WEEKLY BULLETIN | June 19, 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
Continuing the Conversation: Town Hall on Community and Race Relations Virtual Forum - Save the Date!
June 30, 2020
7:00 p.m.

The City of College Park is bringing together a cross section of our community to discuss race relations and how we can begin healing. This will be a chance for knowledgeable and invested voices to share space to discuss the importance of real change and how to move forward. The purpose is to have an honest conversation, not a debate. Panelists will be announced in the coming days. Use the link to participate online: https://zoom.us/j/94655550522 or dial in at 301-715-8592.
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!

Responding to the Census is important for public health. Federal money guided by census data helps fund the following health-related programs:


The City of College Park urges all households to fill out the form online at my2020census.gov , 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 [email protected] 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 has re-opened to the public. Customers must wear a face covering and practice physical distancing measures.

  • Excel Tree Expert Co. Inc is performing mature tree care work in the City; 24 trees will be removed and 11 will be pruned. Thirteen of the 24 trees to be removed are either dead or declining.
  • The landscape crew has been pruning vegetation along the streets and trails to improve clearance for vehicular and pedestrian passage as well as for line of sight visibility.
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.
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.  
Noise and Nuisance Municipal Infractions
June 8 - June 14, 2020
There were no Municipal Infractions issued for the Noise or Nuisance (Unruly Social Gathering) Ordinances.
Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity
June 5 - June 11, 2020
6/5 Contract officer conducted a traffic stop for negligent driving at Baltimore Avenue and Knox Road. The driver received a criminal citation for possession of 28 grams of marijuana.

6/8 Contract officer responded to a call for service for a report of a “suspicious vehicle” parked in the 8700 block of 38th Avenue. A stolen check revealed the vehicle was reported stolen to PGPD (College Park Area). The vehicle was impounded for safekeeping.

6/9 Contract officer working with the Parking Enforcement Officer issued citations to 2 vehicles that were not registered in the area of 51st Street and Nantucket Road.

6/9 Contract officer conducted a traffic stop at Nigara Road and Rhode Island Avenue for a vehicle that displayed tags issued to another vehicle. The officer noticed the driver was consuming “beer” while driving. The driver was issued several citations for various infractions.

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.”

6/9 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9100 block of Baltimore Avenue. 35 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

6/9 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 44 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

Note: On April 18th units responded to a shooting in the 8700 block of Baltimore Avenue in which the victim was rushed to PGGH in critical condition. The victim was transferred to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. On June 10th the victim succumbed to his injuries as the investigation is ruled a homicide.

There were several premise checks conducted throughout the City.
Statistical Data and Issued:
MD State Citations: 8
Warnings: 2
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:1
Civil Citation: 0
Criminal Arrests: 0
DWS Arrest: 0
DWI Arrest: 0
Warrant Arrest: 0
Premise Checks: 20
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 [email protected] .
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 [email protected] 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
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, July 7, 2020 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Mayor and Council Worksession

Tuesday, July 14, 2020 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Mayor and Council Regular Meeting

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: TBD
Office of the City Manager | 240.487.3501 | [email protected] | collegeparkmd.gov