Meeting Roundup: Riverdale Park's Council Talks Businesses, Speed Humps and More

With 20 items on the agenda, Riverdale Park's mayor and council met into the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Here's what they discussed:

• Seven Riverdale Park .
• was approved as Riverdale Park's police chief.
• Council voted to send a letter stating their concerns about plans for expansion. They are concerned with the business' history with code violations.
• Council voted to begin drafting an for town.
• Councilman Alan Thompson asked that council vote in favor of a letter asking the county to keep Templeton Knolls and Riverdale Heights when redistricting.
• Council voted to approve a variance request for 4801 Nicholson Street, because the owner is replacing a fence that was not in code when she bought the home.
• Council voted to approve a fence permit request at 5908 Riverside Drive.
• Two block parties were approved — Sept. 10 on 43rd Street, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sept. 17 on 46th Street, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Speed bumps were requested at the 4700 block of Sheridan Street, 4800 block of Sheridan Street and the 6400 block of Lafayette Street. Council approved the speed bumps on Sheridan Street and instead of a speed hump they approved rumble strips.
• Council referred a resolution about seeking to the economic development committee. It was pitched by Councilman Jonathan Ebbeler.
• Council introduced two ordinances, both which will bring town code up to date in regards to its alarm system and fees and an ethics ordinance.
• Council passed a resolution to put out a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a planner to overlook and give advice on the property. Jakubiak and Associates, Inc. was hired by the mayor and town administrator to give advice on the
• Council also voted in favor of a resolution to ask if they would be willing to sell their property to town.
• Steve Lamphier, president of the , said the fire department would like to participate in the emergency response plan.
• Mayor Vernon Archer said that the State Highway Administration will meet with council at the September work session to discuss traffic issues on East-West Highway.
• Archer said all the title work is done for the .
• The off 54th Avenue will host two events where they will hand out groceries to needy residents on Sept. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on  on the Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Archer read a petition letter from residents for the rezoning and responsible development of the Cafritz Property. It had 88 signatures — 18 from Riverdale Park, 20 from College Park, 37 University Park, 10 from Hyattsville, 2 from Adelphi and 1 from Mt. Rainier.