WEEKLY BULLETIN | July 24, 2020
Councilmember Brennan Resigns, City Council Vacancy Announced in District 2

City of College Park District 2 Councilmember P.J. Brennan has announced his resignation from City Council, effective September 30, 2020. His resignation creates a vacancy on City Council for District 2 which will require a Special Election later this year. "Nick and I have been looking for a house that suited the needs of our growing family and a unique opportunity arose in Calvert Hills;” said Councilmember Brennan, "we’re also glad we found our new home in the City of College Park because it has one of the lowest tax rates in our area and excellent City services."

According to the City’s Charter, because this vacancy occurs more than 180 days prior to the next general election, a special election must be held within 65 days after the vacancy exists. The date and details of the upcoming Special Election will be announced soon, after the College Park Board of Election Supervisors have met. Information regarding candidacy and the election will be published on the City’s website ( www.collegeparkmd.gov/elections ) as well as through other City communication channels. For further information about the Special Election, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at  [email protected] .

Councilmember Brennan first joined the City Council in December 2013. He and his husband Nick have lived in the City for more than nine years and have two children. "We will miss our home in Berwyn. We’ve made some great friends and memories here. We’ll still be around to visit friends, walk the Trolley Trail, and shop at local stores" stated Councilmember Brennan.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Jack Perry Award

In February 2013, the College Park City Council established an award in recognition of Councilman John Edward “Jack” Perry. 

Councilman Perry served on the College Park City Council from 1979 to 1983 and from 1989 to 2011, for a total of 26 years. From the time he moved to College Park’s Berwyn neighborhood in 1969, until his death in 2012, Jack was deeply committed to serving his community, which he demonstrated by spending many hours working to improve the quality of life for all who lived and worked in College Park. Through the years, he volunteered on numerous associations, boards, coalitions, task forces and committees at the neighborhood, city, county and state levels. This Award will recognize a member of the community who emulates Councilman Jack Perry’s legacy of public service.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the award, a person must be at least 18 years of age and a registered voter or legal resident of College Park.

Criteria: The Jack Perry award will recognize a College Park resident who has participated to an extraordinary degree in neighborhood, civic, or municipal affairs within the City in a manner that improves public spaces, fosters community cohesion, eradicates blight, informs discussion of public issues, provides leadership, and/or furthers the best interests of the City as a whole. 

Nominations: Nominations are now being accepted. Nominations must be submitted in writing to the City Clerk, City of College Park, 8400 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 375, College Park, MD, 20740, or by e-mail to [email protected] no later than September 30, 2020. Nominations will be reviewed by a Committee that includes a member of the Perry family. This non-monetary award will be presented by the City Council in the fall.
The Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation

At the July 14th Mayor and Council Meeting, Resolution 20-R-18 was adopted. It is a friendly water use and pollution reduction competition between U.S. cities and is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National League of Cities. The City of College Park encourages its residents to take the Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation by making a series of online pledges at www.mywaterpledge.com to reduce their impact on the environment in August. To view the Resolution, visit https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2288/Mayors-Challenge-for-Water-Conservation.
Pepco Tree Line Clearance Work

Pepco tree line clearance work will begin soon in the City. For details, including a map of planned work locations, please visit https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=157 .
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:

City Updates During COVID-19

Please visit the City's dedicated COVID-19 website for all the latest information about the City's response and local resources during the pandemic.

The website is updated frequently, so please check often.
Count Me in College Park!

It is not too late to respond to the Census online at my2020census.gov or call 1-844-330-2020 for English or 1-844-468-2020 for Spanish. Congratulations to Rya Griffis, College Park’s Census Outreach Coordinator for being recognized as a Maryland 2020 Census Champion! Rya was hired by the City’s Department of Planning, Community, and Economic Development using funds from the Maryland Census Grant Program. Rya has forged partnerships with leadership at the University of Maryland and U.S. Census Bureau in order to achieve an accurate count for an area often plagued with under counts due to a transient population. Rya served as a panelist on the “Count Me In” series shared on Instagram Live. She has also been at the forefront of counting the immense student population in College Park by partnering with landlords and property owners to educate students on where to count themselves. As a Master’s student in the UMD School of Public Health, she has effectively bridged the topics of COVID-19 and the medical resources secured by federal funding from Census data.
BUSINESS & INDIVIDUAL GRANT STATISTICS
Total Applications Received :
Small Business Assistance Grants = 28
Individual & Family Financial Assistance Grants = 18

Total Approved :
Small Business Assistance Grants = $47,465
Individual & Family Financial Assistance Grants = $6,240
A WEEK IN REVIEW
Department of Public Works
For any information related to refuse, recycling, or other Public Works related items, contact the Department at: 240-487-3590 or [email protected] .

The Department is located at 9217 51st Ave. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Notice of Adoption of Ordinance 20-O-01: Special Trash Collection
 
In January 2020, the Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance 20-O-01 which made changes to the collection of Special Trash. It prohibits placement of materials at properties that did not generate the materials; sets fees for collection and fees for Refuse, Recycling and Yard Waste receptacles; and sets penalties for violations.
 
Effective May 1, 2020, the following special trash and brush provisions went into effect:
 
1.    No Contractor-generated construction materials will be collected; however, small home-improvement material that is generated by the resident and properly set out will be collected.
2.    Soft and Woody Yard Waste that is properly set out will be collected; however, Soft and Woody Yard Waste that is oversized and requires the use of a crane will be charged at a cost of $100 per collection, per hour
3.    Certain materials set out for collection will require a fee. These include:
·      a.    Appliances - stoves, air conditioners, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, dehumidifiers, furnaces, water heaters, grills, etc. - $20 per item
·      b.    Televisions and monitors - $20 per item
·      c.    Tires - $4 per tire
4.    Mattresses must be wrapped in plastic, or placed in a plastic mattress bag, in order to be collected.
5.    Oversized, overweight, improperly sorted material, or collections requiring use of a crane, will be assessed a fee of $100 per collection, per hour. 
6.    Refuse Carts: The City will provide up to two refuse carts free of charge per household. There will be an annual cost of $50 for a third refuse cart. A maximum of three refuse carts are allowed per household.  
Temporary Electronics Drop Off Location

City of College Park residents can bring electronics for recycling to a temporary drop off box near the entrance of the front doors to Davis Hall. Must have a valid College Park ID. No more than 3 items to be disposed of.

  • Acceptable: TVs, monitors, mouse pointers, keyboards, microwaves, gaming systems, computers, hard drives, cell phones, printers, laptops, surge protectors, copiers, fax machines, telephone systems, cable, circuit boards, and toner cartridges.

  • Unacceptable: Light bulbs (CFL or Tubes) or batteries of any kind. 
SMARTLEAF®   Compost and Wood Mulch

Customers can purchase and pick up product Monday – Friday from 8:00 - 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. We will load product in open bed trucks or trailers. Please come into the building to make your purchase. Compost is $28.00 per cubic yard, and wood mulch is $12.00 per cubic yard.

Deliveries can be arranged for an additional fee. To request a delivery please click here. For more information visit collegeparkmd.gov/compost or call 240-487-3590 or email [email protected] .
Noise and Nuisance Municipal Infractions
July 13 - July 19, 2020
There were no Municipal Infractions for the Noise or Nuisance (Unruly Social Gathering) Ordinances.
Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity
July 10 - July 16, 2020
7/11 Contract officers responded to the 7500 block of Princeton Avenue with patrol in reference to a male under the influence of CDS. The male was taken to the hospital for a mental evaluation (EPS).

7/11 Contract officers responded to the 9600 block of Milestone Way with patrol in reference to a naked male under the influence of CDS. The male was taken to the hospital for a mental evaluation (EPS).

7/11 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 28 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

7/14 Contract officer conducted speed enforcement at Branchville Road and 51st Avenue. 2 citations and 1 warning were issued.

7/15 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 53 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

7/15 Contract officers responded to 4900 block of Hollywood Road with patrol in reference to male pulling on car doors. The male was located, and a Field Observation report was completed.

There were several premise checks conducted throughout the City.
Statistical Data and Issued:
MD State Citations: 5
Warnings: 3
Equipment Repair Orders: 0
Distracted Driving Citations: 0
Parking Citations: 0
Field Observation Report: 0
Youth Field Observation Report: 0
Citations in Lieu of Arrest: 0
Civil Citation: 0
Criminal Arrests: 1
DWS Arrest: 0
DWI Arrest: 0
Warrant Arrest: 0
Premise Checks: 13
Referral Student Code of Conduct: 0
Downtown Area Pedestrian Warnings: 0
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 June 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
U.S. Census Drive-up Completion & Distribution Event
Saturday, July 25, 2020
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
College Park Church of the Nazarene, 9704 Rhode Island Ave.
 
Join us on Saturday, July 25th, from 10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. at College Park Church of the Nazarene, 9704 Rhode Island Avenue, College Park, MD. There will be free meals, coffee and doughnuts, backpacks, PPE, Census swag items and most importantly the opportunity to complete your Census on the spot! Please note there is a limited supply available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Follow us on IG: @pgc_communityrelations and Twitter: @PGCCommunity for updates on upcoming events and more!
Virtual Q&A with Joshua Thomas
 
Join us on Wednesday, July 29th at 7:30 p.m. as we host a virtual Q&A with Prince George's County District 2 Board of Education representative Joshua Thomas. The discussion will include an assessment of the 2019/2020 school year along with plans for the upcoming school year. To join, please visit the link: https://zoom.us/j/97952972640 or dial-in at 301-715-8592. Sponsored by the City's Education Advisory Committee.
College Park Day Cancellation
 
We regret to announce the cancellation of the City’s annual College Park Day scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2020 due to COVID-19 and Prince George’s County Executive Alsobrooks’ executive order prohibiting events and large gatherings of 100 people or more. The health and safety of our residents are what’s most important to us as we continue to monitor the situation.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Meetings at a Glance
City of College Park Mayor and Council Meetings will be held virtually until further notice.

CLICK HERE   to join  the meeting 
Zoom ID Number: 923 9857 4069
Zoom Password: CPjoinMCM

Dial in Phone Number: 301-715-8592
  • After dialing the phone number, enter the meeting ID when prompted, press #.
  • There is no participant ID, press #.
  • Enter the meeting password 419048, press #.

CLICK HERE for detailed instructions on how to use Zoom.

Please note: participants will be muted during the meeting, except during public comment.
Tuesday, August 4, 2020 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Mayor and Council Worksession

Tuesday, August 11, 2020 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Mayor and Council Regular Meeting
Community Meetings
Note: These are not City meetings but have City staff or Contract Police as a host.
District 1 Coffee Club:
Conference Call (every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.)
Dial-in number: (978) 990-5399
Access code: 8911108

Community Police Meeting: next meeting on August 10th
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