Latest Covid-19 Information |
|
Climate Action Plan 2030 Town Hall |
|
City of Kingston in Good Debt Standing |
|
Seasonal Parks & Rec Opportunities |
|
Broadway Businesses Are Open! |
|
Landmark Place Now Taking Applications |
|
Parks & Recreation Programming |
|
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
Dear Friends,
The Common Council authorized the City of Kingston to hire highly-regarded expert consultants to update the City’s long-outdated zoning code. Using extensive public engagement over the next 12 to18 months, Dover, Kohl and Partners will create a form-based zoning code for the Common Council to consider for adoption.
The City of Kingston’s zoning code has not been updated since the 1960s, which causes confusion, frustration, litigation and most crucially, red-lining and arbitrary regulation. Form-based code is based upon building form and not building use. Adopting a form-based zoning code will be more equitable, more clear, and will ultimately save the City of Kingston and its taxpayers in lawsuits and related expenses. According to Strong Towns, a form-based zoning code encourages revitalization, promotes affordable housing, helps small businesses, promotes walkability, and preserves a City’s unique sense of place. I firmly believe that updating our zoning codes will spur smart, fair growth for our entire community.
I want to thank the members of our Zoning Task Force, who worked so diligently to create the RFP and carefully consider each proposal. I would also like to thank the members of the Common Council for taking up this effort again, which was tabled for a year due to the pandemic, and for being willing to take a leadership role alongside me in this important initiative.
-Steve
|
|
COVID-19 Information
-
As of Friday, April 9, there are 1,739 active Covid-19 cases in Ulster County, 224 in Kingston, and there have been 246 deaths across the County. More local resources at Ulster County Covid-19 Information
-
The Open Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers has been extended through December 31, 2021. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health or directly through insurers.
- If you have been on quarantine due to contact with someone known to have COVID-19:
- a negative test does NOT release you from quarantine.
- It is essential to wait 10 days full days to make sure that no infection appears, even if you have no symptoms, before being released from quarantine.
- Quarantine should last 10 days from the last exposure to a person with known COVID-19.
- In addition, you should continue to monitor yourself for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 for up to 14 days after that last exposure.
- If you have any questions about your period of quarantine, please call your Local Health Department.
-
Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access 24/7 emotional support services. Any New Yorker can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
|
|
Climate Action Plan 2030 Town Hall on April 20
The Climate Action Plan 2030 results of a public survey are now available. The survey ranked different priorities, such as clean transportation, access to energy-efficient home improvements, local food resources, land and water use, among others. With nearly 300 survey respondents, the results will actively help the Climate Action Plan development process. The Climate Action Plan 2030 will determine the next ten years of the City’s climate goals.
Kingston-based nonprofit Citizens for Local Power, which has been assisting the City to engage community feedback, will host a virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, April 20 at 5:30pm to present the responses, and provide a forum for discussion and commentary. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Live Spanish interpretation will be provided. Comments will be noted and sent anonymously to Cadmus, an environmental consultancy group that is designing Kingston’s Climate Action Plan 2030.
Following the Climate Action Plan 2030 Town Hall, there will be many ways to participate, including smaller community conversations surrounding priority topics, including transportation, green jobs, healthy housing, water and land use, and access to local food resources.
For details about the Climate Action Plan 2030 Town Hall, please click here.
|
|
Presentation on the City of Kingston Debt
Noah Nadelson, CEO of Munistat Services, lnc gave a presentation to the Common Council on the City of Kingston's debt profile. Munistat Services provides fiscal advisory services to the City of Kingston for debt issuance matters. The presentation provided an overview of the City's debt, where our debt levels stand in relation to market metrics, and how Kingston’s debt compares to other municipalities in New York State.
In the presentation, Mr. Nadelson explained to the Council that the City of Kingston is in good debt standing with a strong debt profile, which is the most positive designation (strong/adequate/weak). Debt only makes up approximately 10% of the City's strong bond rating, and debt service makes up less than 10% of the City's General Fund Operating Budget. When compared to other New York State municipalities of similar size, the City of Kingston rates favorably in debt metrics such as total debt, debt per capita, and debt as a percentage of taxable assessed value.
As Mr. Nadelson explained, all municipalities have debt; it is not a bad thing the way me might consider personal debt. Bonding allows the City to invest in vital infrastructure when needed and pay for it over time. It means that taxes do not spike when the City embarks on a major project or when an emergency financial situation arises. In fact, under Mayor Noble, the City of Kingston’s taxes have not gone up in six years as we continue to have a low annual fiscal stress score as measured by the NYS Comptroller and good debt standing.
I am proud of the City of Kingston’s ongoing good financial standing, despite the pandemic and in the midst of multiple major infrastructure upgrades and projects. Our City is strong and we are in good fiscal shape to move forward on important community initiatives including housing, sustainability and resilience, and public safety.
The full debt presentation can be found here, or to watch the Caucus meeting, click here.
|
|
Parks & Recreation Seasonal & Part-time Positions Available
City of Kingston Parks & Recreation has opportunities for many seasonal summer jobs including lifeguards, camp counselors, and recreation aides.
Parks & Recreation is also looking for a part-time, year-round employee to help out at Dietz Stadium and other parks facilities. Some of the responsibilities for this position are:
Opening/closing up buildings and facilities (primarily Dietz Stadium)
Setting up/breaking down program equipment
Managing facilities during sporting games and events
Cleaning and sanitizing restrooms and highly touched surfaces
|
|
Broadway Businesses Are Open! |
|
We know this a hardship for shops and restaurants, so we are highlighting local businesses along Broadway who are open and who can use your patronage! This week, we are spotlighting the wonderful Latino restaurants.
- Mi Casita (Salvadorean) at 720 Broadway
- La Hacienda (Oaxacan, Mexican) at 680 Broadway
- Tienda Guatemalteca El Quetzal (Guatemalan) at 10 Down St,
- Mi Ranchito (Salvadorean) at 614 Broadway
- Mi Pueblito (great tacos, from Puebla, Mexico) at 591 Broadway
|
|
Landmark Place Now Open for Applications
We are excited to announce that RUPCO is accepting rental applications for Landmark Place, a 14-acre development in Kingston that provides 66 affordable and supportive homes for seniors 55 years or older. The development will also provide rental subsidy for 35 apartments to qualifying individuals, who are homeless or in imminent danger of becoming homeless, and meet additional secondary criteria including disabled veterans, frail and elderly seniors, and those who meet mental health/substance use set aside qualifications, and those who are deemed chronically homeless.
Landmark Place was planned with seniors in mind, employing Active Design guidelines and accessibility features to maximize residents' physical and mental health, including step-in shower stalls, easy-open slap-latch doorknobs and faucet handles, strategically placed railings and lighting, and energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and heating/cooling systems. The campus has ample outdoor green space with shaded walking paths, raised garden beds, a community garden, and areas for socializing.
In addition to carefully designed apartments and grounds, ensuring safety and accessibility for all residents, onsite services and activities are available to support residents' physical, mental, and social health. RUPCO will offer case management services to residents receiving rental subsidy, including self-advocacy support, medication management and training by an onsite Licensed Practical Nurse, daily living skills training, skill development support, and socialization activities.
|
|
Mayor Noble's Tuesday/Thursday Updates
Mayor Noble has been giving regular live updates since mid-March. His now twice-weekly updates can be heard on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00pm via Radio Kingston and the City of Kingston Facebook page.
Click below to hear Thursday's update.
|
|
Parks & Recreation Programming
Parks & Recreation has just announced some of its most beloved programming will be back in 2021! Adult Nature Hikes will be starting up in in May. For more information and to sign up, please visit the City of Kingston Parks & Recreation's Facebook page.
|
|
Many of Parks & Recreation's Kayaking Programs are also back! |
|
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:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
