WEEKLY BULLETIN | May 29, 2020

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City Updates During COVID-19

www.collegeparkmd.gov/covid19

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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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!

Your response to the 2020 Census is important to your community. Did you know that 55% of College Park households are occupied by renters? Whether you are an owner or a renter, you should respond to the Census based on where you live most of the year. Don’t forget to count everyone that lives with you including roommates, children, grandparents, friends, or other relatives.  Renters are more likely to be missed in the census because they may be moving during the census-taking process. Respond to the census based on who is living in your household on April 1, 2020 or before any temporary relocations due to COVID-19. 

 

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. 

Upper Midtown Land Use Study Input Requested

The City of College Park received a Council of Governments/Transportation Planning Board grant to review constraints and opportunities for possible redevelopment of the study area along Baltimore Avenue (US 1) (Route 1) between University Boulevard (MD 193) and Cherokee Street. The effort is part of a larger goal to promote Route 1 as more livable and safer for all travelers, especially pedestrians.

This project is not a development proposal and the project team is not working with any developers to redevelop the study area. This is a planning study to explore development alternatives and identify multi-modal transportation improvements to enhance the access and connectivity of the study area.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the state-wide stay-at-home order, the project team was unable to host an in-person public meeting to share and discuss possible futures of the area. The project team created the on-line presentation and survey to share information and gather feedback in place of an in-person public meeting.

Please visit https://bit.ly/uppermidtown to learn more and provide your input. The website and survey will remain open until May 31 ^st, 2020. Please use the browsers Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Mozilla Firefox. Microsoft Internet Explorer is not supported.

Limited Community Garden Plots Available

 

Calling all gardeners! A few plots are 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 ten 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.

City of College Park Proclamation

 

At the Mayor & Council Meeting on May 26, 2020, the following proclamation was introduced:

 

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

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.

 

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 [email protected] .

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 bulk trash collection changes will take 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:

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#.

Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity

May 15 - May 21, 2020

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:

Interested in volunteering? Please complete and submit an application  to [email protected] or to your to your City Council representative by May 31st. 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

UPCOMING MEETINGS

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