May 29, 2020 - In This Issue:
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:

Dear Friends,

We are keeping updated on Coronavirus and doing our best to share this information widely.  What you need to know today:
  • We have 89 confirmed active cases of Coronavirus in Kingston as of today. We continue to move in the right direction. Ulster County has far more recovered cases (1,090) than current active cases (541).    
  • Governor Cuomo announced this week that businesses can turn customers away for not wearing a mask.
  • The Common Council has begun to live-stream their meetings which can be viewed via the City of Kingston YouTube page. Check the City's facebook events for details and links.  
  • While we cannot hold public meetings at this time, we are constantly updating EngageKingston.com with new projects. I encourage everyone who lives or works in Kingston to check it out and weigh in on initiatives that interest or effect you. 
As always, 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, wearing a mask in public, and washing hands often. We have seen your efforts pay off and are seeing signs that the spread of the virus is slowing. Keep it up! 

Please continue to stay safe and take good care.  

-Steve
City of Kingston Launches Cultural Planning Project

The City has begun work on the Arts & Culture Master Plan, its first comprehensive cultural planning project. This fully grant-funded initiative will utilize the City's new public engagement website, Engage Kingston, where participants can give feedback and receive updates.
 
The goal of the Arts & Culture Master Plan is to identify gaps and new opportunities through analysis of existing facilities, economic data, strengths, weaknesses and possible threats, such as displacement of low-income residents and businesses and uncertainties related to the world health crisis.
 
The final plan will reflect input from community members of all ages, backgrounds and incomes. It will provide well-defined goals and strategies that align with other community needs, such as housing and technology. The plan will include recommendations for leveraging resources to advance economic prosperity, social equity, environmental protection and the unique cultural vitality of Kingston.
 
The plan hopes to:
  • Leverage the network of arts and culture attractions and venues
  • Nurture future cultural leaders, artists, volunteers and audiences
  • Support culture as an engine for a creative economy, attracting and retaining diverse residents
  • Position culture as an integral part of the City's overall municipal responsibilities
  • Guide policy and decisions to best nurture and grow the cultural ecosystem
"We are excited to begin work on the cultural master plan. Having a firm understanding of the resources in our City will bolster our creative community well into the future," said Mayor Noble. "Artists, along with the rest of our community, are facing challenges with a changing economic landscape. It is crucial that we preserve our cultural assets and protect this vital part of our city's character."
 
Work on the Arts & Culture master plan will begin in June 2020, and continue until early 2021. Lord Cultural Resources will provide an economic impact study, a catalogue of cultural resources, and will facilitate public workshops and presentations. Due to COVID-19, virtual meetings & tools will be utilized to help complete the project. Please visit engagekingston.com/arts-culture-master-plan for more information.
Free Farm Stand at People's Place

A weekly free Farm Stand at People's Place will begin Tuesday, June 2, 2020 in their 17 St. James Street parking lot The Farm Stand distributes fresh produce, much of which is donated by local Hudson Valley farms. Any Ulster County resident with financial challenges can utilize this seasonal program which runs every Tuesday from 9:00am - 11:00am through October.   

2020 Guidelines to receive fruits & vegetables:  
-Participants must wear a face mask.  
-Social distancing circles are clearly marked and are to be respected .      
-No ID is required for this program.  
-Produce will be pre-packed.  
 
This program is in partnership with the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley and made possible by the Community Foundation of the Hudson Valley through a grant from the NOVO Foundation .   The mission of People's Place is to feed, clothe and respond to the essential needs of the people in Ulster County with kindness, compassion, and the preservation of human dignity.   
 
For more info about this program or any of the 2 2 programs offered at People's Place visit www.peoplesplaceuc.org or www.facebook.com/PeoplesPlaceKingston 
Kingston Achieves  Climate Smart Communities' Silver Status

The City of Kingston has received the Climate Smart Communities' Silver Certification from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The City of Kingston is one of only four communities in the state to officially be listed as Silver-Certified, and the only city to reach this distinguished designation.
 
Climate Smart Communities is a NYS program that helps local governments take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate. Certified communities are the foremost leaders in the state and have completed actions that mitigate and adapt to climate change at the local level.
 
"The certified Climate Smart Communities are models for municipalities across the state, complementing the State's climate leadership by taking local action to reduce climate pollution and strengthen their ability to withstand flooding and severe weather driven by climate change," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos.
 
"It's a huge honor to receive this certification, and a testament to how hard we have worked to meet our goals," said Mayor Noble. "I want to thank the Office of Sustainability, under the leadership of Julie Noble, and the Climate Smart Kingston commission for their commitment to this community, which has truly put Kingston in the forefront of the state's environmental protection efforts."
 
"By taking proactive steps to mitigate and adapt to climate change locally, we have been recognized by the DEC as a leader in the state," said Julie Noble, Environmental Educator and Sustainability Coordinator. "This is urgent and essential work and we are honored to accept this certification. We will continue to take every necessary action to move Kingston forward, and preserve our city for generations to come."
 
About Climate Smart Communities:
Started in 2009, the CSC program provides guidance and technical support to local governments to take locally driven climate action. The first step communities take is to register by passing a pledge to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. Currently there are 305 local governments that have passed the CSC pledge, representing more than 8.7 million New Yorkers. The certification program was launched in 2014 to document and celebrate the accomplishments of leading communities. In total, there are now 51 certified Climate Smart Communities in New York State.
 
In order to be certified, every community must show that it has an active climate action task force that includes municipal and resident representatives. Many certified communities get points for installing electric vehicle charging stations and putting solar panels on municipal buildings. Most certified communities also complete greenhouse gas inventories that calculate emissions at the local level and help them identify how best to help New York State meet the aggressive greenhouse gas limits required by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). More at: climatesmart.ny.gov/
 
Central Hudson's Back to Business Loans

Central Hudson has launched Back to Business, a funding program for local small businesses. Up to $1 million in economic development support will be provided to local small businesses with 20 or fewer employees. Businesses may receivegrants up to $10,000 to help pay down new working capital loans taken with participating local banks. More info at www.CentralHudson.com/BackToBusiness

Mayor Noble's Daily Update

Mayor Noble is live on the City of Kingston's Facebook page and at Radio Kingston at 5:00pm daily from Monday to Thursday. 

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.
Roadwork Update

Empire State Trail: Work in Kingston over the next two weeks will be limited to work at various intersections throughout the project area, including River Road at Route 199 and Route 32's various crossings in Kingston. Traffic delays should be minimal.

I-587 Roundabout: Sewer installation will continue on Broadway, and will start on East St. James next week. Drainage to continue on Route 578 and continue for next few weeks. Infiltration system to begin installation adjacent to Albany Avenue and East St. James Street later this week and continue through next week. Traffic delays should be expected.

Broadway Streetscape: Grading of the sidewalk areas between Henry Street and the YMCA, including the areas near the UPAC, will be ongoing. Curbing and bioswales will be installed. A few light pole bases must be removed, and new pole bases, which fit the new poles, will be installed. From Henry Street going west to Van Buren Street there will be some edge of pavement saw cutting and sidewalk and curb demo.   

Central Hudson provides weekly updates of their gas line replacement work across the City. Updates are posted on the City of Kingston homepage under Service News
YMCA's Lend-A-Wheel Program

The YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County is offering a bicycle program for essentials workers.  If you need a bike to get to work, shop, or for appointments, request one by contacting Tom Polk, YMCA Bicycle Educator at tpolk@ymcaulster.org Or phone: 845-338-3810, x102 

The YMCA Lend-a-Wheel program also needs adult mountain bikes or hybrid bikes to keep the program going. Please consider donating bike -- it will make a difference in our community!
 
Socially Distanced Weddings at City Hall

Coronavirus guidelines have altered and cancelled many wedding plans, but Mayor Noble understands that, especially in difficult times, folks still want to make a commitment to each other. Even though we can't gather in groups for weddings right now, the Mayor is able to offer socially-distanced marriage ceremonies at City Hall. The weddings take place outside on the lawn under a lovely trellis. To schedule a socially-distanced marriage ceremony, contact the Mayor's office at  (845) 334-3902.
 
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
mayor@kingston-ny.gov

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: