Pursuant to § 277 of the New York State General Municipal
Law, the City of Kingston may enter into an adopt-a-highway, -park or -shoreline
program agreement with volunteers or groups in an effort to reduce and remove
litter from highways, parks, shorelines and other public lands, thereby contributing
to the overall beautification of the City of Kingston.
Any not-for-profit corporation or any other organization or association
may petition the City of Kingston, through the Department of Public Works,
to participate in the Adopt-a-Highway, -Park or -Shoreline Program.
Such applicants shall complete a form setting forth the names and addresses
of all participants, either on an individual or group basis, along with any
additionally requested information. Such application may be obtained from
the City Clerk.
The application shall be submitted to the City Clerk, who shall then
forward it to the Department of Public Works and any other appropriate department
or division of the City for review and comment as to the feasibility and compatibility
of the organization or group requesting to participate in the program.
The Department of Public Works shall authorize the applicant to begin
a program of care and maintenance of said highway, park or shoreline. Before
any work is undertaken by the applicant, a duly authorized representative
of the organization or group shall sign an adopt-a-highway, -park or -shoreline
agreement on a form furnished by the City Clerk and shall furnish all other
documentation required by the agreement. Only after such agreement has been
signed by the Mayor shall any work begin.
The applicant for participation in this program shall set forth what
steps and what actions the particular organization or group is going to take
to provide continuous care and maintenance of the highway, park or shoreline
by the removal of debris, trash and refuse. At a minimum, the applicant shall
agree to pick up litter and plant flowers, shrubs or ground cover, if applicable,
and maintain same. The applicant shall be permitted to perform the following
roadside maintenance activities, including, but not limited to, litter pickup,
planting and maintaining Department-approved vegetation. No work of any nature
is to be performed on the pavement.
After a period of not less than three months, the organization or group
shall request that the City, through the Department of Public Works, review
its work and then report their findings to the Common Council. After the Common
Council has received the recommendation of the Department of Public Works,
a resolution shall be offered to post said highway, park or shoreline as an
"adopted site" for a two-year period and commending the organization or group
for its efforts. If it is determined that the applicant is not meeting the
terms of the agreement, the City may terminate the agreement upon 30 days'
written notice or immediately, if safety is an issue or insurance coverage
lapses.
If a highway, park or shoreline is adopted after the procedures have
been followed as set forth herein, an appropriate sign or signs shall be erected
displaying the fact that the highway, park or shoreline adopted under this
program has qualified as a site appropriately cared for and maintained by
the adoptive group.
The organization or group performing any work or services under this
program shall not be deemed to be employees of the City of Kingston, but merely
volunteers. The City of Kingston shall be held harmless from any negligent
or careless acts of the organization or group in the performance of any functions
under the program. The organization shall furnish to the City Clerk proof
of liability insurance coverage, in the amount of $1,000,000 covering the
group's proposed activities and naming the City of Kingston thereon as an
additional insured. The applicant further agrees not to permit anyone under
the age of 12 years to participate in the program. The applicant will provide
a minimum of one adult supervisor for every six youngsters between the ages
of 12 and 18.
The City of Kingston shall provide trash bags and trash pickup as part
of this program.