Weekly Bulletin for February 10, 2023

WEEKLY BULLETIN | February 10, 2023

Holiday Closures

All City facilities will be closed on Monday, February 20th in observance of the President's Day holiday. All collections will slide forward one day this week, and special collections will only be scheduled on Friday.

Black History Month

It all started in 1926, when Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week as a way to focus attention on Black contributions to the world. It was timed in February to coincide with President Abraham Lincoln's and Frederick Douglass's birthdays as both men were symbols of freedom.

Fifty years later the event was expanded, and Black History Month was officially designated in 1976 by President Gerald R. Ford, where he told Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." This annual monthly event spotlights the contributions of African Americans and promotes the teaching of Black History. Every year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History chooses a theme for Black History Month; this year's theme is "Black Resistance."

To celebrate Black History Month, the City is hosting a book giveaway! City of College Park residents can claim free copies (of up to three books) that educate and inform on Dr. King's life and his work toward Civil Rights. Learn more here.

Curbside Food Scrap Collection

Join the City's Curbside Food Scrap Collection program to recycle your food scraps and reduce harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change!

City residents can join the program by signing up and purchasing containers at www.collegeparkmd.gov/curbsidecollectionapp. Once you pick up your containers, your collection service will start the following week.

The tonnage of food scraps collected for composting has significantly increased since curbside collections have begun. This demonstrates that as diversion methods are simplified, participation increases. Each of us can make a difference! Join the program at www.collegeparkmd.gov/foodscraps.

Check out the video below for an introduction to the program and other how-to videos.

New Budget Feedback Tool

A Balancing Act is a new online budgeting tool that the City is incorporating to make the process of getting budget feedback from you, our community, even easier.

We are in the early stages of preparing the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024, which begins July 1st of 2023.

We want to hear from you what you think are the most important initiatives for the City to invest in.

To accomplish this, we have set up a survey of nine core initiatives, plus a suggestion box.

You can take the survey at www.collegeparkmd.gov/budgetfeedback.

Learn more about this new tool from the video above.

Livable Community Action Plan Feedback

Feedback requested!

The Senior Advisory Committee and City staff worked with consultants through a grant from M-NCPPC. The consultants drafted an age-friendly livability action plan, based on AARP’s five domains of livability, which encompasses all residents of the College Park community, regardless of age. The Committee is collecting feedback on the Action Plan.

To review the action plan visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/livablecommunity.

Click the link to view the entire action plan on the right-hand side of the page. Comments and feedback may be emailed to: livablecommunity@collegeparkmd.gov

Review the action plan

Edmonston Road Sidewalk Project

Construction of the long-awaited Edmonston Road Sidewalk Project has begun. Construction of the sidewalk, stormwater bio-retention features, and the resurfacing of the road is expected to be completed by late August 2023.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Public Safety Meeting

February 13 | 7:30pm | Zoom

Don’t miss our next Public Safety meeting on Monday, February 13 at 7:30pm! Join the zoom at https://zoom.us/j/96024845217.

Permit Your Project (PYP)

February 16, 2023 | 11 AM-Noon | Zoom

Join the PG County Dept. of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement to learn how to permit your next home project!

Agency experts will discuss home improvement projects that require permits, the processes to obtain them, and how to report unpermitted projects.

Berwyn Permaculture Garden Cleanup Event

March 25, 2023 | 9 AM-Noon | Rhode Island Ave. & Tecumseh St.

Join the Berwyn District Civic Association and City of College Park's Committee for a Better Environment for a spring cleanup of our beautiful permaculture garden!

The City of College Park will provide all the tools and materials for the cleanup. There will be refreshments, such as donuts and coffee.

Please complete the volunteer RSVP here.

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

Department of Public Works

Items available to purchase from the Department:

Call 240-487-3590 for more information, or visit: www.collegeparkmd.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 Changes, please visit: www.collegeparkmd.gov/specialcollections.

The Department is located at 9217 51st Ave. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Reminders:

Soft & Woody Yard Waste

Soft yard waste and woody brush are processed independently into two different end products; therefore, these materials should be prepared separately for collection and further processing. Learn more here.

Urban Tree Protection: Ordinance 21-O-09

This Ordinance requires an application to be submitted for approval to obtain a permit to remove or prune a tree on residential land. You can find the permit application at www.collegeparkmd.gov/TreeRemovalApp

For more information, click here.

Water Main Breaks

As it gets cooler, the risk of water main breaks increases. The first step to repairing a water main is YOU! Report it to WSSC Water 301-206-4002; please have the physical address of the water main break available when you call.

Styrofoam Recycling

A drop-off container is at the entrance to Public Works for block Styrofoam recycling. Only block Styrofoam is accepted in the white cart. No peanuts, cups, plates, or egg cartons are allowed.

City Tree Programs

Trees provide many benefits such as reduction of cooling and heating costs, interception of rainwater, increased property values, and improved air quality. The City offers a few ways to help. More information is available at www.collegeparkmd.gov/trees.

The City is planning for spring tree plantings, so get your requests in soon!

REQUESTS FOR STREET TREES: The City has a program that pays for and provides street tree planting in the right-of-way area, which includes the grass strip between the curb and sidewalk. College Park residents interested in requesting a tree can contact arborist@collegeparkmd.gov. The location will be inspected to determine if it is suitable.

For those that need to replace trees due to storm damage or removals, you can apply for a TCEP reimbursement to help offset the cost.

TREE CANOPY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (TCEP): City of College Park property owners can apply for reimbursement of up to $150.00 annually, for approved tree(s) planted on their residential lot. The completed application should be sent to arborist@collegeparkmd.gov for review and approval. Click here for a link to the guidelines and application.

TREE MAINTENANCE The City is responsible for tree maintenance in the rights-of-way, City maintained buildings and parks, and on public property. Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.

Department of Public Services

Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity

January 27 - February 2

1/28 Contract officer responded to a call for service regarding “drag racers” at Baltimore Avenue and Cherry Hill Road. One vehicle was stopped and cited with 1 citation and 1 SERO.

1/30 Contract officer issued 3 parking citations at 51^st Avenue and Branchville Road for expired tags.

1/30 Contract officer conducted a traffic stop for loud exhaust at Baltimore Avenue/ Delaware Street. The driver was issued 4 warning citations.

1/30 Contract officer conducted a traffic stop for loud exhaust at Baltimore Avenue/Cherry Hill Road. The driver was issued 2 citations and 2 warnings.

Jan 30 to Feb 5 2023:

There were no municipal infractions issued for the Noise Ordinance, for Article I, 141-1 Danger to Public Safety/Health or Article II, 141-13 Unruly Social Gatherings.

Statistical Data and issued

(1/27-2/2):

MD State Citations: 46

Warnings: 83

Equipment Repair Orders: 13

Distracted Driving Citations: 0

Parking Citations: 3

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: 15

Referral Student Code of Conduct: 0

Zone 1/Downtown Area Pedestrian Warnings: 5

Zone 1/Downtown Area Pedestrian Citations: 0

Zone 2/Berwyn-Lakeland Pedestrian Warnings: 0

Zone 2/ Berwyn-Lakeland Pedestrian Citations: 0

Zone 3/North College Park Pedestrian Warnings: 0

Zone 3/North College Park Pedestrian Citations: 0

Loud Exhaust Enforcement Stats:

Citations: 2

Warnings: 6

SERO's: 0

Monthly Public Safety Maps

For monthly Prince George's County Police public safety maps and statistical data for the City of College Park, visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/publicsafety.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Meetings at a Glance

City of College Park Mayor and Council Meetings

Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 - 7:30 p.m.

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 Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83396094990?pwd=WjJVYXZlL2ZxZWFiMTYwYVdqL3hnQT09

Join by phone: 978- 990-5399, Meeting ID: 833 9609 4990, Password: 720306

Office of the City Manager | 240.487.3501 | cpcommunications@collegeparkmd.gov | collegeparkmd.gov