WEEKLY BULLETIN | March 19, 2021
Bike to Work Day

The Washington, DC region’s 20th Anniversary Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 21, 2021. Even if you’ll still be working from home in May, get exercise by biking to a T-shirt Pickup Point (pit stop at Duvall Field) and then back home to work for the day. The first 15,000 who register and arrive at a pit stop by bike will receive a free T-shirt. Use this link to register: https://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/register.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCMAGLEV High-Speed Rail Project

The comment period for the Draft Programmatic Agreement (PA) for the Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (SCMAGLEV) High-Speed Rail Project has been extended to Monday, May 24, 2021.  

Earlier this month FRA and MDOT MTA announced the schedule for the public hearings for the SCMAGLEV DEIS. The hearings will be held virtually in consideration of COVID-19 protocols, as follows:

•           Tuesday, April 6, 2021 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
•           Thursday, April 8, 2021 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
•           Saturday, April 10, 2021 – 10 a.m. to Noon, and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

More information on the virtual public hearings can be found here. A press release from MDOT detailing the comment period extension has been posted to the project website, here.  
Sustainability Survey

The Committee for a Better Environment (CBE) wants to hear from you about making College Park greener! College Park is committed to going green to create a more livable city that has lower impacts on the Earth. CBE is a volunteer committee of residents dedicated to making College Park greener. We would like to hear from you about steps you are taking to be sustainable and any actions the City can take.

Results from this survey will help us understand what residents are doing to go green in their lives, how sustainable College Park is overall, and provide important information about what residents think are priorities for the City.

Please take a few minutes to tell us about your activities and views on sustainability. We want to hear from homeowners, renters, students - everyone who lives in College Park. The survey is also available in English and Spanish. This is a fairly quick survey and should be reflective of your current practices. The survey is anonymous. Please complete the survey by Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 11:50 p.m. Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Limited Community Garden Plots Available
 
Calling all gardeners! A few plots are available at the Old Town Community Garden and Hollywood Garden. Garden plots are $15 and are on a first-come first-serve basis. Submission of an application does not guarantee availability. The Department of Planning and Community Development will follow up with plot availability and payment options after the application is received. Please apply for plots at collegeparkmd.gov/communitygardenapp. For more information, contact [email protected]v.
Cherry Hill Road Water Main Replacement

Crews working for WSSC Water will be in your neighborhood soon to replace our aging pipes as part of our comprehensive water main replacement program. Construction to replace approximately 7,653 feet/1.42 miles of WSSC water mains is expected to begin on or about Wednesday, March 10, 2021 and be completed by January 2022, weather permitting. Final restoration of sidewalks, roadways and landscaping will take place within 90 days of construction completion. Projects completed during the winter months will be restored the following spring.
 
Please see the project map to view the streets where work will be taking place. A WSSC Water inspector will supervise the work, which is being performed by BA Construction, Inc. For more information, visit: https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=229.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will offer relief to landlords on behalf of renters and tenants experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic through its third round of funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The program opened Thursday, March 4, 2021. For more information visit: https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3703/Emergency-Rental-Assistance-Program.
Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund

With the passage of the RELIEF Act of 2021 by the Maryland General Assembly, new COVID-19 relief will soon be made available for certain Maryland businesses through the Maryland Department of Commerce.

Applications are not being accepted yet, however, businesses should be ready to apply once the time comes. The website will be updated as details about these Commerce programs become available.
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.
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.
SMARTLEAF® Compost & Wood Mulch:

Compost deliveries have resumed on a limited basis. Delivery is available for an additional fee, or material may be picked up Monday through Friday, 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. For more information, visit: www.collegeparkmd.gov/compost or call 240-487-3590.
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.
College Park Tree Programs

Would you like a street tree planted in the right of way in front of your home? Spring tree plantings are being planned. If you are interested, please reach out to [email protected].

Why plant trees on your property? Trees provide many benefits for homeowners, including interception of rain water and reduction of storm water runoff, reducing residential cooling & heating costs, carbon sequestration, and increasing property values (just to name a few). For more information, visit: www.collegeparkmd.gov/trees.
Trees, Water, Animals, and People & Introduction to Forest Bathing 

The Prince George's County Forestry Board is offering a free class on "Trees, Water, Animals and People" & "Introduction to Forest Bathing" on Tuesday, April 6 at 7 p.m. Use this link to register: https://tinyurl.com/PGCTrees.
Free Tree Give-a-Way

The Prince George's County Forestry Board is giving away free willow oak trees (1-2' whips) on Saturday, April 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Riverdale Park, 6602 Rhode Island Avenue and on Saturday, April 10 from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Prince George's County Soil Conservation Office, 5301 Marlboro Race Track Road, Upper Marlboro. The limit is two trees per family. Supplies are limited, so use this link to register: https://tinyurl.com/TreeGiveaway2.
Noise and Nuisance Municipal Infractions
March 8 - March 14, 2021
There were no municipal infractions issued for the Noise Ordinance, Article I, 141-1 Danger to Public Safety/Health or Article II, 141-13 Unruly Social Gatherings.
Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity
March 5 - March 11, 2021
3/5 Contract officers received a call for service regarding disorderly persons in the 9150 block of Baltimore Avenue. Management asked involved parties to be removed from the motel.

3/5 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue and issued 25 “Mobile” Camera violations.

3/5 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 4900 block of Greenbelt Road and issued 4 “Mobile” Camera violations.

3/5 Contract officer observed a traffic violation (spinning tires, excessive speed) in the 5000 block of Greenbelt Road. Traffic stop was conducted at Cherrywood Lane and Rt. 193. The vehicle was impounded, and several citations were issued.

3/6 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue and issued 20 “Mobile” Camera violations.

3/9 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Edgewood Road and 51st Avenue. 4 citation and 6 warnings were issued.

3/9 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue and issued 148 “Mobile” Camera violations.

3/10 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Saint Andrews Place and Duke Street. 4 citation and 6 warnings were issued.

3/10 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Edgewood Road and 51st Avenue. 1 citation and 1 warning were issued.

3/11 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Edgewood Road and 51st Avenue. 2 citations and 1 warning were issued.

There were several premise checks conducted throughout the City. 
Statistical Data and Issued:
MD State Citations: 28
Warnings: 47
Equipment Repair Orders: 16
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: 0
DWS Arrest: 0
DWI Arrest: 0
Warrant Arrest: 0
Premise Checks: 6
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 February 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
WSSC Community Meeting - EVENT RESCHEDULED!
March 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting ID: 92474847949, Passcode: 417551

Join the City of College Park and WSSC for a community meeting regarding the claims process for sewage backflow on Monday, March 29, 2021 at 7 p.m. Use this link to participate: zoom.us/j/92474847949. Or, dial in at 301-715-8592.
Former Stone Straw Industrial Property Meeting - SAVE THE DATE!
April 5 at 7:00 p.m.

The City of College Park will host a Zoom meeting open to all residents to discuss the status of the Stone Straw property (9207 51st Avenue). The meeting will cover land use and zoning, recent development proposals, the impacts of industrial versus residential use, and options for the future. A panel of elected officials, City and M-NCPPC staff, and a traffic consultant will provide information and respond to your questions. More details to follow, but please mark your calendars and join the discussion on this large property. 
April Cleanup Saturdays 
April 10 & 24 from 7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Public Works, 9217 51st Avenue, College Park
*Yuck Old Paint Event is on Saturday, April 10th

The City of College Park's Department of Public Works will be collecting household goods for GreenDrop and recycling for household batteries (limit 10 batteries, no automotive); light bulbs (limit 4); and fluorescent tubes (limit 2). Residents can receive one cubic yard of Compost free during the event. Residents can bring bulk trash, appliances, metals, electronics for recycling, brush and yard waste, and block Styrofoam. All appliance, TV and monitor fees will be waived during this event. Proof of residency is required. Yuck old paint will be collected at $5 per can on Saturday, April 10. See below for details.

Yuck Paint Details:
  • Latex and oil paint only in any condition (no spray paint)
  • Paint must be in original containers. In order for the paint to be properly used, the contents on the inside must match the label on the outside.
 
Payment Terms:
  • Payment will be collected on-site in the form of cash, credit card, or check.
  • Residents pay $5/per can (quart, 1-gallon, 5-gallon bucket)
  • There is no limit on the number of households who want to participate, nor a limit on the number of cans per household. 
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