Rockville, today is November 17, 2025, and we are convening meeting 28-25.

I would like to invite Troop 3337 who represent third and fourth graders from Meadow Hall Elementary to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Please join me as you're able to get the breath.

Well done.

Thank you to Troop 3337.

The future is bright.

They did a fantastic job.

Thank you.

Welcome back if any time.

We'll now move on to agenda review.

Miss Sarah Taylor Farrell.

Madam Mayor and Council members, there are no changes to the agenda this evening.

Thank you.

Councilman Valeri.

Yes, Madam Mayor, I propose one change to the agenda.

I had thought that I needed to wait until the consent items, but realizing this is a uh agenda item change, and that would be uh moving item C from the consent agenda item from this evening to our meeting on December 1st, which would be our next meeting.

Thank you.

Councilmember Van Greg.

I'm definitely fine moving it off of consent to have a discussion, but is there a reason why we're moving it off the agenda for tonight?

Madam Councilman Valeri.

Um yes.

So uh in order to receive um the committee's report, um, that we have a review committee that looks at all the applications for the community uh development block grants in order to give staff enough time to share that report with us in time to to make the best decision.

I believe that we do need to move it to our next meeting.

And for the listening public, this topic relates to funding to support nonprofit communities.

And I believe you have some raised raised during the leadership planning team meeting this morning that you have some additional questions.

Okay, you're hoping to get answered, and that you are fine to put on agenda for December 1st.

Absolutely.

And given the the state of things for nonprofits right now and the challenges they're facing.

I want to be extra thoughtful this year.

Okay.

So you made a motion.

Madam Mayor, I move that we move uh consent agenda item C from this evening's consent agenda to December 1st consent agenda.

Councilmember Van Greg.

Uh just a question to the city attorney and the city manager, because just as councilmember Valeri notes, this is uh nonprofits are hurting, and I know this is support for nonprofits.

Is there any effect or ramifications of us moving this to either the grant or providing support for nonprofits?

We wouldn't miss a deadline.

We wouldn't miss the opportunity to fund, but we wouldn't see an increase in the amount of funding either.

Okay, thank you.

So there's been a motion as a question of a second, and I did have a chance to check with the city attorney.

We'd need six to move it.

Sorry, I understand.

Dr.

Miles.

All right.

All right.

Motion's been made and seconded.

All those in favor, please raise your hand and say aye.

Aye.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you, City Manager.

Thank you, City Attorney, for helping us on that.

Okay.

We now have the city manager's report.

Welcome, Mr.

Mahalek.

Mayor Ashton, members of city council.

Good evening.

Just two items tonight.

First is um some really good news about an effort that we've been doing for the past several years.

Um, our Rockville uh police department does their gun buyback program.

It's an opportunity for people in and around the area to bring back um firearms that they're not using that they wish to dispose of, and then bring it to the Rockville um City Police Department, and we're able to take those firearms and then appropriately dispose of them.

It's a really great event.

It prevents um firearms from getting into dangerous hands and make sure that those firearms are also disposed of properly.

Please tell you in one day, again, in just one day, we're able to collect 303 firearms.

So it's a fantastic event.

Really appreciate the police department's effort leading this in the region.

Second mayor, as you know, and members of council that I'm regularly asking our staff to innovate and try new and different things.

It's a that's what it takes to be a best practice community.

And you know, we've been thinking about um what we can do to recycle our materials but also do what's right for the environment.

So we're trying to do a new innovative effort for our soil rehabilitation project, and our teams are using a combination of used cardboard, recycling cardboard and leaves.

Lord knows we have enough leaves in this community.

Um we're taking the leaves in the cardboard, mixing it up, putting it over some soil and doing that to get rid of the weeds in that soil so we can use it for plantings in the future.

That is in lieu of using pesticides.

So we think that's a great project, and we're really excited about it.

That's all I have, Mayor.

Thank you.

City manager, uh, I know that there's some strong congratulations on order.

I know that public safety will get a public safety presentation later today, so stay tuned.

Um, but want to really give a huge shout out to the Rockville City Police Department in collaboration with the state's attorney's office.

Over 300 303 guns were collected.

We think we're at about a thousand now, and the guns were not only disposed of but melted.

Uh so several assault rifles and other kinds of ghost guns.

I know my colleagues and I were there at Redgate uh and then just saw firsthand how important this initiative is.

Uh, there were several examples, and I'll hold on that for the uh public safeties uh session, but I just want to say thank you to the entire community who participated, and thank you to our officers.

They did an incredible job, and there were other jurisdictions there watching to see what we're doing uh to model.

There's another huge congratulations in order, Mr.

Mahaleck uh from the city manager.

Uh, we want to congratulate you, our new new family member.

Thank you.

Wish we had pictures to put up, but we don't somehow you are still awake.

But we are very uh very happy for you and Gabby, and we wish you all the best.

Great, thank you so much.

City Manager is very private, so uh thank you for indulging us.

All right.

Uh we'll now move on to boards and commissions appointments and reappointments.

We have several for the Cultural Arts Commission, the Financial Advisory Board, the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, and the Rockville Housing Enterprise.

Do we have anyone who's willing to make the motion for the Cultural Arts Commission?

Councilmember Valeri.

Madam Mayor, I move to approve the new appointment to the Cultural Arts Commission of Laura Andresky to serve an expiring three-year term until July 1st, 2028.

Do we have a second?

Councilmember Jackson seconds.

All those in favor, please raise your hand and say aye.

Aye.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Next, we have the Financial Advisory Board.

Councilmember Jackson.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, I nominate uh Robert Wright.

Uh move sorry, I move to approve the reappointment to the financial advisory board of Robert Wright to serve a three full three-year term until December 1st, 2028.

Do we have a second?

Councilman Van Grak seconds.

All those in favor, please raise your hand and say aye.

Aye.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Next, we have the recreation and parks board.

Welcome.

Uh, thank you.

Councilman Van Greck.

Uh, Madam Mayor, I move to appoint to approve the reappointment of the to the recreation and parks advisory board of Natalie Venkos to serve a full three-year term until December 1st, 2028.

Thank you very much.

Do we have a second?

Councilman Valeria Seconds.

All those in favor, please raise your hand and say aye.

Aye.

Excellent.

It's unanimous.

Thank you.

Next, we have Rockville Housing Enterprise.

Councilmember Shaw.

Madam Mayor, I move to approve the reappointment to the Rockville Housing Enterprise of Cap Peace Meadows to serve a full three-year term until May 1st, 2028.

Thank you.

So we have a second.

Councilmember Fulton seconds.

All those in favor, please raise your hand and say aye.

Hi.

Okay.

I want to thank everyone who has volunteered to be on our boards.

We'll have more nominations to come next month.

I want to uh note that uh we'll be moving into community forum now.

Uh staff has asked me to note that um there have been many emails that the council has received in support of the Red Great grant.

Uh, and just noting that um those have been collected and read by the council.

And that pertains to agenda item 11B.

Uh we have a few folks less than that who have signed up to testify.

So I think they want to say thank you for writing.

Uh, and we appreciate those who've also come in to testify.

Uh the first person we have is uh Pat Rever.

So we have Pat Rever here.

Welcome.

Hi.

Good evening.

Um I live in Newmark Commons, as you well know.

Um, Madam Mayor, Council members, and Mr.

City Manager.

Um, this evening, I am bearing a special offering from Newmark Commons neighborhood.

I have a petition that's been in circulation for only two weeks.

We have uh gathered 516 signatures representing 59 percent or 223 homes of our 384 homes.

It asks you to please not increase the allowed density of development next to us by a factor of five.

If we were running for election, 59 percent would be a sure win.

But that's not all.

Between now and December 1, when you vote to authorize a draft of the zoning ordinance, rewrite and comprehensive map amendment initiative.

That's a mouthful.

We will continue to engage and inform neighbors and community through our grassroots effort and submit an update with numbers on December 1st.

You can see we really care about this issue.

But will it change the city's plan to invite through rezoning, dense development, and high-rise apartment buildings on the 10 acre plot next to us?

Well, we surely hope so.

We know that your zoning staff is compiling resident reactions to the proposed zoning changes across Rockville before you vote.

That's why we're submitting our petition today.

We appreciate efforts made by staff over past months to contact and brief us.

During those sessions, we were baffled to learn that they were not involved in this designation.

Rather, it was perhaps I misunderstood.

It sounded like it was an outside consultant who may have looked at this plot of land and said, ooh, we could put big buildings there.

Um did this person ever walk through our neighborhood to this plot of ground.

We asked staff if they could consider a less dense zoning, and we're told that that would not achieve Mayor and Council's goal of getting um maximum housing uh out of out of uh various properties.

Uh we are troubled by the disconnect between the proposed dense zoning and the pledges made by mayor and council in Rockville's 2040 comprehensive plan.

And I quote from page 367 future development, quote, should be connected to surrounding community.

And the other um reference is that development should be, quote, compatible with the adjacent neighborhood, end quote.

We of Newmark Commons are asking that you abide by these pledges of compatibility and act accordingly when you vote on December 1.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Thank you.

And I'm gonna drop the petition over here with thank you.

I should note uh there is a time clock in front of you, there'll be an audible beep.

So uh when you hear that, please stop.

Or and I will try not to use the gavel, but if you hear one, that's what happens.

Welcome, Ron Tipton.

Thank you, Mayor and members of the council.

First of all, I want to thank you.

Um the one the mayor and the members of the council that did come out and meet with a group of about 40 residents of Newmark Commons to look at the place that we're talking about where the rezoning would occur.

It was really we much appreciated that.

My wife and I have lived in Newmark Commons now for over 20 years.

And it's a very special place.

Um way, you know, we all think it's special because of the of the forests and the recreation areas and the and the architecture and our lake.

Um, but this is a place that's on the National Register of Historic Places.

It's a very special designation.

And so I think that I uh uh agree with Pat that uh the proposed RMD RMD 25, uh, you know, which could allow up to 250 units is really the wrong place to do that.

Let me be very clear though.

Uh I and I don't think we as a group are opposed to all development.

The parcel we're talking about right now, five acres of it, could be permitted for certain for a certain level of development, which would be pretty compatible with with the community that we so much care about.

Um I want to add Pat quoted something but uh from our petition, but I want to I want to say a little more about that.

It said this is what it says.

Um this is a key point.

Rezoning the parcel to RMD 25 to permit high dense uh permit dense high rise development would directly contradict both the original planning of intent of Newmark Commons.

Um it would also, and also more importantly, the to this the 2040 plan that the comprehensive plan that's now in effect, you know, that said, which calls would it would call for future development in this place in this area we're talking about right next to Newmark Commons to be connected and compatible with adjacent neighborhoods.

So I think that's a very there's a very strong reason why we love our place.

It's an open community.

Lots of people walk their dogs, children walk from middle school, you know, home every day, right past our where we live, and we wanted to keep it that way, but I I really feel strongly that the pro the proposal you're looking at in the rezoning would be a real mistake and would be very incompatible with that part of our community.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Now we welcome James Nation.

Good evening, Madam Mayor, esteemed City Council members.

My name is James Nations.

I'm a tenure resident of Newmark Commons, and I serve as secretary of the board of directors of the Newmark Commons Homeowners Association.

Newmark Commons was constructed with the idea that it's possible to provide homes for families and protect the natural environment at the same time.

Our 96 acres of housing and trees are one of the reasons Rockville is celebrated as a city of trees and as a city that values families, nature, cultural history, and a cohesive sense of community.

To recognize Newmark's careful placement of housing in its natural environment, the U.S.

Department of the Interior lists the neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places.

The residents of Newmark Commons are now advised that the 10-acre parcel of forest and wetland immediately southwest of us is marked for rezoning, potentially changing it from residential 90 to residential medium density in fill 25.

The 10-acre property is currently zoned, R90, the same as Newmark Commons itself, and it's programmed to accommodate new single-family homes for Rockville's growing population.

But rezoning the area to RMD 25 would allow up to two 250 housing units on the 10-acre site.

The proposed designation would prompt construction that would not allow the Rockville 2040 comprehensive plan to be connected.

It would declare that the future development site should be connected and compatible with adjacent neighborhoods.

Rezoning would present a serious list of social and environmental problems.

Newmark is a primary walking path for students for Julius West Middle School and Richard Montgomery High School.

And Newmark's half-desert crosswalks are crowded every school day with elementary school kids stepping down from the school buses.

The proposed rezoning would increase vehicle traffic in and around Newmark Commons and present serious challenges for our residents and for the students who walk through our neighborhood.

More than half of the parcel already serves as part of a Rockville water infiltration basin and as a wetland mitigation zone for buildings previously constructed.

The parcels, five designated wetland mitigation areas cover more than half of the area proposed for rezoning.

We appear before you tonight to respectfully ask that you maintain the area's current zoning of R90 as a location for future single family homes.

We ask you to maintain the parcels compatibility with its adjoining neighborhoods.

Thank you.

And to help us protect the safety, property values, and environmental integrity of our neighborhood.

Thank you.

Welcome, Susan Knowles.

Hi, good evening.

My name is Susan Knowles, and I moved to Newmark Commons in 1994.

I love this neighborhood and all the amenities the city of Rockville had to offer my family.

Living in a neighborhood where my children walked to school was an incredible plus.

They were able to safely walk to Julius West Middle School and Richard Montgomery High School with lots of kids from the surrounding neighborhoods.

The possibility arose that the entrance on Don Mills Court could be opened when the 10-acre area that abuts it is rezoned to the proposed RMD 25.

In fact, it could produce a throughway to the Wooton Parkway.

Mayor Ashton, you and three council members came and walked the property with me, and about 45 of my neighbors, and we really appreciated that.

Higher per acre zoning produces more cars.

Our neighborhood is a walking and biking neighborhood.

Mayor Ashton, you've walked in biked through our neighborhood.

A possible increase of 350 to 400 cars a day coming around the corner of Newmark Esplanade, going one block to Don Mills Court, passes right next to our playground, our tennis courts, and our pool.

Our children walk to these locations on a daily basis.

It would create an unsafe area that our children frequent.

Actually, as early as 1984, the City of Rockville recognized that under no circumstances should vehicular access be permitted via the residential neighborhoods to the north of this property.

Newmark Commons is one of those neighbor neighborhoods.

We would appreciate you notifying the zoning staff to keep the zoning at R 90 before you take your vote on December 1st's draft.

This would support the integrity of communities like ours and would be in keeping with the City of Rockville's 2040 comprehensive plan, which calls for future development to be connected and compatible with adjacent neighborhoods.

Thank you for listening to me and all of my neighbors.

Thank you.

Welcome, Wayne Breslin.

Just one voice of many.

I'm Wayne Bresan from Twinbrook.

And six years ago, Redgate golf course closed down.

And word on the street was that it was going to be low density housing.

And so I went out there to Redgate.

I'd never been there before, and I was just blown away.

You have these open meadows, you have these deep forests, and then these ponds.

And it just felt like a park to me.

And I thought to myself, why aren't people talking about making the golf course to Redgate Park?

So I went home.

I posted on next door.

If anyone wants to meet with me at Twinbrook Community Center to talk about helping make this a park, you know, I'd like to talk with you.

6 30 that night out of the community center, the room was packed.

All the seats were full, people along the back out in the halls.

And I knew at that point we could do this, that we could get Redgate to be a park.

Two years later, Redgate's an official park, 131 acres.

Two years after that, we have a professionally developed master plan with massive, I mean massive community involvement.

And that plan, it really reflects what the community wanted Redgate to become.

Another two years, and here we are tonight.

And we have a chance to build on that past six years.

And this is your part in the story.

This is your part of the legacy here.

To keep Redgate apart forever.

Now, I know when I say forever in the grant, it says in perpetuity, and that's not ironclad.

We can get around that.

There's ways to do that.

But it's it's got to be a very, very compelling reason.

And it's a little bit slower.

It's a little bit harder to do.

And we want that because we have a professionally developed master plan.

We have a very capable city staff, and we've had six years of community involvement that continues here tonight.

So I'm asking you, and it would mean a lot to me personally, a lot to the folks in Rockville and surrounding communities.

Please uh vote to accept this grant this evening.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Welcome, Ann Goodman.

Followed by Marsha Duma.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

My name is Ann Goodman.

I live at 970 9807 Beers Drive, apartment 120 before moving there.

I was a Twinbrook resident for 33 years.

I and my husband, Jim Fairley, before he died, have been advocating for Redgate to be a park for the last 15 years.

We have been joined by legions of people from our community, Rockville residents as well as residents from the broader community.

At one point, you appeared to hear those voices, and you designated the entire property as a as parkland.

And you are to be congratulated for that, in my opinion.

You appeared to have made a firm commitment.

Now it appears that some of you want to renege on that commitment.

And that's the only interpretation I can put on the recommendation to turn down a grant of 1.5 million dollar grant to improve the property as parkland.

The uh hang-up appears to be the in-perpetuity that the park accepting this grant means that it will have to stay a park.

Um it suggests to me that some of you want to make the property something other than parkland in the future.

That I feel is a betrayal of the voices you have heard and the commitment you made.

Reneging on your commitment does not seem a wise move for public officials who want re-election.

You have heard over and over how unique and valuable Redgate is and how much it contributes to the quality of life of the in the community.

As parkland, it contributes to the area as a whole, not just to special interests who support limited uses other than parkland.

I encourage you to stand by your commitment, accept the grant, and keep Redgate as parkland in perpetuity.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Welcome, Marcia Duma, followed by Deborah Landau.

Good evening.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak this evening in favor of accepting the one and a half million dollar grant from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund for Redgate Park.

The grant is very competitive and confirmation of the unique value of the Redgate property.

Many thanks go to the mayor and council that approved and encouraged the project and to the parks and recreation department for the meticulous and visionary work they did developing a plan for the property, a former golf course that competed successfully with all others across the country.

As you know, these matching grants are for the purpose of, and I quote, acquiring andor developing public outdoor recreational areas and facilities.

I further quote the bill.

The grants are intended to create and maintain a nationwide legacy of quality, public outdoor recreational resources, as well as to stimulate the development maintenance and protection of these highly valued outdoor recreational areas.

It requires sites receiving these grants to be opened, operated, and maintained in perpetuity for public outdoor recreational use.

This goal is exactly the desired outcome hoped for and approved by the mayor and council in 2020 when they voted unanimously to transform the then mostly wild green space into a developed multi-use park with amenities including a new visitor center, community gardens.

Sorry, picnic areas, a playground, a dog park, and an amphitheater.

The overall feel and plantings for the park will be an arboretum with plant materials, emphasizing the native species and keeping with the understanding of the importance of preserving our native habitats.

The master plan clearly shows all the recreational features this grant will create and support.

I think it is worth repeating that the goals and absolutely all of the details of the Redgate Master Plan are completely compatible with the requirements of the grant.

In fact, it is the grant that will substantially make the master plan a reality.

Redgate Park received its first grant in September 2023 by the Chesapeake Bay Trust to plant over a thousand trees and 500 shrubs.

This new grant will enable the visionary thinking and legacy creating to get closer to completion.

Mayor and council are rightly concerned with the economic impact of various developments.

I therefore remind you all that of unique and outstanding recreational opportunities are engines of economic development.

That is why the Redgate Master Plan was overwhelmingly supported by both the Rockville community as well as our neighbors throughout Montgomery County.

By fully developing and protecting our open spaces, Rockville will continue to make the city a beacon for new residents and businesses.

Having the vision and courage to embrace and develop a project such as Redgate reinforces that Rockville is not only a visionary and practical leader for its own citizens, but a good neighbor for Gathersburg residents and businesses.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

I appreciate your testimony.

Welcome, Deborah Landau, followed by Ben Carmwell.

Thank you, Madam Mayor, Councilmember, City Manager.

My name is Deborah Landau.

I'm past president of the East Rockville Civic Association and current member of the Rockville Environment Commission, but today I'm here as uh a Rockville citizen who lives in East Rockville, neighboring community to Redgate.

You've already heard how incredibly important Redgate Park is to us our citizens are people.

We've seen the main using bird diversity from all the photographs outside.

Um but today I thought I'd speak as a scientist and specifically as a citizen scientist.

I opened up this evening uh iNaturalist app and sorted it by Redgate Park.

And in only the amount of time that Redgate Park has been open.

There have been over 3,100, a total of 3,125 observations of diversity.

No birds here, everything else in Redgate Park.

Encompassing 743 species.

That's amazing.

These are our Rockville citizens feeling so compelled, so inspired by this green space to actually go out and document the diversity of this amazing space.

Madam Mayor, Council members, I encourage you.

I I implore you to accept this 1.5 million dollar grant and help protect Redgate Park in perpetuity.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Hi.

Uh I'm Ben and uh I use Redgate all the time with my mother, who's an avid bird watcher.

And I made this map of the pink is all of the surface and garage parking in the urbanized area of Rockville.

And I haven't measured exactly, but I think it is probably close to the area of Redgate.

And if you're gonna vote no for this abstract idea of future housing, why not start with the pink, which is near urban amenities where people want to live?

Greenfield development in Rockville's current zoning laws will induce suburban sprawl.

And uh you will get podiums, parking podiums, McMansions, and Dallas Donuts, because that is what we're zoned for right now.

If we had different zoning that might induce uh more organic housing, then maybe developing the park will make more sense, but we don't have that, and I don't think we're gonna have that in my lifetime.

So destroying the park for this hypothetical zoning that we do not have is not wise.

We should build housing and address affordability where housing should exist and did exist in the past.

It should be in your transit libraries and other urban amenities, not in what is probably the most important development in Rockville in my lifetime, which is Redgate Park.

Thank you.

Welcome, Jake Rose, followed by Martin Burkutt Dr.

Hello.

I just want to say that Redgate Park means a lot to me.

Um, my first job when I was 16 was working for the city at Redgate Golf Course.

Um I go there weekly with my dog, and I am looking forward to starting a family here in the city of Rockville, and I'm looking forward to sharing the park with my future family.

So I'm in full support of the grant for the park.

And I know some of you are friends of Redgate Park, and if anyone would like to become a friend, we would love to give you a magnet to uh show your support.

So thank you very much.

I don't I don't need to speak.

Uh my colleagues have said everything right now quite like thank you.

Thank you very much.

Welcome, Elizabeth Thompson, followed by Jeff Schloss.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

We're all together.

All right.

That's very efficient.

Thank you.

Joe Satka.

Yes.

I'm uh really pleased to be uh here to support your um uh charitable um use of a million and a half dollars to improve what is already a lovely site, and I really wanted to stay.

I'm uh a member uh 40 year or more member, I've forgotten how long I've been in Falls Mead, and um I use this site fairly regularly.

I'm a member of what is called the we call ourselves real old men eating out Romeos, but we don't eat out very much, we just roam a lot and we use Redgate uh fairly regularly.

We we love it.

We love the meadows, we love the uh birds, the uh bees, the uh butterflies that are around, and I really want to thank the staff for producing a grant that got you this much money.

Um it's amazing to in this environment to get a million and a half dollars.

So I really urge you to use it effectively.

So please improve it and use it for use for us.

Thank you.

Truva, Diego Kumara.

Can I go last though?

If you could come now, please.

If you could come now, please.

Yes.

Okay.

Umorables Mayor Ashton, thank you for leading uh presiding and leading on this open democracy forum.

Please note that I'm explainer in chief, EIC explainer in chief.

My info, work worth billions to trillions of dollars.

This already proven on multiple occasions.

You all can choose to ignore my counsel and advice, your choice.

As mentioned previously, I'm evaluating possible candidacy for U.S.

House of Reference Congress or Montgomery County Council.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Disclaimer, all this not all my thoughts, limited access forum here, not necessarily for or against any of you individually or as a council.

This is for county government audience, uh county government, audience here and beyond, not my preamble.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of British America, who are founders and framers of our USA constitution.

We need to balance our tables, people.

I pledge allegiance to USA America everywhere, not this new participating segregationist Latin America, Central America, illegals, undocumented, who have criminally abused me and my family for more than a decade now.

You gotta smile every now and then, not look so serious.

Now, please do not use them to do this.

Nobody should get used.

Nobody should get used.

Conservatives call them illegals.

Liberals, you think you are better by calling them undocumented.

This term undocumented is not kinder or gentler.

It is not kinder or gentler to use that term either.

Now I pledge allegiance to rule of law, make America great again, make America mega America great again, America first, my kinder, gentler version of America first.

I call it MAGA DKK America First.

Thank you, the kinder, gentler version.

I pledge allegiance to rule of law, rule of law.

Now, regarding my home country, India and Indians, please note my right to represent my home country here in my home nation, USA, and is and beyond is my 1428 divine right to do so.

I do not need their approval.

My ancestors, my grandparents who were tops in their professions, very relevant relevant for my home country during the British Empire.

Very relevant to these young ones that come here for their success then and now.

So you've heard of Project 1619.

You should know about Project 1428, 1520, and also there are other projects like 1120, so many projects.

So again, um my when I come up here and talk about H1B and all that, it's my divine right to do so.

Now, regarding H1B, it's a three-year program.

Um it is currently a one-year by the administration based on uh the um executive uh thank you very much.

Uh I spent too much time on there.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Welcome, Mary Van Balgoy.

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

My name is Mary Van Valgoy, and I am speaking on behalf of the Twin Brooke Community Association in favor of this grant at Redgate.

I want to begin, and I know I sent you a letter, but I want to talk about certain steps about this that have not been brought up before.

I want to begin by recognizing the thoughtful discussion the council has been having about Redgate.

Questions have been raised about whether accepting this grant would prevent the city from building a rec center, a pool, or other major facilities on the site in the future.

These are important concerns, and they reflect your responsibility to plan for Rockville's long-term needs.

However, it is equally important to look at what the city and residents have already decided for the property.

In March 2020, the Mayor and Council voted all in agreement that we would keep the former Redgate golf course as a 131-acre public park.

And in 2022, after extensive community input through meetings, surveys, and workshops, the city adopted the Redgate Park and Arboretum Master Plan.

That plan is very clear.

Redgate is envisioned as predominantly a passive park, a place for nature, restored habitat, trails, community gardens, and low impact recreation.

The community did not ask for large buildings or active recreational facilities here, and the master plan does not recommend them.

Instead, it offers a vision that complements rather than competes with the city's existing recreation centers and aquatic facilities.

The grant before you tonight directly funds the improvements residents endorsed.

Accepting this 1.5 million grant allows the city to move forward with these improvements in a fiscally responsible way, reducing reliance on local capital fund and avoiding delays.

But I also want to speak to you briefly about equity.

Parks are one of the few public amenities that serve everyone, regardless of income, age, or background.

Enhancing Redgate benefits benefits the entire city, but especially neighborhoods like Twinbrook, where many residents rely on public green spaces for recreation and community life.

For these reasons, the Twinbrook Community Association encourages you to accept the land and water conservation fund grant.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Welcome, Jack Thierloff.

So Mayor Ashton, Council members, thank you.

And I'll say that I'm gonna say some things that are, I think, complimentary, but in disagreement with some of the things you've said on Redgate.

And part of the reason I wanted to come is I think we need to be able to have good faith disagreements and say that we're aligned on 99% of things and still have them in like a uh frank but supportive, supportive way.

So I'm speaking on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.

Um thank you for making Rockville such a great place to play and to be.

Um we voted in September to raise a unanimous concern that um accepting 1.5 million dollars and restricting the ability to build any indoor structure at Redgate, all 130 acres for forever was just too little money for too much of a restriction over too much land.

Um we really congratulate the city staff.

We congratulate Friends of Redgate and the advocates for raising this, um, for pushing for Redgate.

To be really clear, we don't want to build a coal-fired power plant or townhomes or anything at Redgate.

We want to remain a park.

We've strongly supported it.

I grew up here, I never went to Redgate when it was a golf course.

Uh, when we moved here in 2020, it was one of the first places we went because our oldest was doing cross-country races there.

Um, it's a fantastic place and it should remain a park.

But we think that accepting this grant is going to imprudently tie your and more importantly, your successor's hands.

Uh accepting the federal funding for Redgate will bar any and all indoor facilities, including without a Department of Interior waiver, which, based off of my poor like quick research, is pretty hard to get.

So I would say like it is in effect a restriction on the land forever.

Uh, that's a big deal.

Um I'll just end by saying we're gonna support you no matter what, right?

Like we're gonna be advocating to support recreation and parks in the city, whatever the decision.

Um, we think there's a very reasonable case for accepting the grant.

Uh, we think it's just the city's, we don't know what the city's gonna look like in 10 years, in 20 years, in 50 years.

You have hard jobs.

I think your successors are gonna have an even harder time.

We're gonna have harder budgets, thankfully, more neighbors.

We're gonna need more places to recreate, more places to swim.

In a situation where we need a new pool, there's no land, and we need to get a Department of Interior signature to build that in 30 years.

I think that's imprudent, but it's totally a reasonable thing to push for.

And again, we congratulate the city staff for the hard work.

We thank all the advocates here for your work, and we look forward to working with you to try to make Redgate the best place it could be, whatever your decision and future decisions.

Thank you very much.

Welcome, Paula Hubble.

Hello.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

I'm Paula Hubble, a resident of the Victoria condos for 23 years now.

I've previously written about the proposed development, the momentum at Rockville Station to be built across from the Town Square Starbucks.

I fully support the development of additional affordable housing, and I appreciate that the developers have made some modifications to the project in response to feedback from the residents of the Victoria condominium.

I feel at this time the decision makers do not have complete or real realistic visual representation of how this development will affect current Victoria residents.

All existing renderings of this proposed 12-story apartment building depict the Victoria condominiums as a plain featureless white wall.

The side of our building facing the proposed development includes outdoor patios, windows, and glass enclosed balconies, none of which are shown in any of the visuals provided to the public.

I respectfully request the following that the new development renderings accurate accurately visualize the context to the surrounding, to the surroundings, including the Victoria balconies, patios, and windows.

We do appreciate the developer's decision to remove the balconies on the back that directly face the Victoria, but we also request the removal of the balconies on the adjacent sides, as those would face the sides of our glass enclosed balconies and would significantly compromise our privacy.

We also encourage the city and the developers to consider a more distinctive architectural design for the new property.

Instead of a building that resembles many of the recently constructed apartments in the area, we ask that you explore a design more in line with Boulevard 44, which is an attractive and distinctive building.

And please to reduce the visual impact on Victoria residents.

We ask that the design team consider creative elements such as murals or vertical greenery, outdoor foliage, or other visually appealing features.

These additions would help soften the appearance of the new building and provide a more engaging and aesthetically pleasing view for both current and future residents.

I believe decision makers would be better equipped to make informed and responsible choice if they fully understand and take into account the impact that this project will have on current Victoria residents.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

That exhaust the list of those who have signed up in advance.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak?

I want to thank you to all of our speakers.

We also received written comments as noted previously, and uh we appreciate your feedback and your ideas.

We're now going to be moving on to agenda nine, consent agenda.

I should also note that we'll be discussing just for those who are waiting the uh Redgate item later tonight, as well as there will be a public hearing on uh the uh momentum project.

We'll move on to agenda because since agenda item nine A.

We have a few for discussion or approval tonight.

Award and authorize the city manager to execute a writer agreement on all NI with Alney Masonry Corp and the amount not to exceed 350,000 for the initial term and each succeeding term subject to appropriations with terms including optional extensions and pricing is consistent with the city of Gaithisburg contract and for construction of services contract for city roadway, resurfacing, curbs, sidewalks, and miscellaneous appurgances.

Consent agenda item 9b, authorization for the city manager to execute a water meter easement on lot three block A city center.

I will ask folks to please uh take the conversations outside, if you will, please.

Thank you.

Consent agenda item 9C, approval and submission to Montgomery County of the City of Rockville funding application for a program FY27 U 52 development block grant and consent agenda item D, authorization for the city manager to release and extinguish three existing storm drain easements and to approve three new storm drain easements and one license and maintenance agreement for stormwater management.

Lot six through eight Shady Grove Neighborhood Center.

Uh team, we did um move consent agenda and item 9C to December 1st.

So for this evening, we'd be discussing and potentially approving 9B, 9AB and D.

Does anyone have any questions or need to pull any of these, or you will take them as a complete body?

So we have we need a motion to approve.

Councilmember Leary.

With C having been moved previously to December 1st.

Thank you.

Do we have a second?

Councilmember Jackson seconds.

All those in favor, please raise your hand and say aye.

Aye.

Excellent.

It is unanimous.

We'll now move on to our public hearing.

Public hearing on project plan application PJT 2025-23.

An amendment to the Rockville Center Inc.

plan development to permit construction of a 147 multifamily building for affordable housing, along with a building height waiver and parking reduction at 41 Maryland Avenue.

Yes, Madam Mayor has.

Thank you very much.

Welcome to Christopher Davis.

And I know that there are panelists, uh Craig Simoneau and John Foreman, who also supported this effort.

Thank you, Madam Mayor and members of the council.

As you noted, this is a project plan application, PJT 2025-23 for momentum at Rockville Station.

The subject site is outlined in red on the screen.

It is 41 Maryland Avenue, located in the town center area.

The site is approximately 42.42 acres and has a zoning of planned development for the Rockville Center Incorporated area and an equivalent zone of mixed-use transit district.

As you can see, the site is developed with a surface parking lot located at the corner of East Middle Lane and Maryland Avenue.

The proposed project by the applicant is a uh to redevelop the site with a 12-story multifamily building inclusive of 147 affordable residential units, along with the uh requests are waivers for the building height and a parking reduction.

Uh as noted in the staff report, the applicant also requests to replace 40 MPDU units at 44 Maryland Avenue, the abutting site to this subject site with an additional uh significantly more 46 MPDU units.

So the process to uh negotiate these changes uh and approve the proposed uses is through the amendment of the plan development.

So for some brief background on the Rockville Center Incorporated Plan Development, the original PD was approved back in 1994 as part of a redevelopment effort for the Rockville uh mall.

Uh as part of that effort, five uh mixed use blocks were established as shown on the screen with the subject site identified as block four.

For this specific site, uh the site was approved for a minimum of a 117 residential units along with 11,000 square feet of retail.

Also, the project uh issued a maximum building height of 100 feet above the 448 elevation, which was a specific reference elevation for uh development standards in the PD.

As proposed, the applicant proposes to increase the number of residential units on the property as well as the building height to facilitate the proposed project.

So staff has reviewed the requested project plan amendment to the plan development and has found that the project meets all the necessary requirements and findings for approval of a project plan.

Uh, specifically, the staff has found that the project will not adversely affect the health or safety of persons residing in the neighborhood, specifically as the proposed uses will complement the residential uses in the surrounding area, and the project will also conform with requirements to ensure public health and safety throughout the development review process.

Uh the project will also provide affordable units consistent with the established goals of the city.

The project also will not conflict with the comprehensive plan, both the comprehensive plan and the recently adopted town center master plan has also proposed and promoted additional housing in the town center and recommended elimination of parking for this specific site.

Staff has reviewed the request uh with our adequate public facility standards and have found that schools, transportation, and order and sewer facilities will exist to serve the subject site.

The project has been reviewed for compliance with the zoning ordinance, and staff has found that the project will not violate any provision of that ordinance, specifically this use is in compliance with the ordinance and further review with the zoning ordinance will be completed with review of the site plan.

Finally, the project has been reviewed for uh requirements affecting natural resources and environment and has found that no adverse impacts will be created, specifically forestry and stormwater management requirements will be met, and there are no specific impacts to historic resources.

As Madame Mayor mentioned, the project has proposed a height waiver to exceed the maximum height of this specific zone.

Um the request is for a maximum height of 137.25 feet.

Staff has reviewed this request and noted that it meets all the criteria for approval, as you can see here on the screen.

Here is a proposed rendering with the neighboring buildings.

Additionally, staff has reviewed the parking reduction request and found that it meets all uh approval for criteria.

The specific criteria has been shown here on the screen, and the the request meets such criteria.

The applicant has also completed their necessary notification requirements, notably holding the necessary community area meetings and briefings before this mayor and council and the planning commission.

Additionally, they also held a community meeting with the neighboring Victoria condominium residents back in February.

Um Madam Mayor, as you may have noted, the um public testimony has been significant and was provided in your packet.

Additionally, staff did receive additional public testimony after the posting of the agenda packet, which has been forwarded to the mayor and council.

Um such items noted were concerns about uh adequate privacy for adjacent residents, um adequate public safety during the construction period and additional design issues.

So the recommended next steps include holding the public hearing and considering a resolution to approve the project plan application, and should the application be approved, a required site plan would be reviewed by the planning commission.

So having found that the uh project has presented uh adequacy with all the necessary findings for approval, staff does recommend that the mayor and council hold the public hearing and act on the following, including approval of the project planned, the requested building height waiver, and the parking reduction.

And with that, Madam Mayor, that concludes staff's presentation.

Um the applicant is available and has a presentation that they can uh start at your discretion.

Thank you.

So we'll move to the public hearing first, and then I know that we'll have a portion of this agenda that will be able to discuss action and specific mayor and council questions.

Is that fair?

Understood.

Okay, thank you.

All right.

I want to thank everyone who's written and testified.

I believe Ms.

Hubble uh testified earlier.

I'd request that her comments be included as part of the this public hearing.

Okay, thank you.

We'll move to the folks who have signed up in person uh first, and then we'll move to our virtual speakers.

We also have received written responses.

I'd like to first call up Doris Sarmi.

Sammy, welcome.

Um we will start when she starts speaking.

Okay.

Can you please pull the mic about the project that you have?

Thank you.

It will affect me really greatly.

Okay.

Dear mayor and uh members or the council members.

Okay.

Dear mayor, I met you in the forum this tonight.

Um members or the council council members, any resident of the Victoria Condominion and the 24 Courthouse Square Apartment 510.

I would like to let you know my strong opposition to the this proposal, this building that they wanted to build in what road build station development, because it will affect me in many ways, especially um my health issues, because it will block my windows.

I in the fifth floor, and this building is going to be blocking all the zone that I need it.

I have a lot of issues, my health issues.

And um only my health, by my mental and my my whole good being.

Um structure normally affect the health of or the property.

But in the meantime, when they build in this, is it's going to be a lot difficult.

So please, please don't let this happen.

Okay.

Thank you for your testimony.

Is there anyone else in person who would like to speak?

Please come up.

Please state your name again.

Hi, my name is Benjamin Cornwell.

I didn't know this was going to be on the dock item here with the regular thing, but I love it, and I think we should have more of that.

And people my age cannot afford housing, and we can't afford to live in the place that we grew up, and I grew up here.

So uh no parking, that's great.

Honestly, double it, make it even taller.

And every parking lot, a little map you guys remember.

That should just be this everywhere.

This is beautiful, and we'd like more of it.

People my age at least.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Is there anyone else in the audience who would like to speak?

Okay.

We'll now be moving on to our virtual speakers.

First, we have Padam Singh.

Hello, can you hear me?

We can hear you.

Okay.

Uh I'm a resident at Victoria Condominium, and our opposition to 41 Maryland Avenue is significant and shared by 83 residents who signed a petition.

While we recognize the need for new housing in this project, uh, but this project is too massive, too close, and exceeds our community expectation.

The severe impact on our quality of life is unacceptable.

I submit the following critical issues direct visual intrusion and loss of privacy.

The plans indicate full-size balconies directly directly facing the Victoria, constituting a severe invasion of resident privacy.

These extended balconies create an unmitigated line of sight into our homes.

Specifically, the first row balconies aligns direct directly with our bay windows and patio areas.

I request these revisions, managing the removal of the first row proposed balconies starting from the patio line, require all remaining balconies facing the Victoria to be reduced to the smaller Juliet style to maintain resident privacy.

Second uh issue, excessive construction schedule and disruption.

The dwellers proposed construction schedule, potentially seven days a week, early morning until late at night, is deeply concerning and unacceptable.

Due to the extreme proximity of the site to the Victoria property line, the constant noise vibration and heavy machinery will make residential life extremely difficult.

I request these revisions, enforce strict defined limits on construction hours and days, adhering to the most restrictive local residential noise ordinances, require continuous verifiable mitigation measures to minimize vibration impacts on our existing structure.

And my last third point the air particle and matter generated by prolonged heavy construction at such close range poses a serious public health risk for vulnerable residents.

Many residents, including myself, suffer from allergies, while several elderly residents have shared acute concerns.

Close range construction dust is known irritant and contributed to serious issues, including asthma, COPD, and lung irritant.

I request these revision.

Require the developer to implement maintain best-in-class dust suppression techniques throughout the construction process, including mandated air monitoring near the building's property line.

Please keep in mind there are 83 Victoria residents that who have signed this petition and are strongly against this complete proposal.

Thank you very much.

Now we welcome Sally Sarah Duffy.

Um Madam Mayor, Council members, and the city manager and city staff.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to commit comment on application PJT 2025-23.

My name is Sarah Duffy, and I live at uh 22 Courthouse Square in Rockville and have done so since 1991.

I'd like to thank the city staff, especially Chris Davis and the project, as well as the project uh personnel associated with the momentum at Rockville Station for the community meetings and for planning to address some of my initial concerns.

My request now is that the city remain engaged with this building's residents and those in the surrounding uh community should you approve the waivers.

At this point, I believe two items merit special continuing attention from the city.

First, the effects of the parking waiver.

I believe that there will be momentum residents who have cars.

Because affordable housing is scarce, choice is limited.

And I disagree that there is plentiful parking of the type that residents with cars would need.

There aren't that many 24-7 garages that have more affordable monthly rates, and fewer, if any, that offer dedicated spaces.

Also, note that at least one of the garages noted in the waiver application, Garage C is no longer available.

Though I believe the Comstock building garages are in fact excellent, and that there may be enough spaces in them now.

That will change should the commercial spaces fill out and other nearby proposed projects be built.

Also, there may be residents with cars who cannot afford the monthly parking rates.

My concern is that the waiver will lead to increased traffic congestion as residents with cars look for spaces, and that some residents may end up parking illegally.

My request is that the city do everything in its power to minimize any adverse impacts should they arise in this already congested area.

Second, quality of life in the building in the surrounding area.

I believe that affordable housing can be great for residents and an asset to communities should appropriate social supports and policing be provided.

My specific concern now is the likely reduction in funding for social supports at the federal, state, and county levels due to budget pressures.

My request is that the city be ready to identify and prepare to fund gaps in essential supports for residents.

I also request that the city routinely conduct specific outreach to momentum residents so they know about and importantly feel welcome to participate in the many sports and other activities provided by the Wreck and Parks Department, as well as the various city boards and commissions in the city government.

I believe engagement will enhance our community.

In short, I request that the city should the waivers be approved, do everything it can to make this progress uh project successful for everyone.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We now welcome Kitarina Singh.

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

My name is Ekaterina, and I'm here today because I have serious concerns about the new building.

So my main concern is how this proposed development will affect my health.

I have Renettes, which is easily triggered by dust and pollution.

A project of this size built so close to our homes will bring a large amount of dust into the air.

My doctor warned that this could lead to asthma.

The current plan does not protect the health of people living in the Victoria.

Privacy concerns.

The design includes large balconies facing the Victoria.

These balconies would look directly into our bay windows and patios, taking away our privacy.

Other buildings in Rockville Town Center use small Juliet balconies, and we ask for the same here.

I am asking for two changes.

Remove all balconies that line up with our pathos and bay windows.

Change the remaining balconies facing the Victoria to small, not protruding Juliet balconies.

I support affordable housing, but it should not put current residents at risk.

There are other places in Rockville with more space, wider roads, and better conditions for project this big.

In closing, I'm I ask the council to require the major changes to this plan.

If these changes cannot be made, I respectfully ask you to reject the proposal.

Please add my comments to the public record.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Welcome, May Chief An.

Madam Mayor, their written comments.

Okay, perfect.

Thank you very much.

Last call.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak?

Okay.

Mr.

Davis, uh, would you like to just share how the public hearing record records will be kept?

And I believe this will close a public hearing since we're taking action today.

Yes, that's correct.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you.

We'll now be moving on to adoption of a potential adoption of a resolution to approve project plan application PJT 2025-23 and amendment to the Rockville Center Inc.

plant development to permit construction of a 140-unit multifamily building for affordable housing along with parking and building height waivers at 41 Maryland Avenue.

And welcome back, Chris Davis.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Um, staff doesn't have a separate presentation for this item.

It is the same exact item you just heard.

Um I will note the applicant is uh available for any questions you have.

They have a presentation if you want to uh uh hear it, but we're happy to answer any questions.

Colleagues, are you okay to hear the presentation?

Yeah.

Okay.

All right.

If you have a presentation and want to share it, we are willing to hear it.

Uh for the record, Nancy Ragler from Showman Rogers here on behalf of the applicants, which include SEG Development and the owner of the property, Comstock 41, Maryland, and uh the owner of Boulevard 44, which is Comstock 44 Maryland.

And with me tonight is Kirk Salpini from SCG Development.

And we do have this, and we'll go through it very quickly, but we're just as happy if you want to just answer questions if there are questions, and if that's a more effective use of your time.

Thank you.

If you could just do a very high-level glance through, and I know that there were several questions that this body asked last time that you said I'd come back you come back and be able to provide additional information on.

So perhaps what we'll do is we'll run through and just quickly go through a lot of the visuals.

Okay.

All right.

So I'll step back and come back up for questions.

We'll let Kirk do.

Thank you.

So, Madam Mayor, Council members, uh, good evening.

Thanks for the opportunity to present the proposed development of 41 Maryland Avenue.

I'm Kirk Salpini, Director of Construction for SCG development, the developer of 41 Maryland Avenue.

We're pleased to deliver a hundred percent affordable housing project in the city, affordable to a range of income qualified households under federal and county financing programs, and the city's MPDU program.

We're able to do this at this site within town center with the special support of our co-applicants, Comstock 41 Maryland, the owner of the property, and Comstock 44 Maryland Avenue, the owner of the Boulevard 44 apartments across Maryland Avenue.

41 Maryland Avenue will deliver 147 affordable units.

The property could be developed with a market rate project with the minimum 15% MPDUs, but due to the innovative collaboration between SCG and Comstock, the project delivers 85 more affordable units than the city would have otherwise received through a standard entitlement process for 41 and 44 Maryland Avenue together.

And the transferred MPDUs from Boulevard 44, which only have approximately 15 years left on their original 30-year MPDU covenant will have the unit MPDU Covenant start over and extend for 99 years, a gain of approximately 85 additional years of affordability.

The building design features one bedroom, two bedroom, three-bedroom, and studio units aimed at renters at household incomes of 50 to 80 percent area median income.

We hope all households in Rockville thrive.

One of the advantages of Boulevard 44 MPDU residents getting a priority opportunity to transfer to 41 Maryland is that a household with income that's either growing beyond the 60 percent median qualifying income cap under the existing MPDU covenant at Boulevard 44, or experiencing a reduction in their household income, will have broader options for affordability in 41 Maryland Avenue between 50 and 80 percent median income and larger unit sizes, allowing them to rent an MPDU unit that's appropriate for their household.

Next slide.

The property is a unique site in a downtown urban setting.

Being only 82 feet wide with existing high-rise buildings adjacent and confronting, it's a complex urban infill development opportunity.

Next slide.

The greater building height waiver requested to 120 feet over the 448-foot elevation, or for context, 137 feet above the sidewalk in 12 stories, allows for finished ceiling heights that are comparable with new residential rental projects, and more importantly, provides flexibility in selecting the building structural system, permitting the applicant to use the most efficient and available material, whether it be concrete, cold form steel, or other innovative system, at a time when pricing and lead times are dynamic.

This flexibility should lead to lower construction costs and better affordability.

Next slide, please.

The applicant worked diligently with the city to enhance public safety by expanding the sidewalk area at the intersection of Maryland Avenue and East Middle Lane, and providing residents with convenience for daily living via three new short-term pickup drop-off spaces, each with a walkway connection from the parking space to the sidewalk, and building supplied carts or dollies to transport their purchases.

Next slide.

Next slide, please.

There are established well-lit pedestrian routes connecting 41 Maryland Avenue to multiple street parking options nearby.

Overall, within 500 feet, there are over 3,400 parking spaces for short-term and long-term lease if a resident chooses to own a car.

Next slide.

Applicants take an advantage of the walkable, bikeable, and transit-rich location of the property to provide an affordable community where car ownership is not a necessity for a great quality of life and access to jobs and amenities.

The convergence of these demand drivers at 41 Maryland Avenue for 147 households could lead to a significant equitable neighborhood change in town center.

For those residents whom choose to own cars, their parking needs can be satisfied in the 3,000 plus spaces and nearby publicly available garages.

Several affordable housing projects are located within 0.4 miles of the site and enjoy strong demand, evidenced by average vacancy rates below 5%, with some having waiting lists.

Maryland Avenue will help meet this demonstrated demand and provide a desirable in-town location, especially for those households who do not want to be burdened with the cost of car ownership.

Next slide.

Next slide.

As you can see from these slides and from the additional graphics and information in the Grove Slade Parking Waiver Justification Report, residents have access by walking, biking, bus, transit, and shared car services to groceries, parks, recreation, job opportunities, entertainment, and everything the region provides.

Next slide.

The significant glazing of the lobby entrance, the welcoming lobby gathering space, the vibrant leasing office, and the clubroom program with activities will add to the vitality of town center at this intersection.

Proposed building features both traditional and Juliet balconies.

Outdoor space is often the exception in affordable project design and something urban renters covet.

Juliet balconies are provided on the street side, and a limited number of full balconies are provided on the west facade.

Next slide.

During the public comment period, we heard from the concerned residents, particularly those in the Victoria condominium.

Worried about the building proximity, causing a loss of privacy.

In response, we removed balconies from the West Building elevation that directly confronted the Victoria condominium end units along Middle Lane.

Next slide.

41 Maryland Avenue is located at the Maryland Avenue property line, resulting in over 35 foot separation of building face from the Victoria condominium building space.

Approximately two-thirds of the proposed building directly confronts their open courtyard.

In our experience, a 30-foot building separation is indicative of an urban infill setting.

Additionally, to be responsive to the Victoria resident requests, we set the second floor terrace at an elevation almost 13 feet below the condominium ground floor units to offset the Maryland 41 Maryland Avenue terrace outdoor space from the adjacent Victoria condominium unit outdoor terrace spaces.

Next slide.

Next slide.

This is another perspective, this one looking down middle lane towards Maryland Avenue and the portion of the west facade without balconies.

Next slide.

Next slide.

41 Maryland Avenue is the right place.

The time is now to address both the acute shortage of affordable housing and support the city's vision for transit-oriented development at a prime location in Rockville Town Center.

SEG development respectfully requests the mayor and council approve the project plan, the height and parking waivers, and the MPDU transfer as the first step in making this project feasible.

The proposed conditions are acceptable to applicant, and we welcome any questions.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I'd like to thank everyone who has testified, like to thank staff, and thank you to the applicants.

I have a few comments and I want to open up for my colleagues to ask questions as well.

I did want a level set here for this particular plot of land in 1994, the planning commission allowed a parking lot, but noted that this has a right to be an apartment building space.

And so this is not a question of whether an apartment building is allowable.

Is that correct?

That's correct, Madam Mayor.

Right.

So that is the property right property owners' right to do so.

They specifically asking about heights as well as uh parking waiver.

Yes, and the additional residential units originally was approved for a minimum of 117 uh residential units and retail use.

So part of their proposal is to change that use for residential only as well as the requested waivers.

Thank you.

And that's in alignment with a comprehensive plan that noted that not all ground level had to have retail.

Is that correct?

That's correct.

Okay.

And then I had a question about building height, because we did the Rockwell Town Center Master Plan, which allows for greater height.

So while this is approving the a higher height for this building, technically, that area is zoned for higher heights.

Can you please clarify?

That's correct, Madam Mayor, but it's through a different process.

So the uh recently adopted text amendment to allow the additional height allows that additional height through a floating zone map amendment.

Um so through that process, that's how uh developers are able to access that additional height through the current process in the zoning of this uh particular property.

Um, the waiver is the appropriate uh avenue to request additional height.

And that will probably uh most likely be resolved with the zoning ordinance as this all gets implemented into our new zoning code.

Thank you.

And I think in general, my question would be how can we be more streamlined as a city, given the intent of the Rockville Townsend of Master Plan as well as the comprehensive plan.

So just wanted to note that.

Um I I want to say thank you for bringing forth an opportunity to provide affordable housing.

Uh the city does need affordable housing in Rockville.

We do look at how do we bring in housing in a way that is context specific, helps bring in new residents, supports workforce, uh, and and thinks about our infrastructure.

And I think the team has work worked really hard and made adjustments to try to do that.

Um so I just want to say thank you.

We do need housing where people can afford to live, and it's not always easy to get these kinds of projects.

So I wanted to note that is at least from me, and I believe many of my colleagues would agree this is something that the city does need given what we're seeing in terms of the housing crisis for this band of income.

Um I I did want to ask a few questions uh just briefly on um the item that relates to a how do we, as the mayor and council look at this project on how it might affect the health and safety of persons in the neighborhood.

Uh and I wanted to focus on some of our questions from the past meeting when you all were here on thinking about the current MPDU dwellers and the Comstock property across the street, which would be to be potentially transferred.

The language in the resolution and the language in the brief book talks about them getting priority access to apply.

And I just want to make sure I understand what that really means.

I don't want to create a loophole for displacement and ensure that anyone who is in that property now that would be moving would be allowed to move.

Uh so if you could help us understand what is implied in the resolution, and maybe the applicant can also clarify.

Yes, ma'am, I'll start.

Um so we have a condition um included in the project plan that basically uh uh uh uh dictates the applicant to work with the city on a a proposal and a layout for how these uh residents will be transferred to 41 Maryland, and that's prior to any physical transfer happening.

Um, it includes provisions for notification of those residents, um, working through any issues they may have.

I know the issue of parking has come up about how they can maintain parking if they currently have parking in 44 in the new 41 Maryland.

So that document um has been will spell out those specific specific provisions before any construction or transfer of uh residents to the new new uh units.

And would there be any reason why someone who was in uh the Comstock property now would be denied if they were haven't broken the lease and they have they uh can qualify via income.

That's not our understanding, guys, from staff.

But is there any poll for that?

So Niacy Red Glenn responding to that.

The the key question is qualification.

So we would anticipate as priority the first tenants to select units, and there's plenty of units that are matching what they have now, but they'll also have the opportunity to actually match to their household size or their income size among a greater number of units.

So all they need to do is qualify so that they qualify under the programs.

That's a great clarification.

And I did see in the resolution that they would be able to maintain their parking.

Um there are amenities that will be in the new building, like fitness club room, I think there's a pet spot.

So very beautiful exterior and amenities.

And I also wanted to say um during the comprehensive planning process and during COVID, we discovered the benefit of balconies for residents, being able to have fresh air and being able to see the outside.

Uh so uh you don't normally see that in some of the affordable units.

And so thank you for thinking about the residents here.

Uh and so I just wanted to, the only one that I didn't see is the pool.

And would they have access to the pool, or are you gonna work with the city of Rockville to get them access to this the city pool, but I just I worry about amenity loss for them.

Correct.

So this location is a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride to the swim new swim center, your updated swim center.

So they have this as a resident of the city of Rockville, they'll have access to the city pool and all of the amenities that are in the swim center.

Um they will not have access to the pool at Boulevard 44 after they transfer.

That is the one amenity that is not duplicated in the affordable housing uh project because there is no roof deck roof amenities, those are amenities that normally don't fit within the affordable housing pro forma.

I would say it's it's more the exception than the rule to be able to uh fit that into our program and into our budget, if you will.

Well, perhaps you could work with the city of Rockville to help them have that, at least in the interim period.

I just wanted to raise uh that in particular.

Yeah.

Well, thank you.

And and I would like to take just uh a brief opportunity to follow up on your comment about balconies.

We would love to provide uh traditional balconies, but the zoning ordinance precluded us from crossing over the uh property line by um uh I I don't recall what the dimension was, but I don't think we were able to extend our balconies beyond the property line.

So to encroach over the sidewalk on Maryland Avenue, that's why there are no full balconies on Maryland Avenue.

That's why you have Juliette.

Yes.

Correct, because we can't encroach even though it would be up at the third floor going to the 12th.

So when you saw the the first design of this building, um, you saw it with full balconies.

And one of the things that made this design what it is from an urban perspective is that the balconies feel right.

Um not that they won't look great with Juliet balconies as well in the designs we've presented, but I think it's something that the city needs to be aware of and needs to have some ability to work with applicants who are otherwise conforming to what your goals are to try and give you the best project, the best design that we can.

Thank you for sharing that in particular.

Um the other question, and I'll pause there uh after this is uh the moving expenses because people are going, I hope that they will be able to stay for the remainder of their lease before they have to move, or they'll get given an option on priority.

But thinking about the moving expenses, people who already are uh income restrained, I have concerns about what additional cost they will have to incur.

How are you planning to handle and support them on that?

Uh yes, so we were actually anticipating that the moving uh expenses for uh Boulevard 44 moving into Boulevard 41 would be covered, um, and they would be part of a program that we would um actually put out the full uh program uh right before we do building permit when we have all these numbers and we know everything.

Um it will probably follow along what the county does for their displaced tenants, uh which includes the at least 120 days, if not 180 days advance notice, and then the right to terminate early if you don't want to take the option to move to 41 Maryland, you could terminate without a termination fee, and uh and then moving assistance priority selection of the unit at 41.

And then if you are a Maryland uh Boulevard 44 tenant, as you said, if you have uh parking in Boulevard 44, you'll be able to continue to rent parking at the MPDU rates.

The only difference is right now Boulevard 44 has reserved parking for residential that goes up, and those have access onto those individual floors at Boulevard 44.

So to main security at Boulevard 44, the MPDU tenants will at 41 Maryland uh move to the general uh parking in Boulevard 44.

So that'll be the only difference, but they'll still have the ability to rent parking at Boulevard 44 at the MPDU rates.

Okay, thank you.

I have questions about um the Victoria and and some of the things about sound and and all that, but I want to hold so my colleagues can ask questions.

Councilman Van Grack.

Thank you.

And first and foremost, thank you to the applicant.

Thank you to staff, Mr.

Davis, Mr.

Semenau, Mr.

Foreman putting this together.

I can tell you that there's not many places in the city that I've heard people comment to me about than this particular plot of land.

And people have talked about it being an eyesore, and people have talked about what can be done here.

And you have put forward, and I know you've been working on this for a while, a fantastic um building that's gonna do right by the city.

We are going to you you you yourself have talked about the amount amount of affordable housing we're gonna put put here, and it's gonna be significantly usable when it's really an extremely narrow plot of land.

And aside from the fact that you're putting it together, I also want to commend you.

You've listened to us.

You've heard about some of the comments that we've noted and that residents have noted about some of the earlier designs.

The over 35 put foot distance from the neighboring building to where your building's gonna be is going to provide uh a buffer space.

Your 13-foot elevation below the neighboring unit areas is going to again allow more distance and space.

And we specifically talked about a curb cutout with regard to easier access.

You've done exactly that.

So I really want to commend you for not only looking at a place where people have said what could be done here.

But you've not only looked at it, but you've put together something that's going to be beneficial for our community.

This council's talked about increasing the supply of affordable housing.

We're now doing that in a particular area that has essentially been an eyesore and a vacant lot for an extremely long period of time.

So I know you've put together this project, you've listened to us, and I really just want to say thank you for putting this together because I know that me and my colleagues here really appreciate it.

Dr.

Miles.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Um echo the thanks.

Colleagues extend it to staff, to the presenters, and to the community for your input.

Thanks for the discussion on the balconies.

I've raised it with staff, and I do want to make sure we're being mindful of how we present projects, regardless of people's ability for it to live.

But I think it's an undercount, but I don't think that that should necessarily umede our moving forward with this project.

We don't necessarily have control over schools and their production, but uh we have some pretty fierce advocates on this council who continue to push to make sure that our schools are high quality and that they serve the needs from a capacity standpoint um for the students that are generated.

The only um other question or comment I have was also answered by staff, and it's where you know we hear something about or fair and about some of the federal callbacks of funds.

Um, you know, what's happening to the how the Department of Housing Urban Development?

And I recognize this is these are LITEC funds in part.

Um, and it's my understanding from staff that these are credits issued to the state and that these are state administered, so we don't have to worry about as much there being a clawback of any funds uh that would get in the way of this project moving forward.

So I want to thank staff for their uh responses to the questions.

I look forward to uh working with the community and um y'all to get this this moving forward.

Do you want to be mindful of the community um but also be being mindful of a future residents that will hopefully call this place home?

That's all I have.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Jackson, and then Councilmember Larry.

All right, thank you, uh Mayor.

And first, thanks to staff for the presentation, and thank you uh uh for all the work that you've done.

Uh I won't uh go into it because I think uh my uh council member uh colleague uh Van Grack has done a good job of uh uh the kudos that you so richly uh deserve.

I just have a question.

I was listening to some of the concerns uh from uh the surrounding buildings.

And so um how will you uh avoid the um illitex of construction uh like the vibrations and noise, et cetera, that will be um uh accompanying any new uh uh building that goes up.

So what we would do, I think uh I'll address a couple things.

One um work hours.

We'd work within the permitted uh construction hours according to the building permit.

Um when you do adjacent urban construction, the first thing you do is you do a uh survey of the adjacent structure.

You do that to protect yourself, you do that to protect your neighbor.

You want to know what the condition is before you build.

Um then you put some monitors in place that when you get a reading that there is an excessive vibration to the point where there's potential to damage the structure, you stop, you investigate, and then you make corrective actions before you proceed.

So those are some uh uh precautions that we would typically follow in in an urban infill setting.

As to dust, it's construction.

I can't stand up here and tell you we're not gonna generate a lot of dust because we will.

Um it's it's an urban setting, and we've really got no room to work with.

We'll be asking for a lane closure.

We'll be making things a little bit uncomfortable for the adjacent areas while we try and construct.

But that's the only place that we're gonna have to take deliveries of materials and stage the construction of this building due to how narrow the site is.

Um we'll do our best.

We'll live within the requirements of the building permit and any inspections that take place by the city.

All right.

Well, thank thank you uh for that uh with that, Mayor.

I'll you're back.

Thank you, Councilman Valeri.

Thank you.

Um, and I will say ditto to all my colleagues, but thank you to the applicant, and thank you as always to our terrific staff.

Um, and so my first question is for Mr.

Davis.

Um on the back side of 30 Courthouse Square, there is a nonprofit that partners quite frequently with the city.

Have I know that traditionally we don't do outreach to businesses per se, but seeing as this is a nonprofit and a good community partner, do you know if they were if any outreach occurred with them because they do face is the back side of that building and they will face directly into um the new development.

Yes, uh staff's not aware of any specific noticing that's gone to the occupants of that building.

We do know we can confirm that the noticing was sent to the property owner.

Um, and typically in in retail and merchant spaces, they will share that with the tenants.

Um but we can certainly look to um notify them as we go forward.

Yeah, and and I I say this because um and I knew and I knew that that it would go to the property manager, but um, and and this is for the the applicants um as well, knowledge and for the community.

Um uh it's a nonprofit that works especially with uh folks with substance use disorder, and they have the entrance um which people um access the the share spaces and recovery um rooms and so forth.

I I just want you know, as a courtesy, I know it's not within the the the letter of the process, but um I I think it would uh it would be great if uh Mr.

City Manager somebody could do some sort of outreach just to let them know, hey, this is coming, we know that you're here, and here's how you can follow along the progress.

So that's that's my first my first uh point.

Um I guess my second one is actually for Mr.

Davis as well.

Um, because I learned something new about the balcony issue.

Um and where it it it wherein it lies.

Um is this something that we could I presume it's something that we could look at as part of the zoning ordinance rewrite.

Okay, then I will just put a big old pin in that for my colleagues because I think that um yeah, I I I think that uh allowing for full balconies for uh affordable housing for any housing.

If if if we can do it and what's holding us back is perhaps an outdated sense of zoning, then maybe we can talk about it.

Um but okay, so those are my two big questions.

I I do want to say that um, you know, I've I've read every single letter from the community.

I listened very thoughtfully to everybody um that spoke tonight.

And you know, I I still struggle with um the fact that our housing crisis it's it's a community problem, and it's really gonna take all of us uh playing a role to get to a solution.

And I feel that you know, every time that uh a new opportunity arises, it it becomes very very insular.

And I I want I just want to extend that to to everybody, and I mean from corner to corner of the city, uh a variety of infill options, looking at affordable housing coming in and not talking about you know what services that community needs.

I think we all probably need good wrap around services.

Um, but you know, I these are the potential to have incredible neighbors.

This is a project with many steps along the way to go.

Um I do I I do would love I would love to see, you know, um maybe uh a creative way to to make and make that space between um the existing um the Victoria and this new building, maybe something could happen in that space, um, greenery or um something else creative that also would be a bridge between two different communities.

But I I think that the more that we can do when new developments come in to bring people closer together.

But I'm I'm really appreciative that you are investing in this way in the city.

That is something that is is possible and achievable.

And you know, we'll we will get there at the end of the day.

Um but I I really do look forward to the next steps in the stages and watching this this plan progress.

Um but I I do just want to reflect back that um I I think I think we can all extend a little bit of grace if we want to make sure that we can all afford to live here.

So thank you.

Uh and actually, if I could just respond on that, which is this is a perfect example of if you give enough flexibility to the private sector, they will solve the issue on how to deliver affordable housing.

If you just try to put them in a box with all the rules and regulations, it doesn't give them the flexibility.

They they figured it out here how to make it work.

So exactly.

Thank you very much.

Councilman for Shaw and then Councilman Fulton.

So I I want to echo my colleagues and thank you.

Uh thank the community for sharing um their thoughts as well as staff.

Um I I do think uh we do have to balance private sector with regulations in terms of safety, in terms of housing stability, um, in terms of community and lived experience.

Um I do have a few questions.

Could you confirm um I know there's different types of affordability between the MPDUs and then it sounds like some deeply affordable?

Um could you uh provide a breakdown of the AMI?

So it I know it's not all it's not all MPDUs, right?

There's there's no and in fact the way this is set up is the city's MPDUs will continue after the expiration of the LITEC, um, which has a shorter program, but then can be renewed multiple times.

So if you want to talk about that, well, the what we would do is record an affordability uh covenant on the property that would be 99 years.

That's what we typically do at all our affordable communities.

That 99 year duration is actually, I think, concurrent with what the MPDU program requirements are.

Um your MPDU program, I believe is uh has a 60% AMI qualifying level.

Our affordability would range from 50% to 80.

And then you know, we would also take a look at uh what other options we might have.

Sometimes we can do um an average where we can sometimes dip below that um with some units and balance it out at say the higher 70 or 80 percent.

Sometimes we can go below, but typically we feel fairly comfortable that the market will support 50 percent to 80 percent AMI, and that would be your non-MPDU units.

Okay.

And what we had said before is if I'm at 44 uh Boulevard 44 now, and for some reason, either my income went up over the 60 percent, or I had my income fall, I would have some greater flexibility to move to 41 Maryland Avenue.

If my income fell, I could go down to say a 50% AMI unit.

If my income raised, I could go up to a 70 or an 80% AMI unit and still stay in the affordable housing uh environment as opposed to being pushed out of the MPDU program.

Thank you for clarifying that.

I'm I'm asking that question because I did see uh some comment around workforce housing.

Um, and I it sounds like it's um it's all affordable housing and and targeted to the most need.

So that's really important.

Correct.

Um so I also had a question around the ADA uh six street parking spaces.

So those spaces are not particularly designated to the um residents in the building, correct?

Or they're just they're for anyone in those are your public parking on street spaces.

So there's one right at the end of the property where it hits Courthouse Square in front of 30 Courthouse Square is the closest ADA, and there's two diagonally across the street at the end of Regal Row.

There's a couple of uh parking spaces right at the end of that restaurant.

Um those are handicapped as well, and then just down the street, there are additional ones.

So I'm just thank you for explaining that.

Um I'm just noting that I think um if there are any residents with disabilities that currently live in the MPDUs of Boulevard 44, and they have parking there in their in their lot.

Um moving moving, they would have they would be somewhat disproportionately impacted with having now spaces that are open to the public, correct?

Well, they can still continue to lease parking spaces, including uh ADA spaces within Boulevard 44.

Okay.

Those transferred residents.

They'll they'll continue to be able to lease parking.

Okay, so some of the new residents will then just have a limited amount of the public spaces.

So what's interesting about the new tenants is um we can't put a covenant on Boulevard 44 for parking for any other building.

Like the zoning, it's it's the zoning covers all the required parking and the parking that's provided meets the requirement.

However, the reality of how many parking spaces are available on a daytime and evening time basis in both Boulevard 44 and Boulevard Ansel is a completely different story.

And so they, like any other of the buildings in town square, also rent to the general public.

And so that's why we're saying that there is available parking in public parking garages, available on an hourly but also on long-term basis, meaning monthly rates.

Um there may be parking available in Boulevard 44.

There may be parking in Boulevard Ansel, they may be parking across the street at the Lunette.

Like there, we don't know.

But um we did the observation of what the utilization rate was of the 3400 spaces, and we did a regular daytime and it was 50% utilized, and on a weekend where there was an event in town center, it was only 60%.

So we all feel when we go to town center, like oh my god, there's no parking, but that's because it's in the uh parking spaces that you want right on the surface outside of Trader Joe's or on the first early levels of um the main the big parking garage, but actually when you observe all of the parking in downtown, it's very underutilized.

Um you have a chart here on excuse me, you have a chart here, table four um in the presentation.

And I just wanted to confirm the asterisk that you have that that includes when you're talking about it excludes residential spaces.

Um are those EV spaces, and then I know that in the Comstock buildings, there are several spaces where you have to pay an additional 200 for like getting closer to the um closer to the door there, um, and it's on every floor, um, and a lot of those spaces are not used because they are very expensive.

Um, does that also include those spaces as well?

Because I think there's something like 16 spaces that are addition that are pretty expensive, but they can be counted as spaces.

Yeah, so in the Boulevard 44, that building was designed that you had to go through a gate to go to the residential reserve parking, which is above grade, and their access is to their individual floor levels.

Um, and then they have the general parking at grade and below.

Uh Boulevard Ansel is slightly different because there is no uh reserved residential parking by that mean exclusive, meaning only residents can go into it.

There's no gate.

So there could be differences in price depending on where you lease your space.

And you know, we're not proffering any change to that.

The reason I'm asking because I think where you have the general number.

So does this include those spaces and the EV spaces, that total number as well that you have in the chart?

I believe that it's Katie No.

Okay.

That's what I was so our transportation engineer said no in case the general public can't get it on the record.

Okay, yes, that that was a really important question.

Um and then I know that there's been some um outreach, uh, really great outreach to the surrounding buildings and um to other stakeholders.

Um has there been outreach to the MPDU um residents?

No, this is I mean, outside of the the notices that you have to do.

Correct.

So all of the residents within Boulevard 44 got the notices of all of the pre-application, all of the briefings, all of the planning commission, and now this.

So they've gotten multiple um notices about this.

So they've all been individually noticed in Boulevard 44.

I I'm I'm saying outside of that, because I know there were some community conversations with some of the other buildings.

Um, but were there any community conversations with the MPDU?

So this is only the first step, and unless you approve us, there is no project.

So there is process after this as we get to site plan, there will be outreach to the MPDU residents at that time.

Okay.

Um, and I think that would be a good opportunity.

Um, as was mentioned from um some of my colleagues just to talk about some of the um expectations around moving and some um because I know that um it's not easy to move, people don't like to move.

I I hate moving.

Um so yeah, it's it's just it would be a really good opportunity to talk about that transition.

Yeah, I don't I think Comstock wants this to be the best experience it can be for the transfer of the MPD residents into 41.

Okay.

Um right, well, thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Fulton.

So this is exciting, and I'm glad we're at this point.

Uh thanks to the applicant, thanks to staff.

I think it's a testament to how much you've all worked with us that you know, for the most part, we don't have questions, we have opportunities for you to tell us that you've done great work already, right?

And that and that's really uh and you've answered questions, so thank you for that.

Um I understand the concerns of of uh neighbors, but this is the thing, right?

This is this is the the doing the greatest good for the greatest number over the longest time horizon.

Uh this is the advancing our housing goals, our affordability goals, our walkability goals, our climate action goals.

Like all of it is kind of hit on by moving this forward.

So I'm excited for this, and uh thank you for everything you've done.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh I had a couple questions, just final.

Um, one is our MPDU um eligibility was adjusted some time ago to go from 50% to 120%.

I know some of the older um MPDUs uh had a I think it was 80% uh so I just want to understand with this particular building.

Are they capped?

I know there's a Litech rule as well, but uh they're capped at 80%, and is there a reason that they couldn't go up to 120?

So if I can answer, I sorry, I don't want to jump in, but the covenant on this property was placed in 2015 14 actually, at a time when it had one number, the 60% AMI for qualification.

There were no bands, right?

So I just just to clarify what is allowable in the city at this time.

Can you just clarify that, please?

Yes, madam may we are.

We actually have uh staff from our demand community housing development uh uh division online.

So I will defer to them if they can uh provide more detail on that.

Um, yes, this is uh Jane Lyons Raider.

Would you like for me to provide some context here?

Yes, please.

Sure.

So J Lions Raider Housing Programs Manager.

Um, so the MPDUs that are currently um that will be transferred here uh are under the covenant at 60% AMI, but um uh if we are restarting that covenant from the beginning, um, then we would potentially be able to consider going uh adjusting to the current ranges, but if we are holding over that covenant from before, then they would need to stay at the 60% level.

Thank you.

I just wanted to make sure that the public knows what is allowable within the city of Rockwell and what the options are.

I also wanted to uh some of our uh the residents testified about uh beautification of the building.

I think it is quite beautiful.

Uh I it does kind of look like the metropolitan a little bit, but I will say this.

I appreciate that you've added beautiful elements and the light to it, which is not always the case when people build affordable housing.

So I want to thank you for giving people something that they can feel excited about uh and feel good to live in.

Um my question is are there any plans?

I know that there will be some art requirements on this, but just there was some comments about murals and uh you know green, but I just wanted to see if you have any thoughts on that plan.

Yeah, right now we're trying to design a building.

Um I understand people have interests in murals and other things.

Um that wouldn't be the first thing that we would be focused on putting our our time and efforts towards, but um, we're certainly open to working with the the community and the city.

Thank you.

And just the staff, can you just note that when there's a new building that comes through, there will be some artistic element just for the community to understand what happens.

Yes, ma'am.

That's our general requirement.

I would note for this particular project, it is exempt for the from the art requirements, but staff will certainly work with the applicant.

Uh thank you.

That's that's a good clarification.

There are a number of exemptions.

Uh, I remember when we're talking about the MPDU, so I appreciate that reminder.

Um, and then you mentioned I just been thinking about what you mentioned as well as some of the residents.

Uh this will generate dust.

I I'm sure there'll be some collaboration between this building and the neighboring building so that they don't have to pay for power washing for or just thinking about you know being a good neighbor to support cleaning if there's need if there is a need.

I know that there are ways to mitigate plumes and and things of that sort, but just wanted to see if if that's something you'll be thinking through to support the neighbors.

I think that probably as we developed and go through the site plan because there was a major outreach from the Victoria to the property here, and the property uh SCG development went to the Victoria and we met with a lot.

So there is that relationship that's been created and the context.

So they all know the director of construction's face, here he is uh for SCG.

So we think that that relationship will deepen with the Victoria so that there is constant communication, especially during construction.

Thank you.

I know that MPDU, we have changed the rules to 99 years last term.

Uh, you're gonna honor that.

Uh and then it's my understanding that some LiTEC properties can be 30 years, but you're gonna you're you were you mentioning that this is going to be 99 for the whole building.

You know, we would intend putting a 99 year old.

That's a big that's a big deal because uh in some places after that 30 years, it goes to market rate.

And so I wanted to call that out because that's important.

People, you don't want people when they're seniors having to move.

So appreciate that consideration.

So yeah, so SCG development develops, constructs, and owns and operates.

So thank you.

Um I wanted to echo the call comments of my colleague Dr.

Miles on schools, and I know we're watching that very closely.

Um the ADA uh comments of my colleague, um, I agree that we need some monitor to make sure that there will be more people here, and we may need a couple more ADA spaces.

I know you're using some of this, the public spaces that the city is providing for that.

I understand that.

I do think that we may need to look at what is at uh the building across the street to see if there needs to be some designated ADA spaces so that like that kind of are closer to across the street.

Uh, I just wanted to note that we do want to make sure that people have that access.

And I I do know that we have received some comments, even around Town Square about ADA spaces.

And we seem to be attracting people who um have uh needs uh in this space, and I think it's a great thing uh because people are seeing that the city is very uh supportive.

But I just want to make sure that we don't over over um there's not an over need for those spaces, and if there is that we can think critically about how we can look at our current parking and maybe reallocate some spaces to ADA if needed.

Uh yeah, so at site plan, we should look at this again because uh we did offer to build uh a fully accessible ADA space on Maryland Avenue on the on-street space.

Um, but there was sufficient ADA, so um we didn't go forward with it with the staff.

So if that comes circled back around as a policy, there's always space on the street to modify to an ADA space.

Thank you.

And maybe even at the building where you said there's a lot of parking capacity.

Um, just because I know you're limited you're working with limited space.

Um, my colleague mentioned wraparound services, and I just want to note that is something we have seen as a need, and I hope I I'm I know SEG has done this kind of work before, but that you would collaborate with nonprofits to make sure that is provided because housing is a huge part, but there are other needs that might be uh families may need as well.

Um we're certainly we hear you, we understand that and there is a first floor community room uh to be able to provide additional activities.

That was uh intentionally designed at a certain size.

So wonderful residents to have additional activities that would support their quality of life.

Excellent.

And the next is uh how soon will this project potentially come to fruition?

I always ask this question, but uh I know we need the housing, but how long I know that there's some processes that we have, but in your opinion, when do you intend to uh well we I think we do believe that we are trying to get site plan by summer of uh next year.

Uh and then after that, it will be just getting all of the finance stack in place.

Well, the finance candidly, the finance stack is the next big challenge.

We we need to know that we've got a commitment from the city, and then we will move to the financing stack.

From the county, yeah.

Uh, from the city.

Stack has to work, or we don't go any further.

So right now you're gonna help us.

You're gonna uh hopefully approve the the project plan, which will enable us then to go formally to the county and say this is the size of the gap.

Are you in or are you not?

Thank you.

And you guys are applying for LITEC as well from the state.

I know that process takes time, so I just want to encourage we can get through the entitlements by the first quarter of 2027 at the latest.

Um that would be the um timeline that we'd be looking at.

If we can do it faster through the entitlement process, then we'll go as fast as you allow us to go.

Uh we won't let you know we won't let the uh LITEC process hold us up, assuming we get the right signal from the county that they're in.

Excellent.

All right.

Well, I'll begin, I'll end how I began to say thank you.

Appreciate all the thoughtfulness and the responses that you've given to our colleagues who've raised very good questions throughout this process.

We appreciate the project that you're bringing and the care that which you're bringing it.

Um to our staff, thank you as well.

I hope to my colleagues' comment.

I hope that we can look at the balcony issue and also just streamlining if we made a change in the Rockville Town Center Master Plan that we think about how we can apply it to projects.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, so colleagues, um, under action items we have the opportunity to introduce uh make a motion to wear the layover period and then potentially adopt.

Does anyone want to introduce Dr.

Miles?

I thank you, Madam Mayor.

I introduce an adoption of a resolution to approve project plan application, PJT 2025-23, an amendment to the Rockville Center incorporated planned development to permit construction of a 147-unit multifamily building for affordable housing, along with parking and building height waivers at 41 Maryland Avenue.

Thank you.

Do we have a motion to weigh the layover period?

Councilmember Fulton.

I move to wave the layover period.

Thank you.

Councilmember Valerie Seconds.

All those in favor, please raise your hand and say aye.

Aye.

Excellent.

Do we have a motion to adopt?

Councilmember Larry.

I move to adopt the resolution to approve project plan application PJT 2025-23.

An amendment to the Rockville Center Inc.

Plan Development to permit construction of a 147-unit multifamily building for affordable housing, along with parking and building height waivers at 41 Maryland Avenue.

Thank you.

Do we have a second?

Councilmember Shaw seconds.

All those in favor, please raise your hand and say aye.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Thank you all.

Thank you, staff.

Thank you, applicant.

Thank you, community.

Colleagues, shall we take a brief break?

Okay.

Can we come back in about seven minutes?

Good evening, Rockfell.

Welcome back.

Today is still November seventeenth, twenty twenty-five, and we reconvening meeting twenty-eight-twenty-five.

We're now moving on to our next action agenda item eleven B consider acceptance of the one point five million land and water conservation fund grant to fund design, grading excavation, installation of utilities, as well as construct pathways, a playground, metal restoration, community gardens, purchase picnic tables, signage, and trash cans at Redgate Park and Arboretum consistent with the Redgate Park Master Plan.

And I'd like to welcome Chris Henry as well as panelists Steve Mater.

Welcome Recreation and Parks.

In June of 24, the city submitted the original LWCF Round 1 grant application.

In April 2025, Mayor and Council authorized the city manager to sign the grant agreement.

And here we are tonight, November 2025, the staff are requesting Mayor and Council acceptance of the landwater conservation grant.

The amenities adopted in the master plan are shown here with the landwater conservation round one grant, including funding for design and construction of the infrastructure and amenities such as the community gardens, restoration of meadows, playground structure structures and multi-use paths within the pathway network.

This grant and the development of Redgate is was a big part of our recreation and park strategic plan.

In fact, one of the big moves in the strategic plan was developing Redgate Park as a community asset and a regional destination.

As well included in this strategic plan is the idea of involving outside funding and getting new and dedicated funding sources for long-term financial sustainability.

The strategic plan also shows some deficiencies in level of service, including picnic pavilions, multi-use trails, dog parks, special use or cultural facilities, and availability of restrooms within the parks.

And there are these deficiencies that the implementation of the Redgate plan will assist and provide additional amenities for residents.

Just wanted to make the mayor and council aware that other parks in the city's park system were supported either by acquisition or development from landwater conservation fund program and are under the same restrictions.

One is Welsh Park in the early 70s was 23 acres, and that was for the development of our athletic courts, the basketball tennis and action tennis.

I don't know if anybody plays that anymore, but we've converted those into soccer courts.

As well as Redgate Park and Civic Center Park, there's what was called in the early 70s as the Shapiro Tract, and that's about 61 acres of that, and that was an acquisition.

And the rest of the acreage is on the Civic Center property side, which is mainly the John Hayes Forest Preserve.

In addition, the Wootons Mill Park was some of the acreage was added to in 1974, about 4.3 acres, and that was an acquisition.

The next slide just shows you the round one grant site plan, the approved amenities for the project.

And just to orient you to the map in front of you.

On the right side is Route 28 or Norbeck Road.

To the top is Avery Road.

To the left, a little bit difficult to see, but is the ice rink and the sportsplex off of South Lawn.

And to the lower end of the map is sixth half court as well as the Rothgev maintenance yard.

As you can see outlined in yellow is the existing landwater conservation acquisition area, 7.7 acres.

And the all also on the property in the green area are forest conservation easements already encumbered on the property.

As well as the amenities that would be included for this grant are the in the pink are meadow restoration areas.

In the darker orange rectangle is the community garden area.

In the lighter orange circle is the location of the playground, and a few of those blue dots are picnic tables, as well as in the black areas lines are some of the pathway networks, not all of those would be built with this grant, but just to show you, give you an idea of the path system that exists.

In addition, on this slide, the it is important to show you the two yellow uh areas, and one of those is it they're both called exclusion areas, and so as part of the grant, uh we included two exclusion areas to provide opportunities in the future, should we need them for areas that are outside of the requirements of outdoor recreation.

So on the lower area, just in case at some future date that we needed to build a road that connects the sixth half court facility with the maintenance yard.

We wanted to give ourselves and the future flexibility for that, as well as the area in the middle of the map, and that would be for a visitor center or a welcome center that would provide opportunities that are outside of serving the outdoor recreation.

So, for example, uh a solely indoor facility activity might be say a yoga class, and so that is not supporting the outdoor recreation, but we would have the opportunity, and they're both about just under one acre in size, and that has been approved as part of this application from the National Park Service and the DNR.

As far as the landwater conservation grant uh compliance and commitments, there is a declaration for of the area for outdoor recreational use in perpetuity, and I know that sounds like a long time, but it really is a protection and a preservation of the park and and parkland for outdoor recreation use for future generations.

The grant has two different sides, one and both have been used in our park system, but uh this one is one is acquisition, but in this case we're talking about development and rehabilitation, and this is for new uh amenities, new outdoor recreation amenities, renovations, and all of the master plan amenities and uh amenities that we have applied for were accepted and approved in the award of the con of the grant.

The nice part about the LWCF future grants is that this we can apply for additional levels of grants.

So this year for round one in 2025, the funding was approved for 1.5 million dollars.

Should the mayor and council accept that staff is working on round two, another application, and that would request between 1.2 million and 1.5 million for design and construction of additional multi-use nature trails, the deck overlook, and um other arboretum features.

Should the city not accept the round one funding, uh, the city would not be in good standing with the National Park Service or a DNR for future competitive grants, and uh obviously staff would uh abandon the process of the round two funding, and it may potentially affect future grant opportunities that are competitive.

Just an update for the round one uh timeline.

There's a three-year process for the the grant, and we are now currently in the pre-design and working on the evaluation of the proposals for design, and we expect to bring that award to the mayor and council in January of 2026, then have a one-year period for design and permitting from February 26 to February 27, and then a time for bidding the construction, and then construction is expected from June 27 to July 27, then uh giving our staff and contractors time, a little bit of wiggle room for for uh weather and such, uh, and be completed by October 2028.

If needed, there is a an opportunity for a request for extension.

Uh the round two, should you choose to accept tonight is would come to the mayor and council for approval for the application for the agreement in April, and we would expect an award in September 2026 with another three years to design and construct the the remaining amenities on the on the list.

Staff recommends accepting the 1.5 million dollar landwater conservation grant, and staff is here to answer any questions that you might have.

I just want to say uh thank you very, very much for all the work.

Thank you for applying for the grants.

Um if anyone is interested, they can uh visit uh Redgate and Arboretum on the site.

There is a detailed plan so people can see what the project phasing is uh and what is planned.

But um it's my understanding that with this grant that uh would not inhibit the uh what has been approved in terms of the the proposed master, not master plan, but the redgate plan, um picnic area, deck overlook, amphitheater, community gardens, dog park, picnic areas, playground.

There's a visitor center planned, visitorslash community center, arboretum and trails.

And I think there's already uh work that's being done with cross-country and putting markers out there.

That's correct.

That's all within the recreation, the outdoor recreation use.

Excellent.

Thank you for confirming.

Um and I'll just say I I appreciate what you've done.

I I support uh staff's recommendation on this.

I do think that uh this is one of the few federal tools to meaningfully uh invest in urban green space.

And I think about places like New York City, uh, where imagine if there was no central park, it would be all concrete probably.

Um, and there's some places in Georgia, like near the Chattahoochee.

There's just a lot of places where there's we we have and are building housing and are doing urban areas, but there's some protected green space around.

So I appreciate you sharing the precedence that we've had with these grants and how you would apply them to implement the phasing.

So I'll just be brief there and say thank you and look forward to the conversation and questions of my colleagues.

I first saw Dr.

Miles, I see uh Councilman Van Crack and then uh Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Thanks, staff, and thank the community for coming out in person and virtually um to let us know their take on this.

I think the mayor and I were part of the previous council that uh were in support of making it a park to begin with.

And like you, I think there were a number of proposals at the time uh to even include housing at the site and similar to my comments with King Farm.

Once you tear trees down, which you remove grass, it's hard to put you know, put it back if you change your mind in the future.

So personally, I'm uh I've been consistent in wanting to maintain a park or park like features.

My biggest concern with this, and it's just a concern I don't I don't know which way it'll push me, but I think we'll probably get some support for this uh recommended action by staff.

My main concern is with regard to the implications of accepting the funding, not with its designation as being parkland.

I think that's cool.

I think we generally agree on that.

How much is parked versus developed is is um at the margins, but I think as a body we probably agree there, though I won't speak for my colleagues.

Where I have concern is with regard to some of the language um regarding like the non-discrimination clauses and such.

Um with this federal government, it's it's it's tough.

I don't understand I don't know how they define non-discrimination in terms of you know city policies in in the in the context of this project.

If we were to run a file, how however they disc they define non-discrimination, I'd be concerned about them revoking the fund.

So it's I guess the bigger question that I have, it's perhaps more philosophical.

Is it worth is it worth trying to jump through the hoops to figure out what this federal administration thinks about certain or like how we do business here?

Um is it worth jumping through those hoops?

Um is it inconsistent with or hostile to our current mission and how we do business in the city?

Um and that's that's the question I write.

So it's not whether or not we should keep it parkland, it's more, you know, are we putting ourselves in handcuffs?

Mr.

McHaleck.

No, no, no, um.

Uh put the city in handcuffs in terms of our ability to move if we accept these funds.

That's all.

Mr.

Mahalek, I know that's a larger grant question, but can you speak to the specific grant?

Yeah, that is a larger uh grant question, Mayor.

You're correct.

Um, we're reviewing all grants that receive both at the federal level and many pass-through dollars that the state is receiving from the government level on exactly what Dr.

Miles is concerned about.

We're just as concerned.

But we're reviewing all grant agreements and any time we're getting money that's federal dollars to make sure that any clause is there that we can um abide by and doesn't put us in a procurious position.

And just can you clarify to staff believe that this is not compromise our values?

Correct.

Okay.

Thank you.

Well, to that in I I I guess I'll just have to, you know, trust y'all.

Um I guess I'll support it.

That's that's my biggest concern.

Um and uh we just hope for the best and I guess prepare for the worst.

That's why morbid, but that's what I meant.

We always do that.

And I think there are some specific grants.

I haven't heard it raised on this one.

Right.

But there are other grants that we're having discussions about, but it's not this one, is my understanding.

Is that right, Mr.

Mahali?

That's correct.

Okay, all right.

Well, I guess the other point I have is that I mean, I don't know how much I'm getting the detail, and y'all shut me up if you know if I say something I shouldn't.

Um, but there has been precedent with some of the things that we have received and we're planning for that.

There's been some clawbacks.

So that's I mean, that's that's that's that's my concern.

And I'll I'll just leave it at that.

Um that's it.

That is always a possibility that clawbacks could happen.

Uh Councilman Van Greg.

So um Redgate Park is clearly a treasure.

And we heard about it through the community talking to us and through us, but I think it's evident um not just through people, but we've also got organizations.

We have the Richard Montgomery cross-country team that regularly brings schools from throughout the county to use Redgate Parks.

Um Councilmember Valeri and I just um a couple months ago were actually at um Cynthia Khabib's bird walks first showing in the city of Rockville, which really emphasize the degree to which Redgate Park is becoming a national spot for people experiencing the outdoors and in bird watching.

Um it is an absolute treasure that my understanding in this grant is gonna keep everything that people want to see in Redgate Park.

Now, there is one issue that I know we've also had some speakers and the recreational park advisory board talk about, and that's the imperpetuity clause.

So I did have one question for the city manager andor the city attorney to answer, and I just wanna make sure that accepting this grant from your perspective does not hamstrung the city in what they're looking we are looking to do towards the master plan or everything that we've anticipated for the future that we're not under any restrictions that you see that would hamstrung the city in the future or even long-term future.

Yeah, simple answers this would accepting this money would not hamstring the city.

In fact, I think the Rack and Park team did a particularly nice job working with previous council to adopt a master plan and then looking for funding resources to fund the master plan, and this actually pushes it forward, not pulls it back.

All right, I I think that's helpful and instructive because if we're gonna be accepting this money, I wanna make sure we're not hamstrung, and this money is going to further everything that we want to see in Redgate, everything that the community wants to see in Redgate.

There's a reason why Rockville, year after year, is a tree city USA.

It's because we value the green space, we value the ability for citizens and residents from all over Rockville and the surrounding community.

I think it's important to note while we got emails and heard from people in Rockville, we heard from people from all over the county and the surrounding region talk about their coming to Rockville, and people are coming to Redgate Farm, uh Redgate Park because of what we've established in this park.

And so I commend the previous mayor and council for um what they're doing for Redgate Park, and I would support given what staff's conveyed um of accepting this uh grant um for the city of Rockville and Redgate Park.

Thank you, Councilmember Fulton.

Oh I didn't know I was up to that.

Um what I I do thank you for everyone for uh coming out and and talking and expressing how much they love Redgate, as do I.

I do think it's important.

The framing that I have when I come to this issue is not a question of should Red Gate be a park or should it be developed?

That's not the question.

Redgate should be a park that's been decided, and there's no plan on the table to do anything different.

My concern originally was also in the in perpetuity clause.

Like forever is a long time, and 1.5 million dollars spread out over forever is not a lot of money.

So I thought it was important that we take the time to really think about that.

You know, we do we just did a comp plan uh four years ago.

We're gonna do another one in a couple decades, and it's gonna look different because in a couple decades, the community and the elected body might view feel differently than we do today.

That's by design, right?

We are currently in the process of talking about um how we might think about delisting properties that are on the historic preservation list, because that's something that people thought there might be a need to do at some point.

So I do just think it's important to clarify why it was important to think about this carefully when we're tying the hands of uh both the community and the elected body a long way down the line.

That being said, um I do appreciate staff explaining that like the the amount of being hamstrung is very little to none, and there are ways around uh, you know, if there ever is a time when there is a huge demand for something to happen on a corner of that that's needed that I believe that someone will be able to do that down the line.

So I am supportive of this grant, but I think it's important to explain why there was hesitation, and it wasn't because, at least speaking for myself, I thought it should be anything other than a park.

I believe in Redgate as a park.

I don't think it should be developed forever's a long time, and it makes me pause.

So needed a little bit of time to think about it.

Um the last thing I will just mention on this though is um Seth had mentioned that if we don't accept this grant, we would not be in good standing.

Um I think we're probably gonna accept the grant, not to speak for anyone else, so that won't be an issue this time.

But I do worry about the process moving forward because if there is a decision point that would put us in bad standing, we should make that before the grant is submitted, right?

Uh so I remember when this grant was submitted, there was this question, and it what came back was, oh, you'll get to decide it later.

Well, not really if it was gonna put us in bad standing.

So that's my request of staff if we can figure out a way to adjust the process so that we're never in a position where we would be in bad standing based on a decision that we make.

Anyway, thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Shaw.

I want to thank the staff and echo my colleagues, and thank you.

Um I I just wanted you to explain a little bit more about what it means to be in bad standing and the risk that we would take in in um not taking this grant.

There's a competitive grant process and with the uh Maryland State DNR and pass through uh them for landwater conservation or other federal grants.

And that's where um we would get dinged on applications that would come through them on this.

Now, for how long there's no um statute or or or term for that.

Um, but that's what we've been told by by staff at at DNR that we wouldn't be, we wouldn't get all the points, let's say.

It doesn't preclude us from applying or getting other grants.

Uh they just would prefer not to have to you know do the work and work with uh the city and then the city not to accept a grant.

That's so it doesn't stop us from getting one.

It just puts us in uh not as high points uh when grading grants.

Thank you for that, Clarity.

Um I um so I I do plan to support this.

Um I think there's a lot of benefits from having and preserving this green space, particularly around the community gardens.

And I'm thinking about uh food future food security issues um that I think that we can have some creative ways uh within the city to address.

Um, but I am thinking about supporting this grant.

Thank you, Councilmember Larry, then Councilmember Jackson.

How Kelly Dougley, um didto everyone else, and and thank you uh to Ms.

Henry and the team as somebody who has um done the delicate dance of a nonprofit and grants.

I know exactly what you're talking about, and I would never want to um, yeah, it's like it would be like coming up to bat and starting off with two strikes and then trying to apply for grants.

You don't want to, you want to clean slate.

Um I absolutely support um accepting this grant, and you know, for a lot of different reasons, but two things I I'll share with everybody, my colleagues um and the public.

Uh one is something that um we will need actually a known amount of a grant similar in size in order to actually create accessible walking paths that are ADA compliant.

Some of them are extremely steep, and the level of grading that we may need to do in order to reduce the steepness of the existing paths that were like the walkways between holes.

Um it could it could take a significant amount of money.

I don't know.

But I I do know that I think um I I fully support making um the park as ADA accessible as possible, and that's definitely one barrier uh to making it accessible.

There's a lot that we can do there.

Um, but that's really an issue uh of equity and equitable access parks.

Um sometimes it can be very tough to make them accessible, and you do need to invest more money um than uh any other maybe upgrade.

Um the other thing that I I want to raise, and it's just really funny coming from me is the idea of Redgate Park and Arboretum or however we're gonna brand it going forward.

I think park and arboretum is perfect.

Um, and I think recent events have shown us how much we need to diversify our economic base, especially in the area of recreation.

So we do, you know, there is a significant revenue coming in from things like the swim center, which we heard from Mr.

Throff.

However, there is also the opportunity, thinking creatively, to see uh a similar revenue stream when you see the number of and I can't believe I'm I'm going here, but I'm going to the birding community, that is like a whole nother like level of fandom.

Like they they go in hard, they come in, they um they partake of the surrounding businesses.

I think with a little bit of cultivation there, and Redgate already being this like burder uh heaven, as it were.

Um I think that there's a lot of opportunities.

The other opportunity is that, you know, um, and no shade to our neighbors to the north, but you know, I I would love for us to have a very similar space that is walkable that is similar to Brookside Gardens in Wheaton.

Like I think it's it's always great to be able to drive um through parks and park space, definitely uh a space for it, but Brookside Gardens, I think is a good example of the way that a park can be uh a little economic engine, and just try getting tickets to holiday lights at Brookside Garden, and that will tell you all you need to know because you have to pay to do that.

Um, and tickets sell out.

So I think that there's a lot of really cool, really fun creative things that we can do, and again, shifting from you know, uh uh traditional recreation uh framework into maybe a little bit more um like eco-recreation and and thinking about the possibilities there.

And this gives us that opportunity um to do so.

Aside from that, I mentioned the ADA equity issues, but it is also uh an issue of of equity um for marginalized communities that can walk to this park space, and especially within marginalized communities where you don't have access to uh a car and communities such as uh East Rockville and the community along Goody Drive and Twinbrook, um, we can make it even safer for everybody to get there.

Um, but you know, having it there, I have no um hesitation in saying only these uses of this space into perpetuity because I think no matter who is going to be around there 10, 20, 30, 40 years from now, 100 years, if we exist, um, I think everybody should have access to that kind of uh park space.

So I am fully and wholeheartedly in support of acceptance.

Um, and I I really hope that we can do this as a body.

Thank you.

Councilmember Jackson.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I'd echo uh many of the comments that um my colleagues have have made.

I think it was really interesting that people from all over the city and as was mentioned uh the region actually uh testified uh and uh make comments about redgate.

I think that really says something.

It wasn't just one neighborhood, um just one area.

It was people from all over the city saying that redgate is really important to them, and so it's really worth it, I think, for us to uh sit in content with plate for a second, you know, what it means to have this uh green space and this um uh park and what we do within the future is really uh important.

I want to ask the um city manager a question, and that is if we end up um taking this this grant and we're subject to the uh stipulations uh of it.

Um is there any way that somebody could uh propose uh a development that we in the future thought was a good idea.

How could they, or how could we um uh be able to do that under the terms of this uh this grant candidly, you couldn't do it.

The only way you could do it is by finding another piece of property of equal value and utility as what you're accepting in this grant.

Do you really have to say we're getting 1.5 million dollars for this program?

We're gonna do XYZ um recreational components.

We'd have to figure out another place in the city to that exact same thing.

And Canada, that will be difficult to do.

If not impossible possible.

I mean, it it I'm for the this.

I just want to make clear that there's a way, but it's really difficult if not uh impossible.

Um I mean, for me, I mean 1.5 million dollars is important uh in the total budget and even in the total uh in the city.

Um, you know, we'll sit in recreate great, but it's a small amount.

But by accepting this grant, uh we also do something greater.

We say that record is to be a park uh in perpetuity, uh essentially forever.

I know that gives some people pause.

Um as someone said, for yeah, forever is a long time.

And I choose to think about it not in some uh cold nebulous forever, but in terms of um a human's lifespan.

I think about the future residents and their children, there's children's children, the children's children, uh using a Red Cape Park is largely unchanged and undeveloped from when this Marin Council chose to protect it.

I think of all the future generations who will enjoy this green space.

I mean, who knows what the future will bring?

Maybe they will have finally flying cars.

Uh who knows?

I mean, the the future is uncertain, but through it all, one spot in Rockville will remain undeveloped and unchanged, set aside by the city of Rockville through all of those years to serve as a quiet retrige, a place for birders, uh dog watchers, cross-country uh runners, and others drawn by a natural preserve and a big sprawling metropolis.

It would be a place of enjoyment for Rockville residents for years and years if we only have the courage to uh uh act and accept this grant.

So uh I'm honored to have be on this position uh in the council so I can cast my vote in favor of protecting Raggate Park uh for future generations of Rockville residents to enjoy.

Thank you.

Councilman Van Grack.

I just want to add one point.

I mean, uh everyone's saying very positive things and we're moving forward, but I just would like uh to echo what Councilmember Fulton said with regard to an ask of the city.

Um while it appears that we're gonna be accepting this.

I also would have liked to have this more detailed conversation when we were submitting the grant, because I think it's important to make sure that we're not, if we were to say no to a grant like this, not putting the city in a situation where we could be in bad standing.

Um so I don't know that that would have made a difference here whatsoever, because I think what we're all very supportive of this grant, and I think this grant uh accepting it is the right idea, but I would like to have had this discussion at the start of it so that we wouldn't be in a situation where we potentially could be in bad standing.

Thank you.

Um on that comment, I I appreciate staff bringing this to us and sharing all the pros and cons.

I know in addition to what the meetings that we've had on Mayor and Council, uh, we've also been each asking staff to provide each of us information.

So I want to thank my colleagues for this discourse because it is important that we overanalyze and consider all avenues because that's our responsibility to protect the best interest of Rockville, our residents in the future.

Um I know that you brought this to us in April 7, 2025, where we um you know approved the grant agreement itself.

Uh so I just want to thank you for bringing that through.

I agree with my colleagues, let's continue to have these conversations.

Um, but I I know the previous council worked very, very closely with the community to envision what this is.

I am so proud of this council because a vision and piece of paper is nothing until you implement it.

So I think just we are able to carry this baton forward to protect an incredible treasure in the city.

Uh we were many of us were out there this weekend, and just there is a pure magical beauty about Redgate.

Um, I will say when I first was elected uh as a council member, it was it took less than a week for people to share with me, bus depot, maintenance facility.

Uh we all master plan this for you and take this part of it.

I mean, and still to this day, um it is a place that people claw at for everything.

And I think this speaks to our values that we are gonna do and meet our goals.

We are gonna produce housing.

We are gonna create more transit opportunities.

We are gonna do all those things.

We have places where we have asphalt that needs to be changed.

One of our residents spoke to that.

I think that's something that through our master plan through what we talked about today.

We're gonna take a turn a parking lot into housing.

I think there's plenty there are places where we can do that with infill.

I think there's also something special about preserving this as a green space.

We know we have climate action goals.

We know that this place can support health and wellness, but also mental health.

I have lived in places where that were concrete jungles.

It has an impact on your mental health, uh, an impact on your spirit, and I think that's an intangible benefit.

Um, I also love that this space is a place that is a regional draw.

We're getting people coming from other states.

We are known for this beautiful space.

Uh, and it it we let it go to nature, as the previous council said, and the council before that.

Um, and I just love that this council is is able to put its own mark on Redgate and speak to our values.

I do want to thank staff because you're procuring this grant.

This is not the only one you've done.

You've gotten the Chesapeake grant, and you planted, I don't know, I don't know how many say it, thousands or hundreds, but a lot of trees.

Um, and that again is is meeting not only our park goals but our greenhouse gas goals.

It's you know improving our air quality.

Um I do want to ask a question about um the educational signage.

I know we've talked about this.

Um we have great trees that we planted, but no one knows what they are unless you are pointing something with your phone.

So um, or you are an arborist, but uh it that'll be planned, correct as well.

Because I know my colleague mentioned like Brookside Gardens does have that, and it's very educational, so you're not only experiencing it, but you get to know what you're looking at.

Yes, excellent point, and that will be part of the design phase.

And we do have we we have asked for experts in uh in arboretums and the level of arboretums, the uh the the requirements, and that will all be part of the design uh as well for um not only the trees that we plant, but also the signage and the educational aspects.

Thank you.

And then uh we saw uh a display of birds, uh about 200 of them, if not more, uh, that are have made Redgate their home.

Um is it possible to work with the community on having an educational display about that?

I know this is something that has been raised before, but I just wanted to make is that part of the plan.

Yes, our uh Cordon Creek Nature Center staff have done an excellent job of increasing their programming at Redgate as well.

So they have two sites there, uh the the building of the at the nature center, but also all the programming at Redgate as well, and um, they are excited about opportunities for camps and additional programming once the amenities are built.

Um, and we can also put the uh the the design team uh that is interested in in the arboretum as well as um the educational aspects and connect with uh the the birding community.

Yeah, I think uh you see that at some of the arboretums across the country where they have those educational displays, and it was really beautiful.

The Girl Scouts came in and they were in awe, like all that's in Rockville.

Um, and you know, you may not always see it with your eyes, but if you can see what is possible and what's there, they know what to look for.

Um, so I just wanted to encourage us, and I want to thank you all and the entire community because throughout this entire process from the planning part, people have poured their hearts into supporting Redgate.

We have people pulling weeds and doing volunteer hours and planning butterfly gardens, and I just want to say this this is an area of Rockfall that it just you know garners so much love and support, and people are willing to put in this sweat equity to make it beautiful alongside with you all and staff.

So um I just want to say thank you to the entire community.

This is a true treasure, and I appreciate what the possibilities are.

Okay.

Okay, great.

We have an opportunity to formally make a motion to accept this grant.

Uh so I thought Councilmember Larry had our hand up.

Madam Mayor, I move to accept the 1.5 million dollar land and water conservation fund grant for Redgate Park and Arboretum.

Do we have a second?

Second.

Councilmember Jackson seconds.

All those in favor, please raise your hand and say aye.

Aye.

Is that unanimous?

Okay, all right.

It's unanimous.

Thank you to the team.

And um I think we'll update the website with that uh new timing.

Is that right?

Yes, absolutely.

And as soon as and it'll come to you for award the design in January.

And so we'll update it as as we go along.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you.

We're having great discussions tonight.

Uh, and we are now moving on to a discussion about public safety.

We've had very patient Rockville City Police uh in full dress blue here in our chamber, and they're gonna give us an update on public safety in the city of Rockville.

Uh while you're setting up, I will just say, I believe, and I know my colleagues agree that we have the best department on the planet.

And we appreciate all the work that you've done.

Uh I'm and see you're still setting up South.

I'll buy some time in saying that um and recognizing that.

I know that there has been some challenges with helping other parts of uh nearby jurisdictions who had staff shortages, and Rockville City Police Department has stepped up to um staff up and to make sure that our city is safe.

And the uh annual report is posted online.

Uh so people can see not only this agenda item, but you can look at the weekly public safety updates and you can look at the annual report.

I want to thank the staff for pulling this together and welcome.

Oh, yeah.

Thanks so much, Madam Mayor.

Yeah, I just as as you get set up.

I think in the future, this is just the us thing.

I think we do this like once a year.

Maybe we should push them to earlier in the in the agenda.

I was thinking the same.

We saw what y'all sitting around here all night.

I mean, there's stuff to do.

And it's expensive.

Yeah.

So thank y'all for we'll keep it short and sweet and try to do better next time.

We appreciate you.

Uh with that, welcome uh Chief Jason West as well as our new deputy chief Barry Dufeck.

Good evening, Madam Mayor and members of the council.

Uh thank you for having us tonight.

It has been a while since we've been here.

Uh we normally do this earlier in the year.

Uh we were in a lot of transition earlier in the year, so we're here now.

We hope we've put together a package that uh will give you and the residents of our community a good idea about what we're doing at Rockville City Police because uh we are their Rockville City Police Department.

So we'll begin with some statistical data.

Uh it includes data from last year's annual report and up until October 31st of this year.

So the first slide you see here are NIR's offenses in Rockville.

That's the national-based reporting system where we report offenses to the FBI, we're required to do that.

You'll see uh data from 23, 24, and year to date in 25.

I'll just highlight some of the uh the most significant cases.

You can see assault offenses in the city of Rockville.

Uh in 23, we had 481.

In 24, we saw a nine percent decrease.

And to date in 2025, we're at 344.

So we can send we continue to see the downturn in this category, which is good.

Um the next uh category you might look at is homicide offenses.

We did not have any in 23 or 24 in the city of Rockville.

Early in 2025, we had three.

They've all been closed by arrest.

Once we get down to property crimes, um destructions of property are down, uh, at least at this point in this year.

We've also seen uh motor vehicle theft.

That was a hot button item in the city of Rockville for a period of time.

We were sustaining uh countless motor vehicle thefts perpetrated by juvenile offenders.

And for those that weren't aware of the Rockville Police Department, we took a very proactive approach um not only with enforcement, but with our community engagement.

Uh we provided free steering wheel locks to our community multiple times to try to combat this issue.

And in 2024, which was the peak year for that, we saw 258 of those offenses.

Uh to date in 2025, we're down to 114.

So I think we are making an impact there, obviously, by the statistical data.

Mental illness, uh, mental health emergencies always come up in the city of Rockville.

In 23, we handled 299 of those types of uh incidents in the city.

It was at 311 in 2024.

Um to date in 2025, we're only at 218.

Um, so we've done well there.

Uh one thing I will note, you may see um in 2025 uh for narcotics-related offenses, they're up to 62 for the year.

And I remember we did this uh public safety work session one time before, and we were asked why the number was so low.

We saw some changes with Maryland law where marijuana got decriminalized, and I think we explained that.

But the reason you see 62 is the Rockville City Police Department with our staffing, we're doing more proactive enforcement in our communities.

Uh we hear our community when they tell us that they have concerns in their neighborhoods, specifically um where we have a lot of quality of life issues.

So we have our police officers out there doing very good proactive police work, and that's probably why we see an increase in that category.

Next slide, please.

This is just some more of the data on a different graph.

Uh, you'll see um in 2025 uh is in the green, and um most of the uh offenses are down from 23 and 24.

So we're real happy to see that.

Next slide, please.

We had a request to break down written police reports by neighborhood in the city.

Um you see here on this graph, uh, 2025 is a green.

And you can see in King Farm, Twinbrook Community Association, there are larger communities in the city.

Uh so when you compare that data to the smaller communities, obviously you see uh big gaps there.

Um 2024, uh, we did see significant um issues uh around the city.

In 2024, we had significant staffing issues in our police department.

Uh we do not have that problem to date.

So next slide, please.

It's very important on this next slide here.

We talk about response time.

Response time is the time that we dispatch a call for service to the time that our police officers reach uh that resident who's calling for assistance.

In 2023, you can see it took us 9.2 minutes to respond to a call.

And there was a lot of things going on in law enforcement in 2023 in our city.

We saw the pullback of our partnership with Montgomery County Police.

We had staffing challenges in 2023.

And uh, you know, our response times were over nine minutes.

In 24, we got that response time down to eight minutes, uh, eight point six.

And in 2025, we're staying steady at 8.6.

Now, interestingly enough, you'll see that um our call volume, our total call volume, which will be on the next slide, we'll get to in a second.

From 23 to 24, the total call volume in the city of Rockville went up 49%.

So even though the call volume has gone up 49%, we're still able to get to these calls for service in just over eight minutes.

And I can tell you we've done a lot of work with uh our county partners.

We've reached an agreement with them where they are now responding to police calls, primary police calls for service at county buildings and facilities in our city.

Our police officers would get tied up for hours responding to calls at the crisis center, and that caused us to have increased response times around the rest of the city.

So through our partnership and partnerships are very important to our police department, um, we've been able to maintain our response times.

So we're very proud of that.

On the next slide here, you'll see the calls within the city of Rockville.

Um in 2025 and 24, we responded to 83% of the calls in the city of Rockville, uh, which is 13% more than we were handling in 2023.

We know some other police agencies are struggling with their staffing.

Uh we have been very proactive uh as the primary law enforcement agency in this city to take on a bulk of that workload.

Uh, and as you can see, again, we highlight the fact that our increase our call volumes increase 49% from 23 to 24, and it is continuing on that trajectory in 2025.

Our traffic enforcement actions.

In 24, you can see that we had a lot of traffic enforcement in the city.

Um we increased our traffic stay our staffing in our traffic enforcement unit.

We put an additional officer there.

In 2025, uh, we see that it's not quite as high as we'd like it to be.

And we're going to talk about that in just a second with our upcoming initiatives uh as how we're going to address those types of issues.

Traffic collision data in the city of Rockville.

Total collisions in 23, 1,775 and 24, 1,717.

And so far, when we ran the report in 2025, just over 1,000 at 1,016.

I would like to think that we're reducing our traffic crashes because we're doing a lot more pro af proactive traffic enforcement.

As far as uh pedestrian crashes in the city, in 23, we handled 56 of those crashes.

In 24, we were down to 47.

In 2025, to date, we've had 37.

So as part of our our initiatives working toward vision zero, I do see where we're making some progress there.

Next slide, please.

So that completes our statistical data.

Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to highlight our police department.

And before we do that, I'm going to talk about some of our initiatives.

During the calendar year, we added a supervisor to our training unit, and we added a second investigator to our uh Office of Professional Responsibility, which is also known as internal affairs.

Our dedicated training supervisors spent a lot of time with the new officers that we've hired in this police department.

Since November, we had hired 18 new police officers.

We recently, unfortunately, just lost one because they didn't feel that this profession was for them, and I respect that.

Um, so we do currently have one vacancy.

Um adding an additional investigator to our internal affairs or office of professional responsibility allows us to maintain accountability.

We've worked very hard in this city to earn the trust of our community, and we need to maintain that.

We're mandated by law in Maryland to investigate, fully investigate any complaint that comes in.

Uh, and that's a long process, and that's too much work for one person.

We saw that need early on this year, and we changed that.

We've also added it an additional community engagement officer to Wooton High School.

Um, the county police approached us earlier this year and said that they were struggling with their staffing and asked if we'd be willing to step in and fill that void.

And we did that at the beginning of this school year.

Uh, we have an officer assigned over there.

That's his full-time assignment.

Um, he's been embraced by the school community, he's been embraced by the community over there.

Our community and engagement officers that were formerly called school resource officers, not only are they in the schools all day at the high schools, they service all the feeder schools in the city of Rockville.

Those officers are also spending time in the evenings with uh the student population in those schools.

That's where we're making an impact in the city with our community engagement.

Um, we're starting that early uh while these while these students are still in school, and you know, we want them to understand that the police are here to help you, we're an advocate for you, um, and it's not all about enforcement action.

I just want to talk briefly about our partnerships.

You know, there's a lot of things we do in our community that the community sees.

Uh, we're very active on our social media pages and platforms.

We advertise a lot of our community events.

That's just one aspect of what we do in our police department.

Uh, it's important for our department, it's important to me that we build partnerships with our allied agencies.

Just today, our top-ranking command officials, we met with members of the FBI's joint terrorism task force and corporate leaders in the city of Rockville.

We had a robust discussion on cybersecurity and physical security with things that are going on around the globe.

And um, you know, the Rockville City Police Department, we're playing a part.

We're we're partnering with those agencies because we have a lot of infrastructure in our city.

And um, so that's a partnership that we're building, and that that was built.

Uh, we were invited to that because of the work that our community engagement officers did with this business some years ago.

We've partnered with uh Montgomery County Police, we've talked about that.

They're taking on the county uh facilities, which we appreciate.

It lets us be more efficient in the delivery of our services in the city.

As we're approaching the holiday season, we know that thefts and shopliftings go up.

Um, for the first time in my time, eight and a half years in the city of Rockville, we're partnering with the county police.

We're gonna be participating in the um the county police's crime suppression task force through the holidays.

That's gonna start in December.

Uh, we're we're assigning an officer to that.

It'll run for 60 days.

Um, and that's gonna make an impact uh for our business community.

We've partnered with the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.

You guys are aware of that.

And a lot of folks probably wondered why we did that.

We have stood up various traffic safety initiatives with very successful results uh in those uh partnerships and those um initiatives that we do.

We're doing one this Friday night in and around the city of Rockville.

Again, it's better when we're working together.

It's proven to be a force multiplier for us.

What are our long-range plans with our staffing and how are we going to deploy in December?

We're gonna graduate the largest police uh academy class that we've ever graduated.

Seven new police officers will graduate and come back home to Rockville to serve our community.

A month later in January, two more of those officers are going to graduate from Frederick City's Academy, and we can't wait for them to be here.

In mid in mid-December, the Rockville City Police Department's gonna do something we've never done.

Uh, we're adding a second canine team to our canine unit.

The new addition will be a bloodhound, and that blood hound will be specifically used for search and rescue.

We have a lot of you uh juveniles that go missing in this city, critically missing.

We also have a vulnerable adult population that goes missing.

We understand that time is of the essence.

Lives can be saved in a matter of moments.

So before Christmas this year, that that new uh asset will be in service for our community.

Not only will it be operational, uh, it'll also help us in our community engagement efforts.

Once our new field train and once our new officers get all field training that are graduating the academy, we'll be adding three additional police officers to our traffic enforcement unit.

It'll bring that unit to five officers.

We can make a bigger impact, prevent traffic collisions and save lives if we have the appropriate resources, which we will uh in that type of uh unit.

And that all works towards our mission of Vision Zero.

Later in 26, we'll stand up a plain clothes unit consisting of a supervisor and four police officers.

That unit's gonna focus on our quality of life issues in our neighborhoods and our communities.

Thefts from vehicles, much like we're gonna do with the crime suppression task force, they'll be deployed in areas of the city where we have issues with our commercial businesses.

They'll investigate narcotics complaint complaints, handle warrant services, extraditions, and assist our criminal investigations unit.

As part of our ongoing plan to provide police service across the city, we're working on a new strategy to redeploy our officers so that we can make sure we provide equal service to all areas of our city.

Currently, we operate with three patrol sectors.

Uh early in 2026, we're prepared to go live.

The city will be divided into five patrol sectors so that we can adequately serve all areas of the city.

In 26, early 2026, we're preparing to take delivery of our new mobile command unit.

That'll be used for emergency responses.

It'll be deployed at all of our large-scale city events that we work with other departments on, and it'll be made available to other city departments as needed.

We're very excited about that.

And with that, uh, the deputy chief's gonna play a video early in the year.

We were contacted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police to see if we'd like to highlight uh highlight and showcase our department and the strides we've made here, and we took them up on that opportunity.

We have a very dedicated uh agency full of uh men and women that serve this city 24 hours a day.

It's not lost on me that they're in the they're in harm's way so that others uh can be safe.

So I'd like to uh share this video with you.

This video was played at the International Chiefs Conference in Denver.

Police police chiefs and executives from across the globe got to see this and see a little bit about our city and our police department chief.

Chief, uh, while that's being worked on, I just want to thank you for the fantastic presentation and for all the work you've done.

I've seen uh new leadership at the department, and it really has had a positive impact on the culture.

People seem to be very happy and love their jobs, and I think that makes a difference as to how they engage in the community.

So I want to thank you for your leadership and to the entire leadership team for all that you've done.

Uh I also just want to note that you've been accomplished some incredible feats over this past year, 18 new officers.

That's a big deal when departments all across the country are having trouble recruiting.

Uh and I've seen pictures and and seen people who have been showing up to recruiting events.

Um I I also want to say just thank you for the work that you do in the community because your officers are coaches on sports teams, they're giving out food at holiday drives, they're helping nonprofits, and I think that also speaks to the way you engage with community as a partner and someone who respects the community and works for the community.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

It was not easy to hire 18 new police officers since November.

Um but we did that, and you're right.

We did that because we changed the culture of the police department.

While they're working on this, if uh there are questions, I'll I'll take those.

Should I note you're fully staffed now?

And minus one.

Minus one, right?

So excellent.

I I will I have some other comments, but just want to see if my colleagues will have any questions.

Councilman Van Greg.

Um thank you, Madam Mayor.

Um the chief, absolutely, I I know we've talked about it, I've mentioned it.

Um the Rockville Police Department is truly um uh among the best in the world.

Um the way the recognition of the community engagement and the way that the entire police department comes together.

I can tell you that I think it's important to note here in the room, we have not only the leadership, but numerous officers here to support this presentation.

It's the same thing that is seen all over the city.

When you have your coffees with the cop, when you have your community engagement issues, you bring and the rest of the department comes together.

Um fantastic.

Um looking at the stats, uh you're showing true progress with regard to the reduction of the criminal offenses and the proactive policing.

Um I hear it in the community where uh near where I live in Wooten High School, the dramatic difference that is shown by simply having the community engagement officer, uh Corporate Pascalli coming to Wooton High School and the surrounding neighborhood schools, the degree to which Corporal Tibbs was doing in Richard Montgomery is absolutely fantastic.

Um I see we have the video up.

Do you want me to pause and wait?

Sure.

Okay, go ahead.

Um so um uh uh a couple a couple questions.

Um, I know that we've got the um uh the support that you have for Wooten High School, uh, which I'm hearing is fantastic.

And you've got everything that is happening with Richard Montgomery and Corporal Tibbs, who's literally engaged with the sporting events there.

Is there any discussion with regard to potentially looking to uh Rockville High School?

We meet with our county counterparts very often.

Um we are having conversations about that, but we need to look at where we're gonna be staffing-wise uh next year.

Uh but it is a huge benefit to have those officers in our schools.

Absolutely.

Um more I think really important question.

Obviously, the degree to which you're engaging with the community is fantastic.

I've noticed that every now and then with regard to the uh police officers, there are Stetson hats that sometimes accompany with the police department.

Is that something that you're looking to do?

And if so, what's the status of that?

Uh we are uh we've changed a couple of things with our uniforms.

We rolled out our new badges last year or the earlier this year, and uh yes, our police officers will be new wearing new uniform hats.

Uh we've tested those out.

They were a hit in the department, and uh we are moving to that.

So um to echo what the mayor says, the the way to which the department is engaging with the community, is working to reduce crime throughout the city is absolutely fantastic.

So thank you to you.

Thank you to the leadership and all the officers throughout the uh department who are truly showcasing why the Rockville Police Department is the best.

Try it again.

Thank you.

Do you want us to pause for the video?

No, let's continue.

I don't think it's working.

We'll just let it go when it goes.

All right, Councilmember Jackson.

Thank you, Mayor.

And thank you, Chief, uh, for the presentation.

Uh it's always a pleasure to to see you and all the officers.

Um, you do a fantastic job.

I mean, from the uh gun buyback that you just uh uh put on yesterday to the community engagements to uh going around to the sort of associations and the HOAs.

It's it's it's always really good to see the police officers get out in the community and uh build up relationships because really that's what it's all about.

And this police department really does that better than um uh any that I've seen so far uh in all the uh the the towns and cities that um uh I've lived in.

So I do have a serious question.

Um this is actually to you and the city manager, and that is um with annexation.

So assuming that we uh annex uh areas like City Grove or um uh South Rockville um uh was uh what's the uh uh place with uh Trochy Chacos uh what is it?

Federal Plaza.

I guess thank you.

Federal plaza.

So do you have staffing to handle that, or how will you uh be able to staff up to handle uh the annexation if we uh do choose to annex it?

So Chief and I have talked about this quite a bit.

So maybe we'll tag in this one.

That's not good.

So um, Councilmember Jackson, you're on to something.

I mean, there are areas of the city you want to annex for all kinds of opportunities, principally economic development opportunities and even affordable housing opportunities, but it's not really as easy as annexing it, development happens, and here we go.

We have to provide services.

Part of those services include public safety and policing.

So we really have to look at um calls for service in that area, and then how many police officers need to provide those calls for service, and then it's a matter of what does it cost to provide that service, and then how much revenue is offset by um annexing that property into the city.

So we continue to analyze it, it does change.

But what I've said um to Chief and others is that if we annex property into the city and then we start patrolling and being more proactive in the city, we'll have an increase of calls for service, but over time it'll start to drop because of the excellent service that they provide.

So now that's like a generic answer, but whenever we are contemplating uh making a recommendation of this council about annexing a piece of property, we'll do that analysis to make sure that we can provide um public safety and provide you with the idea of what that's gonna cost.

Chief, do you want to add anything to that?

No, that that was uh a very good explanation.

We have to look at our crime stats and our crime data and our staffing.

Um we want to ensure that we can provide a good police service all across the city.

Um, and you know, the city manager and and the staff, the uh other departments involved in that.

Um, you know, we've had these discussions and we brought that data forward.

And uh he's right.

We just have to, you know, make sure that we're providing that service to the citizen.

Thank you.

One quick comment on that.

Uh the Maryland Municipal Lake Montgomery chapter, as well as our city team has worked to get reimbursement back from the county through tax duplication for police services.

The first time happened last term.

Uh that formula is based on a number of officers, and when we have taken over more responsibility uh from the county, like with the six officers that we added into the city of Rockville, uh, we are able to you know look at that number because they have the formula is based on number of officers.

It's not a hundred percent, but I will just note that it does provide support.

And I think to my colleagues' point, importantly, we have residents who are using Shady Grove Metro.

We have residents that are using places just south of our city, and so they're still needing that help, but when the county is dealing with some of the shortages which they're working to address, um, we there's a gap there.

So I appreciate the comment of my colleague, and I think it's an important consideration in that aspect as well.

Councilmember Larry.

Hello.

Um, thank you so much.

And this is uh absolutely fantastic uh report as a self-professed data nerd.

And I do want to give a special shout out to your crime analyst for doing all that work every month.

It's it's wonderful.

And it's really good.

It's a good way to kind of uh inject sometimes our our feelings aren't really borne out by the data.

And I think it's a good way to kind of um let folks know that maybe what what rumors they're hearing on uh various social networks are not actually occurring.

Um but I had a couple of questions, as I'm sure you are not surprised.

Um so because we're getting um, and I'm very excited about the um the second canine that's coming in.

I A, I love dogs, and B, search and rescue is just phenomenal.

Does that mean that we need a second canine officer?

We've already filled the position with current staffing.

Okay, fair enough.

Never mind.

Um, because I was gonna say, if that if we need to put that on the list, um, that's actually really exciting.

Um, and I think hand dogs are really cute.

So um personal privilege.

I love dogs.

Um so I was looking at um the um on page two of the presentation, the the breakdown of uh various crimes.

Um I was looking in particular at um the emergency uh evaluation petitions, how the number you know went up a little bit, now it's dropped significantly.

Um about how much time, and if you don't have this right in front of you, totally okay.

About how much time does each um EP is what people call it.

Um, how much time does that take an officer like off the the street or the beat?

That depends on the circumstance.

Um there's a lot of variables that go into how long it takes those calls uh for those calls um to include what occurs on the scene.

Um, you know, what what level of de escalation that we have to take on the scene to resolve that uh safely for everyone?

How busy is the hospital when we take them to the hospital?

The hospital's not required to take the custody of them from us right away.

They have a several hour period before uh they they could make our officers stay there.

Now we don't have that uh very often, but if the hospital's busy, it could tie them up.

Uh we we had multiple officers that would get tied up on these calls for several hours.

Yeah.

No, and that makes sense.

I just wanted to also kind of flag that for the community as well, because you know, um, that number is not just a straight number, it's also a lot of potentially a lot of time um off, and that is that includes actually the adjustment because that's after the county took over the crisis center, correct?

So 2025 would be is that when does that number adjust for the county taking the calls at the crisis center that may involve an EP?

Yeah, the county just uh entered into that agreement with us early this year in 2025.

Uh we believe that'll reduce calls for service for our police officers by about 300.

No, that makes sense, and I think it's another good uh data point for why uh looking at solutions like the diversion center um will be extremely helpful.

Um, and especially if that however things shake out, if this is uh a tool that um can take some of the um uh not burden, but take a little bit of that pressure off on doing the emergency evaluation petitions.

I had one other one, and I'm like missing my notes.

Oh, I do want to also um second and and third, all my colleagues that may also speak to having um a community engagement officer at Rockville High School.

Um I I know that it's definitely up to your staffing, but I also know from you know, and hearing all the great stories um about uh Corporal Tibbs at uh Richard Montgomery, I I just want to replicate that everywhere, and I think in particular the um the students that at Rockville High School um would would greatly benefit from that too.

So I'm just I just want to put that that that flag out there for that.

But thank you all so much.

Um, and yeah, we'll have to see a picture of y'all on your Stetsons when everybody's got them.

Thank you.

Councilmember Fulton and then Councilmember Miles.

Thank you.

Um I will say my own son personally really likes Coach Tibbs.

Uh and he's had the football season ended at RMS.

Um but uh what I I just had a couple questions.

First of all, um that update was like so exciting, it was almost too much.

Like it was like one exciting thing after another that came, and I agree that the bloodhound was maybe the most exciting part, but all of it was great.

So thank you for that.

Um my question, I have two questions.

One is a math question, and I'm probably about to embarrass myself.

When I look at the overall offenses on slide two, and I look at the total at the bottom, it's showing a six percent increase in total offenses between 23 and 24.

But if I extrapolate out where we are at 2025 and just assume an average of two more months there, it actually is a decrease over those years of nine percent.

I think I stopped saying July.

Yeah, the uh final column there is their percentage change from just 23 to 24.

It's not taking into consideration the uh data from 25.

But if I tried to get there, right?

So if I said the 25 data ended on October 31st, add in two more average months of it would be a decrease from 23 to 25 of somewhere around 9%.

Correct.

I am not a math person, but I just wanted to clear that up for like other anyone who's looking at this, like I don't want people to think there was an increase of six percent to date.

It's actually a decrease of nine percent, which is if my math's right, really awesome.

Um from 23 to 25.

My second question was on I kind of asked this every year.

And you you on slide seven on the traffic enforcement actions.

Can you speak a little bit more to how I should think about that?

Meaning it looks like overall actions are down and are protect or are projected to stay down for the year.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Well, there's a couple ways to look at that.

Uh when you look at law enforcement data, you know, I caution a lot of people when they look at raw data, because when we're dealing with numbers, you can make it sound like however you want.

Um, you know, maybe driving behaviors changing because clearly our crashes are down.

Uh pedestrian crashes are down.

So it's very possible that the driving behavior is changing.

Um, you know, again, I can account for the spike in 2024 because we added additional personnel into that unit.

Uh, I'd be interested to see what the data looks like next year after we put three more officers in there.

That's helpful.

I appreciate that.

It's always those are the ones that it's hard for me to think about.

Is it good to go up or is it good to go down?

Overall, you want it all to go down with that one.

Thank you so much.

This was a great presentation.

Dr.

Miles.

Thank you, madam mayor.

In line with the comments I said at the top, trying to get y'all home.

Great presentation.

Keep up the great work.

Thanks for what you do.

Get home safe.

Councilmember Shaw.

Um, I also want to echo my colleagues and thank you.

And um also note that there has been a lot of positive changes with new leadership, and I I greatly appreciate you.

Um I did have a couple of questions.

Um thank you for sharing the data.

Um, and I wanted to know if if it's possible to get some of that data disaggregated, like disaggregated data based on demographics, like um on traffic stops and use of force, if that's possible.

It is possible.

I have that report.

Uh I'm required to turn that in every year uh for Calia, uh, which I forgot to mention.

We just got re-accredited.

We just went through that process.

Uh, we just got that letter today, actually.

Uh, but I did forward that uh and we'll re-forward it out to you, but we do have the data.

Okay.

Um, and then my other question is um I didn't see domestic violence on here or any incidents.

Can you share some background on that?

Yeah, of course.

Uh for this specific data set, um, there's a lot of times we respond to a domestic disturbance where there's no criminal offense occurring.

So that data is actually in whether or not it was an assault or there was a vandalism.

It's in there.

Uh, we just don't keep a separate category for at least in this report, the number of domestic disturbances we respond to.

Uh we respond to a lot of those calls where you know someone, a third party may call and say there's a domestic disturbance going on there, we go and investigate loud TV.

Uh certainly not downplaying that because we do run a lot of domestic calls for service.

Uh, but if it was an assault, it was captured in the assault.

Okay, that's interesting to know.

Um right.

Well, thank you.

Thank you.

I have a couple quick hit questions.

Um is uh I know on page nine of the tweet out 2024 annual report, you do have arrests made by RCPD based on age and population, and you have a summary of other kinds of arrests, and you break those down.

Um of the ones that I wanted to flag that I we haven't had a chance to talk about yet are the rate reported hate and bias incidents.

And so just want to get a read.

I know many of us heard about these issues last year, and it seemed to be uh bubbling.

And I just wanted to see if you have any context to share.

Yeah, so in 2022 uh 2023, we had 21 of those incidents reported to Rockville police.

In 2024, we had 11.

Now, earlier this year we had an increase in the city.

We know that.

Um, and we will always include that on our annual report.

Uh we don't have it for 2025 just yet, but one thing that's going to impact those numbers, and we talk about data, how it can be um swayed one way or the other.

Um, with the use of the county's hate bias portal, a lot of those incidents are getting reported online electronically directly to the county police.

So we'll be reporting out in our annual report for 25 on the actual incidents that were report were reported to us, if that makes sense.

Thank you.

Is there any way to get the data from the county that is for Rockville?

So it used to be broken down.

I've talked to my other colleagues in other city departments.

It used to be broken down by uh Rockville City.

Then they started breaking it down by the police district.

So we're in the first police district, the entire district's not Rockville City.

So if I look at the data, I don't know.

I you're not going to be able to tell.

Was that in Rockville or was that in Poolsville, if that makes sense?

I I do hope that there's a way that they're tracking uh address and where it happened.

So maybe if we could get the spreadsheet, if you will, and be able to play deal with that.

This is an area of concern that I've seen.

Uh it's not anything that we can control, but we are trying to work on through our Jedi efforts and climate work to uh reduce that number.

But I have seen uh that really come up as an issue in some parts of the city, particularly sometimes at global events that are driving some of that as well.

Yeah, if I could just add one thing that you're not gonna see see on a stat sheet is the amount of time that RCPD collaborates with our Jedi office.

We do a lot of good work in that space.

Um we take a lot of time.

We meet with a lot of residents of our community.

Um, and quite frankly, I think that's had a huge impact.

Thank you.

Um, I want to echo my colleagues' comments on Rockville High School.

Uh, if we I I think if we relieve Montgomery County, because they're having staffing concerns, maybe we if we can get reimbursed for that.

I do think that there's a lot of benefit to having a Rockfell police officer there.

Um again, I've just seen the manner in which you go into schools in a collaborative partnership-driven approach, uh, getting involved in teams.

But I think about it from the perspective of preventing crime and helping to support uh kids who may be going through trauma or at risk to prevent crimes in the first place.

I think when I look at public safety, you are part of it.

We also have other things like recreation and parks programs that help to prevent crimes.

But I think I look at that that engagement as a way of helping people uh who, you know, we can prevent crime and help help lead people through other avenues and resources, and I've seen your work in action on that.

Um I also wanted to acknowledge your reduction in response time.

So that's something that we had a concern about, honestly, uh, when the county had to pull out six officers.

Uh we saw an increase in response time, and you've gotten that back down.

Um, is there a particular goal that we're working towards?

I know that you always want to get as low as possible, but is there a national average or a standard?

I'm not aware of a standard.

I can tell you what ours is.

When I set in front of you next year, I want it to be lower than it is right now.

And quite frankly, with our staffing, we're adding more police officers.

Uh we should see uh that number continue to drop.

Excellent.

I will note that Rockville um has been given a number of accolades as safest city, and that's in part to the work that you all are doing.

Uh I think Smart Asset named us the fourth safest city in the United States.

Um, with that said, you know, there are things that happen, and I want to thank your team because there are times when issues happen in community that we ask you, hey, can we go in and do a community meeting?

And we've been trying to do council connects, or you you reach out to different community groups and you share updates and respond to questions.

I think that makes a big difference so people understand what is going on and what we're doing to protect and support our community.

Um we have heard uh some concerns about Rockville Town Center.

Uh, and I know that there's been a lot of patrolling and increasing our public safety there.

If you can just speak to that.

Absolutely.

We still maintain a robust presence in the Rockville Town uh square.

Recently, Moore Guards added uh quite a sophisticated surveillance system down there.

It's something we would we had wanted from the police department for a long time.

Now that's in place.

We have a great partnership with them.

If we need access to those uh uh to the evidentiary videos, uh we know exactly who to contact and where to go.

Um, and I think that's gonna have a big impact.

Actually, I know it already has, because those uh cameras also have the ability to give audible warnings, and I've already talked to Morgaard.

There have been in issues where people were doing things they shouldn't have been doing.

The security company gives them an audible warning.

If you do not disperse, we're gonna contact Rockville police.

The people disperse, the problem goes away, and we never got the call.

That's incredible.

Thank you.

I would be remiss if I didn't say that there's a lot of concern in our community, particularly vulnerable communities who may be an uh in and around the immigrant community.

Um I know that Rockville has values and we have the fostering community trust.

Can you just speak to speak to that issue?

You know, Madam Mayor, I've worked in another police department for my first full career of 20 years.

I've said this publicly, I'll say it again tonight.

I've never worked in a community uh that embraced the police department like the city of Rockville does, and I mean that with all sincerity.

Um I think we offer a great service here.

I think the members of our community feel safe with our police officers.

Um come to any of our community events, which everyone does.

Um, just the way we interact with the members of the community.

We we've earned their trust, and we want to keep that.

Um, we've had residents come to our police headquarters and explain express their concern uh for their safety about issues that are going on at other levels of government, but they felt safe enough to come to our police station.

And to me, that may that means uh the world to me, and it resonates with what we're doing here.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

I will uh just end with saying that um there's a number of crime trends that are down, down in assaults, down in homicides, uh, down in fraud, um, down in uh home invasions, I believe.

Uh so I just I think there's a lot here that's very positive, and I want to encourage and support the continued piece.

I think with you doing the uh five patrol sectors, that's gonna help even more.

There was a time we're worried about car theft.

I hardly hear about that anymore.

There was a time we're worried about juvenile crime.

It's still an issue, but I see that that has gone down.

Uh, and we get you know, programs like the Latino Youth Development Program and other development programs are helping as well, in addition to the work that you all doing and fostering trust and creating partnerships.

I will just note if anyone's looking and know someone, there are jobs in 911.

Uh, that's an important under discussed uh area where we need more support.

Uh so if you're looking for a job, consider applying there.

And then you do have another position available.

I just want to highlight there's a number of things that the mayor and council and working with the city manager's office and the chief have done to try to make this a more attractive place to be, in addition to being good partners, take home car, multilingual pay, um you pay differential for night, increased salaries, hiring bonuses, uh, and we have uh a parental leave program uh and now a home ownership program to support our staff.

So um please consider joining our team and thank you so much for all that you do for our city.

And I will note for my colleagues and I, and uh there is a polar plunge coming up on January 31st that our offices are doing to support the Special Olympics, and some of us will be there with you.

Thank you.

I think we're gonna try one more time with the video.

It's real short.

Uh we'll see if it works.

My top priority was to get our police department to full staff.

It's been a long time since this police department was fully staffed with all of our sworn positions filled.

I got appointed as interim chief of police in November of 2024.

But we immediately went to work on recruiting.

Since that time, I've hired 17 new police officers.

And today our police department is fully staffed with sworn personnel.

The city is developing and growing at a rapid rate.

And in order to accommodate the police services for this city, I knew it was imperative that we would be fully staffed.

We also added new graphics to our police cars.

I wanted this to be a fresh start for this police department.

It increased morale internally.

These are cosmetic changes we made, but we've gotten a lot of positive community feedback, both on the badge and our police cars.

And these were initiatives that our police officers had wanted to see for a long time.

In our last budget process, I requested two additional professional staff positions, a fully dedicated dispatch supervisor, and we asked for an additional administrative assistant for our front office that deals directly with the residents of our city.

In addition to that, I've added two sergeants' positions in the police department.

I wanted a sergeant dedicated to the training division because it's important to me that we invest in our staff early and set them up for success in the police academy.

So we were hiring uh recruits for the police academy, and we were having them do administrative tasks in the department.

We would have to hire them months in advance of the academy.

So historically, we did not invest in them.

We just had them doing menial tasks around the police department.

Now we put them through a firearms training program because firearms can be difficult for recruits that have never shot a firearm.

We're honing those skills so that when they go to the academy and they're in there with their colleagues from other agencies, they stand out.

One of the ways that I would introduce a recruit to some of the responsibilities of the job would be through a mentorship program.

So back in December of 2022, I proposed this idea of starting a mentorship program for new recruits uh in our department.

The advice that I would give to other sergeants or supervisors about their relationships with new recruits would be set that foundation early.

You're gonna have the most influence over them.

You could shape the rest of their career and their lives.

I would say that my success has a lot to do with those who were around me, like my supervisor, and I had other coaches and mentors who helped me to see that I can make a change.

Typical day for me would be coming into work, meeting with my sergeant, and our sergeant will tell us what's going on inside the city.

From there, what we do is we will take the issues that are addressed to us and try to find solutions for them.

While I'm out patrolling, I'm also listening to the radio and ready to respond in a timely fashion to any call for service.

When I'm not doing that, I am patrolling the city looking for anyone who needs help and making sure everyone's staying safe.

We recognize that building trust with our community is an ongoing process.

Rockville City Police officers are encouraged to get out there and to interact with people from all different segments of our society.

Building and maintaining trust with the communities in Rockville comes through our interaction through our day-to-day interactions, everything from at the level of being a patrol officer to being in community engagement, such as myself.

Everybody has that additional something that they want to provide.

One of the things that's special about the Rockville City Police Department is that we we do have a lot of community events and they're scaled out differently to reach different audiences to make sure that we are able to have those interactions with a very diverse range of people within our community.

An example of this would be the neighborhood safety day that we held in collaboration with Main Street Apartments.

It's an apartment building that has a lot of inclusive housing.

So it's people of all abilities.

But not only did they help us put together this neighborhood safety day where we did close down a street, but we were able to bring in a lot of people who were first responders from firefighters.

We had a fire safety house, we had police officers, a lot of other first responders, a lot of different police departments came in to help us.

We just wanted to emphasize the idea of collaboration, and we wanted to emphasize the idea of getting to know your neighbors.

I would want the public to know that we here at the Rockville City Police Department are here to work for them.

We are not only eyes and ears and a mechanism of accountability and keeping people safe, but we are here genuinely to serve and to help those who need help.

We are prepared with our staffing and our upcoming initiatives to add additional specialized units to this police department.

They can expect to see more officers policing our community, and they can expect new capabilities of this police department so that we'll be able to best serve all areas of our city.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I think that was a perfect way to end, and I just want to say thank you.

Um, I also want to note that you all piloted a bike safety program at one of the elementary schools.

So I would be a miss if I didn't say that.

Incredible work all around.

Thank you.

Thank you all.

Thank you.

We appreciate you.

Colleagues, we've had a great night.

Thank you so much for everything you've done.

We're now moving on to our mock agenda.

We had a meeting this morning, and I think we are well prepared.

All right.

Moving on to old new business.

Okay.

Does anyone want to make a motion to adjourn?

Dr.

Miles.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Move that we adjourn.

Councilman Fulton, would you like to say?

It's been made and seconded.

All those in favor, please raise your hand and say aye.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate.

See you soon.

Thank you.