November 26, 2017 - In This Issue:
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
Dear Friends,

As we begin this joyous holiday season, I want to thank our local volunteers, small businesses, and helping agencies for working so hard to bring our neighbors together through special events and shared community meals. Whether it was the community dinners on Thanksgiving (and food deliveries to individuals at home), last Friday's tree lighting hosted by the Kingston Professional Firefighters Association, Saturday's Sinterklaas Celebration, or one of the many toy drives and community events coming up this month, our city is at its best when we come together. 
 
-Steve
Kingston Downtown Revitalization Initiative 
Local Planning Meeting

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first  Local Planning Committee for Kingston's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) in the Stockade District, which was held on November 16th at the Old Dutch Church. The meeting first focused on the details of the Local Planning Committee (LPC) itself, including roles and responsibilities for LPC members and the Code of Conduct. The meeting also included a lively conversation regarding the overall vision and goals for Kingston's DRI. Documents reviewed by the LPC members at the meeting can be found at www.kingston-ny.gov/DRI. N otes from the meeting will be posted soon.

Save the Dates

Local Planning Committee #2
Tuesday, December 12th at Noon
Location to be determined and announced shortly

Interactive Public Engagement Session 
Tuesday, December 19th 
6:00pm-8:00pm
Location to be determined and announced shortly

Note: Staff and state planners will be available earlier in the day on December 19th for questions and comments from individuals who cannot attend the evening session. More details to be announced shortly.

All comments sent to DRI@kingston-ny.gov will be shared with LPC members and planners. Comments may also be sent by mail to City Hall at 420 Broadway. 
A statement from Mayor Steve Noble
November 21, 2017

During a Police Commission last Wednesday evening and Community Forum last night, I had the opportunity to hear concerns from local residents about our police department. These concerns ranged from specific complaints which have been submitted for review by the Police Commission to broader concerns about how our police officers interact with our community. After hearing these concerns, it is clear that there are some residents of Kingston who do not feel safe in our city and that this feeling of uncertainty and fear is shared disproportionately by people of color. I think we can all agree that this is unacceptable. It is critical that the public has trust and confidence in those sworn to protect our city. We have the responsibility to identify and address areas in which we fall short of our shared vision for a community in which every individual feels safe, respected and valued.

While the Police Commission will continue to investigate specific complaints that have been brought forth for review, we have also made a commitment to assess and update our policies so that citizens can makes complaints with greater ease and comfort, ultimately allowing the Police Commission to have all of the information it needs to most effectively do its job when reviewing the actions of our police force. In addition, I am proposing that the following measures be put in place, effective immediately:
  • In all instances in which force is used, including use of baton, OC (also known as pepper spray), and/or Taser, a report will be immediately generated for the Mayor's review. In addition, the Police Commission will review all uses of force, regardless of whether or not a formal complaint has been submitted, at every meeting.
  • A written decision will be issued by the Police Commission after it has reviewed and deliberated the details of complaints and this decision will be provided to the individual who filed the complaint, the officers cited in the complaint, and made publicly available. Each written decision will include a summary of the complaint and the factors considered amongst the Commissioners.
  • An invitation will be extended to the NYCLU to meet with members of the Police Commission and the Kingston Common Council to learn about and consider legislative options, such as the "Right To Know Act", to instill real and consequential institutional change
I believe in our police department, its leadership, and the officers who come to work every day to serve our community. I know that collectively we have made significant efforts to enhance and improve communication between the department and the public. As we navigate the challenging times ahead and review complaints submitted by community members, know that police misconduct and excessive use of force will not be tolerated. Our community and our police department has worked too hard for too long to let the progress we've made slip away and the trust we've built fall apart.

Over the next few months, I will be providing updates on new and changing policies proposed by our Police Commission. I know that the processes, both as they relate to reviewing and making decisions on specific complaints as well as our broader goals of making institutional change, can seem unbearably slow. I share that frustration. But these issues are too serious and the consequences far too great- we need to get this right. As difficult and as uncomfortable some of these conversations may be, I am certain that this process of reflection can only improve and strengthen the bonds within our community.
"Adaptation Inspiration" video highlights communities becoming resilient to sea-level rise


The Climate Program at the Hudson River Estuary Program has produced a short video "Sea-level rise: planning coastal development" highlighting how the City of Kingston and residents of Piermont are adapting to sea-level rise and coastal flooding. The second offering in the "Adaptation Inspiration" series, this video reviews the causes of sea level rise and showcases the positive approaches with which these communities are adapting to this consequence of climate change. 
Thank you to filmmakers Laura and Mustafa at Flicker Filmworks! 
Community Development Block Grant

Mayor Steve Noble is pleased to launch the preparation of the City of Kingston's Annual Actual Plan for Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019), which details the use of the estimated $670,000 annual grant under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) Entitlement Grant. 
 
Applications for proposed funding for the Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Action Plan are now available for pick up or can be mailed or emailed. Applications will be accepted until 12:00 PM (Noon) on Monday, January 22, 2018. As in FY2017, priority will be given to programs that support the operations and further engagement and enrichment of youth attending the City's community centers, as well as capital projects in public facilities. 
 
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS:
At these meetings, questions are encouraged regarding general project eligibility, program guidelines and specific proposed projects. An overview of priority projects that the City would be interested in funding will be presented.
  • Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 6:00 PM, City Hall, Conference Room #1, 420 Broadway
  • Monday, December 11, 2017, 5:30 PM, Hudson River Maritime Museum, 50 Rondout Landing
  • Wednesday, December 20, 2017, 7:00 PM, Everette Hodge Center, 21 Franklin St.
  • Thursday, January 4, 2018, 6:30 PM, City Hall, Conference Room #1, 420 Broadway
  • Wednesday, January 10, 2018, 5:30 PM, Kingston Library, 55 Franklin Street
  • Tuesday, January 16, 2018, 7:00 PM, Rondout Neighborhood Center, 105 Broadway 
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
At these meetings, comments will be heard regarding applicants and their proposed projects or programs.
  • Wednesday, February 7, 2018 - 6:00 PM Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 420 Broadway
  • Thursday, February 15, 2018 - 6:00 PM Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 420 Broadway
PROJECT SELECTION
The Mayor, Economic & Community Development Director, Common Council's Community Development Committee, and the Community Development Advisory Board review all submitted applications for adherence to HUD eligibility requirements and examine them with respect to the prioritized needs outlined in the City's Consolidated Plan. The Mayor takes into consideration the public comment and recommendations of the Board, then offers a final recommendation to the Common Council. Prior to the Council's vote, the recommended slate of projects is published in The Daily Freeman followed by a thirty-day public review and comment period. Following the comment period, the Common Council votes on the annual slate of activities and the Community Development Director submits the final plan to HUD for approval in May.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CDBG PROGRAM
Annually, the City of Kingston ("City") receives an Entitlement Grant allocation through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's ("HUD's") Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") Program. In accordance with the administration of the CDBG Entitlement funding, the City's Office of Economic & Community Development has prepared a five-year Consolidated Plan which serves as the long-range plan for spending the City's annual CDBG allocations. This plan sets forth community needs, long-range program goals, specific program objectives, annual goals and benchmarks for measuring the program's progress. 

The primary objective of the CDBG program is to benefit persons of low and moderate income. By regulation, the City must allocate at least 70% of its annual CDBG funding on activities that benefit persons of low and moderate income, households, and neighborhoods.

For further information, please contact Brenna Robinson in the Office of Economic and Community Development at (845) 334-3924, or email her at  brobinson@kingston-ny.gov 
Made in Kingston 2017



When: Thursday, December 7th, 4:00pm-8:30pm
Where: The Metro, located at 2 S. Prospect St. in Kingston

Join us for the 5th annual expo of all things made in Kingston! One of the best events of the year right in the heart of Midtown, featuring more than four dozen local artists, local food and beverages, live entertainment, a raffle, and a new pop-up fine art market hosted by MAD. 

The fifth annual Made In Kingston event will be co-sponsored by the  City of Kingston, Kingston Midtown Arts DistrictArts Mid Hudson, the Business Alliance of Kingston and  TRANSART. The event continues the momentum that has been building since planning for a Midtown Arts District began three years ago.

This year's event will be held at The Metro, the former MetLife Hall of Records building, at 2 South Prospect Street (on the corner of Greenkill Avenue, opposite the Boys and Girls Club).  RUPCO closed on the 70,000-square-foot underutilized factory/warehouse and is now proposing The Metro as a community wealth-building project; a film and technology hub to include maker spaces and other creative uses.

Shop LOCAL for the holidays and enjoy a fun evening with your friends and neighbors! See  www.madeinkingstonny.com for more details.
Mayor Steve Noble proposes extending the local Cold War Veteran Exemption beyond the current 10 year term
 
Mayor Steve Noble is pleased to propose a local law to extend the Cold War Veteran Exemption beyond the current 10 year term.
 
Earlier this month, Mayor Noble was made aware of Chapter 290 of the Laws of 2017, which authorizes localities to extend the Cold War Veterans exemption beyond the initial ten years previously allowed. Currently, Cold War Veterans can only benefit from this exemption for a maximum of ten years. If a locality does not adopt a local law stating that the exception will apply to qualifying owners without regard to the ten-year limitation, the exemption will expire after 10 years.
 
"I am pleased to support this local law and urge the Common Council to act on this opportunity to honor our local veterans and ensure that they have access to this exemption beyond the initial ten-year limitation," said Mayor Noble.
 
Currently, over 40 Cold War Veterans receive the exemption on their primary residence in the City of Kingston. In order to be eligible for the exemption, an honorably discharged Cold War Veteran, a spouse of a Cold War Veteran or the un-remarried surviving spouse of a deceased Cold War Veteran must own a home and the home must be their primary residence. The exemption entitles eligible veterans to receive a reduction in their City of Kingston Taxable Assessed Value and if adopted this benefit would extend beyond the current 10 year time limit.
 
A communication has been sent by the City Assessor, Daniel Baker, to the Common Council for the local law to be considered by the appropriate Council Committee in November. If endorsed by the Committee, there must be two readings of the Local Law before final adoption. The Local Law must be enacted on or before the taxable status date, which is March 1, 2018.
 
To learn more, visit  https://kingston-ny.gov/Assessor 

City of Kingston Arts Commission accepting nominations for inaugural
 
City of Kingston Distinguished Artist Award

The City of Kingston Arts Commission is requesting nominations for the inaugural City of Kingston Distinguished Artist Award. 

Nominees must be residents of the City of Kingston for at least two years. Artists in any discipline may be nominated: music, theatre, dance, literary, visual, or media arts. Finalists and recipients will be chosen based upon the level of their artistry, commitment to the art form, commitment to the community, and recognition in the field locally, nationally or internationally. The award recipient should be willing to serve for two years and perform two public community projects such as a performance, lecture, exhibition, reading, workshop, etc. A small stipend will be provided to the awardee.

Submission forms are located on the City of Kingston website at: 
www.kingston-ny.gov/ArtsCommission. This should take the form of a no-more-than one-page narrative that discusses the nominee's qualifications and must be submitted with the application. Nominations must be submitted by midnight, Sunday, December 17, 2017 to the Commission at kingstonarts@kingston-ny.gov along with the form and narrative. Recipients will be selected by an awards panel comprised of professionals in the field. Note that recipients are not chosen by the quantity of nominations received, but by the QUALITY of their work and by their commitment to the community.

Award winners will be recognized by Mayor Steve Noble and Kingston arts, cultural, civic and business leaders, at a reception on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Kingston City Hall.

For any questions, please contact Susan Linn, 845-339-4280.
Save the Dates
Special Finance Meetings

The following are the dates of Special Meetings of the Finance Committee of the Common Council, as well as the Departments whose budgets are to be considered:

Monday, November 27 - 6:30pm - Department of Public Works; Waste Water Treatment Plant

Note: All meetings are held at City Hall, Conference Room #1.

Note: To learn more about Mayor Noble's 2018 Recommended Budget, check out last month's Special Edition newsletter.
Community Spotlight



Community Conversation about Radio Kingston / Conversación comunitaria sobre Radio Kingston

Please join us for our first event to discuss Radio Kingston 1490 WKNY with any and all people who are interested. Learn about our mission from members of the organization including our board of directors and executive director Jimmy Buff.

It's important to hear from you about what you want from a community radio station, and we'll also tell you about how you can propose your own radio show.

Light refreshments will be provided.

***
Venga a nuestra primera reunión comunitaria sobre Radio Kingston 1490 WKNY.
Conozca sobre nuestra misión de los mismos miembros de la organización, incluyendo nuestro consejo administrativ o y el director ejecutivo, Jimmy Buff.
Es importante que nos cuente sobre qué es lo que quiere y espera
de una estación de radio comunitaria. También le diremos cómo usted puede proponer su propio programa de radio.

Se proporcionarán interpretación para español y refrigerios ligeros.

Upcoming Municipal Meetings

Monday, November 27th
Special Police Commission
4:00pm
City Hall

Special Finance Meeting
6:30pm
City Hall, Conference Room #1

Tuesday, November 28th
Community Development Committee
6:00pm
City Hall, Conference Room #1

Laws and Rules Committee
7:00pm
City Hall, Conference Room #1

Wednesday, November 29th
Climate Smart Kingston
4:30pm
City Hall

Public Safety/General Government Committee
6:30pm
City Hall, Conference Room #1
 
Thursday, November 30th
No meetings scheduled at this time.

Friday, December 1st
No meetings scheduled at this time.

To stay up to date on all municipal meetings each month, check out our monthly calendar here. Most meeting agendas and minutes can be found here.
Kingston Happenings
The City of Kingston often receives requests to share upcoming events happening in our community. Our partners at 
KingstonHappenings.org  do an excellent job of centralizing this community information. So while our website is the best resource to gain information about City of Kingston sponsored events and important municipal information, Kingston Happenings can give you a greater preview of community events. Check them out today!
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: