WEEKLY BULLETIN | June 12, 2020
Show Your College Park Pride!

Incorporated on June 7, 1945, the City is turning 75 this year! And while we are unable to celebrate in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic ( more information here ), we still want to celebrate with you! During this pandemic, we have seen so much amazing community spirit that we would like to continue showcasing it through the Show Your College Park Pride Contest!

We want to see and hear your stories and pride for College Park! Submit your videos, drawings and photos of your College Park spirit. All video and image entries will be made into a video collage to showcase our wonderful residents and their favorite memories. We can’t wait to see your creativity and what you’ll send!

By submitting your favorite memories, you will be entered to win a $50 gift card from the College Park business of your choosing (as long as the business you choose has the capability to issue a gift card, certificate, voucher, etc.). Winners will be randomly selected. 

For more information on how to enter and contest rules and guidelines, please visit our website at www. collegeparkmd.gov/75thanniversary.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
June Public Focus Groups for the City of College Park FY21 – 25 Strategic Plan

The City of College Park is working on our next 5-year Strategic Plan for the City and we want your help! Our goal is to capture our residents’ feedback to ensure we understand where you see College Park in the future. We have three virtual public focus groups remaining, so act fast to share your thoughts and perspective. Each focus group will have eight participants; to participate, you must register for a spot. Below are the available dates and times:


After registering, click here to complete a demographic survey. Survey completion is required for registration, as the data collected will be used to compare participants demographic information to the entire College Park population. For more information, visit our website at www.collegeparkmd.gov/strategicplan.
Count Me in College Park!

College Park is behind the state and county in self-response rates for the 2020 Census. The state overall response rate is 65.2%, Prince George’s County is 62.9% and City of College Park is only at 42.9%. We need you and your neighbors to complete the census at https://my2020census.gov, over the phone, or by mail. The City loses out on $18,250 over ten years for each person that does not complete the form. It only takes a few minutes but makes a large impact on your community. 

The City of College Park urges all households to fill out the form online, over the phone, or by mail. For more information, visit  https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/census2020  or contact the Planning Department at 240-487-3538. 
Limited Community Garden Plots Available
 
It’s not too late to plant summer crops such as beans, corn, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, and squash. A few plots are still available at the Hollywood Garden. Please email Katie at khart@collegeparkmd.gov for availability and an application form. Garden plots are $15 and are on a first-come first-serve basis. Social distancing guidelines must be followed including no more than 10 people allowed in the garden at a time, stay six feet away from others, and avoid the garden if you are exhibiting symptoms of any illness. Wearing a mask is also recommended. 
Purple Line Construction Updates

Beginning on or about June 22, 2020, the Purple Line will implement a traffic shift at the intersection of Regents Drive and Campus Drive for utility relocations and installation of track. This work will be ongoing for approximately 7 months. The traffic shift can be viewed here: https://plmdnews.com/srn.

For all Purple Line updates, please visit www.purplelinemd.com/construction/construction-updates .
Maryland Department of Transportation / State Highway Administration
Reconstruction of US Route 1 (Baltimore Avenue)

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin construction this month on a three-year, $29 million project to improve safety and operations for motorists, bicyclist and pedestrians along US 1 (Baltimore Avenue) from College Avenue/Regents Drive to MD 193 (University Boulevard) in College Park. This 1.4-mile project also supports revitalization and traffic relief along this highly traveled stretch of US 1. Construction is scheduled to begin after Memorial Day. Click here to see an online presentation with an overview of the project and its construction schedule.
A WEEK IN REVIEW
Department of Public Works
The Department of Public Works crew did the following this week:

  • Installed 6 Hand Sanitizing Units in City parks

  • Opened, cleaned and filled the Lomax Fountain, located at Paint Branch Elementary School in Lakeland. The fountain is now operational.
For any information related to refuse, recycling, or other Public Works related items, contact the Department at: 240-487-3590 or

The Department is located at 9217 51st Ave. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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.

It’s not too late to get your gardens looking good with Smartleaf ® compost and wood mulch. Customers can pick up product and we can load product on trucks and trailers. Hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 - 11:30 am and 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Deliveries can be arranged for an additional fee. Compost is $28.00 per cubic yard, and wood mulch is $12.00 per cubic yard.

All buildings are still closed to visitors; therefore, customers should call 240-487-3590 from the parking lot to pay by credit card for their product prior to entering the yard. All customers must wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. To request a delivery please click here . For more information call 240-487-3590 or email publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov .
Notice of Adoption of Ordinance 20-O-01

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.  
Mosquito Spraying is Cancelled for the Season

The City received notification from Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Mosquito Control Section that they will not be conducting the adult mosquito control spray portion of their program this season.

The Department of Public Works staff contacted our local County mosquito control representative at MDA to inquire further about the cancellation and was told budget constraints and COVID-19 are the primary reasons for the program changes. The mosquito control section is not permitted to hire summer staff, which assist with the adult spray portion of the program. They anticipate being able to conduct larviciding activity in areas of known standing water until they exhaust their supply of insecticide; they have not been authorized to purchase more product. 

Residents can still report high populations of mosquitos via MDA’s online form:  https://www.doit.state.md.us/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=740Kl54#.
Noise and Nuisance Municipal Infractions
June 1 - June 7, 2020
There were no Municipal Infractions issued for the Noise or Nuisance (Unruly Social Gathering) Ordinances.
Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity
May 29 - June 4, 2020
5/29 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 4800 block of Greenbelt Road. 23 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

5/29 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 33 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

5/29 Contract officer conducted high visibility patrol regarding the protest near the Target Department Store located at Baltimore Avenue and College Avenue. The event went peaceful with no police services needed.

5/29 Contract officers and beat officers responded to a call for service for report of a T/A Armed Robbery in the 4700 block of Melbourne Place. Investigation reveals 3 males entered the pharmacy and produced a handgun and removed property belonging to the T/A. The suspects fled in a white jeep. Investigation is ongoing.
 
5/30 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 38 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

5/31 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 38 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

6/2 Contract officer on routine patrol heard a vehicle with a loud exhaust in the 10,000 block of Baltimore Avenue. The vehicle was stopped as the driver was issued 3 citations.

6/3 Contract officers conducted a premise check at the Target Department Store located at Baltimore Avenue and College Avenue.
There were several premise checks conducted throughout the City.
Statistical Data and Issued:
MD State Citations: 3
Warnings: 0
Equipment Repair Orders: 0
Distracted Driving Citations: 0
Parking Citations: 0
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: 1
Premise Checks: 18
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 April 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 .
BOARD AND COMMITTEE NOTICES
Part-time Contract Secretary Position Available

The City is seeking a part-time Contract Secretary to attend and record evening Board and Committee meetings. This position requires a reliable person with strong grammar and secretarial skills to prepare a summary of the proceedings, make approved revisions, and provide a final set of minutes in a timely manner. This assignment does not require word-for-word reporting. Meetings are conducted at public facilities in College Park on weekday evenings.

Contract rate is $22.00 per hour, guaranteed two hours per meeting, plus preparation of minutes at $11.00 per half-hour. We estimate six to twelve hours per month to start, depending upon Committee assignments. Please submit cover letter and resume to: College Park City Clerk’s Office, 8400 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 375, College Park, MD 20740, or email cityclerk@collegeparkmd.gov .
Volunteers Wanted
Are you interested in serving on a City advisory board?

Serve your community, lend your talents, and meet your neighbors. The following advisory boards have vacancies:

  • Advisory Planning Commission -1 Vacancy (District 1 or 4)
  • Animal Welfare Committee - 4 Vacancies (District 2, 3 or 4)
  • Bee City USA - 9 Vacancies (all Districts, or someone who works in the City)
  • Board of Election Supervisors - 1 Vacancy (at large)
  • Committee for a Better Environment - 13 Vacancies (all Districts)
  • Education Advisory Committee - 2 Vacancies (District 1 & 2)
  • Ethics Commission - 1 Vacancy (District 4)
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Committee Between 1 – 5 vacancies (District 3 and 4)
  • Noise Control Board - 1 Vacancy (District 2)
  • Recreation Board 2 Vacancies (District 1 & 2)
  • Seniors Committee - 2 Vacancies (any District)
  • Veterans Memorial Committee - Up to 7 Vacancies (2 members from District 2; 1 member from Districts 3 and 4 all districts)

Interested in volunteering? Please complete and submit an application   to jsmiller@collegeparkmd.gov or to your City Council representative by August 1, 2020. For detailed information on City advisory boards, please visit our website by clicking here .

For additional information regarding vacancies, please contact the  City Clerk’s office , your City Council representative or visit our website at www.collegeparkmd.gov/186/Boards-Commissions.
CITY EVENTS AND RECREATION
4th of July Cancellation

We regret to announce the cancelation of the City’s annual Independence Day Celebration due to COVID-19 and Governor Hogan’s executive order prohibiting gatherings of ten people or more. The health and safety of our residents are what’s most important to us as we continue to monitor the situation.
LGBTQ Pride Month

In June, Americans unite to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month. The City of College Park commemorates this occasion by displaying the rainbow flag at Davis Hall.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
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: TBD
Office of the City Manager | 240.487.3501 | cpcommunications@collegeparkmd.gov | collegeparkmd.gov