WEEKLY BULLETIN | December 4, 2020
City of College Park Earns Perfect Score in the Municipal Equality Index

The City of College Park has a earned a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign’s 2020 Municipal Equality Index (MEI) for the City’s commitment to the health, welfare, safety, equality and inclusiveness of its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. “The City of College Park aims to be a welcoming community for all, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity;” said Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn, “this rating by the Human Rights Campaign recognizes our true commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity.”

The MEI analyzes and rates municipal laws, policies, and services based on their inclusiveness of the LGBTQ people who live and work there. Released on December 3, 2020, the ninth annual MEI scorecard rated a total of 506 cities on 49 different criteria in the United States. The 2020 Municipal Equality Index report and press release can be found here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Original Ledo Restaurant Set to Close

The Original Ledo Restaurant, located at 4509 Knox Road in College Park permanently closed on Sunday, November 22, 2020. It was located on the ground level of the City’s Downtown Parking Garage. The City of College Park owns the Downtown Parking Garage including the space leased by the Original Ledo Restaurant. On November 17, the Mayor and Council approved a lease agreement with Chesapeake Hospitality of Greenbelt, MD. Chesapeake Hospitality will be opening a new Ledo Pizza franchise restaurant and potentially a smaller specialty food business in the 5,800 square-foot space. The City anticipates that Chesapeake Hospitality will open in the spring or summer of 2021. The press release can be found here.
Deck the City Holiday Contest

The City's Deck the City Holiday Decorating Contest starts tomorrow, December 5 and runs through December 20, 2020. Due to the pandemic, this year's contest looks a bit different. To ensure safe physical distancing, all entries must have photos of the decorations in order to be entered. Nominated homes will be posted on the City's Facebook page. The photo with the most likes will be the online digital winner! More prizes and winners will be announced, including Mayor's Choice.

Click here to enter the contest. You can find previous winners and contest rules at: www.collegeparkmd.gov/deckthecity.
All City Offices will be closed for the Christmas Holiday

All City offices will be closed on Friday, December 25, 2020 for the Christmas holiday. Special collections will only be scheduled for Thursday, December 24, 2020.
Eviction Prevention Partnership Grants

Through the Maryland Eviction Prevention Partnership, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is awarding federal Community Development Block Grant funding across local jurisdictions in Maryland to prevent evictions. DHCD had already distributed $2.2 million in Eviction Prevention Partnership grants to eight counties, part of a more than $20 million partnership with Maryland's local jurisdictions. Landlords and tenants should contact their local jurisdiction for more information. This is in addition to the Assisted Housing Relief Program. Moratoriums on evictions during State of Emergency are still in place.
Restaurant Relief Program

County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced an appropriation of $6 million to assist restaurants and food service establishments that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The Restaurant Resiliency Fund will provide grants up to $25,000 to Prince George’s County-based restaurants and food establishments to promote long-term sustainability and resiliency of businesses operations, support COVID-19 safety measures, and support businesses operating at reduced capacity.

Applications will be accepted between November 13, 2020 and December 18, 2020. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Grant will be awarded on a rolling basis. For more information, visit: https://www.pgcedc.com/restaurantfund.
Neighborhood BusinessWorks Opportunity Zone Microgrants

The State of Maryland is offering microgrants to support business investment in Maryland’s designated Opportunity Zones. Administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Neighborhood BusinessWorks Program will be offering "Opportunity Zone Microgrants" ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to start-up and expanding businesses located within an Opportunity Zone. Applications will be accepted beginning November 17, 2020, and funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more eligibility details and application information, visit: https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Business/Pages/OZ-Microgrant.aspx
COVID-19 Assistance Programs

In response to the crisis, the City has created programs to address resident, business, and non-profit organization needs. For more information visit the following:

Business & Individual Grant Statistics:
  • Small Business Assistance Grants awarded: 58 totaling $894,988.71
  • Individual & Family Financial Assistance Grants awarded: 28 totaling $133,666.00

Business Assistance & Facade Improvement Grant Statistics:
  • 6 application awarded, totaling $74,813.42
  • 4 applications pending, totaling $32,607.72
City Updates During COVID-19

Summary of current COVID-19 requirements:

Click here to review a quick summary of current COVID-19 requirements from the State of Maryland and Prince George’s County. This is not a comprehensive list, but is meant to be used as a guide to help all College Park residents understand the requirements, how to report issues, and the enforcement of those requirements.
MDOT SHA Upcoming Project Activity Notice

  • Where: US 1 (Baltimore Ave) College Park Improvement Project between College Avenue/Regents Drive and MD 193 (University Blvd)
  • Activity: Intermittent removal of sidewalks, excavation and electricity infrastructure work beginning September 2020
  • Work Hours for this Activity: Weekdays, 3 a.m. to 11 a.m. Additional work times may be needed to expedite this activity. Equipment used for construction may be disruptive.

For more information, contact Mr. Vladimir Tanchev, MDOT SHA Project Engineer, at 410-925-4596.
A WEEK IN REVIEW
Department of Public Works
Items available to purchase from the Department: 


Click for more information, or visit: www.colllegeparkmd.gov/products.
Curbside Leaf Collections:
Curbside leaf vacuuming will be in the following areas next week: SA6-Rhode Island Avenue East, SA1-Calvert Hills, SA8-College Park Woods, Crystal Springs, Acredale & Patricia Court; SA7-North End and Sunnyside.

During Curbside Leaf Collection, signs are posted in your neighborhood in advance of the scheduled collection dates. To ensure collection, put leaves out by the first day listed, calendar may show more than one day, but we only collect once per street, per collection cycle. The collection calendar will be updated as the schedule changes. Look for signs posted in your neighborhood. Click here for the City’s leaf plan and calendar. Click here for leaf collection tips – do's and dont's.

Due to the large volume of leaves, and COVID-19 related staffing restrictions, we are experiencing difficulties staying on schedule. Rest assured; we will get to your neighborhood as quickly as possible. Also, if you missed your collection date, there are several more opportunities. Click here for the City’s leaf plan calendar.
For any information related to refuse, recycling, or other Public Works related items, contact the Department at: 240-487-3590 or [email protected].

For a list of changes to Special Collection Pickups, including Yard Waste and for information about the Bulk Trash Pilot Program, please visit: www.collegeparkmd.gov/specialcollections.

The Department is located at 9217 51st Ave. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Food Scrap Drop Off Program Kudos:
We would like to take a moment and thank all participants of the Curbside Food Scrap program. Since the program began in April 2019, 31 tons of food scraps have been diverted from the landfill. Your dedication to the program has shown that small changes can make a big impact. There are still some 5-gallon food scrap buckets available to those that want to participate.
Noise and Nuisance Municipal Infractions
November 23 - November 29, 2020
There were no Municipal Infractions for the Noise or Nuisance (Unruly Social Gathering) Ordinances.
Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity
November 20 - November 26, 2020
11/20 Contract officers responded to a call for service for a report of a citizen robbery in the 4700 block of Berwyn Road. No crime was committed. False call.

11/21 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Edgewood Road and 51st Avenue. 3 warning citations were issued.

11/21 Contract officer conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle with loud exhaust in the 8600 block of Baltimore Avenue. One citation issued.

11/22 Contract officers responded to a call for service for a report of a bomb in the 8600 block of 57th Avenue. False call.

11/23 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Saint Andrews Place and Duke Street. 2 citations and 2 warnings were issued.

11/24 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue and issued 9 “Mobile” Camera violations.

There were several premise checks conducted throughout the City.
Statistical Data and Issued:
MD State Citations: 46
Warnings: 39
Equipment Repair Orders: 6
Distracted Driving Citations: 0
Parking Citations: 1
Field Observation Report: 1
Youth Field Observation Report: 0
Citations in Lieu of Arrest: 0
Civil Citation: 0
Criminal Arrests: 0
DWS Arrest: 0
DWI Arrest: 0
Warrant Arrest: 0
Premise Checks: 8
Referral Student Code of Conduct: 0
Downtown Area Pedestrian Warnings: 7
Downtown Area Pedestrian Citations: 0
Berwyn-Lakeland Pedestrian Warnings: 0
Berwyn-Lakeland Pedestrian Citations: 0
North College Park Pedestrian Warnings: 0
North College Park Pedestrian Citations: 0
Monthly Public Safety Maps

The October maps are now available. For monthly Prince George's County Police public safety maps and statistical data for the City of College Park, visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/publicsafety.
CITY EVENTS AND RECREATION
Winter Fly In at the College Park Aviation Museum

Join the College Park Aviation Museum as they host their annual Winter Fly In on Saturday, December 5. Watch Santa Fly In from the comforts of your home, then make a reservation to take a picture and pick up a craft kit. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/yxkosf4t. For questions, please contact Jamie Jones at [email protected].
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Community Meetings
Note: These are not City meetings but have City staff or Contract Police as a host.
PGPD District 1 Coffee Club:
Webinar (every 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.)
Join by phone: 978- 990-5399, Meeting ID: 833 9609 4990, Password: 720306

Community Police Meeting:
Webinar (every 2nd Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m.)
Join by phone: 301-715-8592, Meeting ID: 828 5917 0824, Password: 241758
Office of the City Manager | 240.487.3501 | [email protected] | collegeparkmd.gov