Common Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everyone. Before we begin, I have a few public service announcements. For an emergency, please note the exits on either side of the chambers and proceed down the stairs. Bathrooms are located out the door to my left, women's to the right, men's room is to the left. We allow 30 minutes for public speaking. If you have not done so, please sign up at the podium. Zoom speakers are only permitted if you signed up by emailing the city clerk by 11 a.m. today. If you did sign up, you must turn on your camera so we could see you as you address the council. Please note that the council has rules of decorum for our meetings, including the public speaking portion. We ask that respect be shown to all, whether they serve on the council, on the staff, or are here as public members. As noted on the signage, we do not allow weapons of any sort, signs mounted on wood, metal, or similar material, or signs larger than 19 by 24. If you have an appropriately sized sign, you cannot raise it in the air as this would affect a person's line of sight. Not only are we here tonight to listen to the public's voices, but we are also here to conduct government proceedings. To best serve us all, we cannot have any distractions. When a speaker is addressing the council, no disruptions are permitted. This includes talking over, yelling, clapping, and snapping. When this body proceeds with the day's business, we also need no disruptions. An interruption of a speaker or proceedings will not be tolerated. After one warning, anyone interrupting tonight's meeting will be removed from chambers. I now call this Common Council meeting to order at 7.36 p.m. on July 7, 2026. If you are able, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence. Thank you. You may be seated. May I please have roll call?

Alderman Pasty? Alderman Tierney?

Here.

Alderman Marvelli?

Here.

Alderman Falk?

Here.

Alderman Mickens? Alderman Dennison?

Here.

Alderman Hamm?

Here.

Alderman Katz?

Here.

Alderman Hirsch?

Here. We have a quorum. Can I have a motion to dispense with the minutes of the previous meeting and approve same motion by Michelle Hirsch? second by sarah pasty all in favor aye aye opposed motion is adopted nine to zero can i have a motion to dispense with the reading of the general bills motion by tyrell micken second by ruth katz all in favor aye opposed motion is adopted nine to zero As council members, we have the pleasure of meeting folks from throughout the city and from all walks of life. Throughout our service on the council, we meet community members and organizations who genuinely move us with their kindness and efforts to improve our community. Tonight, we recognize and honor an individual who goes above and beyond to serve and help others with the Common Council Community Award. We are delighted to present David Boyd with the award this month. He was selected by Alderman Falk. And at this time, I invite David to join Ben at the podium in the center of the chambers.

This is

Can everyone hear me? Great. Okay.

Good evening.

It is my privilege to recognize David Boyd with the Kingston Common Council Community Award. When I first began thinking about who deserved this recognition, David's name came to mind almost immediately. But before making that final decision, I wanted to spend some time with him and simply hear his story. We sat down together inside the Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church beside the big blue fridge that so many people in our community know so well. And for the better part of an hour, David shared the journey that brought him here. David came to Kingston in 2006 from New Jersey looking for something many of us hope to find at one point or another, a second chance. In his own words, he was sick and tired of the life he was living. He knew he needed a change. He came here seeking recovery, and what he found was something even greater. He found a community that believed in him before he fully believed in himself. Next May, David will celebrate 20 years clean and sober. Yeah, it's...

That in and of itself is an extraordinary accomplishment.

But what moved me most wasn't simply his recovery. It was what he chose to do with it. Rather than keeping that gift to himself, David spent the last two decades giving it back. Today, he serves as the chair of trustees at the Clinton Avenue Methodist Church. He facilitates the Narcotics Anonymous meeting every Tuesday evening at St. John's Church. He volunteers with the Warming Center and Cooling Center. And every Sunday, he picks up neighbors who need a ride to church. He continues helping people maintain their homes, mentors others trying to get back on their feet, and quietly creates opportunities for people to earn honest work alongside him. And then there is the blue fridge. For many people, it's simply a refrigerator on Clinton Avenue. For David, it's a place where dignity is preserved. He told me that on any given day, 100 people may stop by. And I think that's probably an understatement. At first, he admitted he sometimes became frustrated when someone seemed to take too much. But over time, he realized something profound. And he said to me, you never really know what someone's household situation is. Maybe they're taking food for a parent, maybe for a sister or brother, maybe for a neighbor who can't make it there themselves. The simple realization changed how he approached people. He chose grace over judgment. And I think that says everything about who David is. When my family moved into the neighborhood, David was one of the very first people to walk over and introduce himself. At the time, it felt like a small gesture. Looking back, I realized it wasn't small at all. It was an invitation into a community. It was someone saying, you're welcome here. As I've gotten to know Ward 4 over the past years, I've realized that those small gestures are everywhere. This neighborhood isn't defined by one type of person. It is families who have lived here for generations, living alongside families who have recently arrived in this country looking for opportunity. It is working men and women leaving before sunrise with ladders and tools in the back of their trucks. It is children playing together on sidewalks in different languages. It is seniors who have spent their entire life here and young families just beginning theirs. It is also people facing homelessness, addiction, loneliness, and hardship. And somehow through all of that, there remains an incredible sense of humanity. I've watched neighbors who have had very little still look out for someone else. I had someone clearly struggling himself stop me on the sidewalk simply to tell me where my son might find some free toys. I've watched people who barely speak the same language exchange smiles, waves, and kindness without saying much at all. David embodies that spirit. One thing he said stayed with me ever since our conversation. He told me, people in the neighborhood might not know my name, but they know my face. To me, that's one of the most beautiful definitions of community I've ever heard. Community isn't built by people seeking recognition. It's built by becoming the familiar face that others trust. The person who waves good morning. The person children are excited to see. The person who notices when someone hasn't been around. The person who quietly shows up day after day expecting nothing in return. In local government, we spend a great deal of time talking about budgets, infrastructure, ordinances, and public policy. And those conversations do matter. But those things alone don't build neighborhoods. People do. Neighbors do. And people like David Boyd do. David, thank you for your honesty about your journey. Thank you for showing us all that recovery is possible, that compassion is contagious, and that some of the greatest contributions to a community are the quiet ones that happen every single day. On behalf of my colleagues on the Kingston Common Council and with deep gratitude for the residents of Ward 4, it is my great honor to present you with the Kingston Common Council Community Award. Congratulations and thank you.

Thank you. I'm truly honored, believe me. I want to give thanks to God, my understanding. Without him, nothing is possible. And thank you, Ben, for the kind words, for the friendship, and just seeing what we do at Clinton Avenue Church and the knowledge of that. Thank the city council for having an award like this. I'm truly honored. You know, they say it takes a village. And as you look over here to the left, this is my village. All walks of life who recognize what we do at Clinton Avenue Blue Fridge, you know. My journey is no different from any other journey that was a struggle when I got here. I needed a change. And when I found Clinton Avenue Methodist Church, that started my whole program. Yes, I am in recovery. And I am proud to say that, you know, I'm not ashamed of it. That's part of the past. But the future is so bright for me right now by staying clean and sober. And come May 1st, I will be celebrating 20 years clean in this process. So I want to thank everyone here tonight and my second family, Pastor Joy. You know who you are. You know, I don't have to call all the names, but it's truly an honor and the support that I truly give back so freely that was given to me. Thank you so much.

All right.

Congratulations, sir, and thank you. thank you for everything you've done for our community thank you you're welcome thank you we are going to continue with today's meeting you are all more than welcome to stay however if you would like to go home you are more than welcome to leave as well if you could just do so quietly because of the acoustics in here it echoes quite a bit when you walk down the stairs thank you all very much for being here We're now entering into the public speaking portion of the meeting. We have allotted 30 minutes for this purpose. Speakers will have three minutes. Please be aware that I will give a 30 second verbal warning. If there are remaining speakers after 30 minutes, I will call for a motion from the council to extend the period for another 30 minutes. Speakers, direct your comments to the chair as council members cannot engage in debate during this time. Please state your name and your ward number on the record before you begin. If you do not reside in Kingston, please state your name and the municipality where you live. There could be no distractions from the audience in chambers or on Zoom when a speaker addresses the council. The Common Council has also received written comments for our consideration, and they could be found on the city's website under tonight's agenda. May I have the first speaker, please? Robert Parrish.

I just want to address the Common Council. I lived on Shufelt Street for 30 years, and we seem to have a continuous speeding problem. Alderman Mike Hamm has been working very closely with our street. to try to take care of the speeding. I just think that the city needs to be more aware of the speeding, the stop signs on Foxhole Avenue. There is not enough of a police presence. Put an unmarked car there, do something, because somebody's gonna get killed. And I just feel like there is a zero concern So I really, you know, I don't know what much more to say about it. It just needs to really be some emphasis put for the mayor's office for the police chief. And Mr. Hamm has been the only one that seems to be addressing the problem. I don't know what more to tell you guys. You have a serious problem. You need to fix it. You have cameras on Broadway in front of the school, but you can't address this speeding on Shufelt Street. What's the difference? You have children in the school. You have people crossing the street on Shufelt Street. One life, two lives doesn't make a difference. There's still people. And the problem needs to be addressed. That's all I have to say. Thank you.

Thank you. Next speaker, please.

Sharon Boyd.

Do you need help?

Oh, Gracie, Gracie is going to come out and help. Thank you guys, though.

It's pretty easy. We ready? Okay. My name is Sharon Boyd, not related. Since the $21.7 million grant was from the Department of Transportation, I'm hoping we will first spend some time and money on our streets, sidewalks, and other infrastructure in the Roundout Waterfront area. i have safety issues as well as a as of yesterday the same holes and even more on the maurice henchy promenade are still apparent pebble stone gravel was placed in them and it washed right away New tiles are needed to replace the ones that are missing. Yes, I do understand it is supposed to be addressed as part of the TR Gallo project. I only hope it wasn't supposed to be covered in the $1.3 million electrical debacle, which took place over six months. Unfortunately, the gazebo also remains untouched and the upper levels on Gallo Park. I know how easy it is to gloss over these items, even though I have been talking about them for two years. Bottom line is, it's rock. Pull it up, level it, and move on. If we can spend $1.3 million on water and electricity for visiting boats, we should be able to spend some money to fix the bluestone. There's a stop sign that I requested at the bottom of Broadway headed down the hill at a Beale Street. I wrote a letter and the engineer of Kingston said it wasn't necessary. He responded that that location did not need a stop sign. Well, I don't know what safety means anymore. Kingston needs a mayor and the housing initiative manager who will do more than take four months to sign my building permit just to get new windows. Maybe it's too much time spent on a $500,000 kayak dock for the Rondout Creek or a broad walk in the middle of nowhere and in a flood zone. Well, as the mayor said, this type of behavior is not something we should be encouraging, yet it's done time and again. So if we could, let's try to spend and appropriate the money where it belongs.

Thank you. There are no more speakers signed up. Is anybody else in chambers who has not spoken who would like to? Leah, yeah? Okay.

i'm not here to say anything negative tonight. amongst all the things that are going on with the parking lot situation, etc, I just wanted to commend every single one of you. On the Common Council for pushing for transparency pushing for. finding things out less than a week before they want something proposed and implemented. And you truly do, every one of you works for constituents. And I am so proud to be a person who lives in this city. Thank you.

Thank you, Leah. Anyone else? Seeing no one else, I will close the public speaking portion. If everybody could just give me two minutes, I will

Just about the power outage. Yeah, yeah.

I drove down there late afternoon. It seemed OK. Yeah.

Yeah, I saw the buses. How did they present it to you? Did you do it? I didn't hear that. Crazy weather, it's all hot. You guys have moved it? Where'd you go? Just right there. I think for me, that would bind me. Oh, oh, nice.

Oh, cool.

It's chill. I get in and out. I just, my job is all in place.

I don't, I go for days when I can.

I have no light. I didn't realize that was going to happen. Yeah. But I'll take time for myself.

I'm just waiting.

And I'm going to wait a moment.

Yeah.

No, there's a little bit of a coalition struggle. No, it's called Brooklyn Congress. Yeah, it's a national organization, and it's not a New York chapter in the organization's nature. Support? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So it's a question of progressive stuff. Like when I first got on the council, I was equal to whoever. So progressive stuff is famous. Interesting. Yeah.

And some of my...

Yeah, that's great.

Thank you for your patience, everyone. We now enter into claims and communications. Hearing no discussion, they will be on file in the clerk's office. Can I get a motion to dispense with the second reading of the general bills and pay same motion by Michelle Hirsch? Second by Sarah Pasty. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion is adopted nine to zero. We're now entering into the report of committees starting with resolution number 96, please.

Resolution 96 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, authorizing to expend up to $31,172 from the Recreation Free Reserve to fill the gap for the project budget for the New York State Zoos, Botanical Gardens, and Aquaria Grant for the Forsyth Nature Center Storage Building Solar Project.

On the question, Alderman Michael Tierney.

Thank you, President Schott. I would like to make a motion to send this back to the Finance Committee. The way this is written right now is using money from the REC Fund, approximately 10% for the solar installation project, and I just think it's inappropriate use of the REC Fund. So I'm going to make a motion to refer it back to the Finance Committee.

There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Second by Michelle Hirsch. Anyone on... The question, hearing nobody else, all in favor in sending this back to committee? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Sent back to committee, nine to zero. Oh, I did not see or hear you. Sorry about that. That's eight to one. Descent is by Alderwoman Mickens. Moving to resolution number 97, please.

resolution 97 of 2026 resolution of the common Council of the city of Kingston New York authorizing a budget transfer and the police department from contingency and the amount of 117,947 dollars and 64 cents to cover the cost of retirement resignations.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to Resolution 98, please.

Resolution 98 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, authorizing a budget transfer in the Department of Public Works from contingency in the amount of $114,571.00 to cover the cost of retirement resignation payouts, as well as shortfalls in various accounts.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to resolution number 99, please.

Resolution 99 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, authorizing a budget transfer in the building department, from contingency in the amount of $17,202 for the purchase and installation of EV chargers to replace existing malfunctioning units.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to Resolution 100, please.

Resolution 100 of 2026, resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, recommending approval for modifications to the 2026 Office of Grants Management Budget.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to resolution number 101, please.

Resolution 101 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, authorizing a budget transfer in the fire department from contingency in the amount of $94,194.52 to cover the expense of two retirees' payouts.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to Resolution 102, please.

Resolution 102 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, amending the policy for disposition of surplus city-owned property.

On the question, Alderman Mike Hamm.

Yes, I'd like to see this brought back to committee for further discussion.

There's a motion, there's a second by Michael Tierney. Any discussion? Yes. Alderwoman Michelle Hirsch.

Thank you, Madam President. So this disposition policy is something that I, the amendments that I introduced, and so I am in favor of accepting Alderman Hamm's proposal to send it back to committee. Thank you.

Any other discussion? Hearing no further discussion, I'll call for the vote to send this back to committee. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 8-1. The dissent is by Alderwoman Meckens. Moving to resolution 103, please. Is everything okay? Okay.

Resolution 103 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, determining that the Foresight Nature Center storage building installation of a roof mount solar system is a type 2 action in accordance with NYCRR section 617.5 C15 under SEEKER,

does not require a preparation of determination of significance on the question hearing no discussion i'll call for the vote all in favor aye aye opposed resolution is adopted nine to zero if everybody could just give me another minute

That's the one John said to just put it in.

Yes. It's not its own because there's something with how the pond was happening.

And I know he mentioned it with Michael.

Yes. Yep.

Yep. Thanks again. Resolution 118, the bond ordinance includes that.

Thank you for asking.

All right. Thank you again for your patience. Moving to Resolution 104, please.

Resolution 104 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, authorizing the mayor to enter into an intermunicipal agreement between the Town of Ulster and City of Kingston for a sewer and collection agency for 10 years for the Sojourner Truth State Park.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to Resolution 105, please.

Resolution 105 of 2026, Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, amending Chapter 348, Smoking of the Code of the City of Kingston.

On the question, Alderman Michelle Hirsch.

Thank you, Madam President. So this will be an amendment to our law and chapter 348 smoking. So we will be removing no smoking under the Pike plan canopies as they no longer exist. And then adding no vaping to our already existing no smoking regulations on near our parks, playgrounds and municipal buildings. Thank you.

Thank you. Any further discussion? Alderman Michael Tierney.

Thank you. I just want to thank my colleagues and everybody. When the mayor introduced this, he wanted to ban smoking in our three business districts. I personally was not consulted on my opinion on smoking in the uptown business district, but I just want to commend all of us for standing firm against what, in my opinion, was anti-loitering law by any other name. And I think we should work to dismantle classist laws both in our society and here within the city of Kingston. Thank you.

Thank you. Any further discussion? Hearing nothing else, I'll call for the vote. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to resolution number 106, please.

Resolution 106 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, establishing a loading zone at 359 Broadway and eliminating parking meter number 162.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to resolution 107, please.

Resolution 107 of 2026, resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, approving the settlement between Boykin and the City of Kingston.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to resolution number 108, please.

Resolution 108 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, approving the settlement between William Gottlieb Management Company, LLC, and the City of Kingston.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I will call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution passes to a strong, loud 9-0. Moving to Resolution 109, please.

Resolution 109 of 2026. resolution of the common council of the city of Kingston, New York, recommending authorization, recommending a 2026 budgetary expenditure to fund the charter review mailings for up to $7,500 from contingency to consultant on the question.

Alderman Michelle Hirsch.

Thank you, madam president. So this expenditure would be a mailing to let everyone in our city know that we are about to commence a charter commission. and give ways for people to take a survey and to sign up to partake in the process. And I really hope that people in our community step up and apply to be part of a positive process. So thank you.

Thank you. I concur. Anyone else? Hearing no more discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to resolution number 110, please.

Resolution 110 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, authorizing the mayor to submit an application to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for a Climate Smart Communities grant in the amount of $200,000 for the Kingston Extreme Heat Mitigation Project and to execute any and all related documents.

On the question, Alderman Michelle Hirsch.

Yes, thank you, Madam President. So this is the first of seven grants that the city is applying for. And this first one is to purchase more street trees to plant in our city. After last week, you know, we experienced such a detrimental heat wave. And we definitely do need to be doing all that we can to create more of a tree canopy on our city streets. So I will be a yes. And I would also like to thank our grants department for working so hard to pull all of these grants applications together. They were on a very tight deadline because of the New York state budget only coming in on June 1st. And all of these have to be processed by July 31st. So thank you for all their hard work.

Thank you anyone else no further discussion i'll call for the vote all in favor aye opposed resolution is adopted nine to zero moving to resolution 111 please resolution 111 of.

Resolution of the common Council of the city of kingston New York authorizing the mayor to submit an application to the New York state development. For a New York kicks program grant and the amount of up to $200,000 for the hasbrook park soccer field project and to execute any and all related documents.

On the question hearing no discussion i'll call for the vote all in favor aye opposed resolution is adopted nine to zero moving to resolution 112 please.

resolution 112 of 2026 resolution of the common Council of the city of Kingston New York authorizing the mayor to submit an application to the New York State Department of State. For a brownfield opportunity area program grant and the amount of $100,000 for the brush factory housing expansion project and to execute any and all related documents.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to Resolution 113, please.

Resolution 113 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, authorizing the Mayor to submit an application to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for a Climate Smart Communities Grant in the amount of up to $120,000 for the Deet Stadium Solar Array Project, and to execute any and all related documents.

On the question, Alderman Michelle Hirsch. Thank you, Madam President. So this grant application and project would affect our Kingston City School District, so I want to be sure that the school district is made aware that this would be a cost share for them.

Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Hearing no further discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to Resolution 114, please.

Resolution 114 of 2026. An ordinance amending an ordinance in relation to the traffic on the public streets of the City of Kingston, New York, establishing a loading zone on Broadway.

On the question... Hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to Resolution 115, please.

Resolution 115 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, endorsing support for the Kingston Land Trust, KLT, for a grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to Environmental Protection Fund parks program for phase one of land exploratory project.

On the question, Alderman Michelle Hirsch.

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to say that the next two resolutions for grants for the Kingston Land Trust are just supporting resolutions and not costing any money for the taxpayers. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else? Hearing no further discussion, I'll call for a vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to Resolution 116, please.

Resolution 116 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York endorsing support for Kingston Land Trust for a grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Environmental Preservation Fund Heritage Area Program for the Red Fox Ravine Expansion Project.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to resolution 117, please.

Resolution one 17 of 2026 resolution of the common Council of the city of Kingston New York authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between the city of Kingston town of Ulster the office of parks recreation and historic preservation. And the palisades interstate park Commission for potable water to service the sojourner truth state park for a period of 10 years.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 9-0. Moving to resolution number 118, please.

Resolution 118 of 2026. a bond ordinance dated July 7, 2026, an ordinance authorizing financing of the Water Pump Station Rehabilitation Project in and for the City of Kingston, Ulster County, New York, at a maximum estimated cost of $3,320,000 and authorizing the issuance of $3,320,000 bonds of said city to pay costs thereof.

Before I ask for a long roll, is there any discussion? Alderman Terrell-Mickens.

Thank you, Madam President. So I want to be clear that my concern is not about the importance of maintaining our wastewater infrastructure. Reliable pump stations are essential to protecting public health and the environment. My concern is that the project carries a total cost of $3,332,000,000. While the state grant is certainly welcome, it only covers 25% of the project. The city, through water and sewer fees to our residents, would still be responsible for retiring this $2.5 million debt. This is not a decision about the $830,000 grant share, it's about $2.5 million, it's a $2.5 million borrowing decision. I also note that this project was not included in our current multi-year capital plan and phase one is a long way from completion. We are told phase two is still at least a year away and may qualify for additional state revolving fund financing, including no interest loans. Given that timeline, I believe we have the time to pursue every available alternate funding source before committing taxpayers to additional long-term debt should this application be approved by the state. Over the past several months, we have spent considerable time discussing the financial pressures facing Kingston residents and our desire to reduce tax burdens. It is difficult to reconcile these conversations with approving another $2.5 million in borrowing. For those reasons, I cannot support this bond resolution at this time and I will be a no vote.

Thank you. Anyone else in the discussion? Alderman Michelle Hirsch.

Yes, thank you. So I do share concerns that Alderman Mickens has about, you know, this project not being on our capital plan. And I would like to see more of these projects laid out in the capital plan. But taking care of our sewers and our infrastructure is the basic tenet of city government and what our taxpayers are paying for. While I hope we can get more grant money, I am at least grateful that we can get 25% because this would be an expense that we should pay for even at 100% to take care of these projects. Thank you.

Thank you, anyone else? Hearing no further, Michael Tierney.

Thank you, President Schott. I share the concerns that both Majority Leader Hirsch and Alderwoman Mickens shared. I think that at the age of the sewer and at the amount of work that has already been done over previous years on our pump stations and on our sewer system, it would be a very small task to have included this in our capital improvement plan. which is required by the charter that the administration provide to us. I think that this is an enormous expense at the city that we are asking rate payers of water and sewer to burden. And I think that that's something that they should have been able to know about years before we were going to embark on this project. I think it's done without transparency and I think it's done in a way that really does not engender any trust in government. I will be a yes on this. I was a no in committee because of those reasons I just stated, but I do support this project and I do support this grant. But it's extremely disappointing to have to beg for crumbs of information from the administration in making our decisions. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else? Hearing no more discussion, I'll ask for a long roll.

Alderman Marvelli? Yes. Alderman Falk?

Yes.

Alderman Mickens?

No.

Alderman Dennison?

Yes.

Alderman Hamm? Yes. Alderman Katz? Yes. Alderman Hirsch? Yes. Alderman Pasti? Yes. Alderman Tierney?

Yes.

Bond passes 8-1. The dissent is Alderman Mickens. You're like the RBG of today's meeting. Moving to the second reading of local law number three.

Local law three of 2026 of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, amending chapter 110 residency requirements by modifying the language in section 110-2 to remove the county residency requirement and extending the distance requirement.

On the question, Alderman Michael Tierney.

Thank you, President Schott. I'm going to be a no on this. I do believe that our public employees have a right to live outside of the city of Kingston. But I also believe that living in the city of Kingston is an important critical aspect of serving the city. And I think more importantly, that this gives away council authority to the administration. I think that the way it is written was just... The way that this law is written is fine, but the way that the code is written is also fine. It's just that this administration resents oversight from us. I think that there is no world in which we would ever vote no on this, on somebody living outside of the city limits. And so I think that this is just another way in which we are abdicating our own power and responsibility to the executive branch. I will be a no.

Thank you. Anyone else? Hearing no further discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Local laws on the dissent is Michael Tierney. That concludes our communications. If you have not checked your email from me today, council members, a rare still moment has descended upon the Common Council. After tomorrow's finance meeting, we do not have another meeting until August 3rd. The universe has recognized how hard you all have been working, and thus the stars and the agendas aligned to give you all a little bit of a break. That said, I'm sure there will be plenty of constituent service to work through, so I know that you will all stay busy, but I hope you could take this time for some meaningful rest. To the public, we may not be meeting for the rest of this month, but we are here if you need us. Our regularly scheduled meetings will resume in August with at least a couple of extras, including the public hearing on the temporary burn ban August 26th. but until August, enjoy a nice Kingston summer. But before we adjourn, I would like to open the floor to any council members who would like to present a memorial, and I'm going to start it off with a really hard one and then open it up to see if anybody wants to speak about our dear friend. So I would like to close tonight's meeting in memory of a dear friend of mine, Constance Fred. I speak every month about how our service allows us to meet community members who do great things for our community, and that's true. But for me personally, serving on the council has also introduced me to some of my favorite people. Constance was one of them. I met her during my first campaign back in 2017 when she volunteered to knock on doors for me. Because we didn't know each other at the time and I didn't want anybody advocating for me who didn't know or believe in me, to which Constance agreed, we decided to get to know each other a little bit before she started campaigning for me. Her energy was mesmerizing, and it was nearly impossible not to smile when she was smiling. She smiled with her whole being. Constance and I shared a love of music, animals, cooking, nature, and politics. Constance was a fierce advocate for her beliefs and spent years as a political activist. She sang in multiple choruses throughout the Hudson Valley. She was fluent in Danish and French, which is the only little tidbit I didn't know about her as I was writing this. and she loved to travel the world. Constance was fascinating, intelligent, and compassionate. She leaves behind her loving husband of 30 years, former Ward II alderman Doug Coop. Constance always referred to herself as the First Lady of Ward II, but then I attempted to steal her away when I ran for president to be the First Lady of the Council. But I will remember her as the first lady of all things beautiful because that's how I envisioned my dear friend. Does anybody else would like to say a word or two about Constance or anybody else? Michelle?

Yes. So I've known, had known Constance and Doug for a very long time as well. And my heart just bleeds for Doug and his family. And I just wish everyone in their family and our community the best.

Yeah, we definitely lost a good one. Anyone else hearing?

I just wanted to not close a memorial of anyone, but just say that July is Disability Pride Month, and as a mom to a child who's neurodivergent and as a disability advocate, I just wanted to mention the significance of this month. On the first day of the month, July, I was driving to work, and A person in a motorized wheelchair was booking up the the bike lane going downtown but like going up the hill and we always hear complaints about the bike lane either the. car owners complaining about the cyclists or the cyclists complaining about the car owners, but in that moment and seeing this person. have free will and going up the street. I was really proud of the work that we did and having our bike lane and a way for people that are other ways they get around to get around. We don't always think of them and I'm glad to see our city moving forward with more ramps for the sidewalks and working on our sidewalks because we have to remember everyone that lives in our city. Thank you.

Well, hey, and I will take a motion to adjourn. Motion by Tyrell Mickens, second by Marissa Morvalli. We hereby stand adjourned until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2026 at 7.30 p.m. Thank you all very much.