March 20, 2020 - In This Issue:
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:

Dear Friends,

It has been amazing to see how our community has come together in a time of crisis. So many of our local organizations and community groups have stepped up to feed families, entertain and educate kids at home, and to support one another in so many ways big and small. 

We are keeping updated on Coronavirus and doing our best to share this information widely.  What you need to know today:
  • Governor Cuomo has announced that 100% of non-essential workforce staff must be working from home by Monday. For a list of essential businesses, click here . The State has provided a form for businesses to apply for essential status consideration. 
  • I am calling on Kingston landlords to freeze all rent increases, and I encourage all landlords to have flexibility with your tenants during this difficult time. Many Kingstonians are having their livelihoods disrupted by this crisis, so I call on your assistance to help our fellow community members as they may have difficulty paying rent and I hope that you will consider delaying rent payments for those negatively impacted.
    Governor Cuomo announced that mortgage payments can be delayed up to 90 days based on financial hardship. This means that landlords who have a mortgage will be able to pass that financial support to their tenants who are out of work.
  • We are sending out a mailing to every household in Kingston with information on Coronavirus and local resources in English and Spanish. 
  • Starting next week, I will be going live on Radio Kingston each afternoon at 5:00pm to provide updates. 
The numbers of confirmed cases in Ulster County is growing, the County announced 15 cases as of Friday morning. This surge in confirmed cases is a direct results of the amount of testing we're now able to do. The County health team is mobilizing a drive-through testing facility, which will be up and running on Monday. We expect the more tests are conducted, the more positive cases we will see. Do not let this alarm you, everyone is better off when we are aware of infected individuals and can contain them much more easily.

Now more than ever, 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, th e County's COVID-19 phone service is available from 9:00am to 7:00pm everyday: 845-443-8888. 

-Steve
Thank You! 

To all of the folks from our community who are volunteering, who are delivering meals, who are helping your neighbors in any number of ways: THANK YOU!  Our City's greatness has always been about its people. We see that in a time of crisis more than ever. 

While my office has been focused on education, communicating reliable health information, and keeping the essential City's services running, I see all the ways our community members have stepped up . P lease accept my sincere thank you for all you're doing. We will get through this. Though we may be distancing ourselves now, we will be a closer community on the other side. 
Community Food Resources 

Project Resilience
Ulster County has announced Project Resilience, a community fund and local food distribution effort to support residents impacted by COVID-19. The County has secured over $2 million in funding in 24 hours, and will utilize UCAT and partner with non-profits and municipalities to deliver meals to local distribution centers. This new initiative will help residents in need and simultaneously provide support to small businesses. Ulster County is partnering with United Way and many other area organizations and businesses to mobilize food and services. https://ulstercountyny.gov/projectresilience.

Ulster County Residents: REQUEST for Food Assistance (English)
Residentes de condado de Ulster: Solicitud de asistenciaalimentaria (Español)
 

Kingston School District Meals
Beginning on Wednesday, March 18, KCSD will provide families with free to-go breakfast and lunches Monday-Friday from 11am-1pm.  They will be distributing these meals at John F. Kennedy Elementary School and J. Watson Bailey Middle School.  Students who attend any KCSD school are welcome to stop by either of these two locations for breakfast and lunch items.  You may walk or use the drive-through curb side service. 

 
Family of Woodstock/YMCA Meals
Prepared, microwave-ready meals are available for pick-up and delivery on weekdays for lunch and dinner. Call or text the Family of Woodstock 24/7 hotline for information about delivery and where to pick-up: (845) 679-2485.

 
People's Place
For those in need of food support on the weekdays, People's Place is offering the following services: 
* The Community Cafe is open 8:30am- 1:00pm for take-out breakfast and lunch.
* The Food Pantry will operate in a modified version at regular hours (10 am to 1 pm Monday through Friday and Wednesday evening from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm)
* The Bag Student Hunger Program which offers breakfast, lunch and snack items for school age children will run until school resumes. Distribution will follow the food pantry hours.
 
For more information please call 845-338-4030 or visit the People's Place Facebook Page.

 
Call for donations/volunteers
Want to help? Donate to the Feeding local families gofundme, donate to People's Place, or join the Covid-19 Volunteer Support Team.
Childcare for Essential Service Workers

Starting Monday, March 23, 2020 the  YMCA of Kingston & Ulster County will begin providing emergency child care in Kingston, New Paltz, Marbletown and Ellenville for the families of first responders and essential employees, those who have to work during the Covid-19 Crisis. Care is being offered in accordance with New York State and Ulster County health and safety requirements, including reducing capacity at each site is reduced by 50%, thus space at each site is limited.
Reg istration forms are available online at: https://ymcaulster.org/emergency-child-care.

Forms can be returned via fax or email. If you have any questions about the program please reach out to our Youth Development Director Cailin Rooney at [email protected] 845-338-3810 ext.110.

More resources from the County below: 

Updates to UCAT Bus System   

Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) will reduce service systemwide and move to a modified schedule effective Thursday, March 19, as part of the agency's coronavirus action plan. This follows UCAT staff's analysis of ridership and an assessment of driver and public feedback. Paratransit rides that have already been scheduled for this week will be honored through the end of the day on Thursday, March 19.
 
Riders who regularly use the fixed system to reach workplaces that are considered essential services (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.) or medical appointments who no longer have a ride due to this change should call Dispatch at (845) 334-8458. UCAT will make every effort to accommodate the ride. Furthermore, some UCAT personnel will be assisting with Ulster County's Project Resilience efforts to deliver aid to the community during this challenging time.
 
Modified Schedule
Effective Thursday, March 19, the E, K-AM, KPL, NPL, S-AM, UPL, and Z routes will operate within an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. modified schedule. The schedules will be posted shortly on this post.
 
The City of Kingston routes will follow a modified Saturday schedule, with the Red/Blue and Yellow routes running operating on a Saturday schedule between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Yellow Route will NOT serve the Mall area, and service to the MALL will be provided by the K and S Routes on request only.
 
The MALL, W, X, CL, and Rural Route Runs are canceled.
 
UCAT is working hard to make sure the real-time UCAT bus app is as up-to-date as possible, but please be patient as all workplaces around the country are short staffed, including our Bus App's service provider.

Resources for Small Businesses

We have posted more information about what businesses and services are essential vs. non-essential at the City's website: 

The U.S. Small Business Administration has set up a website with information for small businesses as they plan for and respond to Coronavirus:  https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

Empire State Development has set up a webpage with resources and the most up-to-date information:  https://esd.ny.gov/esd-covid-19-related-resources

The SBA website also has a portal where businesses and not-for-profits can submit questions that will be reviewed and answered regularly by ESD or other relevant staff of the state.

Update: 
Senator Delgado in conjunction with County Executive Pat Ryan have announced that the SBA has just designated New York State a disaster zone.
 
Community Financial Relief 

Kingston is facing unprecedented economic challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic and many of our neighbors will find themselves in places of genuine hardship over the coming weeks and months. To help alleviate some of this stress, Radio Kingston's Community Fund is offering increased capacity to support Kingstonians during this time of great disruption. 
 
Residents within the City of Kingston's School District who are in need of financial assistance for any reason will be able to receive one-time financial support through the Community Fund. Information for the fund will be through Family of Woodstock via phone and online. Support applications will begin processing on Monday, March 23. To stay informed, visit:  radiokingston.org/community-fund
 
This is a time to support our collective well-being and help each other navigate the road ahead, together. We need your help in order to meet our community's needs. Please consider donating to the Community Fund to keep this resource flowing:  bit.ly/knycommunityfund  
Tips for Coping with Stress During COVID-19

The SUNY New Paltz Institute for Disaster Mental Health has released some tips for dealing with stress during Coronavirus. 
 
1. Do what you can to take charge of your anxiety by breaking your concerns
down into manageable chunks.

2. Change what you can, and work on strategies for accepting and coping with
what you can't.

3. Limit your media exposure so you're not dwelling on the situation.

4.Stay connected, through whatever means are available, to the people that are
important to you.

5. Above all, remember what stress management strategies work for you,  and actually use them regularly to get through this challenging  outbreak.
 
The full resource from the SUNY New Paltz Institute for Disaster Mental Health can be found here. 
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. 
Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
[email protected]

The purpose of this newsletter is to share important information, project updates, pictures and news from the City of Kingston. For more detailed information, visit: