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March 15, 2019 - In This Issue:
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A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
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Dear Friends -
We've had a busy week here at City Hall - from announcing big changes to our recycling process, to the launch of Kingston 311, to a St Patrick's Day celebration and flag raising.
Next week, the City of Kingston will be mailing three pieces of information about recycling changes. In the next week or so, residents will receive a letter explaining the new process, a calendar of refuse/recycling collection, and a flyer that details how recyclables will be separated going forward. A new blue tote with a yellow lid will then be delivered to each residence starting on March 25. Much more information below on these changes, and City Hall will also be hosting an informational meeting on Thursday, March 21 for additional questions.
Today we launched Kingston 311, a new app, website and phone system to better connect residents to the City easily and conveniently. We are so excited to offer this service for our community, and I hope you will take advantage of it when needed.
The City received a visit on Tuesday from Lt Governor Kathy Hochul, who came to speak about Governor Cuomo's new tax plan, but who charmed all in attendance with her flattering words about our fair City.
The Pike Plan survey results came in this week, and I was so pleased with the amount of responses we got. As we already knew, many people are passionate one way or the other about the fate of the Uptown canopies. I've presented the survey results and all the comments to the Common Council, who will now take them into consideration for their final decision.
There's also an opportunity to volunteer this summer at the Ulster County Tourism Office in the Rondout, an invitation to an inter-generational dance party, and more!
-Steve
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City of Kingston to Switch to Dual-Stream Recycling
The City of Kingston will be switching to dual-stream recycling on April 1, 2019, changing from the current single-stream process of putting all recyclables in one tote. This means City residents will be receiving a new tote - blue with a yellow lid, and going forward, recycling will be separated into two totes.
Paper and cardboard will go into the new blue tote with yellow lid, and will be placed curbside every other week. Glass, plastic and metal will go into the current blue tote, and will be placed curbside the alternating week. Trash pickup will continue as normal.
In order to facilitate this transition, Cascade, the City's tote vendor, will be delivering a new blue recycling tote with yellow lid to each household beginning March 25 through early April. The City of Kingston's Public Works Department will be removing the existing black or blue lids affixed to the current blue tote, with a new blue lid starting in early April.
This change is due to a mandate from the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency (UCRRA), our recycling disposal site, which has issued tighter restrictions in reaction to changing demands. UCRRA will no longer accept single-stream recycling after March 31, 2019.
Each residence will receive information through the mail, including the new calendar/collection schedule. Residents will also receive the flyer below that is easily displayed for quick access. The new yellow and blue lids will be affixed with labels that show exactly what items belong in each tote.
Additional resources - including all materials in Spanish -- are available at
www.kingston-ny.gov/recycle
Questions can also be addressed to
DPW Dispatch at 845-338-2114 or [email protected].
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City of Kingston Launches Kingston 311
I am pleased to announce the launch of Kingston 311, an app, website and phone system, which will allow Kingston residents to quickly and easily report issues and concerns and submit service requests.
The app, which is 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 through Kingston 311. Photos can be attached to illustrate service orders.
In addition to requests for service, the app includes links to the City's mobile-friendly website for news and information, and the City's Facebook page, where the latest updates about snow emergencies and traffic closures are posted.
The launch of the app coincides with the launch of a new phone system. By dialing 311 from most devices within the City of Kingston during regular business hours (8:30am-4:30pm), the caller will connect straight to the City, where the same issues, concerns and service requests can be logged. Calls can be received in English and Spanish.
Phone: dial 311
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Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul Visits City Hall
On Tuesday, we had the pleasure of a visit from Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who has been crisscrossing the state to talk about Governor Cuomo's proposed tax plan. Before she began talking about the new plan, she had a lot of nice things to say about Kingston.
"I get to do something spectacular, which is to really get to know a community, not just do a drive-by, to spend time with the people who love that community. And how could you not love the Hudson Valley, Ulster County and Kingston - it's such a charming community. The architecture, the history. I don't know why we didn't keep this as our state Capital. It is really something special," said Lieutenant Governor Hochul. "I get the chance to come here and not just talk about your amazing history and the people you have here, but [with the Downtown Revitalization Initiative] this new opportunity to re-imagine your entire future based on a one-time infusion of $10 million, that's like winning the lottery... I want you to take a picture today. See what it looks like today, because literally in two years, it's going to be transformed before your very eyes. It's an opportunity your children will talk about someday, when your community changed."
She went on to say that the DRI grant is a way to shine up the gem we all know Kingston to be, and with a new shine, a chance to become a real destination. "I want to thank everyone who never gave up on Kingston through the good times, the worst times, and now the great times," Hochul said.
Mayor Noble and Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul / Photo by Gloria Waslyn
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Pike Plan Survey Results Are In
The results from the Pike Plan Public Survey, which was conducted by the City of Kingston through Survey Monkey and paper ballot, are in. There was an overwhelming response with 628 people participating in the survey from February 25-March 8, 2019.
Out of the 628 respondents to the Pike Plan Public Survey, 77% are in favor of repairing and rebuilding the Pike Plan canopies, while 23% favored tearing them down and repairing the facades. Many of the comments in favor of keeping the canopies reference the charm, character and uniqueness to Kingston as well as protection from the elements. Several warned of making the same mistake as tearing down the old Post Office. Many of the comments in favor of tear-downinclude ongoing, persistent structural problems, the look of an old Western, and not being historic to Uptown's architecture.
On February 26, 2019, the City of Kingston mailed out letters to each of the 45 property owners who have Pike Plan easements. The letter contained individual links to the online survey, which gave the option of being anonymous. Seven of the 45 property owners used their unique links to take the survey, eleven more identified themselves as property owners on the public survey, and one property owner submitted an anonymous written comment.
Of the 19 property owners participating in the survey, 74% (14) are in favor of tearing down the Pike Plan canopies and repairing the facades. Many comments in favor of tear-down mention more natural light and better visibility of the storefronts, as well as ongoing issues with water drainage and poor construction. The remaining 26% (5) were in favor of repairing and keeping the Pike Plan canopies. Comments for keeping the canopies include charm and uniqueness to Kingston, as well as concerns about business owners removing snow and maintaining sidewalks.
"I want to thank all of our engaged community members who participated in the survey. We wanted to make sure we gave the public a say, and to hear as many voices as possible," said Mayor Steve Noble. "I presented the results from both surveys at the Common Council Finance and Audit Committee meeting on Wednesday night, and the Council will now take all the comments into consideration before making their decision."
The Common Council Finance and Audit Committee will reconvene to discuss their final conclusion about the Pike Plan canopies on April 1, 2019 at 6:30pm.
Public Survey Results
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Volunteer at the Kingston Tourism Center this Summer
If you love your community and are enthusiastic about our City,
share your excitement and knowledge by volunteering with the
Ulster County Tourism office this summer. The Kingston office is seeking volunteers from May to October for three-hour shifts on Saturdays and Sundays.
Interested volunteers should call
845-340-3567 or 340-3566.
The Kingston office of the Ulster Country Tourism is
located on the beautiful waterfront at 20 Broadway, and
is a
fun and exciting
place to volunteer.
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International Day of Happiness Yellow Dance Party
I will be attending the inter-generational Yellow Dance Party at the Kingston Y in honor of the International Day of Happiness on Wednesday, March 20. I hope you will join me as I give a brief proclamation on the importance of happiness and mental health awareness just before the dancing commences. All are welcome and don't forget to wear yellow!
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St Patrick's Day Festivities at City Hall
Today we welcomed the Ulster County AOH for the annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations at City Hall. The festivities included plenty of bagpipes, raising of the Irish flag on the flagpole in front of City Hall, my declaration of the Mayor for the Day
Jean Steuding, and a smorgasbord of green treats provided by City staff. The Drum & Pipe Band gave us a beautiful performance which sounded fantastic echoing through the foyer of City Hall.
Mayor for the Day Jean Steuding
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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!
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