Common Council - Regular Meeting

Welcome everybody to the August Common Council meeting. Before we begin, I have a few public service announcements for an emergency. Please note the exits on either side of chambers and proceed down the stairs. Bathrooms are located out the door to my left, women's room to the right, men's room 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 here as public members as noted on the signage as you entered we do not allow weapons of any sort signs mounted on wood metal or similar material or signs larger than 19 by 24. 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. As per open meeting law, interruption of a speaker or government proceedings will not be tolerated. after one warning anyone interrupting today's meeting will be removed from chambers i am now calling this common council meeting to order at 7 38 pm on august 4th 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? Excused. Alderman Dennison? Excused. Alderman Hamm?

Here.

Alderman Katz? Here. Alderman Hirsch?

We have a quorum and we'll get you a microphone. Gracie, do you mind grabbing another? have a motion to dispense with the minutes of the previous meeting and approve same motion by michelle hirsch without microphones i didn't hear you a second by sarah pasty all in favor aye opposed motion is adopted seven to zero can have a motion to dispense with the reading of the general bills motion by sarah pasty second by mike ham all in favor opposed motion is adopted seven to zero 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 pat pelicano

Hello. Hi there. My name is Pappala Khan. I'm in Ward 3. I'm just here tonight to talk about the surveillance network that's in Kingston. I know that there's a meeting later on in August to talk more in depth about the problem and the issue. I know that flock has brought it to the public's attention, but the, you know, the gross, you know, invasive nature of their product but in kingston we have motorola which isn't any better it's part of the same system of surveillance and there are a number of different lawsuits ongoing in the country suing motorola systems solutions whatever they call themselves because they not only track your license plate but they track other images on your car and i understand that the city was able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue because of these new cameras but that doesn't stop the fact that cars are inherently dangerous and there are different ways to dissuade people from um Christopher McConkey- Driving dangerous vehicles poorly there's you know the there's rumble things that you have in the highways if those were like along you know, in the middle of roads, and that would be. Christopher McConkey- A different measure than being able to track, excuse me, the being able to track where. Christopher McConkey- People have been because there's Motorola to look at. historical data, that's a data collection issue. It's not unrelated to data centers, but they're able to predict where you, because they have information on where you were, they're able to predict where you're going conceivably. So it's a larger issue. Cars are dangerous and horrible, but we're all in the situation where we have to use cars. Once upon a time, there was a tram here. I don't think the city has the budget to bring it back. But yeah, there are other solutions besides going all in on hyper surveillance. So that's all. Thank you.

Thank you. Next speaker, please. Robert Pereira.

I just came to the meeting tonight.

Sir, do you want me to move this so you could, can you see this better there?

What's that?

Just making sure you could see the timer.

Oh, I see the clock.

Go ahead.

I'm just calling here, coming here today just to check up on the progress on the speed sign for Shufelt Street. Where we are, where we're going. I know I talked to Mike, but I just want to know where you guys are.

with the the problem so we tip we don't talk during these meetings but I'm assuming my cam it has put you on the list right Mike and he will be in touch with you it we only have a few and a lot of streets so it does take a little bit of time but um Mike will be in touch Next speaker, please. Phil Cosme.

Good evening. Phil Cosme, Ward 2, 278 Washington Avenue. I've lived in Kingston since 1979. I drive a car, I ride a bicycle, I walk. Kingston has never been more dangerous than any time that I can remember. A lot of the reasons are these safe street initiatives where the bump outs and the speed bumps and excessive signage, people are too distracted. And the number one rule about safe streets is minimal distractions, potholes, markings on the street to let you know if they remember to do it, that there's a speed bump, you know, in the street. So I asked that you take this money that you made from the school signs or speeding and, uh, Number 1, fix potholes. I'm lucky. I haven't been pulled over for drunk driving trying to get around the potholes in the city of Kingston. Um, I don't know how millions and private contractors are allowed to get away with the way they backfill the streets in the city of Kingston. I've called the on 3 instances and they went there and they said, oh, no, it's fine. And there was a bump this high.

And then the guy should have taken this blacktop and put it in the dip behind it, but he didn't.

So you got a dip here and a bump here. Millen's digs up the street for gas lines. And when they're done, instead of properly backfilling them, they temporarily fill them, which they settle. And then they sometime come back in the fall, if we're lucky, and fill them the way they're supposed to, especially on Albany Avenue. because you can't get around to open the avenue. Or you can go Elmendorf, which that's even worse. So we have a lot of angry, impatient, distracted drivers in the city of Kingston. Some of the engineering bump outs, I talked to the superintendent of it wouldn't change it. And that's the 1 at the head of Albany Avenue and Clinton Avenue. I said, there's not enough room there for a car and a bike to get through. He said, oh, you have to acquire the lane. Joseph DeFalco, drivers are patient with bicyclists, as it is, if I have to try and cut in front of cars, so I can make it through an intersection. Joseph DeFalco, I just won't do it. 30 seconds. Joseph DeFalco, I appreciate your time and fix the potholes, please.

Thank you.

Thank you. Next speaker, please. Joseph DeFalco.

Thank you. I live in Ward 3. And I'd like to talk about an issue that's been going on now for a year. And we're going to start with the administration not caring about the taxpayer, but caring about companies that they hire. They're protecting them. One issue I have is that I spoke to the mayor. He said he was going to send an engineer up to my house and talk to me. Lo and behold, I come home and I find an engineer's card, a councilman engineer's card in my mailbox. And he had came up with somebody. And when I spoke to him, he started exhorting the contractor of doing an excellent job on designing a street. Well, you know about that. They missed every pothole, every catch basin, storm basin from Glen Street to Washington Avenue. And they put 16 inches of asphalt down in front of my house and I can't get my car out of the driveway. He says, well, if they put 16 inches of asphalt down in front of my house, he'd bitch and moan. I said, did you see the pictures? He said, no. Well, I sent him the pictures, but then I had second thoughts. He didn't come up there to represent me. He didn't use his city business card. He used his union business card. So the mayor sent up a crane operator to... try to tell me if they did a good job okay i took the pictures away from him i told him don't come up to my door unless you come up with my elected officials and i haven't heard from him since okay now i worked for a contractor for 40 years but i worked as a site steward for a contractor that builds Bridges, highways, streets, and everything. Now, when lunch came around and they had to talk about projects, I got a seat at the table. The operator got a half an hour lunch. Okay? And I didn't appreciate what was done. And I... I've come to this council meeting for years, and you all start out with good intentions, but it seems that after six months go by, you just fall into line, okay? And you're not independent anymore. You're subject to corruption counsel. You don't want to go there because we'll have a lot to talk about about that. And I don't have enough time to really express myself here, but if anyone is interested in what they've done in the past, I am glad to oblige them chief. Thank you. Thank you.

Your time is up Joe. Thank you. Okay. Thank you.

And they knew about my street. Thank you.

Thank you. Next speaker, please.

Rose Quinn.

I absolutely was not laughing at you. I was smiling at people. Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. I thought you were referring to me. Okay.

Rose has the floor now. So let's be respectful. Thank you, everybody.

Thank you. Rose Quinn, Ward 2, Kingston resident. Good evening, members of Common Council. Thank you for considering important revisions that would dedicate the speed camera revenue to traffic calming improvements. Reinvesting these funds into safer streets reflects the principles of Vision Zero and the Safe System approach, and I appreciate your willingness to move in this direction. But while we are discussing these policies tonight, another pedestrian has been seriously injured on Broadway after being struck by a hit and run driver who remains at large. This is not an isolated incident. Behind every one of these tragedies is a family forever changed and a community left asking the same questions. What will we do to prevent the next one? When Gary White was struck and killed in front of his home, many of us asked for more than condolences. We asked for a thorough review of what happened and what could have been done differently and what changes were needed to prevent another death. Today, after another serious crash on Broadway, we're asking those very same questions. The safe system approach recognizes that people make mistakes. The responsibility of government is to design streets where those inevitable mistakes do not result in death or life-changing injury. And we know how to change it. This is not a mystery. These are not experimental ideas. They are data-driven, evidence-based engineering practices supported by the United States Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, NOCTO, Vision Zero, and communities across this country. The evidence shows that self-enforcing street design and traffic calming create safer streets more effectively than relying primarily on traffic stops or expensive or controversial camera systems alone. Safe streets benefit everyone, people walking, biking, taking transit, and driving. I respectfully ask you to strengthen Kingston's safe street policy. and formally adopt a Vision Zero policy, creating a citizen crash review response and review team modeled on nationally recognized Vision Zero best practices. Following every fatal or serious crash, this team would review what happened, All right, I'll just jump to the end and I'll send everyone a copy. Okay. We cannot change what happened to John Host Lynch, Christine Tarasco, Darryl Savage, Devin Griffith, Gary White, or the other vulnerable road users that we have lost in Kingston since 2020. But we can decide whether we're going to learn from these incidences or continue repeating them. There are things we can do. And by the way, flock cameras are not school safety speed cameras. And we need to understand that. Thank you. Your time is up. Please divorce these two issues. Thank you. Thank you.

Next speaker, please. Jeannie Edwards.

Jeannie Edwards, 64 Liberty Street, Kingston, New York. Good evening, Madam President, members of the Common Council. I would like to take the opportunity to respond to the July 23rd article published by Hudson Valley One, where Alderman Hearst chose to attack my character and integrity. Majority leader. I'm here to fix your crown sister. It's crooked. Who are you to ask the question of my values and my accountability? 1997 This bag is full of certificates given for service that I was not paid. Humanitarian award from the city of Yonkers for fighting for housing in Scarsdale and Yonkers to get housing put in where it was never put in before. That's just to start. Never got paid for any of that. My boots hit the ground. Let me tell you about my values. I walk the walk, I cook for the homeless every week for almost two years unpaid in the city of Kingston, picking up the tab because people need to eat. I network with local contractors to rehabilitate a home that was uninhabitable. I secured licensed plumbers, electricians, and carpenters who donated their time and the materials. I donated all the kitchen fixings. and all the appliances the house of culture i organized and illustrated to have the mexican ambassador from new york to come to kingston for the first time to issue passports over 500 undocumented passports were given to immigrants in our city i advocated for june teeth and personally bought the flags for the city of kingston to be hung up by dpw along the broadway corridor Everyone here knows how hard I've worked to improve the functions of the warming center in the city of Kingston and Ellenville also and New Paltz to continue. Just like Terrell said in her email in response to your statement, you attempt to shut me up so many times during the committee. You apologize. Your words are useless. I want to see some action here. I want your crown to stand tall and be fixed instead of going after other Dems. I agree with Terrell that you have created now a hostile work environment. And now I question your character, your values, and your integrity, because I have never seen your boots hit the ground unless it was a political, damn thing for the city i have never seen you volunteer i have never seen you at the warming center or anything so you know maybe you want to look at that you are clearly jockeying for a position to run for a higher office as a leader how dare you you need leadership skills a good leader doesn't let people know if they like i'm sorry your time is up so get it together michelle majority leader I laugh and a lot of other people are too people that know thank you Jeannie your time is up thank you next speaker please Terrell Mickens

Mm. Terrell Mickens, Ward 5. In a July 23rd Hudson Valley One article, Majority Leader Michelle Hirsch said, and I quote, they, the Democratic Committee, just asked people to run without checking up on their values or their politics and then no follow up, keeping them accountable for their election rhetoric. She pointed out that before there were Democrats, both former Common Council member Jeannie Edwards and current alder Terrell Mickens were Republicans. Well, Michelle, this is me holding you accountable for falsely claiming that I had been a Republican. I have never been a Republican. Your comments were not about accountability. They were about questioning whether I belong at the table. I do not need your permission to sit at the table. like you it was my privilege to be elected to serve the people of ward 5 and the city of kingston twice as you have questioned my values i want you to know that my values have remained remarkably consistent throughout my life i have fed the homeless cared for the elderly um neighbors that have eventually passed away, tutored incarcerated youth, served on nonprofit boards, worked to expand affordable and supportive housing throughout Ulster County, mentored young people, and helped folks register to vote. I go about my purpose quietly, privately. My ego does not require public approval. In fact, I regard grandstanding as a reprehensible character flaw. I do want to acknowledge your private written apology, but it should have been public. You apologize for hurting my feelings. You never once held yourself accountable for telling a lie about my prior political affiliation. I found it laughable that you attempted to explain that your statement during the interview was taken out of context and that you thought these comments were off the record. Basically, you were acknowledging the fact that you said the quiet part out loud. This situation is a forced error on your part, Michelle, totally self-inflicted. That you attempted to use these two frail excuses does not speak well of your leadership skills, but rather points to a serious deficit in your own judgment. For me personally, as a Black woman in these times, to be politically mislabeled amounts to character assassination. It is for me, a clear calculated treachery. It's trifling and totally irresponsible. In this political environment where black and brown folks are under crushing physical and economic stress daily, you should know better. As you were reveling in the dismantling of the old democratic committee, it came to your mind to use me and Jeannie as examples of how The prior committee failed in their leadership role. Well, I guess you needed everyone to know that there will be a proper purity testing under this regime. So no diversity of thought or life experience will be tolerated. Is that what you're suggesting? Finally, so that we are clear, I am not standing here because my feelings are hurt.

Thank you. Your time is up, Carol. Thank you.

Thank you.

Speaker, I'm sorry, next speaker, please.

Nobody else has signed up and nobody on Zoom, right? Anybody here who has not signed up that would like to speak?

No, no, no, Joe, you can't speak a second time.

Joe, if you keep interrupting, I'll have you removed from chambers. You cannot speak a second time. Thank you. Everybody gets one three-minute time. Jo, again, I will ask you to leave quietly, or you can sit down, or I will have you removed. That is fine. I look forward to it. Does anybody who has not spoken would like to speak? Then I will close the public speaking. Scott.

evening i didn't come with any written speech or anything but i am aware of what's going on as far as with terrell and jeannie edwards and i have to say michelle it is a disgrace um also what i noticed over the last several days is that the grand standing is really bad you're going to the media as the majority leader of a one-party system and there's the older woman at large sitting right there Don't you think you should let her do her job instead of trying to step on toes? You're grandstanding. You're vying for jockeying for position. In the end, it's going to hurt you because people are catching on. They're getting it. And I would recommend that you start to tone it down and maybe treat people with some civility. And these two ladies behind me definitely did not deserve what you've done. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Thank you. Is anyone else who has not spoken? hearing no one else i will close the public speaking portion of the meeting we now enter into claims and communications hearing no discussion they'll be in on file in the clerk's office can i get a motion to dispense with the second reading of the general bills and pay the same motion by sarah pasty second by ben falk all in favor aye opposed motion is adopted seven to zero we now enter into the report of committees starting with resolution number 119 please

Resolution 119 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, establishing a traffic calming capital fund as authorized by General Municipal Law 6C for the purpose of enhancing pedestrian safety by deterring dangerous driving.

On the question, Alderwoman Marissa Marvelli. Madame President, I would like to make a motion to amend the resolution to increase the funding amount. There's a motion on the floor.

Is there a second? Second by Sara Pasti. Any discussion on the amendment? This was talked about in caucus. Can I reiterate it or would you like to?

Um, as we discussed last night, and as the sponsor of the resolution, I propose to amend section 2, so that all revenue in excess of 200,000 dollars as allocated in the 2026 city budget to be directed to the traffic calming reserve fund capital reserve fund. Sorry. I also propose a new section section 3, stating that the fund shall receive all revenue generated by the program in 2027. Great any question on the amendment.

hearing no discussion i'll call for the vote because this is to amend it uh all in favor aye aye opposed now can we have it read again um and then we'll vote with the amendment resolution 119 of 2026 resolution of the common council of the city of kingston new york establishing a traffic common capital fund as authorized by general municipal law 6c for the purpose of enhancing pedestrian safety by deterring dangerous driving

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call Alderwoman Marvelli.

Thank you, Madam President. I am in favor of this amended resolution, the framework of which has been discussed by our council since April. I thank my colleagues for their support. We all agree that lowering the speed limit to 25 miles an hour and citywide and the speed zones for the schools have improved the safety of these trees in a measurable way. but there's as a mother of two young george washington students who walk to school daily on washington avenue there's still more to do i also say this as a fellow resident in our community lies in a hospital bed at this moment recovering from a hit and run on broadway this past weekend no one should lose a life or a limb crossing a road in kingston This fund will help us further our goal of making safe and equitable streets with low cost, easy to implement design improvements that help drivers instinctively slow down and avoid getting a ticket. This can be as joyful as asphalt art, road stripping, stanchions, bump outs, and more. I want to thank members of the Complete Streets Advisory Council, especially Alejandra and community members, Tanya Garment and Rose Quinn for their continued advocacy around this. and in june mayor noble sent the council a letter of support for creating such a fund which i take to mean that he will direct the dpw and city engineer's office to collaborate with complete streets and realizing new traffic calming measures as expeditiously as possible so thank you to mayor noble dpw superintendent ed norman and city engineer john schultes for their effort to this end thank you thank you anyone else

Hearing no further discussion, I'll call for the vote all in favor aye aye opposed resolution passes 7 0 congrats.

Moving to resolution number 120, please resolution 120 of 2026 resolution of the common Council of the city of Kingston, New York, requesting a transfer of funds from contingency. To the fire department in the amount of 9,338 dollars for ambulance vehicle maintenance. on the question hearing no discussion i'll call for the vote all in favor aye opposed resolution is adopted seven to zero moving to resolution 121 please resolution 121 of 2026 resolution of the common council of the city of kingston new york requesting a budget transfer in the amount of twenty thousand six hundred and twenty four dollars and sixty cents in the building department to cover the expense of retirement accumulation

on the question hearing no discussion i'll call for the vote all in favor aye opposed resolution is adopted seven to zero moving to resolution 122 please

Resolution 122 of 2026 resolution of the common Council of the city of Kingston, New York, authorizing a bond ordinance and the amount of 450,000 dollars for the grant match related to a 3Million New York state grant for the Albert Brown community center improvements project.

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

Opposed resolution is adopted 7 to 0 moving to resolution number 123 please resolution 123 of 2026 resolution of the common council of the city of Kingston, New York, recommending approval for transfers to the 2026 corporation council budget.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 7-0. Moving to Resolution 124, please.

Resolution 124 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, requesting a budget transfer in the amount of $200 in the Mayor's office to cover the expense of office supplies and travel reimbursement.

on the question hearing no discussion i'll call for the vote all in favor aye opposed resolutions adopted six to six to one the descent is alderman tierney moving to resolution 125 please resolution 125 of 2026.

Resolution of the common Council of the city of Kingston, New York authorizing to expand through 31,172 dollars from contingency to fill gap for project budget for the New York state zoos, botanical gardens and Aquaria grant for the Forsyth nature center storage building.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 7-0. Moving to Resolution 126, please.

Resolution 126 of 2026. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Kingston, New York, authorizing the expenditure of the City of Kingston's annual 2026-2027 New York State DOT CHIPS PAVE New York EWR STR and POP allocation.

On the question, hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 7-0. Moving to Resolution 127, a bond ordinance. We'll ask for a long roll.

Resolution 127 of 2026. Bond ordinance dated August 4th, 2026, an ordinance authorizing financing of the Albert brown community center improvements project and in for the city of Kingston, Ulster County, New York at a maximum estimated cost of 3,750,000 dollars and authorizing the issuance of up to 450,000 dollar bonds of said city to pay costs thereof. Alderman.

Yes.

Alderman Mickens excused. Alderman Dennison excused. Alderman Hamm. Alderman Katz. Alderman Hirsch.

Yes.

Alderman Pasti. Alderman Tierney.

Yes.

Alderman Marbelli.

Yes. Bond passes 7 to 0. Moving to resolution 128 please.

Resolution 128 of 2026. An ordinance amending an ordinance in relation to the traffic on the public streets of the city of Kingston, New York, and adding handicap parking on Franklin street.

On the question hearing no discussion, I'll call for the vote all in favor. Aye. Opposed? Resolution is adopted 7-0. That concludes our communications. Before we end for the evening, as I contemplated tonight's message, I felt compelled to delve into a topic I often consider, leadership. When you think of what it takes to be a great leader, words like integrity, intelligence, empathy, inspiration, focus, kindness and strength may come to mind. However, I want to emphasize that the core of effective leadership is the ability to work together. Indeed, true leadership hinges on a foundational quality, collaboration. This does not mean we all agree, but it means we work as a team of individuals united towards shared goals. No leader could do it alone. Personally, I'm grateful for the collaborations and teamwork that have carried me to this moment. My rock star team up here, Alisa, Kwame, Gracie, and Rebecca, and all the common council members both past and present but most importantly collaborations with members of the public who are essential to our work i was going to give rose quinn a shout out but she just left for all her efforts into helping with the traffic calming and road safety i'm so grateful for the partnerships the challenges and the pushes the public presents i hope that this the best is yet to come and i sincerely look forward to collaborating with you all onward and upward let's do this thing together but i also want to take a more solemn moment to recognize the victim of the Horrific car crash, the hit and run that happens on Saturday evening. Um. I just want to send all my healing thoughts and good wishes to him and his family as he heals from this. And I think we all agree with that and. and i'm grateful for this body to move forward to continuing to work towards finding solutions to the problems of our streets so thank you all for being a good team i appreciate you all before we adjourn does anybody have anyone to close in memory of then i will take a motion to adjourn motion by sarah pasty second by michael tierney all in favor we all we stand adjourned until uh september 1st that means caucus is august 31st it's one of those awkward months oh hi um so the next meeting is september 1st at 7 30 p.m thank you all very much