WEEKLY BULLETIN | March 5, 2021
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 March 25, 2021 at 11:50 p.m. Thanks in advance for your feedback!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.

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.
Restorative Justice Steering Committee

On June 9, 2020, the Mayor and Council passed Resolution 20-R-16 Renouncing Systemic Racism and Declaring Support for Black Lives. The Resolution called for a restorative justice process to address the harms caused to the Lakeland community, particularly during the urban renewal process.

To this end, the Mayor and Council plan to establish a Restorative Justice Commission. As a first step toward this goal, the City is establishing a Steering Committee to help guide the process. The Steering Committee will be asked to complete its work within a short period of time, and its work will be done upon the presentation of its recommendations to the City Council.

Are you interested in serving on the Steering Committee? If so, please complete the application at: www.collegeparkmd.gov/boardapp and submit it to Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk, at jsmiller@collegeparkmd.gov. The application deadline has been extended to March 15, 2021. Members will be drawn from the Lakeland community (including former Lakeland residents) and the community at large. We are particularly interested in identifying people who have experience with restorative justice processes. For more information, visit our website, contact citymanager@collegeparkmd.gov or call 240-487-3501.
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 khart@collegeparkmd.gov.
WMATA's Fiscal Year 2022 Proposed Budget

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) released its Fiscal Year 2022 proposed budget. The proposed budget includes closing the College Park – UMD station, eliminating bus route 86 (which serves College Park and the Route 1 corridor) and modifying bus route 83 to terminate at Greenbelt Metro station. Other proposed changes to the Metrorail system are 30 minute service frequencies between trains, currently 12 minutes, and a decrease in parking fees from $5.20 to $4.95 in Prince George’s County. Public Hearing dates are March 8, 2021 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., March 9, 2021 at 6 p.m. and March 10, 2021 at 6 p.m. For more information, visit: https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget/.
Prince George's County Plan to Reopen Schools

Prince George’s County Public Schools will begin hybrid learning in April, with families able to opt in or out. Families can choose to split students’ time between in-person classes two days a week and remote learning or stay all-virtual. For more information, visit: https://www.pgcps.org/reopen/.
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.
For any information related to refuse, recycling, or other Public Works related items, contact the Department at: 240-487-3590 or publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov.

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.
SMARTLEAF® Compost & Wood Mulch

Compost deliveries resume on a limited basis starting this week.

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.
Noise and Nuisance Municipal Infractions
February 22 - February 28, 2021
There was one Municipal Infraction issued for violations of the Noise Ordinance. There were six municipal infractions issued for two incidents of violation of Article I, 141-1 Danger to Public Safety/Health and none issued for Article II, 141-13 Unruly Social Gatherings.
Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity
February 19 - February 25, 2021
2/20 Contract officer assisted the Mobile Crisis Unit in the 9000 block of Rhode Island Avenue while they spoke to a mentally disturbed resident.

2/22 Contract officers responded to a call for service for the sound of gunshots in the 4700 block of Tecumseh Avenue. Officers recovered 9 shell castings as the investigation is ongoing. 
2/23 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Edgewood Road and 51st Avenue. 1 citation and 4 warnings were issued.

2/23 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Saint Andrews Place and Duke Street. 2 citations and 3 warnings were issued.

2/23 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 Baltimore Avenue and issued 50 “Mobile” Camera violations.

2/24 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Edgewood Road and 51st Avenue. 2 citations and 3 warnings were issued.

2/25 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Saint Andrews Place and Duke Street. 2 citations and 4 warnings were issued.

2/25 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Edgewood Road and 51st Avenue. 1 citation and 1 warning were issued.

2/25 Contract officers responded to a large party complaint in the 7500 block of Dickinson Avenue. Officers observed 80-90 persons leaving the party. A student referral was submitted.

There were several premise checks conducted throughout the City.
Statistical Data and Issued:
MD State Citations: 24
Warnings: 56
Equipment Repair Orders: 7
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: 23
Referral Student Code of Conduct: 1
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 December 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
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: Monday, March 8 meeting will discuss pedestrian and road safety
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 | cpcommunications@collegeparkmd.gov | collegeparkmd.gov