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Kingston names hazard mitigation coordinator; seeks EPA funding to upgrade flood alerts and moves forward on Kingston Point Park and waterfront grants
Summary
The sustainability coordinator was designated hazard mitigation coordinator; staff filed training plans for critical staff, are applying for an EPA grant to upgrade the Stevens Institute flood advisory system, and reported a $4 million New York Swims award for Kingston Point Park improvements with follow-up NOAA grant work underway.
Julie Noble told the commission she has been designated Kingston's hazard mitigation coordinator and described near-term steps to improve the city's emergency preparedness and flood-warning systems.
Noble said the city recently held training for senior staff and department heads on emergency operations and plans to require four FEMA-aligned emergency-management training classes for key staff by August to ensure uniform incident response and emergency operations center management.
On flood alerting, Noble said she is applying with Stevens Institute (the Stevens flood advisory system partner) for an EPA grant (described in the meeting as an "EPA flourishing and community grant," due March 31) to upgrade flood-forecasting and automated alerting capabilities to reduce reliance on manual staff notifications. The proposed upgrade would include improved data and automated alerts tied to the Stevens flood advisory system.
Noble also updated the commission on waterfront resilience projects. The city received a $4,000,000 award through a New York Swims grant for terracing and beach improvements at Kingston Point Beach, but Noble said contract execution and additional funding need negotiation: she plans an application to NOAA's Transformative Habitat Restoration program for approximately $1 million to cover a funding gap if needed. The city is also progressing a separate waterfront "raise" grant and anticipates spring bidding for Kingston Point Park parking-lot and wetland work, with construction expected this summer if timelines hold.
Ending: Noble said staff will continue contract negotiations for grant awards and return with contract updates; hazard mitigation training and grant applications will proceed on the timelines presented.
