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December 10, 2016 - In This Issue:
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A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
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Dear Friends,
With the 2017 budget adopted and signed, as well as the news that Kingston has been awarded an incredible $3,297,500 in funding through the NYS Consolidated Funding Application (CFA), it has been a busy week here in the City of Kingston.
Both of these achievements come as a result of hard work and partnership.
T
he budget process, which began in earnest over 5 months ago, included more opportunities for public input than ever before.
The City's CFA proposals included a record-setting 150 letters of support from organizations, community groups and elected officials. This is an exciting time for our community and I look forward to working with all of you to build on these successes in 2017.
Congratulations Kingston!
-Steve
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City of Kingston awarded nearly $3.3 million through NYS Consolidated Funding Application
Mayor Steve Noble is pleased to announce the City of Kingston has been awarded a total of six grants through New York State's Consolidated Funding Application process. The awards, totaling nearly $3.3 million, are the largest that the City of Kingston has secured through the CFA process since its inception 6 years ago.
"I couldn't be more proud of my team who worked tirelessly to prepare these incredibly competitive grant applications and, more broadly, who helped to tell the story of why the state should invest in Kingston," said Mayor Noble. "I want to thank our Office of Economic and Community Development, its Director, Brenna Robinson, our Grants Manager, Kristen Wilson, and all of the staff from various departments who contributed to this effort."
The City of Kingston's applications were bolstered by overwhelming support from its community partners. In total, the City collected and submitted 150 letters of support from various agencies, community groups, and elected officials. Ulster County Executive Mike Hein and his staff played a key role during the City's participation in the NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative earlier this year. With the County's assistance, the City secured a finalist position in that competition and was able to present to the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council.
"I believe that our performance during the Downtown Revitalization Initiative competition set the stage for our success in the Consolidated Funding Application process," continued Mayor Noble.
The City is currently designing a new section of its website to provide up to date information on each grant funded project, including funding amount, project costs, funding agencies, and project status. This grants overview section is expected to launch in January.
"In addition to our successful applications, it gives me great pride to see that a number of our community partners, neighboring municipalities and Ulster County were successful in their efforts as well," said Mayor Noble. "I feel honored to serve as Mayor during this exciting time in our community."
For a summary of all grants awarded to the City of Kingston,
click here.
For a summary of all grants awarded throughout NYS,
click here.
Note: The Mid-Hudson region's awards can be found beginning on page 96.
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2017 City of Kingston adopted and signed
Mayor Steve Noble was pleased to sign the 2017 City of Kingston budget this week. The budget, which was amended by the Finance Committee of the Common Council and then adopted by the full Council on Tuesday, December 6th, allows the City to provide high quality, essential services and implement a number of innovative programs and initiatives aimed at improving the overall quality of life for all community members.
About the Budget Process:
Mayor Noble initiated the budget process this past summer through Kingston's first community-based budgeting forum. That forum was followed up by an online survey, allowing the public to provide direct feedback and suggestions prior to the development of the budget. Each department was then tasked with reviewing their budgets and identifying cost savings and opportunities to improve service delivery, with a goal of addressing the needs identified by the public. The Common Council's Finance Committee interviewed all department heads and endorsed the proposed budget with a small number of amendments.
Budget Highlights:
- Tax Levy of $17,650,940 is a $0 increase from 2016
- No increase in the amount of appropriated fund balance used for 2017 budget (same amount as 2016)
- Homestead tax rate will decline from $10.16 per thousand to $10.10 per thousand
- Non-homestead tax rate will decline from $18.31 per thousand to $18.13 per thousand
- Sewer rate remains unchanged at $5.89 per unit
- Over $500,000 in contingency to provide funding for the settlement of contracts and unanticipated expenditures that arise during the year
- $100,000 has been put aside in the budget for non-bonded parking lot upgrades
- Introducing and upgrading technology to better manage work flow, monitor time and attendance, enhance fiscal transparency, organize meeting agendas and minutes, and disseminate of public information
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Mayor Noble holds press conference to give updates on City matters
On Friday, December 9th, Mayor Noble held a press conference to give updates on a number of city matters. The agenda included an overview of the six major grants awarded to the City through the NYS Consolidated Funding Application process, a brief update on legal matters, a reminder about the City's upcoming "Food for Fines" program, and a summary of the request from various faith leaders and community groups for the City to consider becoming a "Sanctuary City." Mayor Noble then responded to a variety of questions from members of the media. Check out the video above, provided by The Kingston News, to view the entire press conference.
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Pilot amnesty program for late penalties on parking citations to launch December 15th-30th;
participants encouraged to donate food
Mayor Steve Noble is pleased to announce the launch of a parking citation amnesty period in the City of Kingston. Individuals with parking tickets issued earlier than December 1st and who therefore owe a late penalty will have that late penalty waived if the citation is paid in person at City Hall during the amnesty period, scheduled for Thursday, December 15th through Friday, December 30th.
"As we close out 2016, I am eager to help our community members resolve any outstanding parking citations," said Mayor Noble. "By offering the waiver on late penalties, we hope people will come in, pay their original tickets and start off 2017 with a clean slate."
Modeled after other community's "Food for Fines" programs, Mayor Noble is asking those participating in the amnesty period to consider bringing in non-perishable food items to be distributed to local food pantries this winter. This food contribution is not required to participate in the amnesty period.
"I believe this is an excellent opportunity for individuals to settle these lingering citations at a lower cost and, if they so choose, help their fellow neighbors," continued Mayor Noble.
In order to participate in the program, tickets must be paid on-site at City Hall, 420 Broadway, main floor, in the City Comptroller's office. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. It will be closed on December 23rd and December 26th in observance of the holiday. Food donations should be brought to the same location.
Recommended items include:
canned tuna or chicken; canned fruit (in water or juice); beans; soups; peanut butter; jelly; olive or canola oil; canned vegetables; bottles of 100% juice; cereal; oatmeal; rice; pasta; pasta sauce (can); crackers; granola bars; pancake mix; nuts; dried fruit; spices; etc.
Please ensure all donations are of good quality, unopened, and within their sell by date.
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2017 Visitors Guide project launched
Photo submitted by: Jamie Kennard of Brunette Wine Bar
Submitted quote: "On top of the amazing access to trails, rivers and mountains...Kingston is a city brimming with optimism."
The City of Kingston, in partnership with ColorPage, is pleased to launch the development of the 2017 Visitors Guide. As with the 2016 Visitors Guide, Mayor Steve Noble is requesting the assistance of local residents and businesses to help the City create the original content of the guide.
This year's guide seeks to build upon the success of the popular 2016 guide, which also featured community-sourced images. In addition to pictures, the City is also seeking short stories/quotes that demonstrate the unique, diverse and interesting reasons why individuals have made Kingston home for themselves and/or businesses.
The City has created an online form for users to upload pictures and stories to be considered for this year's Visitor's Guide. All photographs and quotes submitted will be credited in the guide. The City is especially looking for photographs of festivals, block parties, community celebrations, outdoor dining and food markets, sports and active living, weddings in Kingston, historical points of interest, art and musical performances, and other glimpses into life in the City of Kingston.
Submissions will be accepted until Friday, December 16th. The Visitors Guide is supported by ads purchased by local businesses and is created at no cost to the City of Kingston. The guide will be distributed in print and online in early 2017.
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Narcan Training to be held this Wednesday, December 14th in Kingston
A free community awareness and Narcan* Training is being offered at the Everette Hodge Community Center (15-21 Franklin St.) this Wednesday, December 14th at 6:30pm. The event is sponsored by Ulster County Legislator David Donaldson, Awareness Inc., Maverick Family Health/Samaritan Village (Dr. Maya Hambright), The Institute for Family Health/Step One (Dr. Raymond Harvey), and the City of Kingston.
Registration is required for this training. E-mail Marie Shultis at ucawarenessprogram@gmail.com. E-mail is preferred, but if that is not possible, call 845-417-1484.
*Narcan (naloxone) is an opioid antagonist and is used for the complete or partial reversal of opioid overdose, including respiratory depression.
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Mayor and Police Chief to serve as panelists at Tuesday's Community Policing Forum
Mayor Steve Noble and Chief of Police Egidio Tinti will be participating in a Community Policing Forum scheduled for this Tuesday, December 13th at 6:30pm at New Progressive Baptist Church (8 Hone St. in Kingston.)
Sponsored by the Ministers Alliance of Ulster County and ENJAN, this forum is open to the public. These forums are held on a quarterly basis, with a different topic discussed at each event. This quarter's forum will be moderated by Rita Worthington and is titled "Video Surveillance: Who is monitoring the monitors?"
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Calling all artists and industrial designers
The City of Kingston,
Live Well Kingston
and O+ Festival invite artists and industrial designers to design an artistic bike rack (which will be replicated) for the newly designed Cornell Street as part of the Kingston Connectivity Project.
The
KINGSTO+N Bike Rack Design Competition
seeks to add a new element of distinctive public art to Kingston streets and provide an opportunity for the community to think creatively and imaginatively about public streetscapes.
Each design will be reviewed for aesthetics, site appropriateness, and feasibility for fabrication and installation. Each rack should exhibit the artist's own original creative intent. Bike rack designs must meet the following criteria:
- Must be capable of securing at least two standard bicycles - each of which is two feet wide by six feet long - upright by their frames using standard bike locks, including a U-lock.
- Fit in a maximum footprint of 60" long X 12" wide.
- Provide a minimum of two points of contact - at least 6" apart - for each bike, e.g. touch each bike on two wheels or one wheel and the frame for stability. The points of contact should be at least 32" above ground.
- Rack tubes should be no larger than 2" to accommodate the use of smaller U-locks.
- Be boltable to the cement ground by a surface flange mount in a way that will prevent the racks from being removed from the location.
- Include no sharp edges or other potential safety hazards. Rack must not create a trip hazard for pedestrians.
- A bicycle should not have to be lifted off the ground in order to be secured to the rack. Racks that would be easy to climb are not encouraged. It is important to consider the 'friendliness' of the rack to the bike (i.e. holding the bike upright, hazard free, etc.).
- Use of the bike rack should be intuitive and not require written instructions.
- Racks should be able to be fabricated using durable materials suitable for outdoor installation with little or no maintenance. Designers should approach this project as a permanent installation with a minimum 10-year life expectancy.
- Designs should be appropriate for public display. Inappropriate or vulgar designs will not be considered
Designs are due Jan. 17. This competition was made possible by a grant through the American Planning Association - New York Metro Chapter as part of the Plan4Health program (http://plan4health.us/). The grant supported Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County to coordinate the Live Well Kingston Coalition. Partners in the bike rack competition include: the City of Kingston, Bike Friendly Kingston, the Kingston Complete Streets Advisory Council, and the Kingston Land Trust Kingston Greenline Committee.
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Municipal Meetings
Monday, December 12th
Civil Service Commission
9:30am
City Hall
Planning Board
6:00pm
City Hall
Tuesday, December 13th
Climate Smart Kingston
4:00pm
City Hall
Conservation Advisory Council
6:30pm
City Hall, Conference Room #1
Wednesday, December 14th
Electrical Examiners Board
3:00pm
Central Fire Station
Water Board
5:00pm
Water Department Office
Human Rights Commission
6:00pm
City Hall, Conference Room #2
Finance and Audit Committee
6:30pm
City Hall, Conference Room #1
Thursday, December 15th
Kingston Local Development Corporation
8:00am
Mayor's Conference Room
Friday, December 16th
Dietz Stadium Commission
11:00am
Cioni Building- Crown Street
Most agendas and minutes for municipal meetings can be found
here. We are currently working to centralize all agendas and minutes and have them posted earlier, so please continue to check back often.
To stay up to date on all municipal meetings each month, check out our monthly calendar
here.
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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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