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June 14, 2019 - In This Issue:
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A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
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I made a statement this week supporting
New York State lawmakers' rent legislation package that protects renters across the state. On May 8, I, along with the Common Council, passed a memorializing resolution supporting Universal Rent Stabilization and urging State legislators to extend jurisdiction to counties across the state to regulate rent stabilization in their own communities. I am
grateful for the New York State Assembly and Senate for hearing our residents' concerns.
This is a step in the right direction to protect renters. I look forward to working with the State and with our Common Council to implement these new regulations locally to best serve all members of our community. I also recognize that more needs to be done. I stand ready to work with our community, and I will continue to advocate for our common interest of safe, affordable and accessible housing for all.
This week we announced the awards for the Participatory Budgeting Funds for the Rondout district. Congrats to all the organizations who will now be funded for important youth programs! We also announced the Participatory Budgeting Project for 2019. We'll have three public meetings, one in each business district, and hear what the residents in those neighborhoods are interested in funding this year. I hope you will give us your input for the district where you live or work.
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Open House for Local Empire State Trail Plans
On Wednesday, June 19, from 6:00-7:30pm, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will host an Open House at City Hall. DOT representatives will present the preliminary plans for a section of the Empire State Trail that will connect to the Kingston Greenline: from the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, along Greenkill Avenue and Route 32 to the Kingston Point Rail Trail, from the Kingston Point Rail Trail to Kingston Promenade along Route 32, and Route 32 from Main Street to Route 199.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the project, see the plans and project schedule. The public is encouraged to drop in any time and review the plans, ask questions of NYSDOT representatives, and provide input.
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Participatory Budgeting Rondout Youth Awards Announced!
In the first-ever Participatory Budgeting Project, the Rondout district voted to allot its $15,000 for youth programming. We are pleased to congratulate the organizations who have been awarded the Participatory Budgeting funds in the Rondout area:
Poetry with Read and Write, $1,000
We can't wait to see these programs in action! More info here.
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2019 Participatory Budgeting Project is Launching!
The 2019 Participatory Budgeting Project will
kick off with conversations at three public meetings. Mayor Noble introduced Participatory Budgeting in 2018 as a pilot project, wherein each of the three business districts (Uptown, Midtown and Downtown) voted on how to allocate $15,000 in funds, for a city-wide total of $45,000. In the 2019 budget, Mayor Noble set aside $20,000 for each district, for a total of $60,000.
"We are so excited to launch the second Participatory Budgeting Project. We had a wonderful response from the pilot and some beneficial programs were funded. The B.A.R.K. students have been beautifying the Uptown and Midtown neighborhoods and soon Downtown will have several new youth programs," said Mayor Noble. "I encourage all residents, business owners, workers, and other interested parties to submit new ideas. The funded projects should reflect the wishes and needs of the community."
The goal of the Participatory Budgeting Project is to be open for input from the public and to gather a wide range of suggestions. Projects must impact a business district and must be able to be obligated or paid for by December 31, 2019. In some cases, implementation may take place in 2020. It is possible that multiple projects could be selected in a single district if the total of those projects does not exceed $20,000.
Three community visioning sessions have been scheduled:
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
6:00pm
LGBTQ Community Center at 300 Wall St.
Monday, July 29, 2019
6:00pm
Hudson River Maritime Museum (50 Rondout Landing)
Wednesday, July 31
6:00pm
Kingston Library (55 Franklin St.)
Comments can also be submitted by mail to City Hall, 420 Broadway Kingston, NY 12401 or via email to
[email protected]
with "Participatory Budgeting submission" in the subject line.
Prior to submitting a project idea, please consider four criteria:
a. Will the project positively impact one of the business districts?
b. Can the proposed project be paid for or obligated by 12/31/19?
c. Can the proposed project be completed for under $20,000?
d. Does the proposal conflict with any current or upcoming projects in the same area?
Once the submissions have been gathered, a public poll will be launched for final voting and tallying. The public poll is expected to be conducted in August. Projects not selected by the community or projects that are not feasible due to cost constraints or other barriers may be included in future planning efforts and initiatives.
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Bring Your Own Bag Act in Effect Next Month
On July 15, the Ulster County Bring Your Own Bag Act (BYOBag Act) will go into effect. This Act regulates the distribution of single-use plastic bags at retail stores. Most types of carry-out plastic bags will be prohibited and retailers will be required to charge a small fee for recyclable paper bags.
Plastic bags contribute to litter, harshly impact our environment, and have the potential to negatively affect our health. Encouraging the use of reusable bags is an important way to reduce plastic pollution. On the forefront of environmental leadership, the BYOBag Act is one way Ulster County is doing our part to address this serious issue.
It's a great time to get in the habit of bringing your own reusable bag wherever you go. When you leave home, grab your keys, your phone, and don't forget the bag!
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Eco Mural on Display at City Hall
City Hall is currently hosting an eco mural titled,
"Earthday Everyday," which incorporates man-made and
natural objects, paint, and photos. The mural was made by students from the
Cornell Cooperative's Relatives As Parents Program (RAPP),
working with local
artist Star Nigro.
The inspiration for the mural was for outreach in the community to spread themes of family, unity, love and support. Each youth contributed to this composite piece by painting and collaging one of 32 tile palettes in their own style, which completed one unified image designed by the RAPP students.
The mural has won first place at the Ulster County Fair and traveled to Syracuse for the State Fair. The traveling exhibit has been featured at the O+ festival and
at the Catskill Interpretive Center in Phoenicia, NY.
"Earthday Everyday" with artist Star Nigro
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51st Annual Children's Day Parade Announced!
The 51st Annual Children's Day Parade will be held on Friday, July 12, at 6:00pm. This year's theme is "1969 - An Exciting Time in the World of Music, Space and Sports." Hundreds of children from local youth organizations, schools and summer camp programs will create floats. Those participating in the parade have four float themes to choose from and each represents the theme in a different way. The deadline for signing up is Friday, June 28.
This is a great event, which celebrates summertime in our City.
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Kingston Visitor's Guide Print Maps Now Available!
The 2019 Kingston Visitor's Guide released earlier this year, now has some companion pieces! New this year is an interactive digital map at KingstonVisitorsGuide.com, which provides travelers with mobile resources for planning, navigating, shopping and dining. Also new in 2019 is an illustrated printed map, which will be distributed to area businesses, shops and tourist locations in and around the City of Kingston. The one-of-a-kind map was illustrated by ColorPage's on-staff designer, local artist Brian Daly.
The 2019 Kingston Visitor's Guide printed map is free and distributed at City Hall, the Kingston Heritage Area Visitors Center/Ulster County Tourism office and numerous other locations throughout the Hudson Valley.
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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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