October 29, 2021 - In this issue:
Mayor's Message
Halloween Fest & Parade Tomorrow
ARPA Public Survey Open
Boo at the Zoo Cancelled
KPD Headquarters Named for Chief James K. Riggins
Spotlight on Sustainability
Mayor Appoints New Corporation Counsel
Openings on Boards & Commissions
YMCA Bike Repair Clinic
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:

Dear Friends,

Happy Halloween! At City Hall, the Keebler elves were working hard to bring Halloween spirit to all who visited the building this week. The Clerk's Office and Corporation Counsel joined forces to win Most Creative in our "door wars" decoration contest.

As we close out spooky season, a reminder that there is an 8:00pm curfew in effect on Sunday, October 31, 2021 for all children under 16 years old. We appreciate the cooperation of parents and caregivers so that everyone can enjoy a fun and safe Halloween.

Tonight's Boo at the Zoo is cancelled, but there will be lots of Halloween fun at the YMCA tomorrow. Hope to see you there!

-Steve
Halloween Fest & Parade Tomorrow!
The Halloween Fest & Parade this year is Ghostbusters themed! The event will include a dance party, children's costume fashion show, vendor trick or treating, live performances, family games/activities, music, food and a very special live Ghostbusters Performance.

The event kicks off at 3:00pm with the parade, which starts at the Kingston Plaza and continues down Broadway, ending at the YMCA Parking lot, where the festival will take place. From 4:00pm - 8:00pm, the MyKingstonKids Halloween Festival will include vendors, food, games, activities, performances, rides and more - all outdoors at the YMCA Kingston parking lot.

The MyKingstonKids Halloween Fest & Parade 2021 is a free outdoor event created to promote an exciting, safe and unique Halloween experience. Masks and safe social distancing are required.
American Rescue Plan Act Survey Open

The City of Kingston hosted two public meetings this week to inform the City’s Economic Recovery Plan for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. If you weren't able to attend, you can watch the meeting here.

The City of Kingston will receive approximately $17 million in ARPA funding over two years, and is currently working to create a comprehensive Economic Recovery Plan to best utilize these funds. The City has hired Laberge Group to facilitate the creation of the plan. The Kingston Economic Recovery plan will be directed by federal guidelines, will incorporate community input, and will build upon existing community projects, while also supporting new initiatives that support recovery from the pandemic.
 
According to the Federal guidelines, the ARPA funds may be used by local governments for:
  • Costs associated with responding to the Covid-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts
  • To support workers performing essential work during the Covid-19 public health emergency
  • To cover revenue losses caused by the Covid-19 public health emergency
  • To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure
 
The City has opened a survey for the community to weigh in. Find the survey here, which will be open until November 19, 2021. We want your feedback!
Boo at the Zoo on October 29 - Cancelled
Due to inclement weather and wet conditions at Forsyth Park, the Boo at the Zoo event tonight has been CANCELLED.
Kingston Police Headquarters Named for Chief James K. Riggins

On Saturday, the Kingston Police Headquarters were dedicated in the name of former Police Chief James K. Riggins.

In a beautiful ceremony organized by Chief Riggins' family, several community members including myself, had the opportunity to speak about Jim and his legacy. It was an honor to participate in this dedication, and to honor a great Police Chief.
Spotlight on Sustainability
In leading up to the release of the Climate Action Plan 2030 draft at upcoming meetings, we will be featuring key actions and initiatives the City has taken in the past decade that have truly advanced our Climate Goals. 

For the past eight years, the City of Kingston has been diligently working through the process of retrofitting our streetlights to LED

In the Summer of 2018, the project was launched, starting with a GIS audit of all of Kingston's streetlights and park lights. The LED project retrofitted the existing High Pressure Sodium (HPS), Mercury Vapor (MV), and Metal Halide (MH) lamps with LED technology. The new LED fixtures have a warm white light, a 3000K color temperature, in compliance with the American Medical Association’s guidelines.

As of January 2021, the project was completed, and now every streetlight in the City of Kingston is a more efficient fixture, saving the city over $100,000 in energy consumption and maintenance costs every year and reducing GHG emissions with over 1.1 million kWH savings per year.
Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show
Mayor Noble's weekly radio show is back on Tuesdays at 5:00pm. It's the Mayor! airs live on Radio Kingston and the City of Kingston Facebook page.

Click below to hear Mayor Noble discuss the Climate Action Plan 2030 with the Environmental Education and Sustainability Coordinator Julie Noble.

There will not be a show next Tuesday in observance of Election Day. Go vote!
Mayor Noble Appoints New Coporation Counsel
Mayor Noble is pleased to announce that the City of Kingston’s new Corporation Counsel, Barbara Graves-Poller will start on November 1, 2021.

Graves-Poller is an experienced litigator who, most recently, represented New York City in state and federal appellate courts. Ms. Graves-Poller practiced commercial litigation for several years before entering public service in 2008. She clerked for the Honorable George B. Daniels in the Southern District of New York then held various positions in legal nonprofit organizations where she advocated on behalf of low-income clients. Ms. Graves-Poller also holds a master’s degree from New York University.

For the next two months, Graves-Poller will work alongside current Corporation Counsel Kevin Bryant, who is expected to depart at the end of the year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Graves-Poller to the City of Kingston. She has a diverse mix of legal experience that will truly benefit all of our residents here in the City of Kingston,” said Mayor Noble. “I am certain that she will provide our City with excellent legal guidance in the days and months ahead.”

“I’m honored to advocate for such an incredibly vibrant city and understand that this practice involves some of the thorniest legal questions that directly impact a community’s quality of life,” said Graves-Poller. “The perspective I’ve gained as a government lawyer and attorney for clients in other settings prepares me to tackle the many challenges that lie ahead.”
Openings on Boards & Commissions
The Ulster County Planning Board is looking for applicants from Kingston. To apply to serve as a Kingston representative, please fill out an application here.

The Kingston City Land Bank (KCLB) is taking applications for new Board members, and is seeking individuals interested in Chairing the Finance Committee and helping with fundraising initiatives. All interested individuals are encouraged to apply here. Board member must be residents of the City of Kingston. Applications will be accepted until November 15, 2021. For a full description of Board member duties and responsibilities, click here.
Last YMCA Bike Repair Clinic of 2021
Bike Friendly Kingston and the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County will be hosting their last free bicycle repair clinic of the year on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Come to the Y parking lot on Pine Grove Avenue in Kingston between 3 and 5:30pm to have your bike checked over.
 
What else do you need to bike? A bell is required by New York State law, and if you ride after dark, you need a set of front and rear lights. If you’re under 14 years of age, a helmet is required while riding! You can get bells, lights and bike helmets at the clinic. 
 
No advance registration required. The event is free, but donations are welcome! Be sure to bring your bike and wear a mask or other face covering if you are not vaccinated. The rain date is Thursday, November 4.
 
For more information, contact the YMCA Bicycle Program Manager, Tom Polk at 845-338-3810, Ext 102 or tpolk@ymcaulster.org
Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
mayor@kingston-ny.gov
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