January 24, 2020 - In This Issue:
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:

Dear Friends,

This week I am pleased to announce that the City of Kingston has been awarded a grant to participate in the NYS Anti-Displacement Learning Network. Displacement is affecting communities across the state, and we do not want to see it in our own City. I am working every day to make sure no Kingston resident is displaced, and that starts with education, collaboration with local and state-wide partners, and really understanding the underlying issues driving displacement. We are grateful for this opportunity to learn from and unite with neighboring municipalities to tackle
housing issues here in Kingston.

There are many upcoming community events including an informational meeting about the I-587 roundabout project, Black History Month Kingston's kick-off breakfast, the next art exhibition at City Hall, and more. 

-Steve
I-587 Roundabout Open House

NSYDOT will host an open house-style informational meeting about the I-587 roundabout project on Wednesday, January 29 from 6:00-8:00pm at City Hall. 

All residents are encouraged to attend and ask any questions you may have. 
 

Black History Month Kingston Kick-off Breakfast

Please join us at City Hall on Friday, January 31 at 10:00am for a breakfast reception honoring the start of Black History Month in Kingston. Mayor Steve Noble will present a proclamation, followed by remarks from Black History Month Kingston organizers Frank Waters and Tyrone Wilson.

This event is free and open to the public. All ages welcome. RSVP is not required, but encouraged.

Follow Black History Month Kingston of Facebook for a full calendar of events, or visit their website at: http://mykingstonkids.com/bhmk/

City-wide LED Streetlight Conversion Well Underway

Work has been steadily progressing on the installation of energy-efficient LED streetlights throughout the city.  To follow the live progress of the LED retrofit process, see the Installed Locations Tracker. In the map on the link, all green dots represent lights that have been retrofitted already. 

More information about the project, including a Frequently Asked Questions section at:  https://www.kingston-ny.gov/streetlights. 


City Awarded Anti-Displacement Learning Program Grant 

The City of Kingston has been invited to participate in the New York State Anti-Displacement Learning Network with nine other municipalities. The program will give the City resources to create a thoughtfully designed strategy to help ensure that all of our neighbors can remain in their homes.
 
The New York State Anti-Displacement Learning Network gives Kingston the opportunity to work collaboratively with local stakeholders to identify anti-displacement strategies targeting the most vulnerable populations. We will be partnering with representatives from local organizations, Guy Kempe from RUPCO, Frank Waters from Midtown Rising, and tenant advocate Rashida Tyler from the YMCA, to implement the lessons and strategies.
 
In 2020, Mayor Noble has fully committed to addressing housing issues through a variety of efforts, including the current housing vacancy study, proposed tenant protection legislation, and education.

Click below for more information on the program and partners. 

Opening Reception for First City Hall Art Exhibition of 2020

Please join us at City Hall for the opening reception for Past, Present & Future: A Black History Month Exhibition. This inter-generational exhibition will feature works from local African-American artists of all ages, curated in partnership with the City of Kingston's Art & Cultural Affairs department, Broadway Arts and Black History Month Kingston.

The opening reception will be held on February 1, from 4:00- 6:00pm in the downstairs gallery space at City Hall. This event is free and open to the public. 

The Past, Present & Future: A Black History Month Exhibition will be on display through March 2020 and is open during City Hall business hours (Monday to Friday from 8:30am-4:40pm). 

Arts Mid-Hudson Announces 2020 DEC Grants

Arts Mid-Hudson announced today the following DEC grants for local organizations and arts education. The grants are made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program (DEC), a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Local recipients include: 
A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Library - Community Drumming:  Rhythms of the Djembe
Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center - Creative Resilience - Promoting Transgender Artists  and Artists of Color 
Jewish Federation of Ulster County, Inc. - Kingston Multicultural Festival 
Kingston Midtown Arts District - 2020 Celebration of the Arts Expo 
My Kingston Kids - Sankofa: Day of Traditional African Crafts and Arts 
Rabbit Hole Ensemble Inc. - Before Your Very Eyes
Seed Song Farm - Hudson Valley Brassroots Festival 
Ulster County Ballet Guild, Inc. - 2020 Festival of Dance 
Kingston Library - Summer Visual Communication and Media Arts Workshops for Middle Schoolers
YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County - An Interdisciplinary Arts Education Program for Starfish Camp for Disadvantaged Youth

And congratulations to Kingston's  Sarah Carlson for being awarded an Individual Artist Award for her "Discovering Pine Street" project!  
Call for Boards & Commissions

We are currently looking for engaged residents from diverse backgrounds who are  interested in serving their community on a board or commission. Current openings include: 

Community Development Advisory  Board
Conservation Advisory Council
Human Rights Commission
Planning Board 
Kingston City Land Bank
Heritage Area Commission

We encourage all individuals who are interested to complete an application online . 

This information will be used in determining which individuals are best suited to serve on each Board, Commission and Committee, based on their qualifications, backgrounds, skills and interests. The purpose of this application process is to enable the City to recruit individuals who have a strong desire and ability to serve and to ensure that each Board, Commission and Committee reflects the rich diversity of our community. We are striving to build an inclusive process that seeks to attract applicants who embody the values and principles of our community and who are committed to serving in this important role with integrity, respect, compassion, and professionalism.  The online application can be  found here .

Kingston 311
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. 
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
[email protected]

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: