WEEKLY BULLETIN | January 20, 2023

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.

FY2023 Community Services Grant

The Community Service Grants provide partial funding for community-based programs and projects within the City of College Park. The City of College Park believes that supporting community activities enhances the community as a whole. The City will provide grants for programs and activities that promote enhanced community opportunities for its residents. Community Services Grants are only awarded to organizations, not to individuals.

Please complete this form by January 27, 2023.

Curbside Food Scrap Collection

This new voluntary program will divert organic materials, that are not waste, out of our landfill and help 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.

Tips for a successful collection:

•  A contractor is providing the collection service. We recommend placing your container out before 6:00 a.m. or the night before your scheduled pick-up to avoid a missed collection.
• Your container should be directly in front of your house, and if possible, at the end of your driveway so that it is clearly visible from the street (no alley collections)
• Keep your container away from trash and recycling carts, or other obstacles.
• If you run out of compostable bags, you can use a paper bag, or put food scraps loosely in the container.
• Our contractor, Compost Crew, will send a reminder email the day before your collection. They will also send a notice if your container is not found.
• If you will be away and want to skip a week, please email publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov and let us know the week(s) you would like your service suspended.

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

ARPA Mental Health Assistance



The City has established programs to assist businesses, nonprofits, and residents address the negative financial impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Program Act (ARPA) has provided funds that the City is using for these and many other projects.

College Park residents of all ages may be reimbursed for up to $5,000 per household for mental health services received OR invoices may be paid directly to service providers.

Learn more here.

Rhode Island Avenue Crosswalk

The rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) crosswalk signal on Rhode Island Avenue at Duvall Field has been repaired. Thank you for your patience. Please remember that drivers and bicyclists must yield to pedestrians who have the right of way in crosswalks.

Road Closure Notification

Please be advised, on Monday January 23, 2023, a 550-ton crane will be set up in front of 4321 Hartwick Road to hoist roofing materials. The backup day is Tuesday January 24^th. The road closure will begin at 2:00 a.m. Monday January 23^rd and the road will reopen at 8:00 p.m. Local Non-Through traffic will be allowed up to the road closure. Flaggers will be directing traffic and pedestrians during the closure.  

WSSC Work

Next week, WSSC Contractors will be working in the 7400-Block of Columbia Avenue, the 6700-Block of Rhode Island Avenue, and the 7200-Block of Bowdoin Avenue. Please use caution in the work zones.

Four Reasons Why College Park is an Exciting Place to Grow

College Park's economy is growing, with exceptional talent retention and talent pipeline growth, and affordable housing. Be a part of our success!

Learn more about College Park at www.collegepark.life.

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

City Holidays & Public Works Refuse Collection Schedule

See below for a list of City holidays and refuse and collection schedule for 2023. Requests for special pickups will be limited during weeks when a holiday is observed. Please refer to the latest Resident Guide for questions on refuse, recycling, and yard trim collection or visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/refuse.

Winter Weather Alerts

Be prepared for winter. Visit our website for more information on the steps the City takes when there is a wintery mix in the forecast.

The Department of Public Works plows and treats City maintained streets and City parking lots to clear snow and ice during winter storms. Public Works crews are staffed around the clock during snow emergencies to clear the 51 road miles of City streets. For questions, or to report a City road that hasn't been plowed, please contact the Department at 240-487-3590. 

Updates will be posted on the City’s website, all City social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and emailed (sign up 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.

Curbside Leaf Collection is Finished for the Season

All leaves must be correctly prepared for collection. Use paper yard waste bags, the beige yard waste cart, or a personal reusable container with a yellow City yard waste sticker on it. Stickers are available for free in the lobby of Davis Hall.

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.

Are you interested in having a tree planted on your residential property?

The City is gauging interest in a potentially new tree-planting program for residents. Planting is planned for the spring.

If you are interested in having a tree planted on your property by a contractor, please complete this form. Select “Tree planting on residential property” and fill out the remainder of the form or contact arborist@collegeparkmd.gov

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.

Yard Waste Preparations

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.

• Soft yard waste (grass, leaves, flowers, weeds and soft clippings that are less than ½” in diameter) is picked up year-round on your regularly scheduled collection day.

• Woody yard waste (branches, shrubs, brush, and small logs) is collected year-round on Thursday and Friday by appointment only. Please email publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov or call 240-487-3590 to schedule a collection.

• No loose brush, branches or yard waste.
• Preparation: bundle and tie with biodegradable material, use paper yard waste bags, the beige yard waste cart, or personal reusable containers* for either type of source separated material. *Personal containers must have a yellow City yard waste sticker; free stickers are available at DPW.
• Separate soft material from woody material. Place each type of source-separated material in a separate container.
• Bundles of woody material must be no more than 4 feet long and comprised of individual branches up to 4 inches in diameter.
• Individual bundles must not exceed 2 feet in diameter or weigh more than 50 pounds and must be tied with biodegradable material.
• Logs must be cut into 12-inch sections and no more than 12 inches in diameter. A maximum of 25 logs will be collected at a scheduled pick up.
• Do not use plastic bags, or the city-issued refuse or recycling carts
• Do not mix lumber, trash, dirt, rocks, or other unacceptable items in with yard waste.
• Place at the curb by 7:00 am
• Material that is oversized and requires the use of a crane will be charged at a cost of $100 per collection, per hour
• Material improperly set out for collection will not be collected. A door hanger error notice will be left informing you of the problem.

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.

Department of Public Services

Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity

January 6 - January 12

1/6 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Iroquois Street and 50^th Place. 4 warning citations were issued

1/7 Contract officer conducted a traffic stop for loud exhaust at Baltimore Avenue/ College Avenue. The driver was issued 8 citations and 1 SERO as his tags were suspended. 

1/7 Contract officer conducted a traffic stop for loud exhaust at University Blvd./Gold Course Drive. The driver was issued 2 citations and 3 warnings. 

1/7 Contract officer conducted a traffic stop for loud exhaust at University Blvd./Gold Course Drive. The driver was issued 2 citations and 2 warnings. 

1/8 Contract officer issued 2 parking citations to a white Toyota for parking over 72 hours and displaying suspended tags in the 7400 block of Columbia Avenue.

1/10 Contract officer recovered 3 stolen vehicles that were parked (parking lot) at Corporal Frank Scott Drive and Campus Drive.

1/10 Contract officers responded to a call for service for a Breaking and Entering in the 9700 block of 51^st Place. The call was not verified.

1/11 Contract officer conduct a traffic stop for loud exhaust in the 5000 block of Berwyn Road. The driver was issued 2 citations and 3 warnings. 

Jan 9 to Jan 15, 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

(1/6-1/12):

MD State Citations: 40

Warnings: 82

Equipment Repair Orders: 9

Distracted Driving Citations: 0

Parking Citations: 0

Field Observation Report: 1

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: 5

Referral Student Code of Conduct: 0

Zone 1/Downtown Area Pedestrian Warnings: 15

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: 14

Warnings: 8

SERO's: 1

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

Citations: 616

Warnings: 164

SERO's: 147

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.

Community Meetings

Note: These are not City meetings but have City staff or Contract Police as a host.