WEEKLY BULLETIN
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March 22, 2019
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Renovations at the Crystal Springs playground are nearly complete! The old play structure was removed, and new outdoor fitness equipment has been installed. The rainy weather delayed the installation of the rubberized safety surface, but that should be completed early next week (weather permitting).
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Free Shuttle-UM Bus Passes for City Residents
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Did you know that City residents can get FREE Shuttle-UM passes? The Shuttle-UM bus has stops throughout the campus and City. Complimentary passes can be obtained from City buildings (like City Hall); just bring your ID and proof of City residency.
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Good Neighbor Day Food Drive
March 11 - April 8
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The University of Maryland's Office of Community Engagement is hosting a Good Neighbor Day food drive now through April 8th, benefiting the College Park Community Food Bank and the UMD Campus Pantry.
They are collecting clear, canned and boxed food and drink items including dried pasta, rice, grains or beans, low sodium canned or dried soups, pasta sauce, baby food, canned fruit, 100% fruit juice, low sodium/no salt added canned vegetables or beans, low sugar cereal and canned fish or poultry.
For more information or to register to participate in Good Neighbor Day (April 13), visit
goodneighborday.umd.edu
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US 1 (Baltimore Avenue) from College Avenue to MD 193 (University Boulevard) Work Notice
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From Maryland State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA):
US 1 (Baltimore Avenue) from College Avenue to MD 193 (University Boulevard)
ELECTRICITY INFRASTUCTURE RELOCATION WORK NOTICE
Beginning this March, utility crews will be working along US 1 within the project limits specified above performing electricity infrastructure work and will intermittently close traffic lanes during the following weekday hours:
- Northbound: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Southbound 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Drivers should add extra commute time and use alternate routes during this work. The work may require temporary work zone sidewalk closures. Pedestrians will be directed via signage to the safest crossing in the work zone—including those on the opposite side of the road. Additional work hours and lane closures may be necessary to complete all phases of work and keep the project on schedule. Progress permitting, this electricity infrastructure relocation work should be complete by early fall. Equipment used for this work may be disruptive.
For more information about this US 1 electricity infrastructure relocation work, please contact Mr. John Gover, Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) District 3 Area Construction Engineer at 301-513-7336 or
wgover@sha.state.md.us
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Early Gardener Special - 25% off SMARTLEAF® Compost!
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Calling all gardeners - get the City's screened SMA
RTLEAF® Compost for 25% off now thro
ugh April 30, 2019!*
Sale is for Pickup Only.
For a limited time only, the City is offering our top-grade screened compost for only $21/cubic yard – 25% off its regular price of $28/cubic yard!
You must pick-up your purchase at the Department of Public Works (9217 51st Avenue), Monday
through Friday, between 7:30 - 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. The Department will be open on Saturdays in April from 7:30 a.m. until noon.
*Discount is for pick up only. While supplies last. City residency is not required.
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Office of the City Manager
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City Manager Scott Somers and Finance Director participated in a conference call with Davenport, the City’s financial advisory, concerning the timing of a bond sale. The bond sale proceeds would help to finance the new City Hall Project and potentially several smaller projects such as Duvall Field improvement and the Baltimore Ave. Pedestrian Lighting Project. The City Council will be asked to introduce a bond ordinance in early June in order to plan for a bond sale in early September and a closing around mid-September.
City Manager Somers and the Public Works Director attended the Committee for a Better Environment (CBE) meeting. We discussed several of the challenges the City is attempting to resolve with regards to Bulk and Special Trash service. Those challenges are: increasing costs, equity and fairness to taxpayers and residents, promoting recycling and reusing items, and the safety of City crews. Committee members and guests participated in the discussion, many offering helpful and thoughtful suggestions. City staff offered to assist the CBE subcommittee working on pay as you throw (PAYT) recommendations with finalizing their report. We agreed that a follow up CBE committee meeting to continue the conversation would be helpful prior to bringing the item back to a City a Council worksession.
The City hosted an intern through UMD’s Intern for a Day Program. She visited and learned about most City departments and services. She was awed at the end of the day by all the services the City provides our residents and by how much she learned. She was effusive about what a great day she had. She’s also looking for a summer internship, so beware!
The City’s management team participated in their weekly staff meeting to discuss and summarize the previous night’s Council meeting and to prepare for next week’s Council meeting.
City staff and the City Attorney reviewed and discussed the right of way (ROW) and street lane widths planned for the Western Gateway Project, a planned townhome and graduate student housing development west of Mowatt Lane and south of Campus Drive. This area is not currently within the municipal boundary of the City of College Park. The developer has expressed interest in being annexed into the City. As part of an annexation agreement, the developer would need to agree to comply with certain standards such as ROW and travel lane widths.
Concerning the City Hall Project, City staff participated in a conference call with the City’s development consultant, HR&A, to discuss how best to divide ownership of the City Hall block once the project is complete. The City and the Terrapin Development Company (TDC) currently own the parcels that comprise the block (most of which is currently owned by the City). HR&A will complete an analysis of credits and debits associated with current and future ownership, the results of which will be utilized as part of a development agreement between the City and the University. City Council will be asked to consider approving the development agreement at a future Council meeting.
The City Hall Project Team, which includes representatives from the City, the University, the TDC, the Project Manager, and the Project Contractors, met for its regular meeting. Participants reviewed updated schematics and concept plans. The City has had to pare down some of the anticipated programming due to budget constraints. An update on programming, design, costs, and timeline is tentatively schedule for the April 16 City Council meeting.
City Manager Somers, Human Resources Director Jill Clements, and Human Resources Generalist Teresa Way-Pezzuti prepared for and participated in continued bargaining unit negotiations with the AFSCME labor union which represent a number of employees in the City’s Public Works Department. Once a draft agreement has been finalized, City staff will present and discuss the Agreement with the Mayor and City Council in a Closed Session meeting, currently scheduled for April 2, 2019. Final approval of the Agreement will occur in Open Session at a subsequent meeting.
City Manager Somers and Assistant City Manager Bill Gardiner attended a monthly City Managers’ luncheon and meeting. The meeting serves as an opportunity to exchange information with managers from other municipalities on programs and process improvements.
City staff participated in a Hollywood Streetscape kick-off meeting with the consultant hired to finalize streetscape plan and improvements. It’s anticipated the project will be completed in FY 20-21. For more information, visit the City project page at
www.collegeparkmd.gov/hollywoodstreetscape
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The Mayor and Council, and City staff participated in an all-day worksession reviewing and discussing the FY 20 Proposed Budget. More information on the Proposed Budget can be found at
www.collegeparkmd.gov/budget
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Department of Planning, Community & Economic Development
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Hollywood Gateway Park Bi-Weekly Construction Update: The environmental and sediment controls were installed and approved by Prince George’s County. Some rough grading has occurred and the foundation for the pavilion is being dug. Weather permitting, the concrete will be poured the week of March 25. No problems have been identified and the project is on schedule.
Zoning Applications Accepted by M-NCPPC: EZ Storage College Park, south side of Branchville Road near its intersection with Rhode Island Avenue. This is a revision of a previously approved Detailed Site Plan (DSP-15031-01, DDS-648 & DPLS-459) for a 122,190 SF consolidated storage facility. It will tentatively be heard at the Prince George’s County Planning Board on May 23, 2019 and reviewed by the College Park City Council on May 7 and May 14, 2019.
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Department of Public Works
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Request for Exemption from Adult Mosquito Control Services:
Maryland Department of Agriculture's Mosquito Control Program will begin again in late May. Any resident who wishes to have his/her property excluded from adult mosquito control pesticide applications by truck-mounted ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayers must fill out this form annually. Click
here
for application.
The field lights at Duvall field were repaired. All fixtures are now operable for use during the spring sports season.
Landscape plantings at James Adams Park, Calvert Road median and Duvall Field have been weeded, cleaned and have had fresh mulch installed.
Compost and wood mulch deliveries have resumed.
Power-washed and painted the Parking Garage 1st floor elevator lobby.
The City’s new food scrap drop-off pilot program will begin on April 1st at Public Works, 9217 51st Avenue, and will be accessible 24/7. For more information, please
click here
.
Sp
ring is a great time to plant trees. If you would like a tree planted in the right-of way in front of your home please contact Brenda Alexander to discuss options, 240-487-3595 or
balexander@collegeparkmd.gov
.
Are you thinking of adding a tree to your property this Spring? The City has a program to reimburse the cost (up to $150.00) of approved trees on private property, it’s called the Tree Canopy Enhancement Program (TCEP). Click
here
for more information and application.
Save the Date: Spring Cleanup Events
April is spring cleanup month. The Department of Public Works, 9217 51st Avenue, will be open each Saturday from 7:30 a.m. – noon for City residents to drop-off bulky trash, electronics for 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.
- Document shredding. Onsite document shredding services will be available on Saturday, April 20, during the Cleanup event from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Bring your paperwork to be shredded while you wait. Residency is required.
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For any information related to refuse, recycling, or other Public Works related items, contact the Department at: 240-487-3590 or
The Department is located at 9217 51st Ave.
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Items available to purchase from the Department:
50-gallon rain barrels for $72.
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.
Click here
for more information.
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Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity
March 8 - 14, 2019
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From the Prince George's County Police Department: When you are out and about, please remember to remove valuables from an unattended vehicle.
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3/9
Contract officer initiated a field stop on an individual with an open alcoholic beverage at Yale Avenue and College Avenue. A student referral was completed and sent to the university.
3/10
Contract officer responded to a call for service for a report of a breaking and entering in progress in the 9500 block of 48th Avenue. Contract officer arrived on the scene first and discovered that the incident was domestic related. The beat officer arrived on the scene and handled the incident.
3/11
Contract officer responded to a call for service for a report of a man down in the roadway at Edgewood Road and 51st Avenue. Contract officer arrived on the scene first and discovered that the individual was intoxicated and under the influence of CDS. The male refused treatment from EMS. SOW (sent on way).
3/12
Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 5000 block of Paducah Road. No violations noted.
3/13
Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Ave. (118 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”)
3/14
Contract officer conducted a traffic stop in the 9200 block of Baltimore Ave. The officer cited 2 persons (non-students) for possession of CDS on a Civil Citation.
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Statistical Data and Issued:
MD State Citations: 33
Warnings: 96
Equipment Repair Orders: 4
Distracted Driving Citations: 0
Parking Citations: 1
Field Observation Report: 4
Youth Field Observation Report: 0
Citations in Lieu of Arrest: 0
Civil Citation: 2
Criminal Arrests: 0
DWS Arrest: 0
DWI Arrest: 0
Warrant Arrest: 0
Premise Checks: 5
Referral Student Code of Conduct: 0
Zone 1/Downtown Area Pedestrian Warnings: 0
Zone 1/Downtown Area Pedestrian Citations: 2
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
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1st Thirsty Thursday
Thursday, April 4, 2019
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Nando's Peri Peri
5051 Pierce Ave
Join the City/University Community every FIRST Thursday (of most months) for 1st Thirsty Thursday! Eat, drink and have laughs with colleagues and neighbors!
This event is appropriate for children of all ages (1 to 101). The upcoming April event will be held at Nando's Peri Peri in Downtown College Park (7400 Baltimore Ave).
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Brunch with Bunny
Saturday, April 6, 2019
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
College Park Community Center
5051 Pierce Ave
You're invited to Brunch with Bunny!
Join us on Saturday, April 6 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at the College Park Community Center (5051 Pierce Ave).
The first 200 guests will enjoy free refreshments, photo ops with the Bunny and friends, arts and crafts and a special show by magician Tim Hall from 11:15 until noon.
Presented by the City of College Park's Recreation Board.
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Spring Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 13, 2019
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Youth & Family Services
4912 Nantucket Road
It's the City of College Park's Annual Spring Egg Hunt!
Join us on Saturday, April 13 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the City's Youth and Family Services (4912 Nantucket Rd) for a spring-time fun egg hunt. There will be face painting, games, prizes, arts and crafts, meet the Bunny and more!
This event is free and for all ages.
For more information, contact the Department of Youth, Family and Senior Services at 240-487-3550.
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Good Neighbor Day
Saturday, April 13, 2019
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
College Park Community Center
5051 Pierce Ave
Join more than 900 volunteers for more than 20 service projects throughout Greater College Park in a community-wide day of service for the 8th Annual Good Neighbor Day on Saturday, April 13!
Good Neighbor Day is a collaborative partnership between the University of Maryland, the City of College Park, and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). The event brings together the College Park community to beautify shared spaces, educate and engage in sustainable practices, and take pride in Greater College Park.
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Meetings at a Glance
City of College Park Mayor and Council Notice of Meetings
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Saturday, March 30, 2019 - 7:45 a.m.
Tuesday, March 26, 2019 - 7:30 p.m.
- Mayor and Council Regular Meeting, followed by a Budget Worksession
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Public Hearing on Ordinance 19-O-05 amending Chapters 110, 119 and 161 of the City Code regarding Bulky Trash THIS PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN DELAYED
- Public Hearing on Ordinance 19-O-07, Amending Chapter 132, Litter and Graffiti, to increase illegal dumping fines
- Public Hearing on Ordinance 19-O-08, Amending Chapter 172, Streets and Sidewalks, to regulate installation and maintenance of wireless telecommunications facilities in the rights-of-way
Tuesday, April 2, 2019 - 7:30 p.m.
- Mayor and Council Worksession
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