Latest Covid-19 Information |
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How to Pay City Tax Bills |
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Statement Regarding the Paris Climate Agreement |
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Governing in the Time of COVID Event |
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State of Culture Event on February 9 |
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Mayor Noble's Tuesday/Thursday Updates |
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A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
Dear Friends,
This week we welcomed President Biden and Vice President Harris into the Country’s highest office. Biden and Harris are inheriting a time of great divide, and unprecedented loss. My hope is that, with bold and compassionate leadership, they will be able to move the country forward.
We also welcomed Senator Schumer to his new post as Senate Majority Leader. Schumer has been a dedicated servant of New York and a lifelong fighter of injustice. I hope that in his new leadership position, he will advocate for the people of New York to receive the vaccines we desperately need.
I ask that, as a community, we hear President Biden's call for unity, and focus on forging a brighter path and building a better future for the next generation.
Take care and stay safe.
-Steve
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COVID-19 Information
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As of Friday, January 22, there are 2,389 active Covid-19 cases in Ulster County, 485 in Kingston, and there have been 190 deaths across the County. More local resources at Ulster County Covid-19 Information
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If you haven't already, visit vaccinateulster.com
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The Open Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers has been extended through March 31, 2021. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health or directly through insurers.
- If you have been on quarantine due to contact with someone known to have COVID-19:
- a negative test does NOT release you from quarantine.
- It is essential to wait 10 days full days to make sure that no infection appears, even if you have no symptoms, before being released from quarantine.
- Quarantine should last 10 days from the last exposure to a person with known COVID-19.
- In addition, you should continue to monitor yourself for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 for up to 14 days after that last exposure.
- If you have any questions about your period of quarantine, please call your Local Health Department.
- Indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences are limited to no more than 10 people.
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New travel guidelines are in effect that allow out-of-state travelers to “test out” of the mandatory 10-day quarantine.
- To report violations of health and safety restrictions and requirements for businesses, gatherings and individuals, please choose the appropriate link below:
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Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access 24/7 emotional support services. Any New Yorker can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
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How to Pay Tax Bills
Tax bills were mailed out this week. As a reminder, City Hall and administrative offices are closed to the public.
The easiest way to pay your taxes is online through electronic check, by visiting www.kingston-ny.gov and select "Pay Online" on the left-hand side of the screen. Paying by electronic check is free, and while you also have the option to pay with a debit or credit card, a 3% fee will be charged.
You can also mail a check or use the City Hall drop box, located by the side door facing the Kingston Hospital. To pay by mail follow the instructions on the tax bill. Payments postmarked by the due date will be considered on time. If using the City Hall drop box, indicate your S.B.L and make a payment by either check or money order. No cash payments are accepted.
If you have any questions about your tax bill or payments contact the Comptroller’s Office at 845-334-3935.
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Mayor Noble's Statement Regarding the Paris Agreement |
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I am a part of Climate Mayors, a bipartisan network of over 470 mayors working to combat climate change through meaningful actions in their communities. After Biden’s historic Executive Order to bring our country back into the Paris Agreement, Climate Mayors released the following statement:
“Since 2017, when the previous administration announced its intention to leave the Paris Agreement, Climate Mayors served as a bulwark against climate complacency. Our 474 member cities have remained committed to upholding the Paris Agreement, and have taken strong actions to reduce carbon emissions and keep the United States on a path of climate progress.
This past year, our cities were ground zero for the fourfold crisis the Biden administration intends to prioritize: the COVID-19 pandemic, a profound economic downturn, extreme climate impacts and a national reckoning with racial inequity. We are at an inflection point and, for cities, the stakes could not be higher.
Against this urgent backdrop, Climate Mayors applaud and endorse President Biden’s decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement. With the stakes so high, we are eager to collaborate with a federal administration committed to urgent, bold climate action at the national and international levels. As leaders on the ground, we keenly understand that climate action will not only protect human civilization and prevent irreparable climate disruption, but will also make American cities cleaner, healthier and more equitable.
There is still a lot of work to do. It is essential that the transition to a green energy economy is front and center in any comprehensive economic stimulus package. Climate Mayors are ready to partner immediately on accelerated climate solutions here in the U.S. and abroad. The future of our economy, our public health, and our world depend on it.”
Here in Kingston, we have continued to move our local climate initiatives forward. This month, the City of Kingston launched the Climate Action Plan 2030, which will serve as a blueprint to implementing greenhouse gas emissions and other climate adaptive efforts. I encourage the community to get involved in the Climate Action Plan process by visiting Engage Kingston and taking a brief survey which will help us set the plan’s priorities based on community feedback. We know that enacting significant change must take place on the global, national and local levels, and I am dedicated to furthering Kingston’s environmental stewardship each and every day.
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Governing in the Time of COVID Event
Pattern for Progress's Government Series presents "Governing in the Time of COVID" event on January 26 at 10:00am. The live event is free and open to the public and will feature visits with regional government leadership for a behind-the-scenes look at governing in the time of COVID-19.
Explore the challenges, trials, and triumphs of leadership during this unprecedented times with Jonathan Drapkin, President & CEO of Pattern for Progress; Joe DeStefano, Mayor of Middletown; Rob Rolison, Mayor of Poughkeepsie and Mayor Noble. Register in advance here.
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Ulster County IDA Approves Kingstonian PILOT Agreement
After thoughtful deliberation, the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency voted 6-1 to approve the Kingstonian’s Payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement. The IDA recognized the many strengths and benefits that the Kingstonian will provide to the community.
The Kingstonian will have myriad public benefits and will support several key issues facing our City – the PILOT will provide millions of dollars in additional revenue to the Kingston City School District; the development will provide 14 units of affordable housing and 129 market rate housing units; the parking garage will double the amount of public parking currently available in that space; and the design will include public amenities such as an open-air plaza and much-needed public restrooms.
The Kingstonian project has improved through each step in its approval process, taking into account considerable community feedback on design, adding an affordable housing component, and making changes to the PILOT agreement that provide all taxing jurisdictions with additional tax payments.
Right now, the site contains a city-owned parking lot, where no tax revenue is generated. There will be NO LOSS OF TAX REVENUE for this project and in no way will the taxpayers be negatively affected by this PILOT agreement.
The end result will be the best project for the community at exactly the right time for our Uptown Business District.
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State of Culture Event on February 9
The Arts & Culture Master Plan is the first comprehensive city-wide study of arts and culture resources and assets in Kingston. As a part of the planning process, the City of Kingston has hosted five virtual community workshops, conducted a series of stakeholder interviews and site tours, circulated an online cultural participation survey, and established a Cultural Asset Inventory. The State of Culture virtual event will offer the community an opportunity to learn about the initial findings from this first phase of research, an overview of the planning process, and an outline for next steps.
Global cultural consulting firm Lord Cultural Resources has led the development of the master plan along with Director of Art and Culture Affairs Adrielle Farr, Grants Manager Ruth Ann Devitt-Frank, and guidance from the Project Advisory Committee Community and the Kingston Arts Commission. Work on the Arts & Culture Master Plan began in June 2020, and is scheduled to conclude in May 2021.
State of Culture
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
1:00-3:00pm
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Mayor Noble's Tuesday/Thursday Updates
Mayor Noble has been giving regular live updates since mid-March. His now twice-weekly updates can be heard on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00pm via Radio Kingston and the City of Kingston Facebook page.
Click below to hear Thursday's update.
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The Kingston 311 app, website and phone system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests. The Kingston 311 app, 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 via Kingston 311. Photos can also be attached to illustrate service orders. Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us.
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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:
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