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The Buzz: City of Poughkeepsie eNewsletter
Mayor Rob Rolison
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City, Dutchess County Propose Land Deal for Youth Center; Presentation Date Set 


Mayor Rob Rolison and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro announced Wednesday an agreement in principle between the County and City to have the County take ownership of the former YMCA site at 35 Montgomery Street in Poughkeepsie and invest $25 million to build a new, state-of-the-art Youth Opportunity Center at the site.

The Mayor and County Executive are seeking approval from the Common Council to transfer ownership of the property for $10 to Dutchess County, which would allow the County to put forth $25 million for the demolition of the existing decaying structure, and design and construction of the new center. Mayor Rolison and Council Chair Sarah Salem have called a special meeting for March 3 at 6 p.m., when a coalition of stakeholders will give a special presentation about the proposed agreement to the Common Council.

The registration link for that meeting is here.

The City Administration has determined the city does not have the financial capacity to complete this project on its own. As such, collaborating with Dutchess County Government and a coalition of community stakeholders will make the center a reality, achieving the goal and broadening its reach.

Under local finance law, the County must have an ownership of the property to finance the $25 million development project through municipal bonding. If the Common Council approves ownership by Dutchess County, the transfer of the property and bonding would then go to the Dutchess County Legislature for final approval.

The first phase of the project would transform the property into community green space while design plans proceed for the youth center and other community benefit services on the more than 3-acre property. Read more here

 
Mayor, Police Chief Release Plan in Response to NY Executive Order

City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison and Police Chief Tom Pape have released their plan in response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order on police reforms. The report has been forwarded to the Common Council.

In June 2020, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 203 — the “New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative” — requiring local police agencies to develop a plan to address policies, procedures, practices and deployment, including but not limited to the use of force. Governments with police agencies must adopt a plan by April 1 to be eligible for future state funding.

Mayor Rolison first asked the city’s Procedural Justice Committee to review the governor’s order, to gain public input and to make recommendations for the Mayor and Common Council to consider and act upon. The Committee, which includes police officers, other city officials and members of the public, made its recommendations in December. The city released its preliminary plan on Feb. 2 and held another public meeting on Feb. 10 for people to provide further comments.

“This has been a solid and thorough process,” said Mayor Rob Rolison. “The Procedural Justice Committee did an exceptional job providing us with recommendations that we have incorporated into our report. The public feedback since then also has been helpful as we crafted our response to the governor.”

In October, the city created a webpage to keep the public informed of the progress, to provide pertinent information about the governor’s executive order, and to offer ways for the public to give more input.

The city has included the plan from the Mayor and Police Chief on a webpage devoted to the police collaborative issue, and for ease of public use has created a separate document that highlights the changes from the preliminary plan to the one released this week.

The city has expanded on a number of issues, including accreditation, use of force policies, statistical transparency, warrant service and the Civilian Review Board.

“These were some of the specific issues raised at the last public meeting, and we are doing our level best to address them,” Chief Pape said. “It’s important for the public to realize this is an ongoing process. The Police Department has repeatedly demonstrated it will go forward with initiatives that improve policing, and we will hold to that commitment.”

The Common Council will hear a presentation about the plan at its virtual meeting at 6:30 p.m. on March 1.

 
COVID-19 Vaccinations Are Being Administered Though Supply Is Still Limited
 

The City of Poughkeepsie continues to provide the latest information pertaining to the coronavirus (COVID-19). You can access more information on our website here.

New York State is receiving deliveries of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and is providing more information about that initiative here. 

The state also has set up a vaccination hotline (833-697-4829), and people are encouraged  to check the Dutchess County website here for updates on available appointments at the County-operated points of dispensing (PODs) as well, when more vaccine is made available to Dutchess County.

Vaccines are also available at some pharmacies and medical centers. The state advises people to contact their provider of choice to schedule a vaccine appointment that way if possible.

The state also has an "Am I Eligible?" online tool, where you can determine your eligibility and schedule an appointment at a New York State-run vaccination site. The closest state-run sites in our area are the Westchester County Center in White Plains and SUNY Albany. State officials emphasize that an appointment is required to get a vaccination. If you visit a location without an appointment, you will not receive a vaccine.

You also can download the state's app to get updates on COVID-19 exposure alerts here.

Contact Information Related to Virus

New York COVID-19 hotline and website:
888-364-3065
coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

Dutchess County coronavirus updates:
dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.htm

Common Council Seeks Members
to Serve on Redistricting Commission


The Common Council is seeking applicants to join a five-member Redistricting Commission that will create a proposed plan for new ward boundaries.

The commission will be made up of volunteers and will be provided with a budget to engage the necessary consultants and resources for making an informed, equitable and appropriate recommendation for newly-drawn ward maps in the City of Poughkeepsie. Interested applicants do not need to live within the City of Poughkeepsie, but should have a strong knowledge of the City of Poughkeepsie system of government and the political process.

No employees, elected or appointed officials of the City of Poughkeepsie can serve on the Redistricting Commission, and no more than two members of the commission shall be enrolled with the same political party. 
 
The Common Council will appoint by resolution four members of the Redistricting Commission and those selected commission members will then select a fifth member to serve as the commission's chairperson.
 
If you are interested in serving on the Redistricting Commission, please send your resume and a letter of interest to ssalem@cityofpoughkeepsie.com by March 31. You will be advised via email if an interview is required. 

City, County Announce COVID-19 Childcare Relief Scholarship Funding Is Available


The City and Dutchess County have announced money is available for COVID-19 Childcare Relief Scholarships to help low- and moderate-income families meet their needs for childcare for their school-aged children.

The County is allocating an additional $180,000 and launching its second scholarship program to residents outside the City of Poughkeepsie. The city is creating a corresponding program with $90,000 in federal assistance. The programs’ aim is to fill the gap between the number of days students will be physically in school and the days where students are not physically in school.

Funding for this scholarship program was made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and awarded to the County and City for distribution through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to prevent, prepare for or respond to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

The City received its own CDBG-CV funds, so its residents are not eligible for County CDBG funds under federal regulations.

Dutchess County and the City of Poughkeepsie are partnering with the Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, Inc., for the implementation of this program.

Scholarships are being awarded for the balance of the academic calendar year by a random selection process to low- and moderate-income families. The funds will cover 75 percent of the tuition for each child, paid directly to the childcare facility. Families will be responsible for 25 percent of the tuition.  

Complete program guidance, detailed eligibility requirements and application instructions can be found here.

City Releases Application, Guidelines for Youth Activities & Opportunities Program


Mayor Rob Rolison announced recently that the city has released the application and guidelines for the 2021 Youth Activities & Opportunities Program.

The awards assist local nonprofit organizations by providing funding to support clubs and leagues, other activities and educational initiatives. These programs have allowed Poughkeepsie youth to participate in community-based programs that emphasize active lifestyles, provide creative outlets and build long-lasting relationships.

The program has allocated more than $500,000 for these endeavors since its inception in 2018.

“This program is extremely popular and beneficial to the community,” said Mayor Rolison. “Despite the financial hurdles we have faced with COVID-19 and other challenges, providing funds for these activities is essential and will continue to be a priority.”

Among the recipients have been the City of Poughkeepsie Youth Baseball, Basketball and Football leagues; The Art Effect; Bardavon 1869 Opera House; Barrett Art Center; The Black and Latino Coalition; Cocoon Theatre; Community Matters 2; Family Services, Inc.; Hudson River Housing; Mental Health America Dutchess County; Mid-Hudson Aquatics; Mid-Hudson Heritage Center; Mid-Hudson Civic Center Skate Program; National Black Child Development Institute; Nubian Directions II, Inc.; REAL Skills Network; Rebuilding Our Children and Community, Inc., and others.

Guidelines and COVID-19-related requirements also have been implemented by the city. To be eligible for funding, organizations must have policies and procedures in place to appropriately operate under the mandated State COVID-19 orders.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Office of Social Development at 845-451-4046 for further information or to discuss program eligibility. The application form can be found at http://cityofpoughkeepsie.com/commdev. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 26 via email to jgreenwald@cityofpoughkeepsie.com or to the City of Poughkeepsie, Office of Social Development, 62 Civic Center Plaza.

 
City Announces Grants for Microenterprise
Businesses Negatively Affected by COVID

City officials have announced a partnership with Community Capital New York in the administration of a $200,000 grant program to assist microenterprise businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 virus.

The City of Poughkeepsie Microenterprise Stabilization Grant Program will provide grants of up to $10,000 to stabilize microenterprises and preserve low- and moderate- income jobs. A microenterprise is defined as a business with five or fewer employees, including the owner.

“The City is dedicated to the growth and welfare of our community and its economic success, and the survival of these small businesses is of paramount concern to us,” said Mayor Rob Rolison.

The funding for the program comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant COVID/CARES Act (CDBG-CV). Applicants must show they are not duplicating other assistance provided via the federal CARES Act. Applicants also must provide records and information to demonstrate the preservation or creation of a low- or moderate-income job as defined by HUD. Additional details, including the income requirements and the application form can be found here

Sign Up for City of Poughkeepsie’s Emergency Notification System


The City of Poughkeepsie has a great way for residents to receive emergency notifications and encourages people to sign up for them.

Through the Hyper-Reach Broadcast system, residents can select whether they want to receive notifications via email, text message or telephone call, or a combination of these options.

The system can be used in an array of circumstances, from locating missing children to evacuating a neighborhood in the event of an emergency. You can also choose automatic weather alerts for the City of Poughkeepsie. You can enter your home, business and/or church address, or an address of a family member who lives in the City of Poughkeepsie.

Anyone who would like to receive community alerts may register for Hyper-Reach notifications here or call 845-205-0596. The service is available in English and Spanish.

Emergency messages will be coordinated with the assistance of the City of Poughkeepsie E-911 Center and the City of Poughkeepsie Police Public Information Office.

The system can also be used to send out non-emergency community messages, such as known road closures and community activities, to anyone who has signed up to receive alerts.

 
Public Arts Commission Creates Directory
of Galleries, Organizations and Venues


The buzz of our vibrant arts community diminished a bit in 2020, but is still humming along. Take a moment to view what the Poughkeepsie Arts Commission has created — a directory of art galleries, arts organizations and venues for status and contacts.  

View the Poughkeepsie Arts Directory

Tune in to our PKGOArts social media feeds to stay current on arts activities in Poughkeepsie: FacebookInstagram

Check out PKGO for information and stories about life in the city, news and events: Instagram

Upcoming Meetings


Week of March 1, 2021


Monday, 5:30 p.m. Common Council Public Hearing for proposed Local Law, The Poughkeepsie Ethics Act.

Monday, 6:30 p.m.: Common Council

Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Common Council, Special Meeting on YMCA site, Youth Center proposal

Replay of Meetings


Waterfront Advisory Committee, Feb. 23


 (Editor's note: Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) issue, please follow us the City of Poughkeepsie on Facebook and other social media platforms and check the city's website for any updates about meetings.)
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Contact Info

City Hall: (845) 451-4200
DPW: (845) 451-4111
Police: (845) 451-4000*
Fire: (845) 451-4079*
City Court: (845) 483-8200
*During an emergency, dial 9-1-1

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