WEEKLY BULLETIN | September 18, 2020
Rain Barrel Event

Join the Committee for a Better Environment for a virtual workshop on Saturday, October 3 at 10 a.m. The workshop will feature a representative from Prince George's County who will speak about the County's Rain Check Rebate program, the College Park Sustainability Coordinator who will speak about related City environmental programs, and others. The event is free and open to all. To register for the event, visit https://CollegeParkRainbarrelWorkshop.eventbrite.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Special Election

Following Councilmember P.J. Brennan’s resignation from City Council effective September 30, 2020, a Special Election will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2020 to fill the vacancy on City Council for District 2. The Special Election will be held at the College Park Community Center (5051 Pierce Avenue) from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, such as candidate qualifications and how to vote, visit https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/181/City-Elections.
Report Flood Damage

Residents should use the assessment tool at bit.ly/PGCFloodDamage or call the Prince George's County Office of Emergency Management at 301-324-4350 to submit any flood damage sustained to their property, from the torrential downpour of rain last week. 

Pepco Energy Assistance and Payment Plans

Pepco is asking customers who may have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to contact them at 202-833-7500 to learn about customer assistance programs and payment arrangements. Energy assistance is also available for limited-income customers through the Maryland Department of Human Services. For more information call the Office of Home Energy Programs at 800-332-6347.
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:

Business & Individual Grant Statistics:
  • Small Business Assistance Grants awarded: 37 totaling $306,791.71
  • Individual & Family Financial Assistance Grants awarded: 14 totaling $53,447.63

Business Assistance & Facade Improvement Grant Statistics:
  • 1 application awarded, totaling $14,620.56 - (last week's amount posted was an error)
  • 8 applications pending, totaling $70,866.33
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.
Count Me in College Park!

There are less than two weeks left to respond to the Census. If you were a student living off-campus in College Park in the spring semester and haven’t completed a census form, please go online now and get counted in College Park. If you have not responded already, please visit 2020census.gov or call 1-844-330-2020 for English or 1-844-468-2020 for Spanish.

Did you know the group quarters process counts people experiencing homelessness, and people living in nursing homes, prisons, missions and dormitories? A complete and accurate 2020 Census can ultimately help organizations provide better services, food distribution capability, and improved shelter options to those in need. Local businesses and non-profit organizations also rely on census statistics to improve where and how they provide services.

Can we count YOU in? Learn more at www.collegeparkmd.gov/census2020 or contact the City's Department of Planning and Community Development at 240-487-3541.
E-Bike and Scooter Share Updates

The VeoRide bike and scooter share pilot program has been extended for another year. There are 150 e-scooters and 100 electric-assist bikes (e-bikes) throughout the service area which includes the City of College Park, Town of University Park, and University of Maryland. Riders can download the Veo app to unlock e-bikes and scooters. E-bikes cost $1.00 to unlock and 20 cents per minute of use and scooters cost $1.00 to unlock and 25 cents per minute of use. Riders can use the Veo bikes and scooters 24/7 off-campus. University hours of operation are from 5am-9pm. Vehicles must be parked at any public bike rack or designated parking area shown in the Veo app within the service area boundary. Additional designated parking zones will be added throughout the City in the form of painted boxes on sidewalks and trails.
  
There is an access program with discounted rates available for those that are eligible for or enrolled in any local, state or federal assistance program. Please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development at 240-487-3541 or email khart@collegeparkmd.gov for more information or to report improperly parked vehicles. 
MDOT SHA Upcoming Project Activity Notice

  • Where: US 1 (Baltimore Ave) College Park Improvement Project between College Avenue/Regents Drive and MD 193 (University Blvd)
  • Activity: Intermittent removal of sidewalks, excavation and electricity infrastructure work beginning September 2020
  • Work Hours for this Activity: Weekdays, 3 a.m. to 11 a.m. Additional work times may be needed to expedite this activity. Equipment used for construction may be disruptive.

For more information, contact Mr. Vladimir Tanchev, MDOT SHA Project Engineer, at 410-925-4596.
A WEEK IN REVIEW
Department of Public Works
Items available to purchase from the Department:
 
55-gallon rain barrels for $72 (don't forget about the County's rain check rebate to offset the cost!). Click here for more information.
 
Yard Waste Carts for City residents for $25. Click here for more information.
 
Backyard Composting Bins for $20 (City residents) and $40 (non-residents). Click here for more information.

SMARTLEAF® Compost ($28/cubic yard) and wood mulch ($12/cubic yard) are available for pick up only. Click here for more information. 
For any information related to refuse, recycling, or other Public Works related items, contact the Department at: 240-487-3590 or publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov.

The Department is located at 9217 51st Ave. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Pepco electric line clearance work will continue as Asplundh crews begin work in the Berwyn and Hollywood neighborhoods. The timeframe for the work schedule in these neighborhoods has been moved up to September from October. Line clearance work in Old Town and Lakeland is nearly complete. 

Food scrap tonnages are up! Last week we had 1,193 pounds of food scraps diverted from the landfill. This is the largest diversion since the program started. If you would like to start diverting your food scraps you can get a 5-gallon food scrap collection bucket at the Department of Public Works.

The last section of the Trolley Trail through the City’s Berwyn neighborhood is substantially completed. 

GAT Mosquito Traps
 
Tired of being bit by mosquitoes in your yard? The City has a limited number of GAT Mosquito traps available to residents for $50.00. These traps are designed to attract and capture mosquitoes without harming birds and bees. They are used successfully throughout neighboring University Park. They work best if they are deployed two per yard. Purchase and pick up at the Department of Public Works, 9217 51st Avenue, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Noise and Nuisance Municipal Infractions
September 7 - September 13, 2020
There were two Municipal Infractions issued for the Noise Ordinance and none issued for the Nuisance (Unruly Social Gathering) Ordinance.
Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity
September 4 - September 10, 2020
9/6 Contract officers responded to a call for service in the 8600 block of Baltimore Avenue for a report of loud music. Music was turned off prior to the officer’s arrival. 

9/6 Contract officer issued a citation for negligent driving in the 8600 block of Baltimore Avenue.

9/7 Contract officers responded to a call for service in the 4300 block of Hartwick Road for a report of a Breaking and Entering in progress. Officers arrived on the scene and determined no crime was committed.

9/8 Contract officers responded to a call for service at in the 10000 block of Baltimore Avenue for motorcycles revving their engines. Disorderly motorist were sent on their way.

9/9 Contract officers responded to a call for service in the 4700 block of Cherry Hill Road for a report of a T/A Robbery. 3 suspects entered the T/A and removed merchandise. As they were exiting the manager confronted them as 1 suspect produced a “Taser” and threatened the employee. The suspects fled in a black Charger. 

9/10 Contract officers responded to a call for service in the 4900 block of Calvert Road regarding a possible suicidal male. The victim voluntarily committed himself as he was transported to the hospital by the fire department personnel. 

Assisted with numerous loud parties calls this weekend. Referrals submitted to the Office of Student Conduct by the city.

There were several premise checks conducted throughout the City.
Statistical Data and Issued:
MD State Citations: 11
Warnings: 9
Equipment Repair Orders: 0
Distracted Driving Citations: 0
Parking Citations: 0
Field Observation Report: 11
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: 14
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 June 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
College Park Day Cancellation
 
We regret to announce the cancellation of the City’s annual College Park Day scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2020 due to COVID-19 and Prince George’s County Executive Alsobrooks’ executive order prohibiting events and large gatherings of 100 people or more. The health and safety of our residents are what’s most important to us as we continue to monitor the situation.
October Cleanup Saturdays & Shredding Event
October 10 & 24 from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Public Works, 9217 51st Avenue, College Park, MD. 20740

The City of College Park Public Works facility will be open for City residents to drop-off bulky trash, white goods, electronics recycling, brush, and yard trim.

You must be a resident of the City of College Park and bring proof of City residency in order to participate, although anyone can buy compost or wood mulch during this event. We will collect gently used items for donation to GreenDrop and Community Forklift.

Special events include:
Paper Shredding - October 10 from 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Paint Recycling - October 24 from 8:00 a.m. to Noon. Yuck Old Paint will be on hand to collect latex and oil-based paint. Paint needs to be in the original container

New This Year! The following will be collected:
Household batteries for recycling. This includes rechargeable batteries such as Li-Ion, Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Ni-Zn; Single-use alkaline batteries such as AA, AAA, 9V, C, D button cell, and lithium primary. No damaged batteries; no automotive batteries.
Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes must be intact. Includes U-shaped or circular fluorescent lamps, High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps, Ultra Violet (UV) lamps, Incandescent Bulbs, Halogen or Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’s).
Block Styrofoam for recycling (coolers and large blocks of packing material). No packing peanuts, cups or plates.
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 | cpcommunications@collegeparkmd.gov | collegeparkmd.gov