January 21, 2022 - In this issue:
Mayor's Message
Covid Update
Kingston Launches Micro-grant Program for Uptown Businesses
RUPCO & City of Kingston Offer Landlord Assistance
City of Kingston Job Opportunities
New Director of Housing Initiatives
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:

Dear Friends,

Hopefully everyone has received our Snow Emergency flyer in the mail. We gave out over 400 tickets in the last storm, but we're hoping that having the information handy will help residents for our next snowfall.

We have several job openings at the City of Kingston right now. From the Grants Manager position to three Program Manager opportunities to the Water Department Superintendent, there are openings across many City departments and at all levels. Please help us spread the word to anyone who might interested in joining our team!

-Steve
Covid Update

As of today, there are 7,490 active Covid cases in UIster County, 1,091 in Kingston. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 344 deaths across the county.

Visit the Ulster County Vaccine Resource Center for more info and to make vaccine and boosters appointments.
Kingston Launches Micro-grant Program for Uptown Businesses
The City of Kingston welcomes businesses in the Uptown Kingston/Stockade District to submit applications to our $5,000 Microgrant Program, which is funded by the Downtown Revitalization Initative (DRI) grant.

Funds must be used to create, improve, or expand a business. Eligible uses of funds include rent, permanent machinery and equipment, signage, soft costs, and flexible working capital.  

Up to twelve businesses will be awarded. The Uptown area is bounded by the Esopus Creek and Route I-587 to the north and east, St. James Street to the south, and Washington Avenue and Dietz Stadium to the west (see map). If you are unsure your business location qualifies, email [email protected] with your business name and address to confirm eligibility.
 
Businesses must be a for-profit sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, LLC or other legal form of business. Nonprofit corporations or organizations are not eligible to apply. 

As a part of our shared services partnership for advancing economic development in Kingston, the Ulster County Office of Economic Development is assisting with the application process. The application can be found here.
City of Kingston & RUPCO Offer Landlord Assistance
The City of Kingston has partnered with RUPCO, with grant funding from Enterprise Community Partners, to administer the NYS Landlord Assistance Program (NYSLAP). The program provides direct financial assistance to landlords with eligible rental units in the City of Kingston.
 
With the NYSLAP program, landlords can receive up to $15,000 per unit to assist with qualifying repairs, fiscal distress such as landlord back mortgage/taxes, and back rental assistance. All units must be rented to tenants at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) adjusted to family size with affordable rents set (see chart below).

Maximum Affordable Rent (Ulster County)
Studio $1200
1- Bedroom $1405
2- Bedroom $1581
3- Bedroom $1756
4- Bedroom $1898
More information about eligibility requirements and applications can be found at https://www.rupco.org/nyslap. All applications must be summited by April 1, 2022.

To hear Mayor Noble and RUPCO's Faith Moore discuss the Landlord Assistance program, click below (starts at 7:00):
City of Kingston Job Opportunities
The City of Kingston is hiring! Mayor Noble added 20+ new positions to the 2022 Budget and we're now hiring across many departments:


Please visit kingston-ny.gov/employment for more details or contact the Civil Service Office at City Hall, 420 Broadway.
New Director of Housing Initiatives
Mayor Noble has appointed the new Director of Housing Initiatives for the City of Kingston, Bartek Starodaj. As the Director of Housing Initiatives, Starodaj will work on the city-wide rezoning project, implementing the Tiny Home Project alongside Family of Woodstock, and will continue work on a variety of current housing programs. 
 
Bartek Starodaj is an urban policy professional with experience in urban development, housing initiatives, and communications. He holds a B.A. in Environmental & Urban Studies and an M.S. in Environmental Policy from Bard College. Starodaj is a founding board member of the Kingston City Land Bank, and has served as the Board Secretary for three years. Prior to joining the City of Kingston, he was the lead account manager for two local marketing agencies. He also served on the German Marshall Fund’s Urban and Regional Policy team fostering transatlantic development initiatives for major U.S. and European cities. Starodaj lives in Kingston with his wife and children.

More housing information can be found at https://kingston-ny.gov/housing
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
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: