31-25.

I'm going to invite a very, very special group up.

We have here with us Girl Scout Troop 33089.

I want to welcome you and please join us in leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Well done.

Thank you so very much.

I'd like to turn it over to Sarah Taylor Farrell and Judy Penny for agenda review.

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

Thank you.

Welcome, City Manager Jeff Mahalik.

Mayor Ashton, members of City Council, ladies and gentlemen, good evening, and happy holidays.

Just a few things.

I know most of you know this already, but I think the listening public would be interested to know.

This past Friday, our Rockville City Police Department swore in seven police officers, again, seven police officers.

It's our largest swearing in ever in the city's history, which is pretty cool.

A lot of cities in our state and in and around our county are struggling recruiting police officers.

I can actually say it's happening nationwide, but not in the city of Rockville.

Our chief is here.

I want to acknowledge Jason West here.

He's really changed the culture.

We're recruiting some of the best and brightest in law enforcement to the city of Rockville.

Thank you very much.

So I just want to acknowledge that.

Secondarily, our parks crews are super busy.

That seems counterintuitive since it's really cold outside, but they're super busy.

They planted 219 trees over the past several weeks.

They're also making a number of improvements to a number of parks all across the city, including Dogwood Park, Woodsmith, and Potomac Woods.

So they're busy out there doing some improvements.

We can enjoy them when the weather warms up.

And then lastly, this is kind of cool and unexpected, maybe.

AARP said that the city of Rockville is in its top 10 mid-sized communities in the United States for retired persons.

That's pretty amazing.

That's all I have, Mayor.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Really appreciate it.

I also uh just wanted to note that the events of this past weekend have been uh shocking for many people, uh both uh domestically and abroad.

Uh and I want to thank the Rockville City Police Department and the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department who helped us have uh a Moor Garden uh partners create a manora lighting.

Uh we know that safety is something we don't take for granted, and I believe that many people were feeling unnerved uh and unsafe, and you helped us to feel safe.

So I wanted to just acknowledge that uh inclusivity opportunity and uh to say shout to Miyak and to just acknowledge that people are feeling concerned.

Uh, and uh I appreciate the good work of the city to make sure that all of our events are safe and inclusive.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Councilman Van Crack.

Um, and just to echo that, I know that there was a lot of concerns from the Jewish community um with regard to the safety um of the event in the lighting last night.

And I also want to echo um my sincere thanks to the Rockville City Police Department, together with the Rockville Fire Department, the outpouring of both visible and I know um not visible protection efforts that were undertaken by the Rockville City Police Department were fantastic, and I can tell you that numerous people commented to me how safe they felt.

But what much like what the mayor said, I think it's important to recognize um, given what transpired in Australia that not every community has the luxury of the safety that we had here in Rockville.

And just to echo how important it is for us to realize the degree to which just in the past 24 hours on some of the social media postings with regard to yesterday's event, I received numerous anti-Semitic posts that were made public.

And I think it's important to note um that that tolerance that there can be no tolerance of those types of actions because just as was said um by the mayor um when speaking last night, hate has no place in Rockville.

And while there might be outlying statements which we must be combat, it's important to know that we can have a safe and wonderful celebration here in Rockville and feel safe because of those partners.

So thank you once again to the partners, and I think it's important Echoed our community once again that hate has no place in Rockville, and we will condemn any such actions.

Thank you.

I want to just acknowledge the comments of my colleagues and say I fully support and agree.

I know this whole council stands against hate.

We have a number of resolutions in the city of Rockville.

I also want to say don't live with it alone if you're experiencing hate.

Montgomery County has a hate bias portal.

There's no issue that is too small.

Please report it.

It's important that we are documenting what's going on in our community and that when it's needed to also have Montgomery County help us on following up on those issues.

So I just uh wanted to reiterate that as well.

Um I also wanted to note that city staff are working very, very hard in preparation for the holiday drive.

And so if you have opportunities to give or if you need help, uh, if you could consider looking at our holiday drive section of our website, I just wanted to note that it's a happy holiday season, but a lot of people are dealing with a lot of things, uh, mental health-wise, resource-wise, and there are resources there to help you.

I had one other announcement to make, and that is my colleagues, Kate Bolton's birthday.

So happy birthday.

We're glad you were born.

All right.

I know.

I think you should leave the same the song.

We're gonna sing later.

Uh with that said, Rockfall has many volunteers, and we have a few boards and commissions, appointments and reappointments for this evening for the planning commission.

Colleagues, would anyone like to make a motion?

I've nominated two people, Jeffrey Zion's and Meng Sung for the planning commission.

Councilmember Leary.

Madam Mayor, I move to approve the new appointment to the planning commission of Jeffrey Zions to serve in an expiring five-year term until January 1st, 2030.

And I move to approve the reappointment to the planning commission of Meng Sun to serve a new five-year term until February 1st, 2031.

Thank you.

Do we have a second?

Councilmember Fulton seconds.

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

Hi.

Excellent.

It is unanimous.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

We're now moving on to community forum.

This is a chance for us to listen and learn about the issues that are facing our community.

Uh, we have a few folks who have volunteered to uh speak up.

I'd like to welcome Ominu Boba Edge.

Welcome.

Egg.

Please come up.

Please state your name and whether you live in the city of Rockville.

We may have the mic.

I will note that each person is allowed three minutes.

So we ask you to stick to the three minutes.

Yes, come.

Thank you.

Thank you, and there's a time clock in front of you.

Yes, ma'am.

Good evening, Your Honor.

Thank you for giving me the chance to come down here because I've been struggling.

It's not easy on me.

Okay, I was employed by Allied by the by all the museums.

I work in all the museums, natural history, African, American, required portraits.

And after the shutdown, I was working morning period and morning postpost because I have a mental sick son, which I'm taking care of in the house.

And mental and diabetes.

So during the shutdown, after I was working morning.

After the shutdown, they removed me and put me in the evening, which I could not come back home to give my son medications.

So I and they removed me from Saturday, they put me, they put me on Saturday and Sunday, which is not favorable, it's not go with me.

So I was living by then at for a long way down in a row and not in Rockville, in German town.

So by the time I went there, finally took me to the portrait, the portrait, gallery.

So by the time I left there in the evening, so my house is 11 and 12.

And my son has slept.

I can't give him medication.

So I told them, please could you help me?

Let me go back to my normal schedule.

And on Saturday, we don't live like in Rockville here.

On Saturday, my son will come out.

The children not working on Saturday will be, you know, harassing them with this situation.

So I said, please.

So they say, okay, go and apply for family member leave.

So I went and applied for the family member leave.

The doctor gave me the paper everything with my doctor.

They refuse.

So I like refusing.

They start to punch me.

Do everything, lie against me, do every kind of thing against me until on the 20th, 2022.

I think October they fired me.

And not only that, they just told me that you are videoed it.

I don't know how to video that a lot.

I don't know at that time, you know.

So at this time they fired me.

So I came back to BTI.

BTI hired me and put me at the child protective services.

I Rockville, I walk in the child protective services.

I walk in the courthouse, you know, for a metal dictator.

Then I walk in a 1401, rock with pike.

1401 rock with pack.

I stayed there for a while.

Then I lied.

Came back and bought the won the contract from BTI.

So my problem started from the game.

They started to point me, point me.

At that time, I called Van Holland office.

They said I should uh file for HR.

I filed for HR.

And they told me that they're gonna give me $2,000 to leave the case.

But how can he left me not to work for several months?

You want to give me $2,000?

I said no.

My children said no.

So right now to shut in the whole thing.

The HR, they opened the case for unlawful termination.

Then the family member leave another group.

But the H convince me that they're gonna combine the two.

They didn't combine the two.

Thank you.

So what I'm gonna suggest is we have a member of our staff who will meet with you to try to connect you to resources to help.

Yes, ma'am.

It may be needing some support from our own legal aid, and there may be other financial resources that you need.

Okay, so I'm going through Mr.

City Manager.

If you will help to arrange that, and thank you for sharing your story with us.

I'm sorry that you're going through so much.

Thank you.

Oh, no, I'm going through alone.

So if you want to meet uh Mr.

Godesman, okay, he will meet with you at the outside.

Thank you, thank you, of course.

Thank you.

We now have uh Drew Odiego Kamar.

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

I have a request for you.

When clock goes to zero, please, as you do, say thank you, then allow a few seconds to finish the thought instead of aggressively talking over me.

I will know to conclude.

If after a few seconds we do not finish, then please kindly, not aggressively, tap your desk device.

Regardless, we should do our best to summarize within allocated time.

But it gets emotional, and I could go on for hours, days like this.

EIC, explainer in chief, many EIC, East India companies, trillion dollar valuations for the European powers.

King LeBron James, he would say, not one, not two, not three, and more.

Portuguese EIC, French EIC, British, Dutch, etc.

My home country, India, 30% of global GDP from start of this millennia to 1700, 18th century.

We have been in love with our home nation, USA for centuries, also, and we do very well here.

My home country, India Peoples, we do very well here.

Thank you, home nation, USA always.

We do well here.

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

Congress, House of Representatives, or Montgomery County, Maryland Government Council.

Now my preamble, I pledge allegiance to the flag of British America, USA America, who are founders and um of our USA Constitution.

Now Montgomery County, Maryland government already seceded to Latin America with the access of Tacoma Park evil door doors.

Soon the English will be abolished.

You will all be required to use Maduro Peso Cash only.

Montgomery County, Maryland government, council members.

All they do is cut and paste previous years budget, make some tweaks and go on recess vacations.

They make a lot of money.

I would cut their salaries in half and hire more federal workers, etc.

And higher pay for City of Rockville, Maryland government.

Some real losers and low-level experience.

Over 65% of Montgomery County budget is for Latin America, Central America, illegals undocumented.

65%.

Soon perhaps 80%.

They have been cheating city of Rockville, Maryland government for decades.

You're all real Americans, seniors, all real losers already.

And it'll only get worse with this Tacoma Thray, Sleigh Che, Guevara, Wacos, and there are actually Tacoma Thrace, Cinco, 65%, 80% 80% percent of our resources.

There are county rasking, County Eltro, Elridge, County Kate Stewart, Gabe Alberno's now Latin America, Central America illegal undocumented, Natalie Fannie Gonzalez, president of Montgomery County Government Council.

They make so much money, but no time for real Americans constituents, only Latin American Central Americans, illegals undocumented.

This access of evil doers will soon be 150 million members of Castle Day, Maryland and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

County Raskin, a part of this squad.

County Jurassic Raskin is a squad member, is a part of this.

So fooled all of you American communities, fool me once, and then you fool me and us again and again.

We don't want to leave anybody behind.

We love everybody.

My mom raised us this way.

We love everybody.

Thank you.

Thank you.

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

Would anyone else like to speak?

Okay.

I know our girl Scoutship asked lots of intelligent questions earlier and got a tour of our facility.

Thank you for being here.

Okay.

Seeing no additional members who'd like to participate in community forum.

We'll move on to our consent agenda.

We have a number of items.

Our consent agenda A, 9A, authorize the city manager to execute a grant agreement with the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority for the FY26 Non-Capital Grant Agreement of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Grant Program for 15,850.

This will support the phase two investigation of below grade resources at the Avery Road, Colored Cemetery, and Benjamin Franklin Smith Homestead.

B, this would award and authorize the city manager to execute a contract responsive to invitation for bids for Corinne Creek and Calvin Park Tributary Stream Restoration Project in the amount of 4.6 million.

And then we have C approval of minutes, December 1st, 2025.

Does anyone have any questions?

I have one brief one.

I just want to commend the work that you're doing to improve connectivity and pathways for this project as well as uh improve uh the stream restoration.

I know this is something that the East Rockville Twinbrook Community is has been asking about and appreciates.

Um I also want to thank you for the work that you're doing uh on the Avery Road Color Cemetery.

I did want to note that there is another cemetery in Rockville that has also been having some struggles and needing some support, and that's the high Tay Cemetery.

I just wanted to see if that's something we could also look into following if this goes well and we learn some key findings that might help on that project.

Okay, do we have a motion to approve?

Councilmember Shaw.

Madam Mayor, I move to approve consent agenda items A, B, and C.

Thank you.

Do we have a second?

Councilmember Fulton seconds.

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

Aye.

Thank you.

We're now moving on to our action items.

11A, approval of a resolution to designate the Rockville Metro Station and the surrounding area as a Maryland transit-oriented development site.

I'd like to welcome Manisha Tawari, and I know that Craig Simon is also a panelist, and I uh see a few other staff members as well.

So I welcome all of you.

And members of the council, thank you very much for the introduction.

Um before you will be presenting the Maryland Transit Oriente Um Development Designation, which is an economic development initiative that makes Rockwell an attractive place for investment and provides various tools for infrastructure improvements.

So for the presentation, I'll provide a brief uh overview of the TOD designation, outline the next steps, and uh recommend a suggested motion.

So in general, um, a TOD uh typically means a development within a half mile of a transit station.

However, all transit stations are not state designated sites.

In Montgomery County, only not Bethesda formerly white fled is a TOD designated site.

Uh to avail of the state uh TOD designation resources, you need to apply to the state TOD program, which is what being pro which is what is being proposed tonight.

The map on the screen uh shows uh the proposed TOD area.

The black outline represents the properties uh proposed for the state TOD designation.

Um Maryland statute generally refers to TOD as properties within half mile radius uh adjacent to a station or transit corridor.

The red dashed line shows the half mile radius from Rockland Metro station.

The blue dashed line shows the quarter mile walking distance from Rockwell Metro station that MDOT staff was interested in reviewing.

In consultation with MDOT staff, staff identified additional properties outside the half mile radius of Rockville Metro station to include in the proposed designation area to potentially avail of the benefits that come with the designation.

Staff chose Rockville Metro station for the designation.

Since there are certain competitive advantages that are not found at others, like Twinbrook.

In addition to Womata's Red Line, the Rockwell Metro station also serves Mark and Amtrak stations.

A variety of bus routes operated by Wamata and Ride on services serve the station.

In addition to proposed BRT routes, the Maryland 355 and the Beers Mill intersect will intersect at the station.

The proposed TOD properties are accessible to several forms of public transportation and include most properties in the city's town center master plan and a part of the East Rockwell planning area.

One benefit of including residential properties is that the designation allows for funds to be used for multimodal connections to transit stops.

So the main benefit for the designation is access to the state's capital grant and revolving loan fund that provides financial assistance to local jurisdictions and development partners to promote development at state designated TOD sites.

The fund provides local jurisdictions with funding for either design planning up to 250,000 or construction of public infrastructure improvements at an eligible TOD site, up to one million.

The program requires a 10% local match.

It also allows for developers to apply for up to one million loan for gap funding of development projects and TOD sites.

Other benefits include that projects located at TODs receive additional points with local low-income tax credit program applications and in the state procurement process with the lease or purchase of office or lab space.

All TOD designated areas get a sustainable community designations by default.

Additional benefits includes being prioritized for MDOT projects with technical assistance, discretionary program funding and financial tools.

The process to apply for state TOD designation requires the local jurisdiction to complete the TOD designated designation application form on the state's portal.

As a part of the application, the city needs to demonstrate that there is a deliberate plan for the TOD that addresses the categories as listed on the slide.

Attachment three in your packet includes responses to the questions in the application, outlining strategies to address a TOD plan in the designation area.

The responses show that the TOD boundary as proposed aligns with the city's development vision and policy calls.

The application also asks for a local resolution in support of a state transit oriented designation, which was included as attachment one in your packet.

So the next step is that staff will submit the application on the state portal tomorrow.

State reviews the applications, circulates it within different departments within the state, and the process typically takes three months.

Once we get the designation, the TOD designation is valid for 10 years and can be extended for another 10 years by applying for renewal.

So here is a suggested motion and which I'll allow you to read.

And this concludes my presentation.

Sorry.

So if you have any questions, I'm happy to answer them.

I want to thank you very much.

This body has uh worked hard.

This is from and the previous party from the council for the comprehensive plan to the meeting that we all had together to look at the Metro Concept Plan, and we approved that here as a body.

We also worked on the Rockville Town Center Master Plan.

We had a tour with Secretary Day and have followed up with him.

So I just want to note that this is a culmination of various efforts by your team as well as this body, and we're glad to see this moving through.

I have a few quick questions.

One is I know that we did the Rockville Town Center Master Plan, which this is included, and we're also doing the zoning ordinance rewrite.

Is there anything that we would need to change in terms of zoning to be able to qualify or support this plan?

I don't think so.

Yeah, we're working on the required density and oh, we're working on the zoning changes, especially that would be helpful for the East Rockwell area, which include you know introduction of mixed metal and ADUs and things like that.

So I think we're on the right track.

Thank you.

And the Wamada Concept Plan as well as the Rockville Town Center Master Plan are excellent tools to be able to move forward.

And we have 10 years, and that sounds like a lot of time, but when you think about procurement and infrastructure and all the things, it takes a lot to pull this together.

And I know this is going to do important pedestrian uh safety, bike safety, uh connectivity of our community.

Uh so I'm super excited about this opportunity and also this the potential housing aspect.

How will the team be working to make sure that we stay within the 10 years and get as much done as we can?

And can you apply for extensions?

Well, go ahead.

Well, once we apply, um, I guess we'll wait for three months to know whether we've been designated.

Um, and then um we look at uh site ready projects because once you apply, there's a window of three years where they want the project to be completed.

So we'll identify the projects once the designation is approved and then come back to you with the list of projects that are site ready and that can be completed within three years.

Excellent.

Thank you.

And the last questions are um just the follow-up.

I know the work with Wamata will require also a deeper level, not only on the pedestrian improvements, but on the housing side of things.

Um, how is the city working to try to create that partnership so that we can support the concept plan for housing?

I think that will come my way.

We have our ongoing standing meeting with Walmart.

They're very interested in our work.

Um, this project and other metro stations in the city and adjacent to the city aren't as high up in the priority listing as we'd like them to be.

This designation is gonna allow us to have a little bit more empath on getting those projects moved up.

So we have a great relationship with Womata right now, have a good partnership, and we think this is just one more step in the in the right direction, Mayor.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And I know that they would be willing to accept unsolicited proposals, which would help us to stay within that 10 years.

So just wanted to put a plug on that.

And then lastly, I was just gonna note um in the brief book, it's notes that you would look at expanding this to Twinbrook and to Shady Grove should that be annexed.

Um, what is uh what is your thinking in terms of uh doing Rockville first, and then how soon would you be able to apply for Twinbrook?

I think we'd like to um move forward with that as soon as practical.

Shady Grove would take a little bit longer, obviously, because it's not in the city quite yet, but get this one moving, file it, get a reaction from them in a couple months, and then go ahead and look at doing Plumbork immediately thereafter.

Thank you.

I really appreciate all the work on this.

This is a big deal to support the goals of our comprehensive plan, the Rockville Town Center Master Plan, our housing and economic goals and safety.

Councilmember Leary.

Thank you.

Um I have a couple questions about how you got to this decision point.

Um tell me a little bit about how you determined that Rockville would be um Rockville Metro would be a better starting point than Twinbrook Metro.

Um we uh worked on Rockwell for this uh initial application because like Rockwell is more competitive than Twinbrook in the sense that um we just got the town center master plan approved uh in January of this year.

And uh Rockwell also um we also worked with OMAT and got the concept plan for development at the Metro Station approved um in December of 2024.

Um Rockwell also has uh other um attractive features like it's got like two BRT routes intersecting at the Metro station, and then it has uh MARC and Amtrak stations um at Rockwell Metro Station as well.

So looking at all these features, and um if you review uh once Brian Gross goes through his presentation, you'll see how much more attractive Rockwell is because we're applying for the federal grant as well as a part of this process.

Rockwell just had more features than Twinbrook at this time, and we will uh once this is done, we do intend to apply for Twinbrook as well.

Um Rockwell Pike, um the city staff is uh by your direction.

They're looking at working on the Rockville Pike Plan, and I think that will align very well with the Metro Station once we have like uh some development and uh ideas of what we will be proposing for the Rockwell Pike Plan as well.

So I I can appreciate where you're coming from on that.

Um, but honestly, the only difference between the two sites is mark access.

If you look at Wamada's and in the materials that you provided to us, which I actually appreciate um quite a bit, the joint development work plan.

Both Twinbrook and Rockville are like this.

So I'm kind of and actually um I I will I will leave it there.

They are all things being equal.

Both of them have mid-term actions on being construction, right?

So everything else is the same.

So literally the only difference then is that we prioritize in opening up all this funding is because of MARC and MARC access.

And frankly, I don't think that that is enough to not look at a dual track prioritization.

This is kind of part of the problem, right?

We put so much energy into Rockville Town Center, and I get it, it needed a master plan, and we needed to improve things.

However, some of the some of the most dangerous high-end network intersections also occur around Twinbrook Metro.

So for an area that's looking for pedestrian improvements that already has a high injury network intersection, to then share that really it's just MARC that has lifted one up over the other, um, is really discouraging to me.

It's also discouraging that um to me, it feels like again, um we can't kind of get out of the shell of Rockville Town Center, that we're not looking equitably across the city, and I I want to believe that that's not the case, but when I look at I and I'm looking at, I did a screenshot of both Twinbrook West, is what I'm looking at specifically in comparison to Rockville.

It seems to me that a policy decision has been made to go forward with Rockville first, and that mayor and council should just kind of go with that rather than to maybe pose the question to mayor and council of what is the best strategy here?

Because I absolutely agree that having it designated as transit-oriented development is critical.

I don't believe we need a pike plan in order to make the application for Twinbrook.

I think it's something that's great that is coming along, but uh we we have an overall zoning ordinance rewrite.

We're in the process of that.

Only thing that's different at Twinbrook is that there's no mark access.

There is already a pedestrian infrastructure project waiting, right?

For for moving it forward.

Um to me, it does not make any sense and seems a little bit um of a decision that was made without thinking about the totality of equity across the city.

Um I think eventually we'll get to the point of Shady Grove, and I appreciated that in the report, but I I as much as I appreciate this designation, I I cannot support going forward with Rockville alone first, because I think that the decision was made on a very tenuous string in comparison to the needs of the city.

Um, and I will leave it there, but Madam Mayor, that's kind of where I'm at right now.

Thank you very much.

Ms.

Mahillick, did you have anything to say?

The only thing I would say is I don't disagree with um a lot of the sentiment that Councilmember Valerie was saying in terms of having a designation for Twinbrook, we agree.

Twimbrook has its own wonderful attributes to it as well as Rockville station.

It would just be really challenging for us to go forward and place a lot of emphasis on two stations on the designation at the same time.

But we really do plan on moving forward with Rockville TOD designation as soon as we get this other one off the ground.

I do think that the Rockville Pike Plan will be a really good impetus to push that project forward, much like town center did.

I think that work in getting additional community engagement in around Rockville Pike and adjacent to it, the Twinbrook Station is really going to put that in a wonderful position for TOD.

We're not suggesting by this recommendation that the Rockville station is any better than the um Twimburg station.

We're just picking this one because it's a little bit further along with a concept plan that's been endorsed by this body by the master plan for town center, et cetera.

And we'll get Twinbook right behind it in really good shape as well.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Councilman Van Greg, and then Councilman Shaw.

First and foremost, I want to thank staff.

I know that this is an important key for what we've talked about for the town center master plan.

And it will create almost like a domino effect throughout the city in what we're talking about through development.

And as was said before, what we're talking about with the 355 plan of connecting.

There's no question that if we're going to go forward with Annexing Shady Grove Metro, which I hope we do, we've really got three Metro stations on a line together.

And to start here, you know, to me, makes sense because we've got the town center master plan that we put together, as well as we've literally already heard from Metro with regard to a plan that they're looking for developing this Metro Center, as well as the fact that we've got all this space and all these projects that are coming online in this area.

And I know that I know that I've had meetings with you know the city manager, and we've talked, you know, as the mayor said with Secretary Day coming and doing a specific tour in town center, and I know that Secretary Day specifically noticed noted what we could potentially do here in town center is great.

And I know that this is a great start.

This is a key.

I also support what my colleague uh council member um Valeri said that I would love to see Twinbrook next because I think that we're talking about a 355 plan, um, and we've got three potentially TOD areas that could come online, and if they all come online together, that's a huge boon for the city.

Um I do think it makes sense to start with Rockville Town Center, and I think that your start here, especially given Wamada's um presentation that came to us, I think over a year ago, and then us um forwarding proposal to them clarifying that as a start to what we're doing um with these TOD plans.

I would also like to see Twinbrook come online and then hopefully Shady Grove together, but I just want to commend staff because I know that we've asked for something like this to come quickly.

I know this isn't easy to put it together and collaborate both with the county and the state.

Um and I'm really great to I'm really thrilled to see it here, and I appreciate all of staff's work in getting this together.

So, city manager, staff really appreciate this.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Councilmember Bishaw.

I want to echo my colleagues and thank you for all the work on this.

Um, I I plan to uh authorize this and um vote to authorize this.

I just had some questions around the impact statements for the equity impact statements.

Was any data used in terms of income?

How or how was that equity impact statement informed by data?

Um we do uh look at um the census data um and um pods uh because this area lies in two census drags and um the town census census track is different than the East Rockville census drag.

So we do look at equity data based on census tracks, um, as to you know, looking at the demographics of population and the incomes and um other metrics.

Um in the equity statement, it talks about affordable housing.

Um was any income or or how does that affordable housing relate to specific incomes that you looked at in the equity statement?

And the re the reason I'm asking that is because um it does mention that you looked at the census data in that area where there's a high area of renters as well as uh people with disabilities.

Um Rockville Town Center has the highest rent in in the city.

So I was just, and we're talking about affordable housing, so I just wanted to understand the actual impact in the impact statement around those demographics that are called out in the statement.

I'll talk about it generically, and then if Manisha wants to add a little bit more, if not, Councilmember, we're happy to get you more detailed answer.

But I'll just say broadly, I think you're exactly right.

There clearly is a demand for additional um affordable units in many places in the city, but particularly in and around town center.

And we think that the TOD designation is gonna provide the Rockville towns, the Rockville station with more opportunities to redevelop with residential, and clearly any proposal that we'd um think about for that property, we would want that include a significant affordable housing component.

So that's the goal with this.

Well, I'll have Manisha take a deeper dive into some of the analytics that she used for the equity impact statement to see if she can give you a more complete answer.

I'd appreciate that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I would just note we do have uh uh to your comments a good number of affordable housing communities in and around town center, Bell's Grant, uh Main Street uh serves people with disabilities, uh, Victory Court as well as residents is on the lane.

And it's my understanding WAMATA would require a higher percentage of affordable if if housing is put there.

That's correct.

Okay, all right, thank you.

And I I appreciate the comment that you're gonna get back to us on more data to support equity.

Okay.

Colleagues, are there any more questions?

Councilmember Fullery.

It is an actual question and not just me sharing um my viewpoint.

So saying that Twinburg will be next, I'd like to get um, if not now, um, as soon as possible, an assurance on the timeline to proceed forward on TwinPro.

Is that something that could be shared if not this evening, but in the near future So I honestly didn't know this is gonna come up tonight.

Anytime we can get advanced notice on that, happy to provide information like that.

Um I need a little bit of time, but yes, I'm happy to put together um a timeline with what we think we can hit to do a TOD application for Twinburg.

Thank you.

I I would appreciate that.

And um, yeah, I guess I I was not expecting Rockville Metro to be the first to go on this either.

So appreciate it.

Thank you.

Fair enough.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Fulton.

Just worth saying that like I'm very excited for this.

Thanks for all the work on it.

I also agree with all of my colleagues.

It would and I and you all who I think here are saying it's a yes and it's a this first then more.

Um I and I understand that there's always strategy in trying to get these designations.

I don't know if there would be risk if we took two at once that we would get neither.

Like I don't know how that works, but I trust the analysis on it.

Um, but I agree that uh the more we can get the designations to help as we grow uh two, if not three metro stations, that'd be great.

You've got a good starting point here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I will echo my colleagues on trying to get more metro stations included, and just want to say thank you very, very much for all the work on this.

We're greatly appreciated.

Councilman Van Grek.

Uh Madam Mayor, um, I would move to approve uh approve the resolution to designate Rockville Metro Station and the surrounding area as a Maryland transit-oriented TOD or transit-oriented development TOD second.

Thank you.

Do we have a second?

Which one was right?

Councilmember Jackson, you hadn't have a chance to speak.

Go ahead.

So okay.

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

Excellent.

Thank you all.

It's been double-seconded.

Uh, thank you for the unanimous vote, and we appreciate all the work.

Uh, thank you, Miss Manisha Tware.

Thank you.

Okay.

Next we have a related item.

Uh item B, adoption of a resolution supporting the city's inclusion as a project partner and MTA's federal railroad administration FY 2425 federal state partnership for intercity passenger rail program grant application and authorization for the city manager to sign a letter of support to be included in the MTA's federal rail administration grant application.

And I'd like to welcome Brian Barnett Woods.

Thank you.

That was quite a mouthful.

Um good evening.

I'm Brian Barnett Woods, uh Principal Transportation Planner with the Department of Public Works.

Um, I'm joined by Manisha Tawari and then Jim Woods here as well.

Um and we're here to discuss this uh grant opportunity, which we're looking to uh help kind of implement that concept one plan that Manisha talked about earlier.

So I think this was a really good segue into this uh agenda item.

Um we're gonna say this is grant opportunity exploring how we can evaluate and design a new pedestrian bridge and train hall at Rockville Station.

We are seeking your support to write a letter and a resolution that can be used with a combined application between the city and the Maryland Transit Administration for this grant opportunity.

So here's just a quick timeline.

2020, Mayor and Council approved the Vision Zero Action Plan, which is seeking to eliminate uh fatalities and serious injuries that are caused by uh transportation and to help protect vulnerable roadway users.

In 2022, the mayor and council approved the climate action plan, uh which specifically includes an action item to improve access to transit.

In 2023, the mayor and council approved the pedestrian master plan, which seeks to improve accessibility as well as the pedestrian environment in general.

Excuse me, in general.

In 2024, uh the mayor council adopted a resolution supporting concept plan one in the Rockville Visioning Study, which I think we'll talk about a little bit in the next slide.

Um then in 2025, uh that concept plan one was included in the Rockville Town Center Master Plan, which was approved in January this year.

Um today, uh now the end of 2025, uh, we're looking at this grant program that we think can help fund the initial stages of kind of uh designing and implementing the concept one plan.

Uh this is an FRA federal railroad administration uh grant is called the Federal State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program.

Cool.

Um so this image on the slide, this is from the uh the Concept One plan from the Rockville Visioning Study.

Uh that study was completed by Womata and a consultant in coordination with the community planning and development services department.

Um ultimately the preferred alternative is what is what's shown here.

Uh there's a train hall and a transit plaza uh that's in brown.

Um and this will kind of help create a seamless gateway between the station area and the Rockville Town Center, but also Rockville as a city in general.

Um I've highlighted in yellow the pedestrian bridge.

Um the the section that goes over the rail tracks, uh, that is an add-on option and it was identified as an add-on option in the visioning study.

Um, the existing pedestrian bridge, um, which goes over uh 350, Maryland 355, excuse me, Hunger for Drive, um, is nearing the end of its useful life.

Um, and while Wamada did make some improvements on it a few years ago, uh, it's likely in 10 years, 10, 11, 12 years, it will need to be replaced.

Um, so the small add-on option is something that would go directly over uh Wamata, Mark, and the Amtrak platforms.

And I think this would really be a boon for accessibility to the to the rail services that are there.

Um so here's another uh image from the conceptual plan for that for the add-on option.

Um as you can see, it would either go over the metro rail platforms and then meet at the level of the Mark and Amtrak platforms, or it would go over all platforms.

Um, what this does is if you're going to the rail station uh from Rockville Town Center, you would use that pedestrian bridge.

And currently, once you cross or go over, excuse me, um, Maryland 355, you essentially have to go down two flights of steps, walk a little bit, and then go up two flights of steps to access those platforms.

And this is to help increase accessibility so that we would have a more direct connection to those platforms and kind of help you know for people who are using mobility devices, limit eliminating you know or reducing at least one escalator trip or elevator trip that may not make.

And so we could provide better access to these stations so that getting to the station itself will be seen as more direct and more convenient for transit users.

So looking at the various grants out there, uh we learned about this program, the federal state partnership for inner city passenger rail.

Um it has a few goals that they're they're listed here.

Um but in short, it's to bring all infrastructure to a state of good repair and enhance safety, um, expand and improve inner city rail service.

Uh so this is Amtrak trains, um, and improve system operations.

How can rail service be made more desirable and more convenient as a mode of transportation?

So we have this grant program, and then we have this concept one plan.

So, what would our project be?

Um it's multifold, but it's all kind of working toward bridge replacement and concept plan implementation.

Um, and so we would study replacing the bridge with one of these add-on options, study and evaluate how that train hall, uh, what would its building footprint look like, how could it best connect to the station to future development to the rest of the Rockville Town Center, what that looks like, a cost benefit analysis, like most federal projects, uh, when you're seeking federal funding, they do want to make sure to see what the cost of construction and maintenance over time of infrastructure is compared to the benefits that are provided by that infrastructure.

Um, and so we need to do kind of the deep dive cost benefit analysis uh for its construction.

And then lastly, preparing kind of a preliminary design for for this bridge and kind of the basics for the train hall.

Um as part of our due diligence for looking at grants, we did reach out to the Maryland Transit Administration.

Um, and then we learned from them that they're also looking at this grant as an opportunity to plan for capacity and accessibility improvements at the Rockville station.

Um, their project is working toward the state's or uh the mark uh growth and transformation plan for mark service, and their projects here would include accessibility improvements at the station, studying a new platform and third track option at Rockville Station, and then studying other Brunswick line improvements, and just to run Brunswick's the line that goes kind of from Silver Spring all the way to West Virginia.

Um looking at improvements between kind of Silver Stream and Point of Rocks.

Um since we're always seeking for opportunities to uh collaborate, um, we can incorporate our project into the MTA application.

Um their application is larger in scope.

Um, and so I think it's better fit that our application goes into theirs as opposed to vice versa.

Um, but also by combining everything, this project will be more competitive for this grant opportunity.

Um we've also been reaching out to the other agencies and jurisdictions uh that are relevant, and this includes uh obviously MCA, but we reached out to Montgomery County who supports this idea.

We've met with Wamada and then Amtrak and CSX to move this forward.

Um so here is a very general timeline.

Um, but the grant application is due in early February at the earliest awards we've made in the summer.

Um, and then we would need to work with MTA to kind of figure out how do we best coordinate these two projects, and that would be kind of an ongoing effort.

Um, then MTA would need to enter into an agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration and kind of begin that process of selecting consultant and us kind of coordinating and working with them.

Um at its quickest, we would look at starting this project, the study in early 2027.

And again, that's at its quickest.

Um, but it is something that I think is a really viable path moving forward and worth exploring.

As mentioned before, uh, tonight we are asking you to make a motion to adopt a resolution to support our inclusion in the project, and then to also authorize the city manager to sign a letter of support, uh, which would be included in the MTA application that's uh submitted.

Um with that, um, thank you for your time, and I'd be happy to answer any questions.

I want to say a huge thank you.

I love how you're weaving together the history of what we've been working on 2020 all the way to 2025.

Really nice storytelling, and that we're not just making plans because they're pretty, but we're trying to get important work done to improve safety for our city to improve mobility and transportation.

Um super exciting about a renewed potential bridge.

Uh, that down up down is quite strange.

Uh, and I think this would help to connect our city historically.

Uh, people have used uh rail lines to divide cities.

Uh, and that has an interesting history across America.

And I think this is another way to bring equity and to support, reconnecting our city to be one contiguous whole.

So I appreciate the good work on this.

Um I love the train hall, and I know that's also looking at potential art that we might employ around here to beautify it to make it more uh pedestrian friendly.

Uh, there is one piece that was a small kind of insertion that I wanted to understand more about, and that is the third rail uh and not the the abstract third rail, but the one that's proposed to um support the Brunswick line.

I just want to understand how far would that go.

Um, I I know that um there are properties uh that people have in Lincoln Park as well as in Twinbrook that are right up on the line.

And so while I love all the other things on this, I do have concern about just understanding the impact on our residents.

So if you could share a little bit more about what is being planned and what the potential impact might be.

Sure, most definitely.

Um so we reached out to the Maryland Transit Administration to ask them just about this.

Um MTA through this um this program or this project and this effort are evaluating the impacts of a third track that would be between Rockville Station and Washington Grove, which is the one south of Gaithersburg, uh, but north of Rockville.

And so that's part of what this study would look at.

Also, MTA is not including a third track that goes south through the uh Twin Brook as part of this effort.

And this is consistent with their marked growth and transformation plan.

And so they would look at studying those impacts for the section that goes north and then to the south, there's the two tracks as it is.

So this would not have an impact on the Twin Brook properties.

Like now on along Lewis Avenue, there are a lot of properties that are very right up on the line.

But uh going north, they're actually gonna use the right-of-way that they currently have and not go into the property lines of other people.

Yeah, that's what they're trying to uh evaluate through this project.

Okay, thank you.

I I just think that it's important to, as we move forward and any letters of support to state that.

Thank you.

Councilman Van Grove.

Um, I just want to follow up with something the mayor said and going into the presentation, um, because I think what she brought up is really, really important.

And I want to kind of clarify and make sure that we're communicating this as best we can.

And it goes back to the um extended pedestrian bridge concept that we approved.

And I just want to make sure that what we're doing, because I know that even with this current bridge, when I was working in downtown DC and parking in Rockville Town Center, I never used the bridge because it was so inconvenient.

Um, is what we're contemplating and what Metro is contemplating here from Metro or the Marker Amtrak, that there's a way to as easily as possible with this concept, go directly to the platform and get into town center so that there would be whether it's the metro um cards access or mark card access to essentially not have to go underground to get out.

Uh yeah, so one of the things actually this morning we were meeting with Wamada, and we'd have to look at having a mezzanine with the fare gates from this bridge to access those Wamana trains and what that would look like and what that cost to construct and whether it would be feasible to have essentially two or whether one mezzanine could uh act for both services.

Okay, that's exactly what I was getting at.

That that that as part of this concept, the only way that works is if you have some type of mezzanine where people can access so they don't have to go down before they get in and out of the metro station.

So that's exactly what they're that's the concept that both us and Wamata are thinking about.

That's what we want to kind of figure out and how we can make this all work, yes.

All right.

To the extent that can happen, I can tell you, just as the mayor said, that is huge for being able to get access and have people come in and out and utilize getting directly in and out of town center as opposed to going through the crosswalks or in the busy streets.

I think it also helps with Vision Zero to the extent we can keep people off 355 and keep them on pedestrian safe areas.

We're not only helping our businesses and helping town center, but we're also uh uh keeping people safe.

So thank you so much for that work.

And I'm glad you guys are focusing in on Councilmember Valeri.

Sorry, I didn't know you were pointing at me.

Um, this is really exciting.

And I remember it wasn't that long ago when this proposal was before not this mayor and council.

But I recall um a lot of uh a lot of concerns about uh why it would be important to do this.

And I think that my colleagues and Madam Mayor and you kind of outlined you, Mr.

Barnett Woods really outlined why this is not just a nice thing to have and why it really is a necessity.

Um, you know, it the more that we can get people um off of you know more dangerous intersections, it's great.

Having said that, I don't want to necessarily give up on ensuring that that the state highway administration does what it should at the car level, and so continuing to advocate for that, I think is an important um pardon the pun two-track approach um to this, but um I do want to I am actually extremely excited about the extended pedestrian bridge um concept and in general making it much more inviting.

Your slide actually even showed um, you know, uh the bridge is not only you know from an engineering perspective at the end of it is life, but also aesthetically probably also near the end of its life.

Um I also want to echo um what Madam Mayor said that um even though, and I appreciate thank you for sharing that we're looking at north uh from Rockville toward Washington Grove, um, that there are um there are properties in the Lincoln Park community um that are very close by.

Um, that there are um there are properties in the Lincoln Park community um that are very close by.

So, in any way, however they study it, just to kind of keep in mind that we do have um residents whose homes are just kind of back up to the rail lines there would be would be great.

Um I think this is exciting and to have these many agencies coming all together and coordinating.

Um I want to say kudos to the staff, and and you know, this is I know this is gonna be tricky, but you know, um uh fortune uh favors the bold.

So we might as well go forward and and and try it, and I think it'll be great.

So um thank you so much for the presentation.

This is this is really cool.

Okay.

I have a few quick comments.

Um, one is you mentioned that we wouldn't get started on this until 2027 at the earliest, so it kind of goes to my previous point of how long these infrastructure projects take.

Um, and I understand that.

Uh I do want to just note that I wonder if some things that we can do now.

Uh and I want to mention two things.

One is um there's broken glass on the pedestrian uh bridge at this time, and it's uh boarded up uh one of the windows.

I I hope that we cannot wait until this project is constructed to uh clean that up and see if we can get that glass replaced.

That's one.

The second is a uh a smaller, easier thing, I hope, and it's just that the whole hallway area smells like urine.

I don't know who is responsible for cleaning, but it does it has a not so much of a welcoming impact uh and the people who must use that bridge.

So I wonder if there's anything we can do about those two short-term issues to make it more of a welcoming place for people to transit.

Yeah, let me address that because we were just blocking it not long ago.

We have called that in a couple times, and I'm not diming out our partners, but it is a challenge for us on their safety issues.

It's not just aesthetics, but I think when you have partnerships like this and you start building relationships, it really helps us to have that.

So when we call in issues like maintenance, issues like smells, et cetera, there's a greater chance they're gonna address it.

So I think this partnership's gonna help us get greater action on that, and we'll continue to make sure that those property maintenance issues are addressed um sooner rather than later.

Thank you so very much.

Okay.

Uh just a question.

Do you need any further clarification from us on the body's feelings on just making sure we're thinking about the uh adjacent property owners for that third rail?

We'll just incorporate it into the letter that we'll send off.

Excellent.

Thank you very much.

Okay.

All right, colleagues.

Do we have a motion?

Councilmember Jackson.

Thank you, Mayor.

I move to the mayor and council adopt a resolution supporting the city's inclusion as a project partner in MTA's Federal Railroad Administration, FY2425, federal state partnership for inner city passenger rail program grant application, and authorize the city manager to sign a letter of support to be included in the MTAA's IFRA grant application.

Do we have a second?

Councilman Shaw seconds.

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

Aye.

Excellent.

It is unanimous.

Well done, team.

Thank you so much for these big bold, exciting projects.

Well, now move on to the agenda item 11 C introduction of an ordinance to amend chapter five of the Rockville City Code entitled Buildings and Building Regulations Article Green Building Code Regulations.

All right.

Good evening, uh, Madam Mayor, members of council.

Um we're gonna be going over the green building regulations uh for an introduction tonight.

Um, do a quick review of the proposed amendments, uh, and then touch back to uh the work session that was held in June of this year, um, some of the questions that were raised there, uh, some responses to those.

We'll highlight our next steps, uh, and then we have a suggested motion for you.

So short and sweet for you here.

Uh just to refresh your memory on the proposed amendments, um, we're looking at relocating scoping requirements and definitions uh into the actual uh model codes that that we're adopting uh rather than having them kind of floating out in the article uh as they are presently, uh and that'll help align it with other articles in this chapter.

And that'll help align it with other articles in this chapter.

Flexibility to use off-site renewable energy to meet the on-site provisions that are in there.

We don't want to limit the growth and expansion of renewable energy here.

And then we're also looking at additional requirements for EV charging infrastructure above what we've currently incorporated in the city's energy conservation code.

And then as far as the national green building standard, which pertains to one and two family dwellings and certain low rise and mid-rise multifamily residential projects.

Not a whole lot of changes there except for a requirement to obtain the NGBS verified third-party certification for the applicable projects.

So that was a recap.

We we really don't have a whole lot of major changes to the codes themselves.

But we did have a number of four questions actually that we wanted to provide some responses to here.

One was about our implementation plan and how we would avoid a flood of applications and slowing down potentially of permitting processes.

So staff met with representatives from Home Innovation Labs, which is the accreditation body for the NGBS verified and went through what that looks like.

The final verification documents would be submitted to this online portal by that verifier and are generally turned around within one to two days of those final inspections.

So we're looking at uh trying to line that up so that there's no delay to certificate of occupancy.

And then we were asked about soundproofing enhancements, um, specifically in reference to uh in the comp plan.

It was suggested that the building code may need updated.

Um the existing soundproofing standards are regulated in the International Building Code, uh, and there are not currently any uh unified industry standards for enhanced soundproofing.

And one of the other things we're looking at there is that the cost of sound dampening materials uh increases significantly uh once you go above those code minimum thresholds.

Um then the for the high-rise buildings, uh I believe council member Valeria asked about protective elements for migratory birds.

Uh again, there's currently no unified industry standards uh and in the green construction code, the international building code, or the international existing building code.

So at present, such elements are at the discretion of the building owners, but we will continue to uh look at uh as as standards arise if if a uh unified standard comes forward if we can incorporate that.

So as far as our next steps, we are currently have uh our public feedback open.

Uh we have a document out there, we have an online form to collect responses.

Uh we want to make sure that what we're bringing forth, you know, we hear here what the uh public, what our developers uh and residents have to say about it.

Um based on that, we will provide recommendations and anticipate coming before Mayor and Council for adoption uh around early February on this item.

So with that, we have a suggested motion uh to introduce the ordinance, and that concludes uh my presentation.

Uh if you have any questions, I'm certainly happy to answer them.

Thank you.

And it's an introduction, we won't be moving just yet.

We'll introduce first, right?

Okay, right.

And uh this is chapter five, Article 14.

Um, is this what is what is what we're proposing in the city?

Is it because of state, or is this things that we're going above and beyond the state and and county?

This is above and beyond.

Uh the state has uh adopted a or well adopted an elective version of this, uh, and we are going above and beyond that.

Okay, thank you.

And I know we did some other work previously on the green building code pieces in the past, isn't that right?

Yes.

Okay.

Um, how is the I know we talked about like um how to avoid the surge of permits that overwhelms our department?

How is what you're proposing different than what we did last time?

We have a longer uh implementation period with this and also allowing uh flexibility with that uh for specific cases.

Excellent.

Thank you so much.

And as part of your outreach uh that you're doing between now and January, are you going to alert all of the projects that are in our pipeline specifically so that they're aware of something that's coming as part of that outreach?

Yes, yes, we'll do that.

Excellent.

Okay.

And what is the but estimated cost per unit that these changes will have?

So that varies uh based on the scope and size uh in the conversation with the representative from home innovations labs.

Uh they said the typical cost associated that they saw for uh one and two family dwellings, uh, which is going to be the significant bulk of these verifications, ranged anywhere uh from about 400 to a thousand dollars, and that's a one-time fee and a national uh nationally recognized certification for that.

Thank you.

I just want to thank you for bringing this forward uh to support our environment and then just trying to think through the process, the outreach, and uh how to do all those things, but not have too much of an adverse you know effect on affordable housing.

So I appreciate the thought that went into this.

And just to clarify, this is for single family town home, and I think it also mentions two over twos and small multifamily that's under seven, there was a smaller number.

Are you asking in regards to the certification?

This yes, that this is applying to can you just describe what what part, what kinds of units this applies to?

Uh so the certification is the units that are regulated under the national green building standard, which is our one and two family dwellings and townhomes, uh, which includes the two over twos, um, as well as low and mid-rise uh multifamily residential.

Um there are some uh options for mixed uh commercial and residential developments under the national green building standard.

However, there will be flexibility to use either that standard or the international green construction code uh for uh those mixed commercial and residential projects.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Councilman Van Grack.

Um, I just have a question with regard to the international um green conservation uh construction code.

Um so with regard to the EV charging infrastructure that's gonna be essentially um above the energy conservation code, is that potentially going to be problematic if there isn't a surrounding infrastructure that matches it.

So the the numbers that we've arrived at there uh are based on what Montgomery County uh has placed in their amendments to the Green Construction Code.

Uh I will have to look into any other uh potential issues with that.

Um but I'm not aware of any at this time.

So we're mirroring what the what the county is doing with regard to the EV charging infrastructure.

And yes, yeah, question number one, we're mirroring what the county is doing.

For the most part, there are some modifications in that table, specifically Montgomery County in their amendments does not require the actual installation of the EV charging infrastructure, whereas we're looking to require installation for a certain percentage of the parking.

And you don't foresee a problem with that requirement having any issue with regard to hooking into the infrastructure.

Are you asking in terms of the electrical infrastructure?

Correct, correct.

Because I know that we've heard from a number of developers with regard to putting together the energy use with the existing infrastructure.

And I just want to make sure that we're not potentially adding something to the situation that could create a problem with our energy infrastructure.

Understood.

If we let us take a little look at it from bringing back if there's additional information in sure, we'll certainly do that.

Okay, great.

Thank you.

I will say our energy infrastructure probably would be another three-hour meeting.

It's a lot.

And I think that's exactly my point.

I just want to make sure that we're not pressing the system.

I mean what you put together is great.

I mean, this is, I mean, we talked about it in the environmental commission.

This is exactly the type of direction we want to go.

I just want to make sure that there isn't anything that we're potentially upsetting the apple cart with regard to our infrastructure.

But what you put here together is fantastic, and I really appreciate the work and the detail you guys have put forward.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I did find out, I think it says three three stories or fewer.

Is that right for this?

Multifamily three stories or fewer.

I will have to take a look at that.

I I off the top of my head, I cannot remember.

Okay, thank you.

No worries.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to put you on the spot there.

But I just will say that there are people who don't have the option to choose EV.

Uh, it's particularly when you're in multifamily or in a um unit that doesn't have a drive or a house or a town home or a two over two doesn't have a driveway.

So I think this really helps to support so that it becomes an option.

So I just want to say thank you for putting this forward.

Councilmember Valeri.

Thank you.

Um and thank you for remembering that I was the one with the migratory birds question during the last work session.

Um, although I know others are uh equally concerned.

Um, but it's I I've learned a lot over the course of the last two years, but even before there, about um how we can uh incorporate more um things into our routines or into our community.

And I know that um to protect migratory birds.

I know that the um that lead certification allows for um actually, and I'm I've just looked it up real quick too to make sure I was correct, actually has scoring criteria that incorporates both light pollution and bird collision reduction in basically uh they have a standard within that scoring criteria that would provide a framework for um any sort of um mitigation for migratory birds.

So I would think like things like um, you know, um the bird-friendly materials and designs, such as using opaque non-reflective surfaces.

Um is it are those things that we could include in there?

I mean, there seems to be a standard from the US Green Building Council's lead certification for that sort of um green building code.

Is that something that we could look at to include?

We can certainly look at it.

Okay.

I think that would be great.

Um I I think that for sure more and more people are um kind of tuned in and plugged into that, and especially with the opaque non-reflective surfaces, um there's a lot of really unique design things that you can do utilizing um bird-friendly uh material and design.

So I think that that would be great.

Um I think that I think that is probably it for me.

Um thank you for remembering that.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

I wanted to go back to the soundproofing piece.

Um I did find on policy 12 uh 5.1 of our comprehensive plan, it knows to establish regulations that require interior soundproofing between units and floors and external soundproofing of walls and windows for new multiple, multiple unit residential and mixed use structures, especially along busy roadways and rail corridors, specified in design decibels and checked during construction plan review.

So am I hearing that staff is not seeking to pursue that?

I just want to note that thinking about people who are in multi-fam multifamily units, the sound you hear from your neighbors upstairs and downstairs.

And then uh conversely, we're having more mixed use uh building uh communities.

And so when you have that or or um, you know, if they're a town center or events or things that are coming up, I just wanted to flag that sound has been an air of concern for some of our residents.

The last thing I'll note is that at the ground level, uh we are allowing more residential to be at the ground level in some of these communities, which means there'll be more interface with you know uh potentially events at the ground level or or traffic and things of that sort.

So I just wanted to note that that was part of our comprehensive plan, and I would like to get an understanding of how much of an impact this has on cost and whether staff is deciding to change what is in the comprehensive plan to not pursue.

Understood.

So what I heard uh your your question was are staff not presently uh looking at this, or or is this not something that currently exists?

Uh and did I understand that?

Yeah, so mayor and council uh previously uh had created a policy approach um uh and a goal, and I think it's helpful that if staff is recommending something different, that there's a conversation about it and then some data to understand what the cost is.

The uh action item was developed with multifamily residence in mind to support their quality of life, and so there's always a trade-off, but that there's a policy decision, so we either have to decide that we're not pursuing that policy, uh, and there's evidence of why we're not, um, and so that we can move forward and understand what what's the next step.

Understood.

So uh essentially what this says is that there are already existing standards uh in the international building code uh for sound transmission classification.

Uh, and there are options to either follow the prescriptive code or um use performance-based, which allows them to do field testing, which often results in a uh a lower requirement for uh the soundproofing material.

Uh so there are standards in place.

It is being reviewed when projects are submitted uh to verify that they intend to meet that sound transmission classification.

Uh and all we're saying at this point is that there's uh not really an industry standard to support going above that threshold presently.

Thank you.

Uh just would like to know if what was the staff's intention with this policy goal?

And I don't need an answer now, but is there something that was intended to go above based on feedback from residents?

Uh and if mayor and council were to consider moving forward with a policy goal that was is in our comp I know you mentioned as a cost barrier as well.

So I just want some additional information about that.

Okay.

Thank you.

Councilmember Shaw.

Um Madam Mayor, just to build on your point, and I know that you're gonna come back with more information, but um and you shared the cost per unit.

Could you also uh provide any impact on the cost of rent of how that may impact the cost of rent?

Um we'll look into that just any research to it.

I'm not sure we could do that locally for Rockville, but if there's any um best practice research in the country that we can tie it to, we'll certainly identify that and bring it to council.

Okay, thank you.

And just to clarify, that was for the building uh green code.

For the sound, yeah, for the sound and green code as well.

Yes, okay.

If there's an additional cost, as you mentioned, um, that could impact rent and that's the number one issue.

Understood.

Yeah, yeah.

Thank you.

Okay, colleagues, uh do we want to introduce?

And it's my understanding this will come back to us sometime January, February, and you'll be doing outreach to get feedback.

Yes, outreach, um additional research on these questions, and we plan on bringing it back no earlier than February.

Excellent.

Thank you.

And when you do the outreach, can you share the proposed timeline so people know how soon this is likely to come up?

We'll do.

Excellent.

Dr.

Miles, did you have a question?

You sure would you want to introduce?

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

The only thing I was going to add was to associate myself with the comments you made about the previous mayor and council and our recommendations regarding um soundproofing.

This is as staff pointed out necessarily hostile, but you know, we we do want to make it easier for folks to build, but we also want to make sure that they're quality units that are just to say safe, but certainly there is something to be said for noise pollution too.

I'll end my comments there and go ahead and introduce.

I move to introduce the ordinance to amend chapter five of the Rockville City Code entitled Building and Property Maintenance Regulations, Article 14 Green Building Code Regulations.

Thank you, Dr.

Miles.

And thank you for this excellent presentation.

Okay.

All right.

Now I'd like to move on to agenda item 11 D, adoption of an ordinance to amend Chapter 9 of the Rockville City Code Entitled Fire Code by adopting certain addition solutions and amendments of 2024 editions of the fire code.

I'm gonna just abbreviate here, it's a lot.

Welcome Keena Campbell and Cara Young.

And I know we also have Shannon Patrick.

Good evening, Madam Mayor and Council.

Tonight I will uh introduce and discuss uh Chapter 9, the local fire code with my colleagues Shannon Patrick.

I pardon me my voice.

I wear a mask, so I'm back to those uh raspy voice.

So tonight I'm gonna outline the purpose, uh the proposed changes, uh, general article, Article 1, uh, Article 4, which is the fire prevention code, uh, next steps and suggested motions.

So the overall purpose of this, these amendments and changes is to align uh our local code with the state uh fire prevention code and uh Montgomery County's uh fire code, which is required by state law, and we have to adopt that by June of 2026.

With these amendments, we will remain a leader uh in this area in this region for fire safety.

Uh we are very uh proactive in reaching out to our community and reducing uh the risk of fire events, and we want to stay there.

Uh this will also ensure the functionality of uh fire protection systems in our existing structures.

Uh these are requirements from the fire code that the owners have to uh maintain and have those inspected currently.

So we'll get into the significant changes.

One of the things that we wanted to do was to align the fire prevention code, the chapter nine, with chapter five as far as permit expiration.

There was some unwell, I I would say just uh a bit of confusion sometimes with our uh stakeholders as far as uh the permit expiration.

So now we're aligning that so it's clear uh as far as when a permit expires and the process of getting a permit extension.

So then we get into the significant changes to chapter nine, our local code.

So one of the things that we started doing back in uh January of 2022, and that was utilizing the compliance engine, which is a web-based uh portal, and it is pretty much a clearinghouse for all of our uh you know inspection documents, and what the owners are required to do is to have a vendor, their vendors of their choosing, to inspect, maintain uh their fire prote uh fire protection systems in the existing structures.

So, with this, we are adding language in the code that will outline the time frames, uh different time frames that the vendors have to submit those to the compliance engine for our review, and that helps us maintain uh the safety in our community.

One of the other significant changes is outdoor cooking.

Uh, this has been a problem uh through through not only here in in in the local jurisdictions but nationally with uh open flames, open fires.

Um I had proposed um was to uh increase that distance from these buildings from the structures because a lot of the fires are starting to uh uh begin outside with some of the cladding and things of that nature.

Uh we're we're seeing that uh more and more of that.

So I want to increase that uh from the 15 feet that we currently have to 20 feet, and this brings us into alignment with uh Montgomery County and the city of Gaitersburg.

Also, one of the other uh uh big topics out there is micro mobility devices.

We're seeing uh just an uptick in and fire events associated with uh these power scooters, these e-bikes and hoverboards.

So one of the things that I want to do with that as well is to create a buffer uh and move that distance uh from the 10 feet to the 15 feet, just adding a little more safety margin for these uh uh these devices when they're when they're being charged uh outdoors.

So this next one is something that uh we you know we we've been using the standard for Montgomery County when it comes to the um radio amplification systems in our uh new buildings or existing buildings.

And what what our aim is here is to codify that locally so we'll have more enforcement authority.

We already use their standard, uh something that we utilize in the city of Gatesburg, we utilize the standard from Montgomery County, and this is the bi-directional amplification system for our radios, our portable radios.

So when there's interference in the building because of construction and things of this nature, we can boost those signals.

This just gives us a little more authority, enforcement authority.

So the next change is it deals with the assembly uh sprinkler protection requirements.

So when we get into the the assembly areas, these are you know our areas where we have uh social events, uh recreational uh uh uh venues and things of that nature.

Now, based on the occupant load, they're gonna be required to uh uh sprinkler these uh and that that occupant load is when it's more than 100 occupants or more than 5,000 square feet, or the level of exit just discharge, they're below that level of exit exit discharge.

Just given a little more safety in this uh uh this environment.

Another big change is uh when we get into the uh assembly occupancies and where there are uh mostly in your uh theaters, your uh motion picture uh uh venues, where there's gonna be a requirement now that within 10 minutes of the start of a program, uh, that the all the occupants have to be notified, uh whether it's uh an audible or an image projected on the screen of the exits, and that's just to make them aware of how to get out of this space if they need to.

So then we move on to the existing residential high-rise sprinkler system requirements.

So we have two of these buildings uh in our in our jurisdiction, and now the proposal is that once we issue that notice of violation to that owner, they will have 12 years uh to become compliant with the fire code, and that is to uh go ahead and retrofit that building and bring it up to today's standards for the safety of all the occupants in that structure.

Along with that, uh there's a new uh you know push just to be you know open and transparent.

And for those buildings now that are unsprinklered, they at the main entrance per the fire code, they will have to have signage that indicates that the building is unsprinklered.

And this changes the mindset or the behavior of those individuals that may be visiting uh visitors in that building so they can get them in the mindset of starting to look for the exits uh and just uh make them aware what they're walking into.

Another change is the trash and recycling for multifamily residential collection.

Uh, we're seeing you know, nationally and even on local level uh that you have these valet trash services where you set your bins out in the hallways and the corridors and they come and remove that for you.

Unfortunately, there have been a lot of mis uh uh uh fires associated with these uh intentionally set fires.

So uh we want to uh not permit that here in the city.

That's one of the things that in order to keep our residents safe, our community safe.

Moving on to the next one is a new daycare sprinkler system requirement.

And that's gonna be for all new daycares.

Unless they're you know uh below the uh 300 threshold for uh the occupant load, uh they will have to be sprinklered.

And the other change will be uh dealing with the tent and canopy requirements.

Uh we uh we've seen an uptick in uh as far as related to uh these uh uh temporary membrane structures, and we just want to make sure we're codifying this here just in case it goes away at the at the state level that uh there's separation distance between these tents and and also uh just to reinforce the additional uh resistance uh we call them you know the tent uh certification for these uh tents to make sure that they are uh safe uh for all of the occupants uh that will uh be in those so that brings me to uh to the end, uh nearly to the end.

But um one of the things that we've done successfully, uh Shannon and I have uh in in my absence is uh we have uh we worked with our stakeholders and we will uh you know continue uh if this is uh uh you know adopted, uh we will continue to work with our stakeholders.

And uh 30 days after adoption, this will be enforced.

Now, with that being said, projects that are in the pipeline, they will still be able to utilize the the previous code cycle.

Uh so that's not an issue.

And we will still continue to reach out to our stakeholders and uh you know, just conduct any training and support that they need uh to understand uh this new legislation.

So I like I said, uh I I appreciate your attention.

I appreciate your time, and uh I'd like to uh move to the suggested motions uh on the screen, and I'm willing to answer any questions that you may have.

Thank you so much.

Uh as I asked in the previous presentation, can you clarify?

I know some of these are state code alignments.

Um are there any highlights of ones that were going above and beyond state and county?

Yes, so the ones that are going above, if I could back up here.

Those would be the ones that we have denoted with, let's go back.

Like this one, for instance, this is uh chapter nine, this is our local code.

We're going above uh the state requirements.

This is something that we're doing locally.

And then so this one here is well, this significant change right here.

Uh this is associated with the compliance engine.

So this is something that we're doing on a local level.

That's thank you.

Beyond what the state, yes.

So it's my understanding that uh statewide California and Maryland are the states that require uh sprinkler systems with multifamily, uh, and that there are other cities that do it, but uh at a state level.

Um and we had grandfathered older buildings.

Um the requirement to put uh sprinklers in existing multifamily um is that a state requirement now?

Yes, that is a state requirement.

Um is there is there assistance to condos and apartment buildings to do that?

Uh to comments of my colleague earlier.

Um how could this impact the cost of HOA fees and uh also adding rents there?

Um I know that uh sprinkler systems are very costly.

Um and I was in another jurisdiction, they're like, you guys require uh sprinklers for all new construction.

I'm like, yep, and I understand and support the safety, but I also want to think about housing construction and how do we how do we be safe but also be affordable?

Sure.

Um so as to specific grant programs, um, I'm not aware of any at this time, but I can certainly look into that and provide some feedback to mayor and counsel on that issue.

Um I will state that um sprinklers, especially residential sprinklers do get a bad wrap.

Um they are not quite as costly as uh they are marketed to be a lot of the time.

Um retrofitting can be expensive.

We have reached out to the two unsprinklered high rises in the city of Rockville.

We've started um discussions with them, and that was their major concern.

Um we have discussed with them the the different approaches that they can take in the soliciting for bids.

Um, but I don't have an answer about the grants at this time.

Do you know what the average cost is to retrofit per unit?

Um a per unit cost, I'm not aware of it, just a general cost, sorry.

Um and if you need to get back to us, that's fine.

Yeah, I I don't want to quote anything that I I can't uh 100% back on.

And then you said there are there only two buildings in Rockville uh that are not sprinklered?

Correct, two two residential high-rises.

Okay, and um there are some that are not high rises, but like I don't know, like an older property like Bell Grant, do they have sprinklers?

No, to my understanding, I think they have a I believe they have a partial uh sprinkler system, and those would be only in a higher hazard area, like some of the storage rooms and electrical rooms and mechanical rooms, things of that nature.

But this bill would not uh require them to retrofit.

Okay, it's only the larger, taller high-rises.

The existing high-rises, yes.

Okay, most you know.

Yeah, and I imagine Americana's one of them, because it's a historic building.

Yes.

And there's another that I'll ask for if you could share.

That's not to be right now, but I just would I I am interested in and seeing how we can help people get there.

Cause I do I have heard of they're interested, they want to support safety, but it is a cost issue.

So if I could add to what Shannon was saying, um, being a part of the state fire marshals subcommittee, um, there is grant or there are bills out there right now at the federal level to assist owners uh with this these retrofits.

Yeah, it might be just a good part of the outreach to help people make this a reality because they're gonna have 12 years.

Yes, that's correct, 12 years.

Yeah, and I understand some of those buildings uh have because they're historic, have gone very expensive renovations and HOA fees are also a concern, especially pricing out seniors and people with disabilities.

Um so I just wanted to think through that as well.

Um, but I do support it.

I just want to figure out how do we get it done without pricing people out of homes.

Um the other question I have is uh e-bikes and and would the outdoor cooking also impact food trucks because a lot of our schools use food trucks, and how would that impact them?

So as far as the food trucks, they're normally uh uh a good enough distance away from the structures where they don't pose the same problem as the charging of these e-bikes.

Uh they uh the e-bikes and these micro mobility devices become very unstable a lot of times because the batteries have been those lithium lithium ion batteries have been damaged, and uh uh sometimes the uh uh the the owners of these uh vehicles uh they use inappropriate charging cords.

So that that's the big problem.

So it it really wouldn't uh with the uh food truck industry, uh, this really doesn't come into play with them.

There was something about uh propane being away from uh I was reading the detail of it the propane tanks to power the the food cooking devices.

Um does that have an impact on food trucks?

No, because really they they stay at a like I said at the uh required distance for the most part.

Uh they're out there on the in the right-of-way, uh, away from those buildings, and they go through a comprehensive uh testing uh and in and required maintenance through uh uh Montgomery County uh health department for those trucks.

Uh so I'm not really that concerned with those as these other devices.

Okay, and then the child care.

This is only for larger child care facilities, not old not smaller home-based care.

That's correct.

These would be your daycare centers.

Okay, all right.

Councilmember Larry.

I didn't have a question, but something you asked about, and then something you said triggers something in my head.

Um the other um conveyances that use uh similar unstable um batteries are mobility devices, particular um motorized wheelchairs.

And so do you see any sort of um, you know, not a limitation per se, but any sort of additional safety um things that may be needed um for specifically housing for individuals that use a lot of those mobility devices.

We so one of the things that we we we've been aiming to do is uh more public education and uh outreach to our community.

Uh and so I think with the uh public service announcement and things of those things, just the education process is gonna really uh benefit uh the community that are using uh these scooters and things of that nature.

Yeah, I that's just something that I would kind of throw out there because I don't know necessarily that everyone is as comfortable or knowledgeable about um you know um to the extent to which like even if you're trying to travel with a motorized wheelchair, um, you have to separate the battery out from the wheelchair itself and so forth.

So I just throw that out there as something that um you might want to consider, and especially for um uh maybe smaller um multifamily or uh single family homes, even too.

Um, some of the charging needs around that, like um, and doing a little bit more education, I think would be great.

So just throwing that out there.

Thank you.

I'm not seeing any other hands.

Uh just two final questions.

Uh ballet trash, uh, that's something new for me, but do we have a lot of buildings in Rockville using this service?

We have a few buildings, and this has come up in the past and uh something that is uh becoming more popular uh in the state and throughout the country.

Uh so we do have several buildings, and uh uh it it's it's been a uh a challenge to uh uh work with the ownership uh to get these bins out of uh the uh uh exits and the exit access areas because not only from the fire hazard, but also from the obstruction standpoint.

So only two buildings that I know of that that are currently utilizing that service.

And have we done outreach to let them know that we're looking at banning this?

Well, it's interesting you say that because you know I had been reaching out to them or they when they call me and I told them that there is proposed uh uh uh material or language in the fire code now that will uh be clear and uh uh assist them, uh help them with uh uh banning these devices.

So they are aware, yes.

Okay, all right, excellent.

Thank you.

And will when if we approve this tonight, will it be immediate or will they have time to unwind because people may have contracts signed?

So we we can work with them and they will have time to to meet the code, definitely.

That's part of our outreach.

Uh so we're constantly out there, not only um uh the city of Rocco Fire Marshall's office, but uh working with our partners in Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

Uh they have programs where they go out and reach out to the community every weekend.

So we're getting, you know, working with them, I work with them to get that message out so we can keep the community safe.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

And uh I don't know how long these contracts are, but certainly that's something to consider.

Uh and the last question I have is um relating to cooking and tents.

So would that mean like the sporting events people are grilling with tents?

Like, how does that impact that daily experience?

So they they they're required right now to, unless that tent has a uh a suppression system, they the cooking, the commercial cooking as we call it, has a suppression system, they're not allowed to cook inside the tent now, and they have a barrier or distance that they must maintain now.

Uh we just want to codify that language here uh because it has been a problem um you know throughout the state and and nationally we've seen uh people cooking with barbecues that's I just don't know how well that's known.

So I have never thought about it from that, so I appreciate your expertise.

Uh, but some people are like trying to do things in the rain, and you know, they're cooking under a tent at a sports game.

All right.

Well, uh fire marshal Young, Miss Patrick, and Miss Campbell, thank you for this presentation.

I'm not seeing any of the questions.

Want to look to my colleagues about whether you are interested in moving uh introducing this and then moving to weigh the layover period.

Councilman Van Crack.

I introduced the ordinance to amend chapter nine of the Rockville City Code entitled Fire Code.

Thank you.

Do we have a motion to wave the layover period?

Councilmember Fulton.

I move to waive the layover period.

Do we have a second?

Councilmember uh Valerie seconds, all those in favor, please raise your hand and say aye.

Aye.

Excellent.

Do we have a motion to adopt councilmember Fulton?

I move to adopt the ordinance at attachment one of the staff report to amend chapter nine of the Rockville City Code entitled fire code.

Do we have a second?

Councilman Shaw seconds.

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

Aye.

Excellent.

And thank you for doing the outreach and some grace periods as needed to get people in compliance.

Thank you.

All right.

We'll now move on to mock agenda.

We did have a leadership planning team meeting this morning, which will be published online.

If anyone has anything else to add.

Okay.

And I know we're working to get uh the January 5th brief book this week.

Uh so we have some time with that.

Now to old new business.

Councilman Valeri.

Because I haven't done enough talking tonight.

Um so and um I had a meeting uh late this afternoon with one of our residents um who has been challenged by um the issue that we previously raised during the zoning ordinance rewrite, the deer fence issue.

Um I know that we'll be moving, you know, we have a uh schedule for the zoning ordinance rewrite, but it it's very possible that um the rewrite would not be you know complete with the new language, you know, before this spring.

And um this person brought forward the concern that if you know we could look at um maybe changing the language specific to deer fencing in advance of the springtime when people really want to protect their plants and their trees, vegetation.

Um I thought it was a very um pragmatic solution given that we know that we're gonna have the discussion.

We know that we'll be moving forward with the zoning ordinance rewrite, but we also know that um we I believe all of us felt that there should be some clarification around deer fencing.

Um so I just wanted to put that out there if um you know if this is something that we could look at, maybe an amendment as of right now in advance of the the full ZOR going forward.

Thank you for raising this.

I know this came up during our zoning owners rewrite discussion.

I I think my understanding, and Mr.

City Manager, if you can clarify, is that we would put a stay on enforcement so that we wouldn't be issuing new notices of violation and for those who have notices of violation that we wouldn't be forward moving forward on citationslash fines.

Can you clarify?

That's correct.

And I'll even um Councilmember Larry was kind enough to pop on my office earlier today.

I've been thinking about it.

Um I'd be concerned about doing uh kind of a one-off amendment to the fence ordinance because the same folks that are working diligently on the zoning ordinance update would be the same folks working on an amendment to the fence code.

However, I'm I am comfortable talking to our code enforcement team and saying to folks look for people that do have what could be considered a violation or offense ordinance for um deer mesh.

One, they already know they're not supposed to be enforcing it, but if someone needs to make a modification to that right now, um to keep some of the deer away from their plantings between now and the adoption of the code, we're comfortable enforcing it in that way as well, which means to say we would not be enforcing it.

I don't know if that's helpful or not, but that's that's my goal.

And um, I know I specifically knew about a few cases uh, you know, the case that I was working with you all and share with the team.

Um that person has received an update.

Are we doing the same for other notices of violations people know that we're putting a stay on those citations?

For anybody that has a notice of violation related to deer mesh, we are reaching out to them.

Excellent.

So this is um sorry.

Councilman Valley.

Um so this is slightly different in that there wasn't a notice of violation, but the individual um went about things the correct way, sought a permit, and it was deemed, you know, um, so it's kind of different because um because of that.

However, I think the you know, again, the intent is if we're gonna, I'm not trying to make things more difficult, but in fairness to residents, we've kind of made things we the the code up until now has made things difficult for them too.

Um, so that's kind of where I'm coming from that folks should have the ability to put deer mesh up and it not to be deemed as an eight-foot privacy fence at this time.

Mr.

McHillick.

Yep, completely understand that.

Um, two suggestions.

One, if you have that property owner reach out to me, we'll look at opportunities for them.

And two, um we really don't want people to um consider any mesh that they're adding to protect um their plantings to be a code violation, so we're not going to enforce that.

But just to be sure if that person reaches out to us, that would be great.

And if for some reason we aren't able to um work out something that's satisfactory to all parties, then I'll bring it back and let the council know.

I think that would be great.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You're not issuing new permits either, you're just not enforcing or doing it.

Okay, perfect.

Thank you.

Okay.

Um, I have two quick items.

One is um we have a new county council president and new uh with Natalie Fanny Gonzalez, as well as a new uh Board of Education uh president.

And we have historically looked at just sending a note from our body to say congratulations.

We look forward to a nurturing and collaborative relationship.

Can we do that letter?

I'm seeing thumbs up from my colleagues.

Okay, thank you.

Uh and then uh just a quick note.

I know we've uh uh been engaging on this, and I want to thank Montgomery County Public School Superintendent for meeting with us and doing briefings.

Um there is significant concern about potential Wooten being removed from the city of Rockville permanently, uh, as well as the Twin Book feasibility study being stopped and not having any next steps.

So just wanted to uh suggest we share our concerns about that.

And I know you're gonna be working on a potential letter on that on that in that regard.

That is my preference, Mary.

Just so I can make sure I understand the nuances from each individual member during our one-on-ones.

Um, I'd love to hear from you.

Um we'll craft the draft letter, send it out to you.

This one I'll send as a word document.

So I appreciate it.

Thank you.

You all know what that means.

Yes.

Uh, and then lastly, just wanted to note that there will be uh CIP, uh not C if operating budget hearings, and if staff could help uh look into that for us so that we are represented.

You bet.

Thank you.

That's all I have.

Does anyone else have any new business?

Might give uh councilman Fulton the early birthday present to clear early.

Um, we have a motion to adjourn, Councilmember Fulton.

Yeah, sure.

I move to adjourn.

Anyone call it?

Anybody for her?

Councilman Valeria seconds.

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

Just want to wish everyone a very happy holiday season.

And those who do need help, please know that 988 is a resource for support.

Thank you.