Bowie Releases Leaf Collection Schedule, Rental Aid Program
Press release from the City of Bowie:
Leaf Collection is Underway
The City of Bowie Curbside Vacuum Leaf Collection Program began November 2 and will run through mid-December. Every single-family home neighborhood will have two collections during that time. This year’s program will be slightly different than past years in that neighborhoods will be scheduled during a specific week and not on a specific date. View the 2020 schedule at www.cityofbowie.org/leaves to see which two weeks your neighborhood will have leaf collection.
Due to limited availability of the equipment the city usually leases for this program, crews will be working longer hours on more days to get the job done. By assigning a pickup week rather than a pickup date, the crews can be more efficient with their time and will have more flexibility in how they move through the neighborhoods during each week.
Leaves should be raked to the curb (but not in the street), by 7 a.m. on Monday of your scheduled week. Each afternoon, the progress will be posted at www.cityofbowie.org/leaves. It will show each neighborhood scheduled for that week and whether it has been completed. Once the truck passes through your street, they will not return to it again that week. We appreciate your understanding as we adapt to another modification in service for this year. Please call the Public Works Department at 301- 809-2344 if you have questions about the Curbside Leaf Collection Program.
Please note: If you prefer to bag your leaves, they will be picked up on Wednesdays with yard waste. Use paper yard waste bags (no plastic bags).
Free Drive-up Flu Shot Clinics - November 7 and 13
Get your flu shot at one of the upcoming flu clinics in the parking lot of the Bowie Senior Center. Clinics are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All individuals, ages 3 and older, are eligible to receive a flu shot. For more information, please contact the Senior Center at 301-809-2300.
City Council Meetings to Note
November 16 - City Council Regular Meeting, 8 p.m. Detailed Site Plan #DSP-99003-01 (EZ Storage)
November 21 - City Council Worksession, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Council discussion on capital spending and prioritizing recreational spending.
City Council meetings are still being held virtually during this emergency. View them at www.cityofbowie.org/viewmeetings on FIOS Channel 10 or Comcast Channels 71 and 996 or on Youtube @CityofBowieMD.
Those wishing to submit comments for public hearings or the Citizen Participation portion of Regular Meetings may do so by emailing written testimony to cityclerk@cityofbowie.org. Testimony must be received by 7 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Meeting agendas are posted at www.cityofbowie.org/agenda. For assistance or more information, contact City Clerk Awilda Hernandez at 301-809-3029.
EZ Storage Facility on Gallant Fox Lane Files Application to Expand
The Planning Department has received an application from the owner of the EZ Storage facility to construct an addition to the existing EZ Storage facility on Gallant Fox Lane. The applicant is proposing a 3-story/48,708 sq. ft./478-unit addition on the 4.3-acre property, which is zoned I-1 (Light Industrial). According to the City’s Development Review process, the following virtual meeting and public hearing dates are scheduled:
· Bowie Advisory Planning Board Public Hearing: Tuesday, November 10, 7 p.m.
Link: http://bowie.fyi/bapbmeeting1110
· City Council Public Hearing: Monday, November 16 at 8 p.m. (See viewing details in the above item on Council meetings)
Emergency Food Assistance
The City of Bowie will distribute emergency food aid to City residents in need, funded by a CARES Act grant. Recipients will receive nonperishable items, including ingredients for a selection of meals. Food will be distributed 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until all food is gone) at the following drive-thru events:
Saturday, November 7 at Village Baptist Church, 1950 Mitchellville Road
Saturday, November 14 at Grace Lutheran Church, 2503 Belair Drive
Volunteers will load food into vehicles and staff will gather information from residents; residents should remain in their vehicles. Only those who that live within the municipal limits of the City of Bowie are eligible for this program. Recipients will be required to provide identification and a piece of mail with a City of Bowie address to qualify for assistance. For information, contact Kay Starr at 301-809-3009, email cobcares@cityofbowie.org, or visit www.cityofbowie.org/cobcares. Other food resources: www.cityofbowie.org/food
City of Bowie Launches COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program
The City of Bowie will launch a COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program for tenants who meet eligibility requirements. The Office of Grant Development and Administration will administer the program and accept applications and supporting documents beginning
November 11, 2020. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis.
The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program is intended to provide partial rent support to Bowie households that have experienced income loss due to the COVID-19 health crisis. Income restrictions apply. Approved households may receive a maximum of one month’s rent, paid to their landlord.
Visit www.cityofbowie.org/cobcares for more information about what is needed to apply Once the application process opens on November 11, 2020, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application online at www.cityofbowie.org/grants.
The City encourages potential applicants to review program eligibility requirements for this program. The maximum allowable annual income for applications to the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance program is listed below. Emergency funding from the City and other federal sources can provide support for a range of rental housing needs for low-income households.
Residents who have questions or require assistance with the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance program are encouraged to contact the Office of Grant Development and Administration at cobcares@cityofbowie.org.
Bowie Senior Center
The Senior Center is closed to the public. Staff is available Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., to answer questions and assist with referrals; call 301-809-2300.
Packet Giveaway – November 9 & 10, 10 to 11 a.m. Drive by and pick up a November activity packet.
Virtual Support Groups and Classes – See the Center's November Newsletter at www.cityofbowie.org/seniorcenter.
November City Holidays
Veterans Day Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 26, 2020
Day After Thanksgiving Friday, November 27, 2020
City offices will be closed on the dates listed above. There will be no refuse or recycling service on these dates; services will resume on the next regularly scheduled day.
State of the City Address
On October 26, the Mayor spoke to Bowie residents about the State of the City. This virtual speech and the Q & A that followed took place on Zoom. The event video can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/HBvNrbMjm0Q or on Tuesday and Friday evenings at 7 p.m. on the Bowie government channel (FIOS 10/Xfinity 71 & 996). You can also read the speech at www.cityofbowie.org/sotc2020.
Bowie-Mitchellville and Vicinity Master Plan
Find out more about your community and the challenges facing its future growth. The virtual presentation of the Playbook of Strategies for the Bowie-Mitchellville and Vicinity Master Plan project has been set for November 12 at 7 p.m.
Information: https://www.mncppc.org/3390/BowiePlan
Snow Removal Time Waiver
City property owners/residents are responsible for removing snow and/or ice from the sidewalk adjacent to their property within 48 hours of cessation of a snowfall. The City provides additional time for people with considering factors such as age or physical disability, but you must submit a waiver application, found at www.cityofbowie.org/snowwaiver. For more information, please contact the Code Compliance Office at 301-809-3008 or codecompliance@cityofbowie.org.
Plant One Tree on Us!
A tree giveaway program, aimed at increasing residential tree canopy, is now open city-wide. Online reservations for an approved tree will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis; funding is available for 100 trees (one per parcel). Information: 301-809-3043 or twright@cityofbowie.org or www.cityofbowie.org/GreenBowie
City Gym
4100 Northview Drive, 301-809-2388
Hours: Monday through Friday, 12 to 7:30 p.m.
The Gym is currently closed for voting, followed by resurfacing of the floor. The Gym will reopen on November 9. It is restricted to resident members with up to two guests. Members are encouraged to call ahead to reserve a time slot.
If you are a City of Bowie resident and would like to apply for a membership or renew your membership, please call 301-809- 2388 to make an appointment. Face masks are required at all times.
Bowie Ice Arena
3330 Northview Drive, 301-809-3090
Open with restrictions. Capacity limits, masks and distancing required.
Register for Learn to Skate classes. For information, call or visit www.cityofbowie.org/icearena.
View the monthly calendar on the website. Rental skates and skating aides are available on a first come basis. Prepaid reservations can be made.
Toys for Tots
Donate new and unwrapped toys, from now until December 10 in the drop off boxes at the following locations: Bowie City Hall, Bowie Police Department and Bowie Gymnasium.
Bowie Youth & Family Services is Here to Support You
Bowie Youth & Family Services is currently offering free counseling and support groups for Bowie area youth and parents. Our staff members are licensed clinicians who each hold a graduate degree in a mental health specialty and who have years of training and experience in treating children, teens and their families. Please contact us at 513-817-3158 for more information or visit www.cityofbowie.org/youthservices.
Bowie Faces of Kindness Nominations
The Bowie Faces of Kindness Award recognizes everyday heroes who give us hope in these challenging times. The City will recognize local heroes who are supporting the community during the pandemic. Honorees receive a citation and are featured on the City’s social media platforms and in other public communications.
Honorees should live in the incorporated city limits of Bowie or have provided an act of kindness to our residents. Nominations should include the name, address, telephone number and email address of the individual(s) and a brief description (100 words or less) of their acts of kindness as it relates to helping others during the COVID-19 crisis. Please complete the online form or you can mail your nomination to Bowie City Hall, Attention: Faces of Kindness, 15091 Excalibur Road, Bowie, MD 20716. For the nomination form and more information, visit www.cityofbowie.org/Kindness. If you have questions, please contact Lori Cunningham at lcunningham@cityofbowie.org.
Join the Chorus of Residents Supporting a Trader Joe’s in Bowie
The City Council believes that Trader Joe’s would be an excellent addition to the grocery store offerings in Bowie. If you agree and would like to see Trader Joe’s open their next store in Bowie, please visit our link and make sure Trader Joe’s management knows what you are thinking.
Never been to a Trader Joe’s? There is one located at 160F Jennifer Road in Annapolis Plaza next to Annapolis Mall. It is a small, upscale grocery store offering a variety of unusual healthy foods and products. For more information about economic development in the City of Bowie, contact John Henry King at 301-809-3042 or email jhking@cityofbowie.org.
Streetlight Outages
Help us to keep the lights on Bowie. Please report street light outages or other problems with streetlights to our Public Works Department. We depend on the public to let us know when there is a problem with a streetlight. Please do not assume that the problem has been reported
You can report an outage by contacting Richard Holt at Robert Holt, rholt@cityofbowie.org 240-544-5690 or visit www.cityofbowie.org/servicerequest to log the problem in our service request system.
Job Openings
The City of Bowie is hiring for the following positions:
· Entry Level Police Officer (open)
· Communications Specialist II – Police Department (open)
For more information, visit www.cityofbowie.org/jobs.
Holiday Happenings
Due to COVID restrictions, the City’s holiday offerings will be different this year. We are working on plans for some creative, safe alternatives. Watch our website, social media, and the government channel for details coming soon.
COVID-19 News
Prince George’s County Remains in Reopening Phase 2
County Executive Alsobrooks announced last week that, due to climbing COVID metrics, the County will remain at its current level of reopening. The County will continue to monitor and analyze the data and trends and expects to provide an update in another two to three weeks.
Some of the provisions of Phase 2 are listed below. For the complete list of restrictions, visit www.princegeorgescounty.gov.
Face coverings are required for all persons in any public indoor location over the age of five. Adults accompanying children ages two through four in these establishments should make reasonable efforts to encourage wearing face coverings in these locations as well.
Guidelines for large gatherings such as parades, festivals, parties, and family gatherings remain the same. They are limited to one person/family unit per 200 square feet or a maximum of 50 persons, whichever is lower.
Parents are not allowed to enter childcare facilities for drop-off or pickup.
Banquet halls, receptions and meeting rooms in hotels, conference centers and similar establishments that offer dining or meeting facilities to the public may open at 50% capacity or a maximum of 150 persons, whichever is lower. No buffets will be allowed, there can be no more than 6 persons per table, and physical distancing must be enforced.
Indoor pools, both public and private, may open up to 50% maximum capacity. Physical distancing must be maintained, and individuals must wear face coverings when not in the pool.
Youth sports defined as “medium risk” can be played in small groups, no more than nine team members and one coach, with a maximum of 100 persons in any given area. This includes sports such as soccer, baseball, and lacrosse. A full list of medium risk sports as defined by Maryland’s Sports Commission Return to Play Committee can be found online here.
Prince George’s County Health Department has released guidance for the upcoming holiday season. The Health Department is advising against holiday gatherings with individuals who are not in your immediate household. Instead, the Health Department recommends hosting virtual holiday gatherings for family and friends.
If hosting an in-person gathering with people outside of your household, it should be small with a limited number of people so social distancing can be enforced. Everyone should also wear masks. In addition, wash and disinfect guest areas before and after these small gatherings.
The Health Department is also advising residents to reconsider travel during the holiday season. If you must travel, consider the mode of transportation you will take as well as the dates you will be traveling. Carry a small personal sanitizing kit with hand sanitizer, wipes and masks. If traveling, driving your own vehicle can reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Full holiday guidance will be posted on the Health Department’s Coronavirus page at health.mypgc.us/coronavirus.
COVID-19 Testing
For a list of all COVID-19 testing sites in Maryland, visit https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/symptoms-testing. The Maryland Department of Health operates a drive-thru testing site at Six Flags America in Bowie. Current hours are Mondays from 2 to 6 p.m., and Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
You may also call the Prince George’s County Health Department testing line for information about County testing locations at 301-883-6627 or visit www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3397/Coronavirus. The schedule is subject to change, but most weeks testing takes place at the Cheverly Health Center and three to four other locations throughout the County.
Prince George’s County Message about Contact Tracing
As we move into the winter months, contact tracing will continue to be a critical tool to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community. When someone is diagnosed positive with COVID-19, the Health Department makes a phone call to that person within 24 hours. When you see MD COVID on your caller ID, please answer so the Health Department can help you with managing your condition, and with getting you resources that you need. If you don’t have caller ID, look for the phone number 240-466-4488.
The Health Department will also ask who you might've been in contact with, so we can offer them the same resources and minimize the spread of COVID-19. They will never ask for personal information from you, like your social security number or a bank account number. For FAQs, testimonials, and more information about contact tracing, please visit https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/contact-tracing.
Beware of COVID-19 Scams
The US Department of Justice is reminding the public to be vigilant against fraudsters who are using the pandemic to exploit consumers and organizations and to cheat disaster relief programs. In particular, the department warns about scams perpetrated through websites, social media, emails, robocalls, and other means that peddle fake COVID-19 vaccines, tests, treatments, and protective equipment.
Maryland Department of Health Hotline: 410-767-6871
Prince George’s County Health Department COVID-19 Hotline: 301-883- 6627
Bowie Pantry & Emergency Aid Fund
Visit the Pantry website for information about the services offered at www.bowiefoodpantry.org.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has expanded the volunteer-based Neighbors Helping Neighbors program to offer free grocery and medication delivery for seniors (65+) and disabled residents of the City of Bowie. Those most vulnerable can stay home and allow volunteers to shop for groceries and deliver goods to their home. Seniors are only responsible for reimbursing the volunteer for the cost of the groceries. There is no delivery fee. Also, there is limited transportation available for important medical appointments.
If you are a City of Bowie senior or disabled person in need of assistance, please complete the NHN Senior or Disabled Application at www.cityofbowie.org/nhn. If you would like to volunteer to help seniors or disabled residents, please complete the NHN Volunteer Application at www.cityofbowie.org/nhn. If you have any questions or know of a senior that may benefit from this program, please contact Lori Cunningham at lcunningham@cityofbowie.org or 240-544-5601.
All COVID-19 information provided is subject to change based on the status of the pandemic. To obtain the most up to date information, please visit www.cityofbowie.org/corona.
Alert Bowie
If you have not already done so, we encourage you to sign up for Alert Bowie at www.cityofbowie.org/alerts to receive a variety of information from the City of Bowie, including weather alerts, job opportunities, newsletters, and crime alerts.
Bowie has teamed up with some local readers to provide a series of Read Aloud videos for our youngest residents. We hope you will enjoy seeing some familiar faces and have fun exploring some new books or getting reacquainted with some old favorites. Follow the links below for our current offerings and visit www.cityofbowie.org/bowiereadsaloud. We’re adding more videos every week.
This press release was produced by the City of Bowie. The views expressed here are the author's own.
This article originally appeared on the Bowie Patch
