[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Kingston 2-17-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994, approved 2-23-1994 (Ch. 41 of the 1984 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The title of this chapter shall be the "Economic Development Zone" of the City of Kingston and the Town of Ulster.
The purpose of this legislation is for the establishment of the Kingston/Town of Ulster Economic Development Zone, as authorized under Article 18-B of the New York State General Municipal Law, as well as other pertinent state legislation, including the Executive Law, the General Municipal Law, the New York State Urban Development Corporation Act,[1] the Public Authorities Law, the Real Property Tax Law, the Tax Law and the Public Service Law.
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 6251 of the Unconsolidated Laws.
A. 
Zone Coordinator.
(1) 
The Zone Coordinator shall be the Kingston Community Development Director. The functions of the Zone Coordinator shall be to supervise the daily activities of the zone.
(2) 
The Zone Coordinator shall not serve on the Zone Administrative Board.
B. 
Zone Administrative Board.
(1) 
The Zone Administrative Board shall be composed of 13 members. The Chairman of said Board shall be the Mayor of the City of Kingston. The remaining 12 members shall be appointed by the Mayor of the City of Kingston and shall include the Town of Ulster Supervisor, a member of the local education field, a representative from the Ulster County government, two Town of Ulster zone business representatives, a representative of the Town of Ulster, a representative of local business, labor, community organizations, human resources, financial institutions, and a resident of the zone.
(2) 
The Zone Administrative Board shall give direction to the activities of the zone, and their duties and responsibilities shall include those set forth in New York General Municipal Law Article 18-B, § 963, Subsection b.
(3) 
The members of the Zone Administrative Board, other than the Mayor, shall be appointed for two-year terms, except that the initial Board shall include six members appointed for one-year terms. No individual shall serve longer than three successive two-year terms.
(4) 
The Zone Administrative Board will serve as the coordinator of all other organizations sponsoring programs within the Economic Development Zone. The Board will be responsible for integrating the diverse activities of other agencies and to the zoned development plan. Individual members of the Board and the Board as a body shall serve as a liaison with federal, state and local government officials, voluntary organizations and business, financial and educational communities.
C. 
Zone Certification Officer.
(1) 
The Zone Certification Officer will be appointed by the Zone Administrative Board and shall not serve as a member of said Board.
(2) 
The Zone Certification Officer will compile information and file necessary documentation with the state for designations. Compilation of information and filings will be performed in conjunction with the Zone Coordinator. The Zone Certification Officer will perform functions and duties as set forth in New York General Municipal Law Article 18-B, § 963, Subsection a.
D. 
Program management. The Zone Administrative Board will contract with the Kingston Community Development office and its Director to manage the day-to-day activities of the Economic Development Zone. These activities shall include daily administration, zone marketing, financial assistance, data collection, clerical support and similar activities. The department personnel of the Community Development office, the City of Kingston Planner, the Town of Ulster Planner and the City of Kingston Corporation Counsel shall serve as support staff to the Zone Coordinator.
The boundaries of the Kingston/Town of Ulster Economic Development Zone are delineated on a map which shall be filed in the offices of the Zone Coordinator and the City Engineer and are described more particularly in § 205-8 herein.[1] The state and local zone incentives, as well as other activities associated with this chapter and the zone development plan, shall be effective only within this area, unless otherwise amended by the State of New York or the City of Kingston as provided by law.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said Map and description are on file in the City Clerk's Office.
The Zone Administrative Board, through its policymaking function, will determine the general direction of zone development and establish the amount of resources to be allocated among zone programs.
The Common Council of the City of Kingston hereby authorizes the Mayor and Town of Ulster Supervisor to sign the Kingston/Ulster Economic Development Zone Application, to be submitted to the New York State Department of Economic Development, and any and all other Economic Development Zone documents associated with this chapter or the program as a whole to the extent permitted by law.
A. 
Fee waivers.
(1) 
The City of Kingston will waive the following fees for nonresidential properties within the designated Economic Development Zone: Planning Board reviews, including site plan, subdivision, curb cut and special permit, noise ordinance permit, flood letters, street letters, zoning variance, plumbing permit, building permit, certificate of compliance, certificate of occupancy, sewer connection, sign permit, dumpster permit, blasting permit, demolition permit, and social service inspection.
(2) 
Any city resident who is also employed by a certified business in the zone will be eligible for a discount on City of Kingston bus fare. Said discount shall not exceed 50%.
[Amended 11-12-1996 by L.L. No. 7-1996, approved 11-27-1996]
B. 
Real property tax.
(1) 
Real property constructed, altered, installed or improved in the area designated as an Economic Development Zone pursuant to Article 18-B of the New York General Municipal Law shall be exempt from taxation and special ad valorem levies by the City of Kingston in accordance with the schedule set forth in New York Real Property Tax Law § 485-e:
(a) 
One hundred percent of the base amount in the first seven years from the date on which the Economic Development Zone is designated.
(b) 
Seventy-five percent of the base amount in the eighth year.
(c) 
Fifty percent of the base amount in the ninth year.
(d) 
Twenty-five percent of the base amount in the tenth year.
(2) 
"Base amount," for purposes of this chapter, is as defined in New York Real Property Tax Law § 485-e, Subdivision 2.
C. 
Sales tax. Pursuant to New York Tax Law § 1119, refunds or credits shall be available for sales tax paid on tangible personal property purchased for use in constructing, expanding or rehabilitating industrial or commercial real property located in the designated Economic Development Zone.
(  Reserved)
[1]
Editor's Note: The zone boundaries description originally included in this section is on file in the Clerk's office.