Contradictory Suggestions Challenge Decision-Making Process for City’s FY2025 Budget
At its Monday, March 18, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss the budget for FY2025, tax rates, and modifying Council rules and procedures. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are contracts for engineering and design services, a collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME #1453, and nearly $500,000 in data center and disaster recovery, among others. The Mayor and Council will also hold a worksession on the FY25 revenues, fees, and cost recovery. They are also approving the minutes from the Closed Sessions held on November 9, 2023 and November 15, 2023–long after the requirements of the Maryland Open Meetings Act (“as soon as practicable after a public body meets, it shall have minutes of its session prepared.” § 3-306(b)(1)).
The bulk of the agenda is devoted to the budget for FY2025 and will include a public hearing to collect more comments (p. 770+. The City has received nearly 800 comments from residents and businesses, which identified the top three priorities as community safety, quality neighborhoods, and maintenance of existing infrastructure (receiving about 35-45% of votes). The highest response rate was from the north end of the city (north of West Montgomery between 270 and 355) and lowest were from the east side of the city (east of 355).
Upon reviewing the open comments, it becomes evident that decision-making is a complex process. There are suggestions that fall outside the City’s jurisdiction, such as implementing a Bitcoin standard (a federal issue), improving academics at Twinbrook Elementary School (a school board issue), and prioritizing common sense (whose responsibility is this?). Once these are set aside, a multitude of individual suggestions remain, some of which are in conflict. For instance, while one person suggests increasing pay for police, another proposes eliminating the police department altogether. Similarly, opinions diverge on the addition or removal of bike lanes. With the assistance of ChatGPT, these suggestions seem to cluster around five major issues. However, the ways to address these can also be contradictory, and understandably, no one is keen on increased taxes to fund these initiatives:
- Infrastructure and Environment, such as improving traffic light timings, addressing potholes and street noise, maintaining and improving existing parks, preserving RedGate as green space, increasing preventative maintenance for storm water infrastructure, and promoting environmental sustainability through controlling invasive species and planting more native trees.
- Community Development and Safety, such as reviving the Town Center [didn’t we already do this?], improving safety in neighborhoods and near the Metro station, addressing crime, improving Rockville Pike, adding or removing bike lanes, and ensuring law enforcement is effective and well-funded.
- Housing and Zoning , such as upzoning detached SFH-only zoning areas, discussing housing for asylum seekers, preserving single-family zoning, and increasing residential density in Rockville Town Center.
- Services and Amenities, such as improving water customer service, providing free shuttle buses to key locations, expanding the Latino Youth Development Program, adding a compost service, increasing public art, establishing more dog parks and exercise classes, and providing easily accessible senior services.
- Economic and Business Development, such as supporting local businesses, reducing business turnover, and encouraging businesses to open in the Town Center (TC continues to be a perennial issue—I guess redevelopment in the 1960s didn’t cure it).
I wonder if if the City Council would have better information if they conducted random, in-depth phone interviews with a couple dozen residents, rather than survey of a thousand who decided to participate?
The Council is considering a change in its current Rules and Procedures because of the increase from five to seven members (p. 957). The City Attorney has drafted an amendment for the Council’s consideration, including that an item may only be removed from an agenda with the approval of at least six Council members, otherwise it follows Robert’s Rules of Order (developed by US Army officer Henry Robert in 1876; it is now in its twelfth edition). To add an item to the agenda still requires the request of two or more members.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 1028-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03182024-7139.
Mayor and Council to Consider Major Funding Boost for Climate and Pedestrian Plans
At its Monday, March 4, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss fees, taxes, and federal earmarks for FY2025. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are a water meter easement for 1151 Fortune Terrace. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on the proposed budget for FY2025.
For FY2025, the City Council will be considering increasing staffing levels by 12 fulltime positions, half of which will be police officers in response to the decrease in support from Montgomery County. Other positions range from transportation engineer and building plan examiner to preschool teacher and board and commissions coordinator. They are also funding efforts to advance the Climate Action Plan ($3.7 M), Vision Zero Action Plan & Pedestrian Master Plan ($10.7 M), Town Center Master Plan, and economic development (primarily $1.4 million for REDI and its efforts to make Rockville a business destination for the life sciences) (page 7+). Capital improvements are expected for parks, including replacement of playground structures, renovating an outdoor pool, implementing the master plan for Red Gate Park, and improvements for the Lincoln Park Community Center, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, and David Scull Park (some of which will require taking out a loan for $30 M). There seems to be nothing related to housing or other commercial districts (i.e., Rockville Pike). The City Council will be accepting comments at their meetings on March 18 and April 8, or you can make suggestions online at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/951/Budget.
While property tax rates should remain unchanged, utility rates for FY2025 may go up:
- Water and Sewer: 4% or $52.56 annual increase
- Refuse/trash: 6% or $32 annual increase
- Stormwater Management: 4% or $6 increase
Senator Cardin, Senator Van Hollen, and Congressman Raskin have invited Rockville to submit requests for projects for which the City wishes to partner with the Federal government and seek funding support. Congress revived earmarks in FY22 after a decade-long prohibition (pork barrel politics has returned!) (page 57+). Some suggested projects from staff include:
- Inspecting more than 8,000 water lines for lead to ensure safe drinking water.
- Replacing “orangeburg” sewer lines to prevent backups, overflows, and ground contamination.
- Rehabilitate aging water mains and asbestos cement pipes in southeast Rockville (Twinbrook).
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 133-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03042024-7129.
Rockville Featured in February’s Washingtonian
Washingtonian, the regional magazine about the DMV, featured Rockville in Neighborhood Guide of the February 2024 issue. These are the places they highlighted but there’s so much more to discover! Add your suggestions in the comments.
Food and Drink
- Hulu Skewer House (1488 Rockville Pike, across the street from Staples). Authentic Chinese BBQ.
- MezeHub (11508 Schuykill Road, technically south of Rockville off Parklawn Drive). Balkan and Mediterranean food.
- Èkó House (150 Gibbs Street, Rockville Town Center). Modern Pan-African (primarily Nigerian) restaurant and bar.
- Clear Skies Meadery (15201 Display Court, off East Gude Drive near Fisher Lumber). More than a dozen locally-brewed meads on tap.
- Kumbia Restaurant (100-B Gibbs Street, Rockville Town Center). Peruvian, Bolivian, and other South American entrees.
Bakeries
- Z&Z Manoushe Bakery (1111 Nelson Street, near Carmen’s Italian Ice in Woodley Gardens). Middle Eastern flatbreads.
- Mastiha Artisan Greek Bakery (2387 Lewis Avenue, near Twinbrook Metro). Featured in a previous post.
- Lil’ Cakes & Creamery (844 Rockville Pike, between Edmonston and First/Wooton). Artisan cupcakes, macarons, and dog treats!
Shopping and Recreation
- Dinkers Pickleball Court (40-C Southlawn Court). Eight indoor courts, ball machine, and a pro shop.
- BubbleGum Spa (1680 E. Gude Drive). Dedicated to extraordinary parties for children’s birthdays.
- MWBC Shop Local (36-D Maryland Avenue, Rockville Town Center). Incubator program for women-owned retail businesses.
- Nature by Trejok (130-B Gibbs Street, Rockville Town Center). Distinctive women’s clothing and household accessories.
- Ebisu Japanese Life Store (836 Rockville Pike, between Edmonston and First/Wooton, across the street from Ourisman Auto). Japanese snacks, anime, toys, cookware, beauty supplies, and lots more.
Mayor and Council to Discuss 68% Increase in Car Thefts
At its Monday, February 26, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss 2024 state legislation and community engagement plans. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are a transportation grant agreement and purchasing of three different types of trucks, among others. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on police statistics and recognize the Richard Montgomery High School Girls Varsity Volleyball Team on winning the state 4A Championship.
For the first time, the Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) shared its annual statistics on crime and their report states that “thefts of automobiles and thefts from automobiles remain one of the highest reported criminal offenses in the region and across the nation. The RCPD noted an increase in theft of automobiles by 69 from 2022 to 2023, an increase of 68%. Thefts from automobiles were up by 19 from 2022 to 2023, an increase of 2%. The most noteworthy change in crime reporting was Carjackings. Carjackings have been on the rise, locally, regionally, and nationally.” Furthermore, “Montgomery County Department of Police re-deployed personnel assigned to the Rockville District to other areas of Montgomery County. This has left parts of the city that once had dual police coverage between the RCPD and the Montgomery County Department of Police to be policed solely by the RCPD.” That resulted in a significant increase in calls for help to RCPD and a significant reduction in response time (“on average, for every additional 1,000 calls dispatched to police per month, officers arrive nine minutes slower”). More on pages 12-20.
The City Council will discuss legislation being introduced at the state level and which they will support or oppose. Under discussion are SB484: Housing Expansion and Affordability; SB537: Restrictions on Cannabis Licensee Locations; SB 783/HB 1435: Renewable Energy (Net Energy Metering Aggregation, Solar Renewable Energy Credits, and Taxes on Solar Energy Generating); HB 601/SB 442: Prohibiting Street Racing and Exhibition Driving; and HB 1306 Taxing Food and Beverages. These bills are complex and continually revised, so if you have an interest, read the staff report for a summary and recommendations (pages 190-200) or contact Senator Kagan or Delegates Palakovich-Carr, Vogel, and Spiegel.
Potential topics for the March 4, 2024 meeting is a presentation on the FY2025 budget and approval of taxes and fees.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 205-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02262024-7117.
Mayor and Council Gets Update on Proposed 36-Unit Condo in Twinbrook
At its Monday, February 12, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will receive updates on a proposed 36-unit condominium at 5906 Halpine Road (Twinbrook) and new laws under consideration by the state (particularly Gov. Moore’s proposed Housing Expansion and Affordability Act). On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are construction of a storage structure ($500,000) and executing an amendment to Rockville Intermodal Access Project for Baltimore Road, among others. The Mayor and Council will also receive an annual report from the Board of Appeals.
On the Consent Agenda, the City Council will be appointing Deputy Director of Community Planning
and Development Services Jenny Snapp as the City of Rockville Representative to the Town
Square Condominium Board, replacing Deputy Director of Public Works James Woods. The staff report provides some insight into the complex ownership and management of Town Square, explaining that it “consists of five blocks, each of which has a condominium association represented by the respective owners of each block. These owners must delegate a representative to the Rockville Town Square Master Condominium Board. The City owns portions of Block 1/2, Block 3A, Block 4 and Block 5. The City’s ownership of Block 1/2, Block 4 and Block 5 is limited to the Parking Garages. The City’s Block 3A ownership includes the Arts and Innovation Center where VisArts is located. Each block’s condominium association has an agreement delegating the management of common areas to Morguard. Several other agreements were established to delegate the management of the Plaza, the private sidewalks, and the Parking Garages to Morguard.” (page 101+)
The City Council will receive a briefing on a request from Pulte Home Company to rezone a property at 5906 Halpine Road (Twinbrook) from R-60 (single unit detached residence) to RF-FZ (residential flexible-floating zone) to permit construction of 36 two-over-two stacked condominiums (page 104+). The “two-over-two stacked” dwelling type consists of 2 two-story townhouses which are stacked one on top of the other to create a four-story building. For comparison, the adjacent Cambridge Walk has 17 townhouses. At a community meeting on May 16, 2023, attendees voiced concerns about protecting of the existing adjacent forest conservation area as well as adequate visitor parking on site. Pulte will brief the Council about the proposal, including a project overview and review schedule and at a future meeting, the Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing and consider rezoning the property, approving the Project Plan, and authorizing waivers to the required side yard setback and layback slope for the project.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 250-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02122024-7107.
Random Rockville Reports: January 28, 2024
Playing Musical Chairs and Three-Card Monte in Rockville City Hall
The Takoma Park City Council hired Robert DiSpirito as their new City Manager effective January 22, 2024. DiSpirito was City Manager of Rockville for seven years and by coincidence, his predecessor was Barbara Mathews, who was previously the City Manager of Takoma Park. They were also both hired and fired by the Rockville Mayor and Council, which both times included Mayor Bridget Newton and Councilmember Beryl Feinberg.
DiSpirito’s departure continues to be an embarrassment of poor management by the Mayor and Council. When he resigned at the conclusion of a Closed Session (aka “secret meeting”) of the Mayor and Council on August 17, he also received a $307,093 severance package (typically resignations don’t include severance). But figuring out what was going on was kept secret illegally for several months. According to Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, the Mayor and Council must provide minutes of a closed session at its next open session (3-306), which would have been September 11 but they failed to share the minutes. It wasn’t until October 23, 2023 (three regular meetings later) that the Mayor and Council approved the August 17 minutes (Agenda, page 218), keeping the public uninformed for more than two months. Furthermore, they played a trick in the meeting minutes. The Mayor and Council approved the official minutes of the September 11 meeting as if they included the Closed Session minutes of August 17 (watch the video of September 11 meeting and you’ll see the August 17 meeting was not discussed)–but it actually didn’t happen until October 23. Hmm, looks like the Mayor and Council is playing three-card monte with the public. Clearly, the Mayor and Council violated the Open Meetings Act but also acted unethically in the preparation of their official records.
More Pedestrians Struck in Rockville Than Reported
The recent death of a 70-year old pedestrian struck by two vehicles at Atlantic Avenue and Viers Mill Road prompted me to see if this a growing problem in Rockville. Data collected by Montgomery County suggests that many more pedestrians were injured or killed in Rockville in 2023 than the eight reported at the most recent Mayor and Council meeting. Not sure the cause of the discrepancy, but county data shows the greatest numbers of incidents occur in and near King Farm, downtown Rockville, and Twinbrook. Although these high incident areas all share major highways (MD Route 355 and 586), pedestrian injuries and deaths also occurred on smaller streets in these neighborhoods, which conflicts with the City’s conclusions. Both the City of Rockville and Montgomery County have adopted Vision Zero, but they don’t seem to be working from the same data. Should pedestrian safety be a higher priority for Rockville’s Transportation and Mobility Commission?
Mayor and Council to Discuss Unsafe Streets in Rockville
At its Monday, January 22, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss police pension. On the Consent Calendar (items approved without discussion) are contracts for equipment or services related to building construction and repair ($140K); security enhancements to the water treatment plant ($136K), equipment and support for the Data Center ($1.9M); and playground maintenance and repair ($850K), among others. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on Bus Rapid Transit on MD 355; Environment Commission; Vision Zero; Bikeway and Pedestrian Master Plan; Procurement; and the outreach program for minority, female, disabled, and veteran-owned businesses.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has been considering Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) throughout the county, including Viers Mill Road (MD 586) and the Rockville Pike (MD 355) in Rockville, to provide fast and reliable public transportation using dedicated lanes on the busiest streets (Agenda page 5+). In July 2019, the County Council stated they preferred two dedicated lanes in the median (one lane in each direction in the center of the street) for MD 355, however, design has become more complicated for the area near College Parkway. Furthermore, the project will affect Rockville’s Vision Zero, Bikeway, and Rockville Pike plans. To help pay for the project, the County has requested a $1 million contribution from Rockville’s portion of the Montgomery County Transportation Impact Tax.
In July 2020, the Mayor and Council adopted the Vision Zero Action Plan (page 28+). Vision Zero is a multidisciplinary traffic safety program with the overarching goal to wholly eliminate deaths and serious injuries that result from traffic crashes. This program is designed for all roadway users: motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. This program departs from past roadway safety programs by explicitly rejecting any traffic death or serious injury as acceptable and recognizing that people will often make mistakes while traveling, but mistakes should not result in death or serious injury. A recent study revealed six roads in Rockville as “High Injury Network” segments, which means there have been at least four fatal or serious injuries crashes: Rockville Pike (from Veirs Mill Road to Bouic Avenue); West Montgomery Avenue (from Research Blved to Mannakee Street); Norbeck Road (from First Street to Avery Road); Frederick Road (from Ridgemont Ave to Watkins Pond Blvd); Veirs Mill Road (from Rockville Pike to Twinbrook Parkway); and North Washington Street (from Hungerford to W. Jefferson St.). Unfortunately, most of these highways are controlled by the State of Maryland (N. Washington Street is the only City-maintained roadway among those listed). Time to contact your State Senator and Delegates to light a fire under the State Highway Administration!
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 455-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01222024-7097.
Meanwhile, in the State of Maryland
The 90-day legislative session has begun! Taxes and cost shifts are on the table for the General Assembly session as Gov. Wes Moore (D) and lawmakers look to solve both a structural budget shortfall and massive cuts to transportation projects. In November, legislative budget analysts told the joint Spending Affordability Committee that the state faces a structural gap of $322 million in the coming legislative session. Projections show the gap continuing to grow in fiscal 2026 and 2027 to $376 million and $436 million respectively. More at MarylandMatters.org.
State Delegate Joe Vogel (District 17) is among the seven state lawmakers who are currently running for Congress in either the 3rd or 6th districts, with the primaries fast approaching on May 14.
The FBI arrested Carlos Ayala of Salisbury, a State Board of Elections member, for participating in the January 6 insurrection. He resigned from the Board of Elections on January 11. Ayala was appointed to the state Board of Elections last year by Gov. Wes Moore (D) following a recommendation by the Maryland Republican Party. Looks like they need to do a deeper background check before appointing people to public office.
Mayor and Council to Tackle Controversial Rockshire Development
At its Monday, December 18, 2023 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will recognize Mark Pierzchala’s sixteen years of service on the Council and discuss a resolution addressing anti-Arabism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia in Rockville. On the Consent Calendar (items approved without discussion) are vehicle leasing contracts valued at $4.5 million (about 12% of the City’s vehicles are electrified) and approval of the minutes of October 23 and October 30. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on the revised development plans for Rockshire Village.
EYA Development has requested a revision to the Project Plan for Rockshire Village Center to construct a total of 60 dwelling units, including 31 single unit detached dwellings and 29 townhouses (fifteen
percent of the units or nine townhouses, are proposed to be moderately priced); up to 5,200 square feet of commercial and office use (application initially proposed up to 5,500 square feet); and a neighborhood park at 2401 Wootton Parkway (a vacant 1970s shopping center at Wootton and Hurley, near Wootton High School in the Rockshire and Fallsmead neighborhoods). EYA is also seeking a parking waiver in case the commercial/office building is leased entirely for full-service restaurant use as well as a road code waiver for a private alley. The City has received 56 emails and multiple phone calls from the public requesting information, expressing opposition and support for the project. Full report starting on page 73 of the agenda packet.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 271-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12182023-7074.
The draft agenda for January 8, 2024 will discuss justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI); update the new Council on City branding; and begin a process for revising Neighborhood Conservation Districts.
First Public Hearing on FY2025 Budget Scheduled for Newly Elected Rockville Council
At its Monday, November 20, 2023 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will receive the certification of the 2023 election and hold its first public hearing on the FY2025 budget. This is the first meeting of the new Mayor and expanded six-member Council.
After resolving all challenges, the Board of Supervisors of Elections certifies the results of the election to the City Clerk/Director of Council Operations, who records the results in the minutes of the Mayor and Council. In January, the Board of Supervisors of Elections will hold two Post-Election Forums and prepare a report on the 2023 Vote by Mail Election to the Mayor and Council.
This election was marred by two major instances of Rockville residents not receiving ballots. Most recently, voters in the Bainbridge community did not receive ballots, which was not discovered until Election Day when voters requested provisional ballots on Election Day at City Hall.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 153-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11202023-7061.
More Troubles With City of Rockville Executives?
Although the November 30 Mayor and Council meeting was to be the last for the current Mayor and Council, a closed session meeting was hastily scheduled for 9:00 am today to “discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of an employee over whom the Mayor and Council has jurisdiction.” That concerns only three employees: City Manager, City Attorney, or City Clerk. This must be incredibly serious because it couldn’t wait until the first meeting of the newly elected Mayor and Council on November 20. The Mayor and Council might receive a summary at the end of the meeting, but it may be through a news release later in the day. Mayor Newton has played her cards very close to the vest with closed sessions, even flaunting Maryland’s Open Meetings Act to keep information secret, so we may have to wait to learn what is happening. Let’s hope the new Mayor and Council will be more transparent and open about their decision-making.
Max for Rockville 