May
30
2021
On June 16, 2021 at 7:00 pm, we will have a community meeting to discuss the next phase of the Duvall Field renovation. The purpose of the meeting is to share the concept plans that have been developed (all with natural turf and modified soil) and get input for moving forward with a final design. This will be followed by a City Council Worksession to share the feedback received and get your direction.
May
30
2021
Please join the City of College Park’s Committee for a Better Environment and Stephen Panossian, Contractual Agricultural Inspector II, and Catharine Love, Contractual Agricultural Inspector II, at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Mosquito Control Section
When? Thursday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m. for a Mosquito Workshop.
This webinar will cover the primary mosquito pest to homeowners, the Asian Tiger Mosquito. Virtual attendees will learn about its biology, habits, and habitats around a resident’s home. Methods to reduce its population, including the Gravid Aedes Trap (GAT), and the use of repellents will also be discussed. The speakers will answer questions at the end of the presentations as time permits.
Use this link to participate.
Meeting ID: 914 0204 3108, Passcode: 331592, or Dial-in #: 301-715-8592
[City of College Park]
May
28
2021
The Greenbelt Metro Community Vaccination Center is going to close next Tuesday.
The FEMA Vaccination Center at Greenbelt Metro Station is open Memorial Day weekend, and walk-ins are welcome! If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, make a plan to stop by so you can be #ProudtobeProtected.
Since MAy 12, the Vaccination Center has been open seven days a week and walk-ins are welcome. The hours of operation are
Monday-Tuesday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.;
Wednesday-Thursday from noon – 8 p.m.; and
Friday- Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The site will stay open even as the station closes down for improvements starting Saturday. The station will remain accessible by Metro shuttle buses, Metrobus, the MARC Camden Line, and by car.
May
27
2021
The City of College Park commemorates Memorial Day by remembering all those who served.
City offices will be closed on Monday, May 31, 2021 for the holiday. Recycling and trash collection will shift forward one day.
To help avoid the transmission of COVID-19, the City of College Park will not be holding a public event at the Veterans Memorial.
May
26
2021
Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced today that the County will align with the State of Maryland and CDC recommendations and lift the mask mandate for fully vaccinated individuals, due to a continued decline in key COVID-19 metrics and increasing vaccination rates. These new guidelines will go into effect by Executive Order on Friday, May 28, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
Beginning Friday, May 28 at 5:00 p.m., fully vaccinated individuals can resume normal activities without wearing a mask. In line with the State of Maryland and CDC guidance, masks will still be required on public transportation and in schools, child care settings and health care settings. Unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to continue wearing a mask until they are fully vaccinated and are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Individuals who live or work in the County can walk up to County Health Department vaccination clinics with no appointment needed, or book an appointment in advance online at mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine.
Over the past month, the County’s Vaccine Outreach Team has reached 30,000 Prince Georgians through door knocking, phone calls and text messages, providing information on COVID-19 vaccines and various government resources. The team has provided resource information on rental assistance to 2,146 families, temporary unemployment benefits to 2,669 families, access to food distribution sites or benefits to 1,753 families, and access to vaccination sites and appointments to 6,751 families.
The outreach team is only 50% of the way through the first canvass pass, and the County will continue this effort through July. The County encourages residents to answer the door or pick up the phone if a member of the outreach team contacts them. Outreach team members will always wear bright yellow vests and carry identification badges to show they are affiliated with Prince George’s County Government.
[County press release]
May
25
2021
After listening to many of your comments about the City’s tax rate and the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2022, the City Council reduced City’s rate at this week’s meeting. The reduction in the tax rate will reduce City’s tax revenue by $380,000 in the upcoming fiscal year, but we believe this important reduction will help many of our homeowners who are struggling during this difficult pandemic period, without compromising maintaining the essential services.
At the recent public hearing on City’s property tax rate, some of my Council Colleagues and I asked staff to explore ways to reduce our property tax rates below the current rate of 0.325 cents, as many of our residents have been struggling financially due to COVID-19. A reduction to the CYTR of 31.31 cents from the current tax rate of 32.5 cents would reduce FY2022 property tax revenue by approximately $380,000.
At last week’s meeting, the Council indicated support for reducing the FY2022 proposed real estate property tax rate to the CYTR – 31.31 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The reduction in property tax revenue will be refunded from the City’s allocation of Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (part of the American Rescue Plan). The Council will vote on the amended budget based on the reduced tax rate.
College Park’s tax rate has already been low for some time. It has only the second-lowest municipal property tax rate among all cities in Prince George’s County.
Now that the City Council has decided to reduce the property tax rate to $0.3131 the cumulative tax rate (City + County + M-NCPPC rates) will be $1.5731, which puts us neck and neck to Capitol Heights, which has a cumulative rate of $1.572 (based on FY21 tax rate data). Please see below:
In addition to reducing City Council also amended the budget by adding $40,000 for the literacy/tutoring program for College Park students, and $50,000 for the College Park Restorative Justice Committee work.
May
25
2021
At tonight’s meeting, the Council will hold a public hearing on an amendment to the recently adopted bulk trash ordinance, with a provision for a waiver of the fees in a hardship situation.
The ordinance 21-O-06 includes the following language to allow for a fee waiver: “A waiver, in whole or in part, of the fee due for any bulk trash collection, may be granted by the Public Works Director based on hardship. A hardship exists when the bulk trash generated at a property in the City is the result of an Act of God, such as flooding, or other one-time events, such as illness or death, or a move to a retirement or assisted-living facility.
A denial of a waiver may be appealed to the City Manager, whose decision shall be final.” The Council will vote on the amendment later at the meeting.
May
24
2021
Jack Robson has recently notified the City that he’ll be resigning from his position as Chief of Elections for the Supervisors of Elections, effective May 31.
Per City Charter section C4-3B, the Mayor and Council shall designate one of the six Supervisors of Elections as the Chief of Elections.
At tomorrow’s City Council meeting, the Mayor and Council will appoint John Payne as the Chief of Elections. Mr. Payne is the most senior member of the Supervisor of Elections, having served since 2017.
The City would like to thank Mr. Robson for his service on the Supervisors of Elections, which began in 1994. His knowledgeable leadership and steady hand were valuable assets to this essential position.
May
22
2021
May
20
2021
Al Huda School will be having a drive-through lunch for ages 55+. on Saturday at 2 pm. Please RSPV at bibi.mohamed@darussalaam.org, reply to this email or call 301 551 5114 by tomorrow afternoon.
May
18
2021
Finally, the Hollywood Farmers Market is going to open this Saturday. According to the market board, they will have all our permits to open the market .This has been a long wait. The market is from 9am-1pm. The location is 9801 Rhode Island Ave College Park, MD, in the parking lot at MOM’S.
The market contacted the vendors yesterday evening and heard back from most of them. They are expecting Calvert Farms – produce, eggs and flowers, Alcoba Coffee, Backyard Boogie Gardens & Bakery – veggies, microgreens, baked goods, Profish- fresh Seafood, Janelle’s Crumb Shoppe & Bakery – sweets & baked goods, Twin Valley Distillery , Victory Chapel Family Farm – Honey, Thai Amity – hot meals cooked to order, Waltz Family Farm – meats, cheeses & eggs, Sharrah Orchards – fruits & produce.
Please spread the word! Looking forward to seeing you all!
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Comments Off on Hollywood Farmers Market to Open this Saturday!
Comments Off on Hollywood Farmers Market to Open this Saturday!May
17
2021
At tomorrow’s Council meeting, Charlie Scott, Metro’s Senior Government Relations Officer will be making a presentation about Metro’s upcoming platform improvement project in the Summer this year.
Currently, the concrete platforms have been exposed to weather and de-icing agents for decades. Platforms built 35-40 years ago are now deteriorating and in need of repair to maintain safety and accessibility. Additionally, Metro plans to improve customer experiences on the platform.
Due to the repair work during May 29 — September 6 at the Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, Prince George’s Plaza, and the West Hyattsville, no Green and Yellow line rail service north of Fort Totten will operate. During this period, Yellow line trains will operate between Huntington & Mt Vernon Sq, and Green line trains will operate between Branch Ave & Fort Totten stations.
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Comments Off on Find More About Metro’s Upcoming Summer Closing PlanMay
16
2021
This Thursday, at 7:00 pm, please join City staff and consultants from RK&K to learn more about the proposed design of the sidewalk along the north side of Cherokee Street between 48th Place and Rhode Island Avenue. This sidewalk will tie into the recently completed developer-installed sidewalk between 48th Place and Route One to create full pedestrian access along Cherokee Street between Baltimore Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue.
More on City website: https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/calendar.aspx?eid=5066
Staff will present updated plans and seek feedback before finalizing the design.
For more information
Department of Planning and Community Development
Katie Hart, khart@collegeparkmd.gov
240-487-3541
| Comments Off on Community Meeting on Cherokee Street SideWalk Project
Comments Off on Community Meeting on Cherokee Street SideWalk ProjectMay
15
2021
Thanks to the continued advocacy of our residents, the beltway expansion plan in College Park and east of I-270 is off the table – at least for now! MDOT first tried to expand the beltway in our area in phases 2 and 3 before, but, thankfully they are now nixing any lane expansion in the eastern portion of I-495 and I-270. Let’s continue to advocate for a smart, multi-modal, 21st-century transportation system for our region.
See more on the Bethesda magazine, and in DCist.com
| Comments Off on Beltway Expansion Plan East of I-270 is Off the Table – for Now
Comments Off on Beltway Expansion Plan East of I-270 is Off the Table – for NowMay
14
2021
Join us on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. for a city-wide scavenger hunt. Your mission (should you chose to accept) is to follow the clues with your team (aka family) to discover fun places and hidden surprises throughout the City!
To register and for more information, visit collegeparkmd.gov/2021scavengerhunt.
[City of College Park]
| Comments Off on REGISTRATION NOW OPEN – The Great College Park Scavenger Hunt
Comments Off on REGISTRATION NOW OPEN – The Great College Park Scavenger Hunt