WEEKLY BULLETIN | November 11, 2022

November Holidays


All City offices are closed on Friday, November 11 for Veteran’s Day observance. Special collections will occur on Thursday, November 10; call early for an appointment.


Due to inclement forecasted weather, the City will be hosting its annual Veterans Day Observance at the American Legion Post 217, 9218 Baltimore Avenue, at 11am to honor the men and women who have served in times of war and peace. Find event details here.


All City offices will close at 12:00pm on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. All City offices are also closed on Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25, for the Thanksgiving holiday; therefore, no special collections will occur during this holiday week.

Good Neighbor Day 

Saturday, November 12, 2022


There are more than 40 service projects, workshops, and donation drives in College Park and neighboring communities for Good Neighbor Day. Volunteer for a service project, register for a workshop, or donate to a food drive on Good Neighbor Day to make an impact in our community. 


Learn more at https://oce.umd.edu/good-neighbor-day.

One Warm Coat Drive

November 16 - December 6


The City of College Park, with One Warm Coat, a national non-profit organization, will once again hold our annual One Warm Coat Drive from November 16 through December 6.


Please donate either new or like-new coats and cold-weather items. Children's coats, hats, and gloves for ages 4-11 are particularly in need.


Help fellow College Park residents in need by donating your clean, new, or like-new coats, hats, and gloves during the City's annual warm coat drive. All donated coats will be distributed to designated local elementary schools for children and families in need.

Find a drop-off location

Redistricting 2022


On October 25, 2022 the Mayor and Council introduced two ordinances on redistricting.


Ordinance 22-O-09 would use the October Plan 1 map for the new district boundaries, and Ordinance 22-O-10 would use Plan 3A for the new district boundaries. There will be a public hearing on these ordinances during the Council Meeting on November 15th. The Council could vote to adopt one of the ordinances at that meeting after the public hearing or could vote at a later meeting.


You can view the two maps at https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/186/Boards-Commissions#RDC and send comments to RedistrictingCommission2022@collegeparkmd.gov


Additional information about the redistricting process is at www.collegeparkmdredistricting2022.com. The interactive maps are updated with the October Plan 1 map and Map 3A.  

Leave public comment 

Curbside Food Scrap Collection


Great news! The curbside collection of food scraps will begin Tuesday, November 15th.

This new voluntary program will divert organic materials, that are not waste, out of our landfill and will reduce harmful greenhouse gases emitted from organic decomposition in landfills, which contributes to climate change. 


Residents can sign up on a rolling basis – join and purchase containers at www.collegeparkmd.gov/curbsidecollectionapp. Once you pick up your containers, your collection will start the following week.


  • The collection day is Tuesday throughout the city.
  • If you haven’t picked up your containers, stop by Public Works, Monday – Friday 7:45am – 3:45pm.
  • If you have questions please check www.collegeparkmd.gov/foodscraps or call Public Works 240-487-3590.  
Sign Up Here

Community Survey 2022


The City is partnering with the ETC Institute to conduct a comprehensive community survey. This upcoming City of College Park Community Survey will measure residents’ attitudes and opinions on City services like refuse and recycling collection, City facilities and parks, City events, and economic development.


This will be the third scientifically representative survey conducted in the City of College Park. A randomly selected sample of College Park residents will receive a mailing from the City and ETC Institute notifying them of their selection in the survey process. Be sure to check your mailbox for more information about the survey. Responses are anonymous. The mailed paper survey will be in English, but a Spanish version of the survey will be available.


Participation in the survey is very important. The results will help City officials better serve the College Park community, so please complete the survey if your household is selected. Help us shape the future of College Park! For any questions about the 2022 City of College Park Community Survey, please call 240-487-3501 or email cpcommunications@collegeparkmd.gov.


Stay tuned to the City’s website, facebook and twitter pages for up-to-date news and information.


Vegetation Management


Asplundh, PEPCO’s contactor, plans to perform vegetation management on Saturday, 11/12/22 in the area at the dead end of the 4700 block of Quebec Street continuing east between 8414 & 8500 48th Avenue in preparation of a planned infrastructure upgrade to the electrical system. Rampant vine growth and small volunteer trees will be removed in preparation for the future planned work that includes a pole replacement, new line and hardware. 

Scam Prevention


To prevent attempted scams during the holiday season, Pepco has joined utilities across North America to help customers fight off scammers. You can learn more here. Here are some tips to help identify scams:


  • Pepco will never come to a customer's home or business to:
  • Demand a payment.
  • Ask for immediate payment with a prepaid cash card or cryptocurrency.
  • Ask for their Pepco account number or other personal information, such as a driver's license number.


  • Pepco will never call a customer to:
  • Ask for their account number.
  • Ask for personal information, such as their Social Security number or bank information.
  • Ask them to make a direct payment with a prepaid cash card.


  • To identify an actual Pepco employee, remember:
  • All Pepco field employees wear a uniform with the Pepco logo, including a shirt and safety vest.
  • Pepco employees visibly display a company ID badge with the Pepco logo and the employee's name.

SHA Project Activity Notice


From Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA): Water line work near Berwyn House Road begins November 7, 2022, weather permitting. Additional work times may be needed to expedite work. All other work remains 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Work is on Baltimore Avenue (Route 1) from Lakeland Road to Quebect Street.


Additional information available at https://mdot-sha-us1-college-ave-to-md193-pg6242116-maryland.hub.arcgis.com/.

Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 2023


The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a time set aside each year, where we as a country, work together, serving others, to make our communities more equitable. We annually observe this day each year on the third Monday in January. As the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service, MLK Day encourages all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.


The theme for the City of College Park’s 2023 Tribute to Dr. King is the Urgency of Now: One Community, One Love.



The City of College Park is providing multiple ways our residents can honor Dr. King's legacy on January 16th and throughout the entire month, including The Art, Visual Art, and Essay Competition. This contest is open to students in grades kindergarten through 12th who live in the City of College Park. Students must submit their entry by Friday, December 2, 2022. Winners will receive a monetary award and be recognized in the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.


For more information about activities celebrating Dr. King, visit our website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Winter Wonderland

December 10 | 4-8pm | City Hall Plaza


Celebrate the holiday season with us at City Hall!

 

Join us at this festive holiday market and tree lighting to

inspire your holiday spirit. Check off your holiday wish list with products from vendors of Shop Made in Maryland!


There will be hot cocoa, coffee and cookies, food, fun activities for kids, live music and carolers, a photo opportunity for the family, a look at gingerbread houses, and a visit

from the man himself-Santa Claus!


Add to your College Park Holiday by stopping by and spreading a little cheer with your neighbors. Check out event details here.


Gingerbread House Competition

December 1 - 31


Do you enjoy making cookies and are also a secret architect? Have you always wanted to build that dream home out of confections?



Join this year's City of College Park Gingerbread House Competition! Enter as a single individual or a group. Follow the rules and get to baking! When your creation is complete, fill out this form entirely.


We will announce winners on December 10th at the City's Winter Wonderland event. We want your creative, wacky, whimsical, and best designs. All City of College Park residents are encouraged to participate in the competition; anyone can attend the event.


Top entries will be displayed at City Hall over the holiday season!


Please note that by participating in City events, you acknowledge and assume all risks and liabilities including possible exposure to illnesses, including but not limited to COVID-19. Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged.

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. 

SmartLeaf Compost and Wood Mulch


Compost is $28.00 per cubic yard, and wood mulch is $12.00 per cubic yard. Material may be picked up Mon.-Fri. between 8:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.


Deliveries are finished for the season, but material is available year-round (while supplies last) at the Department of Public Works, 9217 51st Avenue, College Park, MD 20740.


For more information on compost click here, or wood mulch click here. For further questions, please call 240-487-3593.


For more information about purchasing Compost or Wood Mulch please visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/gardens.

City Tree Programs


Trees provide many benefits such as reduction of cooling and heating costs, interception of rainwater, increasing property values and improving air quality. The City offers a few ways to help. More information is available at www.collegeparkmd.gov/treesFall street tree planning is happening now, send in your requests! 


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 Brenda Alexander at 240-487-3590 or horticulturist@collegeparkmd.gov. The location will be inspected to determine if it is suitable.


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 horticulturist@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.

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.


Beginning July 1, 2022, trees on residential property within the City of College Park, greater than 36 inches in circumference measured at 4.5 feet above ground level, on which the property owner wants to remove or prune live branches or wood more than 20% will need to submit an application to the Department of Public Works for a tree removal/pruning permit and receive approval prior to beginning planned tree work. A requirement of the tree removal/pruning permit is that urban tree(s) approved for removal are replaced.


You can find the permit application at www.collegeparkmd.gov/TreeRemovalApp


For more information, click here.

Curbside Leaf Collection

Curbside leaf collection week of November 14-18:

  • Monday, November 14 – SA7 North End/Sunnyside
  • Tuesday, November 15 ­– finish in SA7 North End/Sunnyside; start in SA3 Estates and Yarrow
  • Wednesday, November 16 – finish in SA3 Estates and Yarrow; start in SA1 Calvert Hills
  • Thursday, November 17 – finish in SA1 Calvert Hills
  • Friday, November 18 – SA2 Old Town/West Knox; start in SA8 CP Woods, Crystal Springs, Acredale & Patricia Court (will finish any unfinished roads of SA8 on Monday, November 21).


The calendar may show two days in an area, but we only collect once per street per collection cycle, so put them out by the first day to ensure collection.


Click here for November’s calendar.


During Curbside Leaf Collection, signs are posted in your neighborhood in advance of the scheduled collection dates. The collection calendar will be updated as the schedule changes. Look for signs posted in your neighborhood. Click here for the City’s leaf plan and calendar.


TIPS – THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF LEAF COLLECTION!

• Bagging is not necessary during leaf collection with vacuums. Grass can be included in your leaf piles, but no sticks, branches, vines, or woody materials (as these items require a special collection).

• Rake leaves to the curb but do not put them in the street. Pile leaves away from cars and storm drains as the leaf vacuum cannot reach around cars.

• Remove tree limbs, rocks, trash, and other debris from leaves to be collected. These items damage the equipment and cause delays.

• Noise and dust may be noticeable as dry conditions generate more dust. We apologize for any inconvenience.

• When signs are posted, rake leaves to the curb. To ensure collection, put leaves out by the first day listed. Calendar may show two days in an area, but we only collect once per street per collection cycle.

Department of Public Services

Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity

October 28 - November 3

10/31 Contract officer responded to a call for service for a homeless male sleeping in the laundry room at 4800 Berwyn House Road. The male was located and sent on his way.


11/1 Contract officer responded to a call for service for a homeless male threatening the employee in the 7200 block of Baltimore Avenue. The male was located and sent on his way.


11/1 Contract officer responded to a call for service for a homeless male loitering in the 4400 block of Calvert Road. Officers were unable to locate the individual. 


11/2 Contract officer conduct a traffic stop for loud exhaust at Baltimore Avenue/ College Avenue. The driver was issued 7 citations and 5 equipment repair orders. 

 

Oct 31, 2022 to Nov 6, 2022:

 There were no municipal infractions issued for the Noise Ordinance, or none for Article I, 141-1 Danger to Public Safety/Health or Article II, 141-13 Unruly Social Gatherings.

Statistical Data and issued

(916-9/22):

MD State Citations: 22

Warnings: 68

Equipment Repair Orders: 10

Distracted Driving Citations: 0

Parking Citations: 0

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: 14

Referral Student Code of Conduct: 0

Zone 1/Downtown Area Pedestrian Warnings: 0

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: 0

SERO's: 4


Year to date Statistics (starting 4/19/21):

Citations: 545

Warnings: 145

SERO's: 129

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, November 15, 2022 - 7:30 p.m.

Mayor and Council Worksession


Tuesday, December 6, 2022 - 7:30 p.m.

Mayor and Council Regular Meeting

CLICK HERE to join the meeting 

Zoom ID Number: 923 9857 4069


Dial in Phone Number: 301-715-8592

  • After dialing the phone number, enter the meeting ID when prompted, press #.
  • There is no participant ID, press #.
  • Enter the meeting password 419048, press #.


CLICK HERE for detailed instructions on how to use Zoom.


Please note: participants will be muted during the meeting, except during public comment.


CLICK HERE for the City's calendar


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
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