RP Meeting Notes: Debate Flares Up Over Charter Amendment

Monday's Riverdale Park Town Council worksession featured lively debates over a proposed finance charter amendment and the appropriate use of emergency ordinances. Below is a summary of key developments and discussion points from the meeting.

Finance charter amendment

Councilman Alan Thompson (Ward 2) introduced a charter amendment to eliminate certain contract appropriation requirements. The change would grant the mayor more spending authority in many instances with less council oversight.

The debate became heated when Councilman Jonathan Ebbeler (Ward 1) raised concerns about the proposal and how it could minimize the council's role in spending decisions.

Thompson and Mayor Vernon Archer disagreed. They both felt the amendment made ample accommodation on this point, as it would allow the council to require greater oversight on specific projects and contracts by passing an ordinance or resolution.

Ebbeler still felt that this was not strong enough.

"I am not signing vouchers if this passes. I will not rubber-stamp appropriations," he told the council.

Councilman Chris Henry (Ward 4) ultimately sided with Ebbeler.

"More eyes is better," said Henry. Instead, Henry suggested that the current legislation regarding purchasing and contracts remain effectively intact, but that Thompson draft an amendment allowing the council to loosen oversight as necessary.

Ebbeler and Thompson were both amenable to Henry's suggestion.

Emergency ordinance resolution

Councilman Henry proposed an emergency ordinance that would allow the town to regulate dumpsters and portable storage receptacles placed on residential property. 

The "emergency" designation was used because of a timing conflict with the town's charter and the rules governing the Prince George's County District Council, which is required to approve all zoning ordinances.

Currently, District Council must review ordinances five days after passage and 30 days before they become effective. But because the town charter states that ordinances must go into effect 20 days after passage by the council (or become null and void), the town would never be able to meet the District Council's requirements.

The emergency ordinance, however, would become effective immediately and therefore satisfy the District Council's timeline.

Ebbeler objected to the use of an emergency ordinance in this instance because he felt the town should amend the charter to deal with the issue instead. He argued that it set a bad precedent for what the town considered an "emergency."

After a spirited debate, the council reached an agreement to pass the ordinance and speak with the town attorney about amending the charter to prevent the issue from arising in the future.

Fire department update

Steve Lamphier of the Riverdale Fire Department delivered an update on the condition of the seven firefighters . The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Lamphier said that all four Riverdale firefighters . The firefighter from Bladensburg who had received burns to 40 percent of his body (Kevin O’Toole, 22) was still in critical condition, he said, while another injured firefighter from the station (Ethan Sorrell, 21) had been taken off the ventilator and was up and walking around.

Although the house was vacant, firefighters have a duty to conduct search and rescue on all buildings on fire, Lamphier said, as there may be homeless people inside. 

Due to the extent of the injuries incurred by firefighters, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was called in to conduct an investigation, he added.

Carnival permit request

The council reviewed a carnival permit request from David Furr on behalf of Taylor & Sons carnival. The permit states that the carnival, which will serve as a fundraiser for the Riverdale Fire Department, will be held in the parking lot of 5508 Kenilworth Ave. from March 29 to April 8. The application appeared to be in order and will be voted on next week.

Riverdale Park Arts Council request for funds

Jeffrey Yorke from the Riverdale Park Arts Council asked the mayor and council for funding to support their fifth annual ArtsFest, which will be held in the town center on May 6. The council and mayor will review his request and the organization's financial report and vote on the matter next week.

Parking in Madison Hill

Henry introduced two resolutions regarding parking permits in the Madison Hill area. The first would increase the parking permit fee in the neighborhood and give the town and council more leverage on where permit parking is allowed. The second will give the Madison Hill Homeowners Association more control over the parking on their street, which gets overcrowded quickly.

Public works report

Public Works Director Leonard Addison reminded the council that the next Saturday drop-off would be on March 17 and that the town's Earth Day and spring cleanup would be held on April 21 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Addison also noted that the State Highway Administration has requested permission to plant four trees in Beale Cir. to compensate for the four trees they will have to remove as part of the .

Police report

Police Chief David Morris told the mayor and council that there would be a pedestrian safety initiative coming up this spring with more information to come. He also reported that the windows of the property known as had been boarded up and that the property continues to be an issue.

Correction: The original version of this article misspelled Jeffrey Yorke's name. Patch regrets the error.