February 4, 2022 - In this issue:
Mayor's Message
State of Emergency in the City of Kingston
Kingston 311
City of Kingston 2021 Annual Report Released
Black History Month Kingston
Street Trees Still Available for Residents/Businesses
Kingston Forward: Upcoming Zoning Meetings
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:

Dear Friends,

We have been hit extemely hard by the ice storm, which will be ongoing throughout the day. We know many of you are without power -- at last count 67% of Kingston residents are experiencing power outages. With more rain and wind this afternoon, we may see additional outages.

City Hall will be open until 5:00pm as a warming center, and then the Andy Murphy Center will open as an overnight warming center at 5:00pm.

We are asking everyone to stay off the roads, if at all possible. If you need to seek shelter at a warming center, please use extreme caution naviagating the sidewalks and roadways.

Please check the City of Kingston Facebook page for ongoing updates.

-Steve
City of Kingston Declares Weather State of Emergency
The City of Kingston has declated a State of Emergency due to today's ice storm. What you need to know:

  • Only essential and emergency workers should on the roads today.

  • We have many road closures due to downed trees and power lines. Emergency crews are working to open roadways and restore power as soon as possible.

  • If you see downed wires, keep your distance. Please report downed wires and stay far from the area.

  • City Hall is open as a warming center until 5:00pm for all those in need of critical warming or electric facilities.

  • An overnight warming center will open at the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center (467 Broadway) starting at 5:00pm today.

  • All parks and recreation facilities will be closed for the duration of the storm.

  • Due to power outage, the Building Department is closed today.


A HUGE thank you to all of our first responders who have been out since 4am helping respond to the storm.

Watch Mayor Noble's update at the Governor Hochul's press conference 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. 
City of Kingston Annual 2021 Report Released
Mayor Noble is pleased to release the City of Kingston’s 2021 Annual Report
 
The 2021 Annual Report, which includes Police, Fire, Engineering, Building Safety, Planning, and many others, is a comprehensive report for each Department’s accomplishments in 2021, along with goals for the next year. 
 
Some of the many accomplishments highlighted in the report include:
  • Arts & Cultural Affairs shepherded the completion of the Arts & Culture Master Plan
  • Completed the 2021 Assessment Roll, without non-reappraisal reassessment
  • Hundreds of Building permits issued and commercial property Fire Inspection Program implemented
  • Added a full-time Bilingual Clerk to serve Spanish-speaking community
  • Community Development utilized unspent grant allocations for various City projects
  • Comptroller’s Office launched a debt analysis project
  • Engineering Department oversaw four major projects to completion: Broadway Streetscape Project, Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, Broadway sewer replacement and the Broadway/Grand intersection realignment
  • KFD responded to 4,882 calls, including 2,572 for medical emergencies
  • Grants Management oversaw a portfolio of 60 grant-funded projects
  • Health & Wellness hired a new Project Manager and launched the Traffic Safety Education Campaign
  • Human Rights created the Kingston Compliment and Complaint form
  • IT installed wi-fi at parks including Kingston Point Beach, Loughran, Hasbrouck and T.R. Gallo Park
  • Parks & Recreation offered a wide variety of programming and activities through a difficult time
  • Sustainability oversaw the completion of the Climate Action Plan 2030
  • Planning & Housing Departments helped kick-off the Kingston Forward citywide rezoning process
  • KPD responded to 19,916 requests for service
  • DPW placed 12,500 tons of blacktop and paved 16 streets
  • Waste Water Treatment Plant continued improvements and upgrades
                                                    
The 2021 Annual Report can be found here. Many City Departments are currently hiring. For a list of job opportunities, click here.
February is Black History Month Kingston

Mayor Noble and members of the Black History Month Kingston planners gathered on February 1 to acknowledge the beginning of Black History Month.
Mayor Noble read a proclamation, which can be read here.

For Black History Month Kingston events, visit: blackhistorymonthkingston.org
Street Trees Still Available!
City of Kingston still has street trees available for City residents!

The City was awarded $50,000 from the NYSDEC Urban and Community Forestry Grant program to be used for city-wide planting, for an estimated 70-90 trees. The focus for planting will be in neighborhoods that currently lack trees and would benefit from additional shade and streetscape amenities.  
The Tree Commission has reviewed the City’s tree inventory to identify locations that are most in need of tree cover. The City of Kingston is taking applications from homeowners and business owners who would like to request a tree in front of their property, with special consideration to priority areas identified on the map. The Midtown area has been identified as the most highly-trafficked area that is underserved for street trees. 
Plantings will be in the public right of way, with a commitment from property owners to ensure that the new trees are well-maintained, particularly in the early stages of planting. Species will be chosen by the Tree Commission, who will identify types of trees that will have a positive impact on biodiversity and will be the appropriate size for the planting locations.  
Applications are available in the Planning Office at City Hall and on the City of Kingston website. For more information, visit https://www.kingston-ny.gov/Trees or contact 845-334-3954 or planning@kingston-ny.gov. 
Kingston Forward: Upcoming Zoning Meetings
City of Kingston staff and consultants from Dover, Kohl & Partners, will host additional public engagement meetings for the Kingston Forward rezoning initiative, which will focus on three areas: the Hurley and Albany Avenue corridors and the Rondout Waterfront.

Four additional events from February 23-26, will further inform proposed updates to the zoning code and will gather the community’s input and vision for future preservation and development in these three key areas. An online survey is also now open.

“We have had robust public engagement for the rezoning efforts, and we thank everyone who has participated. Our consultants and City staff are diligently working on the zoning code re-write and will have a draft to present to the public this spring,” said Mayor Noble. “We now want to focus on a few areas that haven’t received as much attention in the process so far. We want the community’s input for how future improvements on Hurley and Albany Avenues and the Rondout Waterfront can reflect the community’s priorities and vision. Join our upcoming events and let us know your thoughts.”

Get a Kingston Forward update and provide input on the vision and potential zoning standards at one or all of the following events:
 
Hurley and Albany Avenues Virtual Public Meeting
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 6:30pm

Rondout Waterfront Virtual Public Meeting
Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 6:30pm
Albany Avenue Area Walking Tour (weather permitting)
Saturday, February 26, 12:00pm

Rondout Waterfront Area Walking Tour (weather permitting)
Saturday, February 26, 2:00pm

There is also an online survey available. Your answers to the survey will help to shape the draft code.

For more event information and tour start locations, please visit www.engagekingston.com/kingston-forward
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: