March 18, 2022 - In this issue:
Mayor's Message
Covid Update
Mayor Appoints New Water Department Superintendent
RFP for Rehabilitation on Three Vacant Homes
County Unveils Non-profit Recovery & Resilience Grant
Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Survey & App
Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show
Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

The Common Council is hosting a public hearing and presentation on the City's Economic Recovery Plan, which outlines how Kingston's $17.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds will be spent.

Using Federal guidelines and input from the community, the Economic Recovery Plan draft currenty has allocated:

  • Arts, cultural & tourism development projects: $1,465,000
  • Business districts development: $1,200,000
  • Housing action projects: $4,335,000
  • Non-profit service support: $1,225,000
  • Parks & greenways improvement: $1,250,000
  • General public support & safety: $2,125,000
  • Vital community infrastructure projects: $4,545,000
  • Administration, program delivery, and premium pay: $1,155,000 

We'll be discussing these projects in greater detail on Monday. I hope you'll join the virtual discussion!

-Steve
Covid Update
There are currently 135 active cases in Ulster County and 20 in Kingston.

Latest news:
Mayor Appoints New Water Dept. Superintendent
After forty year of service, City of Kingston Water Department Superintendent Judith Hansen will retire, and Mayor Noble has appointed Matthew Dysard as her successor.
 
Judith Hansen has worked at the City of Kingston Water Department for 40 years, 34 of which she has served at the Superintendent. Her last day will be March 25, 2022.
 
“Judy has been a leader in her field, not only locally but at the State level. Her devotion and passion for providing the community with safe drinking water is unmatched,” said Mayor Noble. “We appreciate and thank Judy for her deep dedication and many years of service to Kingston, and wish her every happiness in retirement. We welcome Matthew in the role as Superintendent, and look forward to many years under his leadership.”
 
“I would like to thank the Board for their many years of support, which allowed me to spend the last 40 years doing something I love, provided me the opportunity to give back to my community, and helped me mentor the next generation of water professionals,” said Hansen. “I would also like to thank the amazing employees of the Water Department, past and present, who, through their dedication and hard work, continue to provide Kingston with water of the highest quality. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to have served.”
 
Matthew Dysard, a Hudson Valley native, holds a B.S. in Finance from the College at Brockport and M.P.A. from Baruch Marxe School of Public and International Affairs. Prior to joining the Kingston Water Department, Dysard spent five years working at New York City’s Office of Management and Budget. He joined the Kingston Water Department in 2018 as the Business Manager, focusing on the Department’s annual budget, bonding, and funding from the Environmental Facilities Corporation. 
City of Kingston Issues RFP for Rehab on 3 Vacant Homes
The City of Kingston has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified firms to provide architectural services for the rehabilitation of three City-owned properties.

The City of Kingston is seeking one architect for the substantial rehabilitation of the properties at 33 Franklin, 44 Franklin, and 54 Van Deusen Street.

Each home is expected to receive major interior and exterior renovation. The goal for this project is to produce high quality, energy-efficient homes while preserving or restoring any existing historic elements. In partnership with RUPCO, all three homes will be sold to first-time homeowners with an AMI of between 60-80%.

Responses are due no later than April 14, 2022 at 2:00pm. The full RFP can be found here. Funding for the architect is provided exclusively by a New York State Restore grant.

Mayor Noble established the Department of Housing Initiatives in 2018 to support housing planning in the City of Kingston. The Department manages housing-related grants, supports the construction of new market-rate and affordable housing, develops policies to protect existing residents, and addresses the connection between housing and sustainability, health, and mobility. The Department also reviews the disposition of city-owned property suitable for housing development and collaborates with local and regional housing organizations. Current projects include city-wide rezoning efforts, the Tiny Homes Project, Good Cause Eviction, short-term rental guidelines and more. Visit https://kingston-ny.gov/housing
Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan Survey to Close Soon
The City of Kingston is developing a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (PBMP) that will inform our efforts to improve conditions for pedestrians & bicyclists, reduce vehicle congestion and emissions, and support a culture of health across the community.
 
Have your voice heard! Take the community survey by March 31. Do you walk and bike in Kingston? What improvements would you like to see? Let us know here: tinyurl.com/PBMPSurvey.

Use the crowdsourcing app by April 30. Map your biking, walking, and transit concerns. You can add comments, photos, or videos, and vote for other entries at tinyurl.com/KingstonPBMP.

For more information, please visit EngageKingston.com.

This project has been funded in part by the Climate Smart Community Grant Program, Title 15 of the Environmental Protection Fund through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
County Unveils Non-profit Recovery & Resilience Grant
$1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds is now available to aid local non-profit and veterans’ service organizations in recovering from the COVID-19 public health crisis. The Non-Profit Recovery and Resilience Grant program is being administered by the Ulster County Recovery and Resilience Division.
Eligible 501(c)3 non-profits and 501(c)19 veterans’ service organizations have the opportunity to apply for funding to aid in offsetting the disproportionate negative economic effects and increased community needs of the pandemic. Funding is available for proposals of $5,000 or more, and less than $50,000. No local match is required.
Applicant organizations that meet the eligibility criteria must complete and submit applications by May 6, 2022. Detailed application guidance and forms can be found online at https://ulstercountyny.gov/arp/projects.
All applicants are encouraged to attend one of the two information sessions being held on Friday, March 11 at 1:30pm and Thursday, March 24 at 6:00pm via Zoom. To register, go to https://ulstercountyny.gov/arp/projects.
Call for Performers at 2022 Music in the Parks
The City of Kingston Arts & Cultural Affairs and Parks & Recreation Departments are looking for 2022 Music in the Parks performers. Music in the Parks is a free, family-oriented concert series sponsored by the City of Kingston. Concerts are open to the public and will be held in Kingston parks on Saturdays this summer.
 
All musical artists interested in performing at the Music in the Parks series are encouraged to submit an application, with a preference for Kingston-based musicians. The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2022. More information at https://www.kingston-ny.gov/musicintheparks
Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show
Mayor Noble hosts a weekly radio show on Tuesdays at 5:00pm which airs live on Radio Kingston and the City of Kingston Facebook page.

This week, Mayor Noble spoke with Bartek Starodaj, the City of Kingston's Director of Housing Initiatives, about the various housing efforts currently underway. Click below to hear their converstation.

As a reminder, the Council will host a virtual public presentation and public hearing on Monday, March 21 at 7:00pm.
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: