Rockville Mayor and Council Meeting - September 8, 2025

This meeting of the Rockville Mayor and Council, held on September 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM, covered a range of topics including the acceptance of a consultant's final report on election code updates, a progress update on the Vision Zero initiative, and public comments on rent stabilization, ranked choice voting, and community needs. The council also approved two consent agenda items and held a public hearing on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for FY2027.

Consent Calendar

• Item 9A: Ratified and approved the city manager's early execution of a Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps program host agreement with the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
• Item 9B: Authorized the city manager to execute amendment number one with the Maryland Energy Administration for a no-cost extension of contract 24-2024-16-520-S1 to September 30, 2026.
• Both items were approved unanimously by a voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jamie N. (Rockville resident): Expressed strong opposition to the council's decision to ban further discussion of rent stabilization for two years, arguing that the lack of rent caps harms cost-burdened renters and invites predatory developers. Cited Pinneburg, Germany's 20% cap over three years as a model.
• Anika Halota: Suggested adding a blurb to city publications encouraging residents to leave leaf litter to support firefly habitats, providing sample text.
• Semia Merchant: Called for a rent freeze on units older than 23 years and implementation of Montgomery County's rent stabilization bill for units older than 15 years. Argued that rent hikes push out minority groups and damage community diversity.
• Milton Hallan (Frederick County resident): Urged the council to support ranked choice voting (RCV) for the 2027 election, stating it moderates politics and could set an example for other Maryland municipalities.
• Tyler McClayton (Rockville West End resident, PTA vice president): Criticized the council's reactive housing policies, stating that over 55% of Rockville renters are cost-burdened and that refusing to regulate the market through rent stabilization perpetuates harm. Warned that residents will fight back against inaction.
• Norma Brailsford (Rockville senior): Requested more senior activities, specifically bocce ball courts, noting a lack of engagement opportunities for seniors.
• Nancy Wallace (North Bethesda, representing Montgomery County Green Party): Advocated for RCV implementation by 2027, arguing the consultant's timeline is too conservative and that the city moved quickly on COVID. Offered the Green Party's help as stakeholders.
• Ashley Houghton (Fair Vote chief program officer, Rockville native): Encouraged RCV by 2027 to improve representation, noting Rockville has never elected an Asian American to council. Suggested implementation via resolution without a referendum.
• Adam Weiss (Maryland Ford Party representative): Supported RCV to ensure candidates win with majority support, citing evidence that divisive politicians would not have won under RCV.
• Ellen B. (Rockville resident): Favored RCV to focus local elections on substantive issues rather than partisan attack ads.
• Aurora Brister (Rockville resident): Supported RCV to enhance diversity and reduce political division, noting Congressman Raskin's support for RCV.
• Drava Diego Kumara (Rockville resident): Expressed frustration with the council's inaction on his concerns about black nationalist militancy and rent stabilization. Claimed he had proposed a three-year cap idea and was ignored. Accused some council members of participating in racial discrimination.
• Vincent Russo (Rockville resident): Commented on the election code report, questioning how RCV would work for multi-seat council elections and noting the aggressive timeline. Urged focus on known deficiencies like enforcement and complaint processes, and called for public input.
• Christopher Madden (Rockville resident, Huntington Tenant Association president): Criticized the council's hypocrisy on rent stabilization and immigration, noting that sister cities have rent stabilization. Described evictions as uncivil and urged council members to witness an eviction.
• John Becker (Americana Center resident): Praised the police department's swearing-in ceremony and Vision Zero report. Requested continued attention to safety on state roads (Rockville Pike, Lears Mill Road, East Jefferson). Supported ranked choice voting for future elections and urged attendance at the 9/11 memorial ceremony.

Discussion Items

• Election Code Update (Consultant's Final Report): City Manager Jeff Mahalek introduced the item, noting that the council is asked to accept the report, not adopt it. Consultant Jason Gantt presented recommendations on election laws, campaign finance, board of supervisors of elections roles, and potential ballot measures including ranked choice voting. Council members discussed the need for a clear outline of agreed-upon changes before drafting, a timeline for public input, and attention to accessibility (e.g., electronic signatures, ADA compliance). The council voted unanimously to accept the report.
• Vision Zero Progress Update: Brian Barnett-Woods (principal transportation planner) and Ahmad Al-Shafi (chief of traffic and transportation) presented crash data, high injury network updates, completed projects (e.g., North Washington Street complete streets showing zero fatal/serious crashes since construction), ongoing efforts (crosswalks, sidewalk gap reduction, LED lighting, traffic calming), and coordination with state/county. Council members praised the progress, emphasized equity in bus stop safety, and requested continued focus on state roads, senior pedestrian safety, and crossing times. The council also discussed the need for a sidewalk petition form in Spanish.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent agenda items (9A and 9B) unanimously.
• Accepted the consultant's final report on the election code update (unanimous vote). Staff will develop an outline of proposed code changes and a timeline for public engagement, with input from the city attorney's office and a straw poll summary.
• Noted staff will continue Vision Zero initiatives, including the Redland Boulevard demonstration project (September 15), completion of sidewalk gap reductions, and ongoing coordination with SHA and MCDOT on safety improvements.
• Directives: Staff to provide a list of prior straw poll decisions on election code changes, explore electronic petition systems (e.g., Gaithersburg's model), and ensure the sidewalk petition form is available in Spanish.