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City Considering to Acquire Rhode Island Ave in North College Park

City Council

In north College Park, the City has invested in two major projects along Rhode Island Avenue, namely the Hollywood Streetscape Project and Rhode Island Avenue Buffered Bike Lane Project.

These two projects prompted a discussion with Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation about the transfer of the road from the County to the City, as the ownership will facilitate the implementation of current and future projects. Negotiations have resulted in a proposed Road Transfer Agreement. The salient terms are:

(a) The County will prepare a quitclaim deed that conveys Rhode Island Avenue between Paducah Road and Greenbelt Road (MD 430).

(b) The City will accept ownership, to the extent transferable by the County, jurisdiction and regulatory authority over, and maintenance of, the road including all streetlights, traffic signs, bus shelters, the traffic signal, and related equipment at the intersection of Rhode Island Avenue and Edgewood Road, and the stormwater management quality facility at the southwest corner of Rhode Island Avenue and Edgewood Road.

(c) The County will resurface the road between University Boulevard (MD 193) and Muskogee Street and Niagara Road and Paducah Road on or before November 30, 2021 and restripe the road between MD 193 and Muskogee Street in accordance with plans provided by the City.

(d) The County will continue to be responsible for the repair, maintenance, and replacement of any existing storm drain system in the road, with the exception of the referenced stormwater management water quality facility. (e )The County will provide a copy of all maintenance and warranty records for the appurtenances within the road and technical assistance, as needed, for one year following the transfer.

(f) Maryland State Highway Administration user funds for the road will be allocated to the City beginning July 1 of the year following the date of transfer.

(g) The effective date of transfer of the road to the City will be upon conveyance and City acceptance of a quitclaim deed. Because the transfer includes certain ownership rights, the deed should be approved by an Ordinance. The Public Works Director and City Engineer have reviewed the proposed Agreement and indicated that traffic signal maintenance is estimated to be $20,000/year, resurfacing will be needed every 20 years, restriping will be needed every 3-4 years, and snow removal funding will need to be budgeted.

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City to Assist Local Non Profits for Food Services

City Council

The enactment of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and specifically the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (LFRF), has provided the City with significant funding to be used to help the City, its local businesses, families, and individuals recover from the major negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City’s total ARPA funding is $21.97 million. The first tranche of $10.98 million was received August 13, 2021. The remaining 50% is supposed to be paid 12 months later, August 2022.

The FY2022 Adopted Budget includes uses of the funds as follows (excluding recovery of lost revenue):
– Contractual for administration and compliance & related FICA $ 107,650
– Grants and assistance:
Food service organizations 350,000
Business/non-profits 2,000,000
Families/individuals 250,000
– COVID specific costs (PPE, cleaning, public outreach, etc.) 320,000
– Equipment 50,000
Total proposed uses $ 3,077,650

Although staff is still in the process of developing programs for the business grants and family/individual assistance, immediate contributions can be made to local food service organizations. These organizations continue to see significant increase in demand for food assistance to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and additional funding is much needed.

Based on the community needs and the work by these organizations, staff is recommending contributions of up to $50,000 be made to Meals on Wheels of College Park, College Park Community Food Bank, Community Meals Program at College Park United Methodist, and Route 1 Communities Care.

Staff will evaluate the organization’s capacity and proposed uses to determine if the full $50,000 should be provided initially for operating or small capital expenditures. Further recommendation of an additional $50,000 each to the same organizations may be considered in January or February 2022. If an organization would like for the City to consider supporting a larger capital expenditure, staff recommends that the request be considered separately.

The City provided grants in FY2021 and FY2020 to three of these organizations totaling of $174,000 which were reimbursed from the Coronavirus Relief Fund spending plan with Prince George’s County.

[City of College Park]

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