Elderly Property Tax Credit

As outlined in County Bill CB-029-2022, Prince George’s County will provide up to a 20% credit of the County portion of the property tax bill, inclusive of any Homeowners and Homestead Credit (total max of 20%), for up to 5 years to qualified homeowners. To be eligible for this credit the applicant must meet the following criteria as of June 30, 2023, to receive the credit for Fiscal Year 2024, which is tax billing period July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024: -At least one homeowner is age 65 and over; AND -The same homeowner has resided at the property for which the credit is sought for at least the previous 10 fiscal years; AND -The assessed value of the property does not exceed $500,000; AND –The application is received by October 1, 2023. If you have questions, please email: prop_tax_credits@co.pg.md.us or call 301-952-4030.The Elderly Property Tax Credit paper application is available in English and Spanish, by clicking here. (https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/410/Forms) A document of Frequently Asked Questions is also available by clicking here. (https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/419/Residential) You can apply for the credit online going to the County’s Property Tax Credit Application page and entering your tax account # or street number and street name, then click the Lookup button like you see below:

This will take you to the application. Scroll past your tax information to the bottom of the page, and answer the following question about your birthdate:

If you click the circle to the left of “Yes,” you will receive further information about the credit.

The College Park Airport is giving away 200 trees from 10 am to 12 pm this Saturday, September 30, 2023. It’s first-come, first-served. 1909 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD 20740.

ElectionGuard Information Session

City of College Park is Using ElectionGuard in the 2023 General Election! Voters will see something new at the polls in this fall’s General Election in College Park. The City is partnering with ElectionGuard on their third trial of new election technology that lets every voter confirm that their ballot was counted and provides independent verification that the election results are correct.

ElectionGuard Public Information Session
Wednesday, September 27 7:00 p.m.
College Park City Hall
7401 Baltimore Avenue

• Meet the election vendors
• Take part in a mock election
• Run a challenge ballot
• Test the voting equipment

Parking is free in levels 3 through 5 of the Downtown Parking Garage, located at 7308 Yale Avenue.

How does ElectionGuard Work?

ElectionGuard runs alongside an existing voting system. Voters mark paper ballots as usual. When the ballot is scanned, ElectionGuard encrypts the ballot and prints a confirmation code for the voter to use to verify that their ballot is included in the final count. All of the encrypted ballots are used to create a snapshot of the in-person votes for the election. This snapshot is then used to check the results of the election without revealing how any individual voted.

Who are the Election Guardians and what do they do?

Election Guardians are trusted, independent members of the community who help set up ElectionGuard. They have a special role in creating the cryptographic locks that secure the election:

ElectionGuard Information Session

• Before the election, Guardians create a special lock and key. The lock is loaded on the ballot scanners to encrypt all of the ballots for the election.
• During the election, Guardians each keep their part of the key secure. Having a small group of Guardians means that no one person can unlock the election on their own.
• When it’s time to count the ballots, Guardians return to unlock the election. They bring their keys back to the election office to unlock the tally and create the ElectionGuard record.

It is a simple but critical role to ensure that no single person can access election results. With several people acting as Guardians, they add independent security to the ElectionGuard lock and key process. Guardians do not replace the City’s appointed Board of Election Supervisors, who are still in charge of running the election.

Accessible Voting

For those who cannot hand mark a ballot with a pen , the City is using the Hart InterCivic Verity Touch Writer as the ballot marking device to support accessible voting . The Verity Touch Writer has accessible features that allow the voter to make their selections through an electronic interface, and to print a marked ballot when complete. Once Touch Writer prints a ballot, the voter will cast the ballot through the scanner. We will offer hands-on demonstrations of the Touch Writer at the September 27 information session.

For more information, to ask questions of the vendors, and to try the equipment, please come to the Information Session on September 27 at City Hall.

Comments are by Councilmembers Llatetra Brown Esters and Susan Whitney and are not approved or sanctioned by the City of College Park.

Haga clic aquí para leer esta publicacion en español.

Click here to watch the video of the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on September 19, 2023. By going to this link, you are able to watch the discussion of specific agenda items you are interested in. If you have questions about Council actions and discussions, please email us at lbesters@collegeparkmd.gov and swhitney@collegeparkmd.gov.

PROCLAMATIONS

Mayor’s Monarch Pledge

CONSENT AGENDA 

23-G-137 Approval of minutes of the September 12, 2023, Council Meeting Motion By:

23 -G-139 Approval of street name recommendation from the Restorative Justice Commission, “Ancestors Lane,” for a new City street, and to change the east entrance address of the College Park Metro station from 4931 Calvert Road to 4101 River Road, as requested by M-NCPPC – Miriam Bader, Director of Planning

23-G-142 Sending a letter to our US Senators and House Representatives in support of passage of the federal Railway Safety Act of 2023 (Added to the Agenda by Councilmember Whitney)

Motion to accept Consent Agenda: Councilmember Mitchell, Seconded by Councilmember Whitney

PUBLIC HEARING

Public Hearing and possible action (Agenda item 23-G-138) on the petition request to remove permit parking in the 9100 block of Rhode Island Avenue – Jim Miller, Parking Enforcement Manager and Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services

Mr. Jacob Hernandez led the petition and spoke during the hearing. He said 6 out of 8 residents signed the petition and asked that their interests be considered.  

Motion to approve by Councilmember Kennedy, seconded by Councilmember Mackie

ACTION ITEMS

23-G-140 Approval of a Property Use Agreement (PUA) in support of an application for a Class B, Beer, Wine and Liquor License by Teri Constantinou, Member/Authorized Person, for the use of Terrapin Station MD, LLC, t/a Terrapin Station, 4738 Cherry Hill Road, College Park, 20740, transfer from Capital City Chili, Inc., t/a Hard Times Cafe, 4738 Cherry Hill Road, College Park, 20740, Richard J. Kelly, President, Cindy Macintyre, Secretary/Treasurer, Thomas Abell, Assistant Secretary

Owners of Mamma Lucia will open Terrapin Station next door to their restaurant in the location that had been Hard Times Cafe. The restaurant will be modeled after Olney Station. Terrapin Station will have 75 seats and will be open from 10am to 11pm Monday through Saturday and close at 10pm on Sunday.  The space has been renovated and now includes a private space. They hope to  open by the end of October. Council unanimously approved the PUA.23-G-141 Approval of a Property Use Agreement (PUA) in support of an application for a Class B, BLX Beer, Wine and Liquor License by Kyle Algaze and Christopher Michael Blanton, Members/Authorized Persons, for the use Iron Rooster, College Park, LLC, t/a Iron Rooser College Park, 7777 Baltimore Avenue, College Park 20740, subject to the approval of the City Attorney,  

Iron Rooster will open in The Hotel in the space formerly occupied by Kapnos Restaurant.  The request is for a 50/50 ratio for food and beverage, but it will be 90% food. The ratio mirrors that of the other occupants located in The Hotel. Two of the applicants on the application are investors that will have no day-to-day involvement in operations.  The restaurant is slated to open at the end of October.  

Council unanimously approved the PUA.

WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS 

Discussion of a different tax rate on vacant and blighted properties (follow up from April 25 meeting) – Kenny Young, Gary Fields, Suellen Ferguson 

In preparation for the discussion, Mr. Fields sought information from localities that currently have different tax rates for vacant and blighted properties. He spoke to Mayor Franklin of Upper Marlboro to learn more about their tax rate. Mr. Fields informed council that taxes are deductible but fines are not. 

Members of Council spoke of the challenges associated with both residential and commercial properties that remain vacant, the role of code enforcement, whether to focus on both blighted and vacant properties, clearly defining blight, connecting with property owners, determining our goals, focusing on issues related to equity and inclusion, and the need for further analysis to make informed decisions.  Suellen Fergusion said we need to determine our governmental goal before taking action.  

Members of Council agreed to begin with an ordinance to establish a registry of vacant properties. The City Manager said a consultant is building an economic development plan for the city and possible parameters of a vacant &/or blighted property tax could be added to their scope of work and brought to Council.

Click here to see the full agenda for the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on September 26, 2023. Tune in, show up or share your thoughts/concerns about the following Consent Agenda and Action Items, and Workshop discussions that may interest District 2 residents. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need accommodations to participate in a meeting, including language translation:

CONSENT AGENDA

23-G-142 Approval of a sponsorship in the amount of $2,000 for Holy Redeemer School Home and School Association’s Monster Dash 5k Race – Gary Fields, Director of Finance 

23 -G-143 Approval of a contract with Thomas Steel Barriers for the purchase of pin down barriers for Knox Road closures – Robert Marsili, Director of Public Works 

ACTION ITEMS

 23-O-08 Introduction of Ordinance 23-O-08, an Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park, amending Chapter 175 “Taxation”, by enacting article V, “Property tax credit for elderly individuals”, §175-14 “Establishment of tax credit”, §175-15, “Eligibility”, §175-16, “Amount and duration of credit”, §175-17, “Application for the tax credit, and §175-18, “Effective date of the tax credit,” to authorize the Mayor and Council to approve a tax credit for elderly individuals and to provide the extent, duration, and eligibility requirements for the credit as authorized by §9-258 of Taxation-Property Article, Annotated Code of Maryland – Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney 

WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS (Action On These Items Is Not Expected At This Meeting.)  

Discussion of regulations of short-term rentals/AirBNBs – Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney

In addition to canceling tonight’s Movie Night at Duvall Field, the Hollywood Farmer’s Market will be closed tomorrow, and the Go Electric event has been postponed to September 30th.

Pepco issued the following alert to municipal leaders:

A coastal storm, with sustained winds between 25 to 30 mph and potential gusts up to 60 mph, periods of heavy rainfall, potential significant storm surge, and localized and coastal flooding, is forecasted to impact the Pepco service area early Saturday morning through Sunday morning.

The forecasted weather may down trees and tree limbs and cause damage to the local energy grid and result in power outages for customers.

Please know that we are committed to providing our customers with safe and reliable energy service and preventing those power outages that can be prevented. We are closely following the weather conditions. Our employees and local contractors remain ready to respond to any issues that may occur.

What are we doing?

• The combination of strong winds and heavy rainfall may down trees and tree limbs and cause damage to equipment on the local energy grid, resulting in power outages for our customers.
• We are prepared for this event and have enhanced our staffing plans to ensure necessary resources are available to respond for our customers.
• In addition to internal line mechanics and other field workers, Pepco has local overhead line contractors and tree-trimming personnel available to assist in any restoration effort.
• The company also will have additional customer care representatives available to handle customer emergency and outage calls.
• Should Pepco need extra assistance, the company can call on shared resources from other nearby companies in the Exelon family.
• When storms and extreme weather hit, Pepco is prepared and dedicated to restoring service for our customers safely and as quickly as possible. Pepco personnel will work around the clock until every customer is restored.
• Every day throughout the year, Pepco has teams of employees, both in the field and back office, on call to respond quickly if needed to supplement the company’s 24×7 staffing.

What do we want customers to know/do?

• Just like we prepare for damage that may occur, we encourage our customers to prepare for any forecasted severe weather as well.
• Customers who need power for critical medical equipment should be prepared to relocate to a facility with electricity in case there is a power outage.
• Have a supply of bottled water and easy-to-prepare, non-perishable foods available.
• Charge cell phones and other mobile devices. Consider backup chargers.
• Have a flashlight with fresh batteries on each floor of your home.
• More tips available at pepco.com/storm.
• If storm damage does occur:
  • Always stay away from any storm damaged electrical equipment, especially downed power lines and tree limbs that may come into contact with power lines.
  • Check on elderly neighbors and relatives.
  • Don’t connect your generator directly to your home’s wiring. Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. Read and adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation.

We encourage customers to report outages and downed wires.

• Safety is our top priority. We urge our customers to stay away from downed wires and other equipment and assume any downed wire or equipment is energized.
• To report an outage or downed wire, call 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662) or report and track through our mobile app or our website at pepco.com/storm.
• Customers can text “Out” to 48710 to report their outage.
  • Customers must first text “ADD OUTAGE” to 48710 to sign up for this service.
• Customers also can receive outage alerts by signing up online at pepco.com/Alerts.

• Customers also are encouraged to follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/pepcoconnect and on Twitter at twitter.com/pepcoconnect to get the latest information from the company.

Reporting Outages or Downed Wires; Requesting Call Backs

• Customers’ reports are vital to Pepco’s restoration efforts. Pepco also recommends that, when reporting an outage, customers request an automated call when their power is restored.  
• Call backs allow Pepco to notify customers when work in their area is completed and they also help Pepco locate outages that may be specific to customers’ homes.

Prince George’s County Police Explorers Post 1111 is looking for fine young men and women that have an interest in law enforcement and/or want to become a law enforcement officer. 

They will be meeting on September 20, 2023 Wednesdays from 1800 (6:00 PM) to 2000 (8:00 PM), and they meet at Cherokee Lane Elementary School 2617 Buck Lodge Lane, Adelphi, Maryland 20783. They hope to see you there! 

For any further questions you can contact Prince George’s County Police Department Cpl. Lobin #2939 240-584-5694 or email Ealobin@co.pg.md.us

Comments are by Councilmembers Llatetra Brown Esters and Susan Whitney and are not approved or sanctioned by the City of College Park.

Haga clic aquí para leer esta publicacion en español.

Click here to watch the video of the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on September 12, 2023. By going to this link, you are able to watch the discussion of specific agenda items you are interested in. If you have questions about Council actions and discussions, feel free to email us at lbesters@collegeparkmd.gov and swhitney@collegeparkmd.gov.

CONSENT AGENDA

The consent agenda for Tuesday, September 12, 2023, passed unanimously. The motion to accept was made by Councilmember Esters and seconded by Councilmember Whitney.   

ACTION ITEMS

23-G-136 – City Council letter of support for the UMD application to host the “Americans and the Holocaust” exhibit, and the City’s participation in exhibit activities following a successful application. 

Leaders of the project, Maxine Grossman and Yelena Luckert talked briefly about the project, which examines the response from the United States about the Holocaust and makes comparison to things happening today. Council voted to send a letter in support of UMD’s application to bring the project to University of Maryland.  Motion by Councilmember Mackie, seconded by Councilmember Esters

23-O-07-  Adoption of Amended Ordinance 23-O-07 an Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City Of College Park amending Chapter 110, “Fees and Penalties”, By Repealing and Reenacting §110-1, “Fees and Interests” and Chapter 184, “Vehicles and Traffic” by repealing and reenacting Article III, “Parking Meters”, §184-18, “Operation”, and by deleting Article IV, “Administrative Regulations”, § 184-24, “Moneys Deposited in Parking Meters”, to change the amount of fees to be charged for parking to $2.00 per hour, reflect the current fees for monthly parking permits, recognize that bills and coins will no longer be accepted in parking meters, and to delete a section that is no longer necessary as a result. Motion to amend the ordinance made by Councilmember Whitney, seconded by Councilmember Riggs. Motion to adopt amended ordinance made by Councilmember Adams and seconded by Councilmember Mackie.   

WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS

A. Care Solace Presentation on Mental Health and Social Services access for College Park residents

According to Care Solace’s presentation, over half of people who need mental health care give up because the process of finding the care they need at an affordable price is so difficult. Care Solace aims to ease the process. It acts as a hub that catalogs and tracks public and private mental health services and resources to connect people to what they need. Members of council expressed interest in offering this resource to residents and appreciation that it would improve access to mental health services for all College Park residents, not just youth, families and seniors.  

B. Discussion of an Elderly Property Tax Credit program for City residents – Gary Fields, Director of Finance

Mr. Fields expressed gratitude for county assistance as he worked to gather information. What was proposed to Council for consideration was based upon the program established by the county. The county can provide the applications from our residents in order to conduct the calculations. Council expressed interest in offering a flat discount using the criteria set by the county. The City Manager said the City will reach out to the City of Laurel to understand the administrative burden of the tax credit they have offered for several years, and will come back with a draft ordinance.  

C. Discussion of the report from our consultant, CTC, on the small cell application from Crown Castle 

Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney, said this was the first time an application has been brought to the City Council and asked if Mayor and Council wanted to see these applications moving forward. She said Council does not have the authority to deny the applications.  It was suggested that these applications be handled like other “lay it on the table” matters that appear on the agenda but can move forward after a period of time without Council feedback.  

Click here to see the full agenda for the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on September 19, 2023. Tune in, show up or share your thoughts/concerns about the following Consent Agenda and Action Items, and Workshop discussions that may interest District 2 residents. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need accommodations to participate in a meeting, including language translation:

CONSENT AGENDA

23-G-137 – Approval of minutes of the September 12, 2023, Council Meeting 

23-G-139 – Approval of street name recommendations from the Restorative Justice Commission, “Ancestor Lane,” for a new City street, and to change the east entrance address of the College Park Metro station from 4931 Calvert Road to 4101 River Road, as requested by M-NCPPC. 

PUBLIC HEARING 

Public Hearing and possible action (Agenda item 23-G-138) on the petition request to remove permit parking in the 9100 block of Rhode Island Avenue 

ACTION ITEMS 

23-G-140 Approval of a Property Use Agreement in support of an application for a Class B, Beer, Wine and Liquor License by Teri Constantinou, Member/Authorized Person, for the use of Terrapin Station MD, LLC, t/a Terrapin Station, 4738 Cherry Hill Road, College Park, 20740, transfer from Capital City Chili, Inc., t/a Hard Times Cafe, 4738 Cherry Hill Road, College Park, 20740. 

23-G-141 Approval of a Property Use Agreement in support of an application for a Class B, BLX Beer, Wine and Liquor License by Kyle Algaze and Christopher Michael Blanton, Members/Authorized Persons, for the use Iron Rooster College Park, LLC, t/a Iron Rooster College Park Terrapin Station, 7777 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, 20740

WORKSESSION DISCUSSION (Action on this item is not expected at this meeting.)

Discussion of a different tax rate on vacant and blighted properties (follow-up from April 25 meeting)