Meeting Round Up: Riverdale Park Legislative Meeting

Riverdale Park's Mayor and Council met Tuesday evening following Labor Day to discuss items previous mentioned at its Aug. 30 work session.

• Mayor Vernon Archer said in his report that Maryland National Capital Park Police and Planning Commission, otherwise referred to as Parks and Planning, has offered the town $150,000 in cash for the "old clubhouse" property off 51st Avenue. Archer said this money would be set aside to be used with other funds to find another suitable facility for a town recreational center. Archer said he hopes to work with council members and town staff to facilitate this project along.
• Archer reminded council members that prior to the Oct. 4 legislative meeting, the town will host a reception to thank nine teachers that represented Riverdale Park in a teacher exchange with Guatemala over the summer. Six teachers from Guatemala will be coming to Riverdale Park for a similar exchange in October. The reception will begin at 7 p.m. in town hall. Furthermore, he asked for help from residents to host the Guatemalan teachers. Anyone who'd like to be a host family should contact Archer or town hall.
• A few items were taken off the agenda, including the contract with Optotraffic, which hosts the towns speed cameras and the town's recommendations for the Riverdale Park Project off 47th Avenue. Archer asked that these items be discussed in a special legislative meeting on Sept. 21 when a finance committee meeting is scheduled.
• Town Administrator Sara Imhulse said the contract with Optotraffic is still in the process of being negotiated which is why it was pulled from the agenda.
• Imhulse also reminded the audience that Riverdale Park Day on Oct. 2, will now be held at Riverside Park.
• Police Chief Teresa Chambers said mobile vendor placards are now available for mobile vendors - or ice cream trucks - that serve Riverdale Park. Vendors must come to the town office to receive the yellow placards to display in their trucks. All legal vendors will have the yellow sign displayed in the rear of their vehicle.
• Chambers also reminded everyone about National Take-Back Day on Sept. 25 at the Christian Life Center.
• Public Works Director Leonard Addison said trash was not collected on Monday, Sept. 6 due to the Labor Day holiday. The next regular trash pick up will be Sept. 9.
• Addison said the town's used oil recycling tank is now back in service.
• He added that the next Saturday to drop off of bulk trash at the DPW facility is Sept. 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. only. 
• Riverdale Fire Department President Stephen Lamphier reported that the firehouse ramp is currently being partially replaced. Lamphier also reported that from January to June, Riverdale Fire Department was listed as a top volunteering department.
• Councilwoman Alice Ewen (Ward 1) said there will be a block party in her ward on Saturday Sept. 11. Ewen reminded residents to remain aware of criminal break-ins occurring in neighboring towns like College Park. She also added she will be introducing legislation regarding drying laundry outdoors.
• Councilman Alan Thompson (Ward 2) said he spent the summer working on . Thompson added that he has been working with town police to help control speeding off Lafayette Avenue. The police did track speeding in the area and there weren't many speeders other than Friday, Aug. 13.
• Councilman David Lingua (Ward 3) said the first Central Kenilworth Avenue Revitalization committee meeting will be Thursday Sept. 9 at the Multicultural Youth Center at 6200 Sheridan Street. Lingua said he has been working with Councilman Chris Henry (Ward 4) to find alternate activities for children after meeting with Henry and others at Riverdale Village regarding an apartment safety issue.
• Councilman Chris Henry (Ward 4) also mentioned the Riverdale Village meeting and thanked Lingua for attending. Henry said he has been working on a resolution regarding commercial signs posted around town for free. He said the fliers, which need to be removed, are costing the town time, effort and money to remove. Henry invited people to attend an Oct. 1 DPW meeting at 9 a.m. at town hall.
• Councilman Raymond Rivas (Ward 5) notified the town of activities he is hoping to plan with the help of a committee. He said Riverdale Park Day is being planned currently and is looking to be a great event. Rivas asked if there were any way ward reports or parts of the town crier could be translated into Spanish as well as English. Rivas also brought up an issue of whether Riverdale Park residents without U.S. citizenship could vote in town elections.
• Riverdale Park resident David Duffany announced a Community Day at the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sept. 18.

Editor's note: Other items discussed at the legislative meeting will be covered in stories to follow this week. Please stay tuned.