Apr
9
2021
The County Budget Public Hearings will take place on Mary 4 and May 11 at 5:00 p.m. Review the proposed budget and learn more here: https://pgccouncil.us/454/Budget-Portal
Register to speak on May 4 or 11 via the “eComment” links for those dates here.
Apr
8
2021
NCPCA – It’s Your Neighborhood Association
Tonight is the second Thursday of the month and hence the day when the NCPCA holds its monthly meeting.
The meeting will start with a presentation by the Maryland Coalition for Responsible Transit (MCRT) about the proposed Maglev project.
The members will discuss the latest update by Mansionization Committee.
Councilmembers Kabir and CM Kennedy will give an update on Hollywood Streetscape & Dog Park respectively.
Finally, the members will discuss an Update on the Stone Straw property.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6185490686
Meeting ID: 618 549 0686https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6185490686
One tap mobile: +13017158592,,6185490686# US (Washington DC)
Dial by your location: +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 618 549 0686
Apr
7
2021
At last night’s meeting, the City Council discussed a proposed License Agreement with Hollywood Center, LLC and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Hollywood Farmers Market, Inc.
The Hollywood Farmers Market launched in 2013 under the management of HFM and its volunteer Board of Directors. In 2014, Julie Beavers was hired by the City as the Market Manager and has been instrumental in the growth and success of the market. The City pays the Market Manager, including the insurance coverage for her activities. The weekly markets run from early May to late November, opening at 9:00a.m. and closing at 1:00p.m. with approximately 33 market days per season.
On March 15, 2021 Aaron Springer, President of HFM, reached out to the City for assistance in managing the 2021 market season. HFM is unable to secure permits from the County for the upcoming market season because the corporation must file additional paperwork to resolve an issue with the state. Mr. Springer is seeking a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the City for the 2021 market season through which the City would undertake certain additional responsibilities for the market.
Under the proposed MOU, for the 2021 season the City would have the following new responsibilities (a) Entering into a Licensing Agreement with Carrolton Enterprises, owner of the Hollywood Shopping Center (b) Obtaining insurance for the Farmers Market. (c) Applying for the permit through Prince George’s County, Department Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE). The City would continue the following (a)Funding the salary for the Market Manager. And (b) Performing the annual fire inspection conducted by the Department of Public Services. HFM would be responsible for the following (a) Recruiting and managing volunteers. (b) Assisting the Market Manager with market operation, to include set up and break down, vendor placement and management, security, parking, removal of trash, litter, and recycling.
[City of College Park]Apr
6
2021
Are you concerned about loud noise from speeding vehicles on our city streets? What about loud parties during weekends? What do you think we can do more to help address this important quality of life issue?
Please attend next Monday’s “Community Police Meeting”, where we’ll discuss the loud noise in the community. City staff, and experts on noise laws, plus our police officers, who often enforce these laws are expected to be in the meeting.
Additionally, we’ll also discuss the latest crime map and the Neighborhood Watch program. Please see below how to join the conversation and share with your neighbors! Thank you!
When: 7:30 pm, Monday, April 12, 2021
Join by Zoom: http://b.link/CPCommunityPolice
Join by phone: (301) 715 – 8592, Meeting ID: 863 9609 7322, Password: 464259
Apr
5
2021
On January 28, 2020, the Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance 20-O-02 to amend City Code Chapter 119, “Refuse, Solid Waste and Special Trash” and Chapter 110, “Fees and Penalties.” The amendments changed how bulky trash is collected; set fees for collections of an excess number of items; and set penalties for violations.
According to the Ordinance, for a single-family, owner-occupied residence: Up to four bulky refuse collections per calendar year, with a maximum total of 20 bulky refuse items, will be free of charge to the resident. For quantities and/or frequency more than stated above, a $20 collection fee per item over the allowable number of items will be imposed. The Ordinance 20-O-02 also asked for one year, the charge for bulk trash items will be waived, and will not be assessed until further action of the Mayor and Council. During the one-year period, the City will develop a billing system to track collections of bulk trash by the property, gather additional data with respect to bulk trash, and notify owners of the number of bulk trash items collected from their property and the charge, if any, that would have been assessed if the fee were in effect.
At tomorrow’s meeting, the Department of Public Works will provide the results of the one-year pilot program on Bulk Trash. The pilot period ran from March 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021. During this time, the Department of Public Works collected data on the number of collections and number of items called in per property address. Please see the key results of the collected data in the graphics. At tomorrow’s meeting, the Mayor and Council will review the results and will determine if it now should terminate the fee waiver.
Apr
4
2021
April Cleanup Saturdays
April 10 & 24 | 7:30 a.m. to Noon
The City of College Park’s Department of Public Works (9217 51st Avenue) will be hosting its annual April Cleanup Saturdays events where residents can drop off bulk trash, yard waste, electronics for recycling, and more.
Proof of City residency is required for participation.
Residents and non-residents can also purchase compost and wood mulch at these events.
This April, the Department of Public Works will be collecting household goods for GreenDrop as well as collecting household batteries (limit 10 batteries, no automotive), light bulbs (limit 4), and fluorescent tubes (limit 2) for recycling. Residents can also bring bulk trash, appliances, metals, electronics for recycling, brush and yard waste, and block Styrofoam.
All appliance, TV and monitor fees will be waived during this event.
Residents can get one cubic yard of the City’s Smartleaf screened compost for free during the event. Limit 1 cubic yard per resident; proof of residency required. Bring an open bed truck or your own containers and shovels to pickup.
Yuck old paint will be collected on Saturday, April 10 at $5 per can on Saturday, April 10. See below for details.
Yuck Paint Details:
• Latex and oil paint only in any condition (no spray paint)
• Paint must be in original containers. In order for the paint to be properly used, the contents on the inside must match the label on the outside.
Payment Terms:
• Payment will be collected on-site in the form of cash, credit card, or check.
• Residents pay $5/per can (quart, 1-gallon, 5-gallon bucket)
• There is no limit on the number of households who want to participate, nor a limit on the number of cans per household.
Apr
3
2021
The College Park Aviation Museum has officially reopened! For information on how to register to visit and upcoming programs, visit https://conta.cc/31wNsGJ.
In order to better serve our community, the College Park Aviation Museum will have new hours of operation starting Tuesday, March 30th, 2021.
The museum will be open Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm. We will not be open on Mondays.
The museum is looking forward to seeing you back in our galleries!
To schedule your tickets, please follow this link
Apr
2
2021
Every year, 3 million tons of fertilizers and 33,500 tons of synthetic pesticides are used on U.S. lawns to make them look “perfect”, but these chemicals end up in our waterways, air, are ingested by wildlife, and ultimately wreak havoc on our environment.
The idea of pristine, manicured lawns originated in the 18th century as a status symbol among the elite, and dandelions were given the negative reputation of being a weed. Dandelions are one of the first spring flowers and serve as an important food source for pollinators. Help us #ProtectPollinators and #SaveTheDandelions by making the switch to organic lawn care!
https://momsorganicmarket.com/save-the-dandelions/
ORGANIC LAWN CARE TIPS:
Drop off your old chemicals at your local hazardous waste collection site then start experimenting with these tips!
Water less frequently and when you do, use more water to promote deep root growth.
Keep grass 3” or higher to help retain water.
To fertilize, add compost or worm castings and leave grass clipping on your lawn after mowing.
Use natural pesticides like cedar, neem, citrus oil, cayenne pepper, or eucalyptus oil.
If you absoutley can’t live with dandelions, kill them and other weeds naturally with apple cider vinegar, table salt, dish soap, or boiling water.
Maintain 8+ inches of topsoil to encourage microbial growth.
Overseed, or completely replace, your lawn with native grasses.
Apr
1
2021
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is setting up a vaccination site on Metro’s Greenbelt parking lot, according to Greenbelt Mayor Colin Byrd.
Byrd, who announced the vaccine center on Monday, said the FEMA-run site will operate from early April through June and come with additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine beyond Prince George’s County’s usual allotment.
The Federal Pilot Community Vaccination Center is scheduled to open on April 7 and will serve the surrounding communities in Prince George’s County. Work is currently underway to set up the site, which will be located in the parking lot area, and it will be fully staffed and operated by FEMA personnel.
According to Metro, signage will provide guidance to the vaccination site from the Metrorail station and parking areas. Parking in a designated lot will be available at no cost to those getting vaccinated. Marylanders interested in receiving a vaccination can pre-register online at covidlink.maryland.gov or by calling 1-855-MD-GoVAX.
Please see Mayor Byrd’s post below:
Mar
31
2021
Join the City for a community meeting on the future of the Stone Straw Industrial Property.
Monday, April 5, 2021
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
zoom.us/j/97672476078
Mar
30
2021
Gardening workshop with Esther Mitchell
Monday, April 5, 7-8 pm by zoom
College Park Arts Exchange and the City of College Park Committee for a Better Environment present Master Gardener Esther Mitchell with
Planning your Food Garden.
When spring comes, putting in a garden becomes an attractive idea. When can you start? How far do you need to plan ahead? What kinds of plants should you choose? Master Gardener Esther Mitchell helps you tackle these common questions and more. Please contact info@cpae.org for zoom link to this FREE event.
Mar
29
2021
Last week, Prince George’s County entered Phase 2A for COVID-19 vaccines. Now, individuals ages 60 and older who have pre-registered are eligible to receive appointments with our County Health Department.
Seniors in Phase 1 will continue to be prioritized for appointments.
According to County Executive Alsobrooks, given the increase in vaccine supply, those in Phase 2A and later phases will not have to wait as long to receive their vaccine. Alsobrooks encouraged residents to pre-register so they can join the growing number of Prince Georgians who are Proud to be Protected from COVID-19.
Individuals in Phase 2A include adults 60 years of age and older.
To prepare for this next phase of vaccinations, individuals who live or work in Prince George’s County must pre-register in order to receive a vaccine appointment with the Prince George’s County Health Department. No walk-ups are being accepted at Health Department vaccination clinics.
Eligible individuals in Phase 1 who have not yet pre-registered with the County Health Department are still encouraged to do so at http://bit.ly/PGCVaccineForm. Individuals in future phases are also encouraged to pre-register at this time. When the County enters future phases of vaccine distribution, those individuals that have pre-registered will receive a notification that they are able to receive a vaccine appointment.
For the latest updates about COVID-19 vaccines in Prince George’s County, or to learn more about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, visit mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine.
You can also register at a number of local pharmacies and hospitals near College Park for COVID vaccination. To see a list of the vaccine sites, please check here.
Mar
28
2021
Yesterday, the Mayor and Council completed the day-long worksession going over the proposed FY2022 budget. As part of the discussion, the City engineer shared the pavement management plan, which includes the proposed resurfacing work for the new fiscal year. Please see the proposed streets (in red) on the map below.
Mar
27
2021
If you aren’t aware of the current situation with Cherokee Lane Elementary. There is a current proposal to relocate staff and children in the Fall of 2021 to Middleton Valley Elementary(4815 Dalton Street, Camp Springs, MD). The approximate communication would be one hour each way. This move helps facilitate the construction work for the new school being built at the current location. There are also plans to use a thruway from Metzerott Road to provide better access for parents/school system for drop off and pick up to the school. This meeting aims to understand Prince George’s County’s Relocation proposal. The discussion will be facilitated by School Board Members David Murray and Joshua Thomas and elicit comments from parents and the community. Please feel free to send me an email with any questions.
Mar
26
2021
Need a second opinion from a Doctor Stop by at 5301 Edgewood Rd on Saturday for a free community health clinic.
