November 5, 2021 - In this issue:
Mayor's Message
Climate Action Plan Draft Released
ARPA Public Survey Open Until 11/19
Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11
Upcoming Opening in Housing Department
Openings on Boards & Commissions
Kingston Forward: Upcoming Zoning Meetings
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:

Dear Friends,

Our Covid numbers in our area have stabilized with 240 cases in Ulster County and 28 current cases in Kingston, as of today. As more of our young people get vaccinated, we hope to see those numbers climb back down. Ulster County's dashboard has all the latest on cases, vaccination rates, and more helpful information.

The CDC recommends everyone ages 5 and older get a Covid-19 vaccine. The Ulster County Department of Health will begin hosting two weekly pediatric PODs next Wednesday, November 10, and Saturday, November 13. Pediatric PODs are by appointment only and children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Find appointments at VaccinateUlster.com.

I appreciate everyone doing their part to help us maintain a low infection rate as we head into the colder months. This has been a community effort and we're seeing the positive results.

-Steve
Climate Action Plan 2030 Draft Released
The Climate Action Plan 2030 draft is now available! To see the draft, please visit EngageKingston.com.

Join us at one of two virtual public presentations next week on Monday November 8, at either noon or 5pm to hear more about Kingston's Climate Action Plan 2030. To register for noon, click here. To register for the 5pm presentation, click here. The evening presentation will feature live Spanish interpretation.

For more info about the Climate Action Plan, visit engagekingston.com/climate-action-plan.
American Rescue Plan Act Public Survey Open

The City of Kingston hosted two public meetings 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.

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!
Veteran's Day Ceremony on November 11
The annual Veterans Day ceremony will be held inside City Hall November 11, 2021 at 11:00am, followed by a rifle salute and playing of Taps on the front lawn. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. For further information contact Kingston Veterans Association Chairman Bill Forte at (845) 399-0414.

As a reminder, City Hall and other municipal offices will be closed on Thursday in observance of Veterans Day. Trash and recycling will be delayed one day next week.
Upcoming Opening in the Housing Department
The Housing Initiatives Department was formed by Mayor Noble in 2020 to support Kingston’s myriad housing efforts, including implementing the Anti-displacement Grant (ADLN), addressing vacant/abandoned properties, and seeking other avenues to increase affordable housing while working with those in the community who share our goal of housing for all. Other initiatives include the Tiny Homes Project in collaboration with Family of Woodstock and the City’s rezoning effort.
 
The City of Kingston is actively seeking a new, full-time Director of Housing Initiatives, which will have a salary range of $60,000-65,000. Qualifications, benefits, and additional information can be found at https://www.kingston-ny.gov/employment. 
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.
Kingston Forward: Upcoming Zoning Meetings
We had a great virtual kick-off meeting last night for Kingston Forward, the city-wide zoning initiative. Watch the meeting here or join us tonight, Friday, November 5 at 6:00pm for an in-person kick-off meeting and hands-on input session, which will be held at City Hall (420 Broadway).

Tonight's meeting will include an introductory presentation about the project, followed by an opportunity to participate in small group discussions with other community members and the planning team. Each group will look over maps of existing conditions and talk about opportunities and challenges for future development and preservation in Kingston. Join us and share your ideas!

More meetings will continue through the weekend and into next week! There will be opportunities to see the work underway and provide your input in walking tours and stakeholder meetings and during open planning studio hours. See a summary of the charrette events here (and below).

The community is invited to drop-in during Open Studio Hours to get an update on the project and talk with the planning team.

OPEN STUDIO HOURS AT CITY HALL:
Saturday November 6, 11am-1pm
Monday November 8, 11am-1pm
Tuesday, November 9, 11am-1pm

Interested community members are also welcome to drop in and be part of stakeholder meetings at the City Hall planning studio Nov 8 & 9, from 10-11am and 1-4pm each day. If not able to attend in person, participants may join via zoom on Monday, click here, or Tuesday, click here.

There will be Open Studio Hours at other locations on the following dates:

OPEN STUDIO HOURS IN RONDOUT:
Sunday November 7, 4:30-6:30pm at Rondout Neighborhood Center (Broadway & Spring Street)

OPEN STUDIO HOURS IN MIDTOWN:
Monday, November 8, 4:30-6:30pm at Kingston Library (55 Franklin Street)

OPEN STUDIO HOURS IN UPTOWN:
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 4:30-6:30pm at Old Dutch Church, Bethany Hall (272 Wall St)


WALKING TOURS

Midtown
Saturday at 1:30pm, meet in front of 16 Cedar Street

Uptown
Saturday at 3:30pm, meet at Peace Park (corner of Front & Crown St.)

Wilbur
Sunday at 12pm, email kcorte@kingston-ny.gov  for meeting location
(this may be a physically challenging walk with narrow/limited sidewalks)

Ponckhockie
Sunday at 1:30, meet in front of African Roots Center Library (43 Gill Street)

Rondout
Sunday at 3pm, meet at the corner of Broadway & Strand



November 10, at 6 pm. Work-in-Progress Presentation
This meeting will be held in-person at the City Hall Council Chambers at 6pm.
See a summary of the charrette week and ideas so far, and tell us if you think the work is on the right track. If you would like to participate virtually, please register here.

More info and a community survey can be found at EngageKingston.com.
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: