Rockville Mayor and Council Meeting 18-25 – July 14, 2025

The Rockville Mayor and Council convened Meeting 18-25 on July 14, 2025. The evening included proclamations and student recognitions, community forum, a special presentation from the Rockville Sister Cities Corporation, a consent agenda, a public hearing and action on 900 Rockville Pike, a work session on the King Farm Farmstead, and discussion of an upcoming rent stabilization work session.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• The Mayor and Council proclaimed July 17, 2025 as Maddie JT Stepanic Peace Day. Dr. Jenny Stepanic accepted and described the Toast to Peace event at World of Beer from 5–8 p.m. on July 17, 2025, including a global "clink" connecting peace day parties around the world.
• The Mayor and Council proclaimed July 26, 2025 as the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Human Rights Commission representatives accepted and highlighted Rockville-based disability organizations, the ADA transition plan, and a new disability justice subcommittee.
• The Mayor and Council proclaimed July 2025 as Park and Recreation Month. Recreation and Parks Advisory Board members accepted, and Community Service Awards were presented to Joe Roach (volunteer track coach for more than 20 years) and Marty Major (volunteer graphic designer at Croydon Creek Nature Center).
• Numerous student achievers were recognized, including National Merit Scholars from Richard Montgomery High School, state swimming/wrestling/tennis champions, C-SPAN StudentCam winners, a Gatorade Player of the Year, and University of Maryland commencement speaker Jay Lishack.

Consent Agenda

• Item 9A, an ordinance amending Chapter 15 of the Personnel Code, was pulled by the Mayor for discussion. Councilmember Van Grack moved to adopt the ordinance with an amendment requiring the city manager to advise the council of all substantive changes, including any budgetary impacts, no later than July 1 of each year. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Jackson and passed; Councilmember Fulton indicated opposition, calling the addition redundant.
• Items 9B (a resolution authorizing a settlement agreement and release) and 9C (approval of minutes) were approved unanimously on a motion by Councilmember Van Grack, seconded by Councilmember Jackson.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Former Councilman Mark Piscella urged a nontraditional, economically viable approach to activating the King Farm Farmstead, including a September open house, inviting groups to pitch visions, prioritizing the horse barn, and avoiding a new kitchen.
• Former Mayor Steve Van Grack praised the FY26 budget, public safety investments, and economic development staffing. He expressed continued opposition to rent control and noted the city's property tax rate has remained the same for 30 years.
• Ashandra McLean thanked Mayor Ashton for promptly connecting her with the police chief after she was assaulted, helping her obtain camera footage for the State's Attorney.
• Kate Gold, a King Farm Community Garden board member, supported a public recreational purpose with flexible building uses and noted the garden donates excess produce to Manna.
• Ilsa Bay Urban advocated for continuing and expanding the community garden, daycare, native plantings, and smaller repeated events rather than large amplified events.
• Rockville Science Center representatives Ulysses Santa Maria and Kyle Kuzinski expressed support for a makerspace at King Farm and a partnership with the city.
• Nadaj Stagbow alleged racial bias and unresponsiveness by city and county staff regarding child welfare concerns and called for removal of Beth Loftus. City Manager Mahalick responded that the police chief responded the day the complaint was made, that the employee is a county employee, and that the county is investigating.
• Community speaker Goodman thanked the Council for the ADA proclamation and advocated for accessible transit and rent stabilization as human rights.
• Gabriela Paikowski spoke in favor of maintaining the King Farm Community Garden, describing it as a source of community and reprieve.

Special Presentation — Rockville Sister Cities Corporation

• President David Hill presented FY25 activities: Richard Montgomery High School jazz ensemble trip to Pinneberg (15 students; city contributed about $2,000, roughly 4% of costs), the Bubble Tea Festival (about 12,000 attendees; city contributed about $7,000, roughly 35% of costs), the lantern festival, hosting a German clarinet ensemble, and ongoing discussions about a possible third sister city in Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire.
• Hill raised concerns about the organization's reclassification as a partnership organization, administrative burdens, city support below 20% of the budget, and the need for more institutional support.

Public Hearing & Action — 900 Rockville Pike Project Plan

• Public hearing TXT 2025-00022 was held on an amendment to extend the implementation period for the approved project plan at 900 Rockville Pike (0.44 acres, Plan Development Champion Billiards with equivalent MXCD zoning). Staff recommended approval.
• Applicant representatives Jody Klein and Mr. Danches requested an additional year, citing historical delays and an access dispute. Former Councilman Piscella spoke in support. No other speakers signed up, and the hearing was closed.
• The Council unanimously adopted PJT 2025-0022 on a motion by Councilmember Van Grack, seconded by Councilmember Fulton.

Discussion Items — King Farm Farmstead Work Session

• Recreation and Parks Director Tara Stewart and consultant Mike Stover presented community engagement results and four building use options. The Engage Rockville project page achieved a 10% engagement rate, the third highest among seven city projects using the platform.
• Community feedback favored Option 4, followed by Option 2 and Option 3. Option 4 would connect the dairy barns with an addition (rough cost $1.2–1.4 million) and include daycare, wellness, maker, and multipurpose spaces.
• Councilmembers broadly supported preserving the community garden, flexible multipurpose spaces, child care/daycare, historical interpretation, native plantings, and a phased approach. Councilmembers Van Grack and Jackson favored more moderate options, while Mayor Ashton and others supported analyzing Option 4.
• City Manager Mahalick recommended moving forward with economic analysis and construction cost estimation for Option 4, with the addition priced as an alternate.

Old/New Business — Rent Stabilization Discussion

• Councilmember Shaw explained that an upcoming work session on rent stabilization would not include updated data, contrary to the process she said was agreed on June 16. Councilmember Van Grack responded that no decision was made on June 16 and that staff had provided extensive data on July 8, 2024. Dr. Miles and Councilmember Shaw argued that updated market data and post-implementation data from Montgomery and Prince George's counties were needed. No vote was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted the Chapter 15 Personnel Code ordinance with the budgetary impact notification amendment; Councilmember Fulton indicated opposition.
• Approved the settlement resolution and meeting minutes unanimously.
• Approved the 900 Rockville Pike project plan amendment unanimously.
• Directed staff to conduct economic analysis and construction cost estimation for King Farm Farmstead Option 4, incorporating Council feedback on the community garden, flexible spaces, daycare, historical interpretation, and native plantings.
• Next steps include a draft King Farm Farmstead master plan in September 2025, a rent stabilization work session the following week, and Rockville High School student recognitions in September.