates.
Click below to hear Thursday's update.
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KCSD Partners with Kingston Food Emergency Collaborative
Mayor Noble and KCSD Superintendent Padalino announced this week that the school district has joined with the Kingston Emergency Food Collaborative. Starting tomorrow, the Kingston City School District will be providing 2,500 lunches a week to emergency food distribution efforts, in addition to their weekday drive-through breakfast and lunch pick-up locations.
T
he Superintendent and I want to make it even easier for our Kingston youth to access breakfasts and lunches. I want to thank the Kingston Emergency Food Collaborative for helping to get these meals out to students across the school district and to help serve those in need.
"I am deeply grateful for the organizations that stepped up to form the Emergency Food Collaborative in order to make sure that no child in our community goes hungry, and committed to serving the far reaches of the school district," said Dr. Padalino. "We are happy to join forces with these important efforts by providing much needed sustenance."
The Kingston Emergency Food Collaborative, a collaboration of 15 local organizations, the City of Kingston and Ulster County, is currently serving 2,500 meals a day to hundreds of families. The meals are supported through Project Resilience and Family of Woodstock via a distribution point at the YMCA and operated by teams of volunteers. Anyone in the Kingston City School District can access food resources by calling the Kingston Emergency Food Hotline (888-316-0879) and will be signed up to receive prepared meals or groceries via People's Place.
The Kingston City School District has curbside pick-up locations for free breakfast and lunch as well:
Monday- Friday from 10:00am-10:45am at:
J. Watson Bailey Middle School
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
George Washington Elementary School
Monday- Friday from 11:15am-12:00pm at:
Meagher Administrative Building
Sawkill Manufactured Trailer Park (Sawkill Rd.)
Corner of Downs St. & Bruyn Ave.
Monday- Friday from 12:30pm-1:15pm at:
Graves Elementary School
M.C. Miller Middle School
Stuyvesant Charter Apartments
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Still Awaiting Tax Extension Decision
An update about the 2020 second-half property tax payments, which are due Thursday, April 30. On April 3,
Mayor Noble contacted Governor Cuomo's office
to request a property tax deadline extension without penalty until May 21, 2020. In order for the City of Kingston to offer this 21-day extension to Kingston residents, Cuomo must issue an Executive Order pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 925-a (2), authorizing the City of Kingston to extend the payment period.
At this point, we've had no response from the Governor's office. In the event that we do not get the state's permission to extend the tax deadline before Thursday, unfortunately our residents will have to submit their second-half tax payments. My office is still looking for ways to offer our residents relief during this economic crisis and will continue to advocate for our community members.
Each fiscal year, the City of Kingston taxes are due in two equal installments. The first installment is due within 45 days after tax levy has been set by resolution of the Common Council, which this year was February 14, 2020. The second installment is then due within 120 days after the tax levy has been set, which this year is April 30, 2020.
Taxpayers have the option to pay via electronic check (ACH) without a fee on the City's website, as well as by check payable to: City of Kingston, CPO Box 1516, Kingston, NY, 12402. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, City Hall is currently closed to the public, but payments can be put in the drop box outside. Online payments are processed at:
www.kingston-ny.gov/payments
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Mobile Testing Site Coming to Midtown Kingston
As Kingston is the most affected municipality in Ulster County, the County Executive has recognized the need to serve our community and those who might have barriers to accessing healthcare. A new mobile testing site will be opening in Midtown Kingston at 27 Grand Street just off Broadway. The site will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Unlike the other mobile testing sites, no doctor's order or appointment is necessary. No health insurance is needed for testing. Call 845-303-2130 with any questions.
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KLDC is Offering Microloans for Local Businesses
The Kingston Local Development Corporation (KLDC) has announced the Economic Injury Microloan Program to assist City of Kingston businesses affected by the current economic crisis.
The KLDC designed the microloan program to assist small local businesses by offering low interest loans up to $7,500. Similar to the loans offered by the SBA, this microloan will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, as funds are limited. KLDC staff, finance committee, and full Board of Directors will review each application simultaneously to expedite loan approvals. All decisions are at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors.
"We recognize that this is an extremely difficult time for all businesses, especially to small local businesses who have had to close or drastically reduce operations," said Mayor Noble. "We hope that these loans will help our beloved local businesses stay afloat so that they can thrive when the pandemic is behind us."
No payment will be due for the first six months and the accrued principal and interest will be amortized over the remaining life of the loan. The interest rate for the Economic Injury Microloan Program is set at 1.00% for a term not to exceed 72 months (6 years). There will be no application or processing fees.
Business must be located within the City of Kingston and applicant must reside in Ulster County, must be able to show economic distress from the pandemic and explain how the loan will be used. Applications can be found here. For more guidelines, visit: https://www.kingston-ny.gov/kldc
About the KLDC: The Kingston Local Development Corporation (KLDC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping local businesses secure the funding they need to succeed. The KLDC connects businesses with funding sources and provides loans that help businesses to create jobs, leverage private investment, and ensure a diverse, stable local economy.
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Kingston 311
The
Kingston 311 app, website and phone
system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests. The Kingston 311
app, available for
Android
&
iPhones
, is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations.
This system is a valuable resource to submit service requests for streetlight replacement, roadwork, City signage, traffic calming measures and other concerns. Issues with snow removal and reporting of vehicles and sidewalks not in accordance with the Snow Emergency restrictions can also be submitted via Kingston 311.
Photos can also be attached to illustrate service orders. Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us.
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