Good evening, Rockville.

Today is February 2nd, 2026.

We are convening meeting 3-26.

We're gonna start off with our Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

We now have several uh recognitions and proclamations.

I do want to uh just flag for my colleagues that we have some special guests from uh the Wreck and Parks Foundation, and we're gonna move that recognition first.

Uh so if my colleagues will please join me at the podium.

I'm going to welcome our first presenter, Chip Boylan, president of the Rockville Recreation and Parks Foundation.

He'll be conveying a uh certificate and donation for the Rockville Youth Recreation Fund and the amount of $14,100 from the proceeds from the 2025 rubber ducky dairy.

I just want to say uh this team does a lot, not just for the swim center, but has helped us on projects across the city to expand recreational programs and activities, scholarships, as well as uh sometimes when we need help uh supporting some of the infrastructure.

So welcome.

Thank you both.

Oh, I have to turn around.

All right, so um I I really do want to address you because um we have two things to talk about.

First of all, you are all so fashionably dressed this evening.

Um so uh Chip Oylin, Kathleen Shannon, both trustees of the foundation, and we want to talk about our success from last year.

First thing we're gonna talk about isn't the one you're thinking about, but we recently made a purchase of a Lynx training system for the city's track and field and cross-country program.

It's a tiny meeting system that will bring uh our program to a state of art in the city, and uh was a little expensive at almost 22,000, but we've been raising money for that kind of a uh infrastructure, as the mayor mentioned, and we're thrilled that we could do that.

And um now Kathleen's gonna talk about our other event.

Well, thank you, Mayor and Council, for your fabulous support of our Rockville rubber ducky derby.

Our intent is to raise money for the city programs, and this year specifically, we chose the theme of sending kids to camp.

And with the help of the uh Rockville Swim Center staff, all of you, the good people of Rockville, and the fabulous Rockville business partners, we were able to raise $14,001 to present to you.

And that was $2898 ducks.

Um, our sponsors gave us over $6,000.

These were business sponsors, yes.

We had cash donations from good people who thought it was a great cause and had no interest in ducks.

Almost $2,000.

We had a total of 23 prizes donated from local merchants.

So we are very grateful today to be able to present to the city of Rockville our check for $14,000 and $100.

Do you want us to come forward?

One.

One, two.

I don't think it's gonna fit in the ATM.

So thank you, one and all.

Appreciate your support.

And we'll hope to see the next rubber ducky derby.

Yeah, thank you so much.

Excellent.

Thank you so much.

That was very inspiring.

I am very pleased to be able to present the proclamation honoring lunar new year.

Rockville really is uh home to such a beautifully um diverse tapestry, uh, the AAPI uh community.

Uh every time I I really enjoyed um filling in for half a second and stepping into our very able uh mayor's shoes um at an event, I think believe it was last year, and it was just phenomenal.

Um and the event is wonderful, but the holiday is one that I truly um I really truly cherish.

This is both beautiful and very meaningful.

So on that note.

Whereas Rockville is home to a diverse Asian community that adds to the richness and culture of our great city.

And whereas this is the year of the fire horse, and the fire horse is known for its lively spirit and enthusiasm.

And in Chinese culture, people born in this year are often seen as warm-hearted and hard working.

Now, therefore, the mayor and council of the city of Rockville, Maryland, do hereby proclaim February 17th, 2026 as Rockville's celebration of the Lunar New Year, culminating with the Lantern Festival on March 3rd, 2026, and call upon all residents of Rockville to join us in this joyous celebration.

Madam Mayor, I move the proclamation.

Hi.

And uh joining me up here is Mr.

John Lynn, Chair of the Rockville Asian Pacific American Task Force.

Okay, thank you.

Um I want to say thank you to Rockville City, uh, the mayor and council.

Uh you being so grateful uh on behalf of the Asian community, we thank you for your support for the last 15 years.

So we have so many great events, Lula New Year's, year after year.

And now the audience uh is like about a thousand people, and we have the next event coming up on the 21st.

Uh so I wish that everyone can come and enjoy the program and the snacks.

And I want to say Rockville, Mayor, Council, Rocks.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next proclamation is for Rare Disease Day, which is being celebrated this year on February 28th.

But fun fact, rare disease day internationally is technically February 29th, which only occurs on leap years to signify how rare those diseases are and those days.

Um rare diseases are defined as diseases that um 200,000 people or less in the country have a diagnosis for.

There's not that many of those.

And I will say one of those diseases is retinitis pigmentosa, and I know six people in my immediate family that have that particular rare disease.

So I do know firsthand how it difficult it can be to have a rare disease to build awareness, to fund and move research and treatments forward, and to simply find a community and support.

So I do it, I do appreciate that we take one day a year to group them all together and think about those diseases that don't get a whole lot of attention every year.

With that, whereas there are nearly 10,000 rare diseases and conditions considered rare in the United States, according to the National Institute of Health.

And whereas thousands of residents of Mar of Maryland are among those affected by rare diseases, since nearly one in 10 Americans has a rare disease.

Now, therefore, the mayor and council of Rockville do hereby proclaim February 28th, 2026 as rare disease day and encourage the Rockville community to learn more about rare diseases through resource resources such as the National Organization of Rare Disorders, NORD.org.

Madam Mayor, I move the proclamation.

Thank you.

Do we have a second?

Councilman Craig's second.

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

Aye.

And I believe we have Erica Eakin from our own community planning and development services to come accept the proclamation.

Thank you.

Would you like to say a few words?

I'm just very honored.

This is a very important cause, and I also to have family members with their disease.

So it's very important to raise awareness for the betterment of care for patients with heart diseases.

Thank you so much.

Okay.

Good call.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We appreciate everyone who's coming out to celebrate all the important acknowledgements for the month.

We also are celebrating African American History Month.

And I want to thank our entire team.

I know it took a village between the Human Rights Commission, our communications team, our Jedi team, so many people working together to pull that through.

And it was a fantastic Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

event that we celebrated.

I just want to say no that it's it feels like it's a tough time when you've been working on civil rights and celebrating Black History Month to feel like some things are going backwards.

And I will remind us that Dr.

King has shared that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice, and that arc depends on us, us putting our hands upon it, us helping to create more justice and to create opportunity for all.

And with that, I'll read the proclamation.

Whereas in 1976, Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, was formally adopted to honor and affirm the importance of African American history, and the theme for 2026 is a century of black history commemorations.

Because of determination, hard work, intelligence, perseverance, African Americans have made valuable and lasting contributions to the city of Rockville and to our country, achieving success in all aspects of society.

There is a long list of leaders who are represented in our proclamation, including Dr.

Martin Luther King, Jesse Owens, their good Marshall, Dr.

Mae Jennison, Charles Drew, and many recent notable African Americans, such as astrophysicist Neil de Grassi Tyson, President Barack Obama, Vice former Vice President Kamala Harris, and poet laureate Amanda Gorman, among many others.

Whereas the 67th term of the Mayor and Council is the most diverse in the history of the city of Rockville, Maryland, including the first BIPOC Black Indigenous Person of Color, female mayor, and now therefore the Mayor and Council of Rockville, Maryland.

Do hereby proclaim the month of February 2026 to be African American History Month and encourage Rockville and all of our community to learn about and share the stories, recognize, appreciate, and work towards justice for all.

I encourage you to celebrate throughout the region and participate in the many educational events, honoring the contributions of African Americans throughout the month.

And let me say all year.

I move it a proclamation.

Councilmember Shaw moves the proclamations.

Do we have a second?

Councilmember Balleri, seconds.

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

And I would like to welcome uh Jean Booth, who is the director of the City of Rockville Office of Equity, Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and she is cooking up some great plans for us in the city of Rockville.

Welcome.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

All right.

So thank you, Mayor and Council and my colleagues, and all the community here in Rockville for this proclamation and for Rockville's continued commitment to honoring Black history, not just as a reflection of the past, but as a living guide for how we lead today.

It's a story of resilience, innovation, and civic courage, and it reminds us that progress happens when we choose to act with intention and accountability.

All of these evenings proclamations further remind us that the city story is shaped by many cultures, histories, and traditions and conditions.

And that the way through these difficult times is together in community.

I'm honored to accept this proclamation with gratitude and a renewed commitment to turn remembrance into action for our community.

Thank you very much.

I took somebody's right one.

Thank you guys.

So this month is also American Heart Month.

And I think it's important to recognize I've had numerous family members who've unfortunately passed from heart disease under the age of 50 and under the age of 40.

And one of the things that I know that my family talks about all the time is understanding that this is something that we need to be aware of.

And one of the things that American Heart Month does is it educates folks on what they can do with their health professionals and looking within themselves, such as swimming or exercising in Rockville's wonderful parks to understand how they can make themselves and their family members more safe.

Whereas during American Heart Month, we recognize we rec we commit to fighting this disease and promoting better health, wellness, and prevention awareness in our communities.

And whereas heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, it affects Americans of all genders, races, and ethnicities.

Now, therefore, the mayor and council of Rockville, Maryland, do hereby proclaim the month of February 2026 as American Heart Month and encourage the community to wear red or sometimes yellow.

And where national wear red day on February 6th to encourage and keep up to date on the news and activities that will benefit the health and well-being of our families.

Madam Mayor, I move the proclamation.

Thank you.

Do we have a second?

Councilmember Jackson seconds.

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

That's unanimous.

And I know uh we have uh Kenny Craven here to say a few words and accept the proclamation.

Thank you.

Well, of course, we'd like to thank Rockville for taking the time to place such emphasis on something so important.

And I do encourage everyone to read the material that is available to you.

Please participate on Friday, wherever it's a small thing that we can do.

Um and let's get to the doctor.

Let's make sure that we're doing all that we can to make sure that our health is what it needs to be so that we can be around for a long time, so that we can help to train the next generation, um, and just to help us overall live our best life.

So thank you all.

Yes.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

We appreciate everyone for coming out to celebrate and uh honor these important commemorations with us.

We'll be taking a brief break until six.

Good evening, Rockfell.

Today is February 2nd, 2026, and we're reconvening meeting 3-26.

I'd like to welcome our city clerk lead Judy Penny.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

There are no changes to this evening's agenda.

Thank you very much.

And now welcome Jeff Mahalik, City Manager.

Mayor Ashland, members of City Council, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

I think I'll use my entire time uh to give a storm update.

I don't think that'll surprise anybody.

Um boy, that was quite the storm.

Let's just submit that.

It was really unique, and I guess it presented us some unique challenges.

I think most of us know it started off with six or seven inches of snow, then quickly changed over to um sleet and freezing rain and and created a lot of different challenges.

How many of us grabbed a shovel?

Anyone in the room?

A whole bunch, right?

It was, yeah, it was rough because it was for a while heavy, wet snow, then it was icy snow, and then it froze.

Then it got really, really heavy, then it got really, really hard.

So it doesn't matter whether you were a plow truck driver, you were a resident um shoveling snow, etc.

It made for some really difficult conditions.

The good news is I think we're in pretty good shape.

Our crews worked um around the clock on 12-hour shifts for four days straight.

And did a really nice job, I think.

And having said that, they still have work to do.

We did receive a number of requests over the weekend um to provide some assistance in and around all the schools to make sure that they could open, and we certainly did that.

Um, we did it all weekend long, and then today we got requests to help out with 50 different intersections in the city, five-zero.

Um, we went out there with some heavy equipment to try to open up those intersections, and candidly, we did a lot of that work also by hand, which is hard work, and our crews are up to it.

25 of those 50 intersections are now completed.

And we're going to continue to work all night long.

I'm going to mean it all night long to continue to open up those intersections.

When I talk about that, is there's a folks that have shoveled on their sidewalks leading to the intersection, and at the intersection, there's big mounds of snow.

We all saw that, and it's hard for folks to navigate.

So we're out there doing that work a lot by hand to make sure we can get those intersections done.

So we'll be at it for quite a while.

We also heard about bus shelters.

We do use a contractor to go out to those best shelter bus shelters.

It's the 51 highest used rider-participated bus routes in the city.

We're on those shelters.

If anybody sees any of those shelters that are not done by now, please let us know.

So last thing I'll say about this is that whether someone needs help or better yet, someone who wants to help, they can go online and they can sign up to have volunteer assistance come and help them with the sidewalk that they're responsible for.

Or conversely, if they want to get some additional exercise and like to help out a friend or a colleague in need, they can sign up to be a volunteer.

But I think it's really important for us to all recognize that we the city and all of our crews can do a ton of work, and we have done so.

We've made our our city very safe, especially, especially relative to other areas in the region.

And yet we also also have to look out for our neighbors.

And if we can lend a hand, we should certainly do that.

But overall, Mayor, I'm very proud of the team.

We have some additional work to do, and we're prepared to get everything in great order very soon.

Thank you.

I will just also echo my thanks to all of the staff members who've been working.

I know that you've been pulling in support from those who normally shovel and those who don't normally shovel to try to get out there.

And I know that they've been working for many, many hours.

So I want to say thank you to our staff who've been out in the cold shoveling what they're termed snow creek, and I have shoveled myself as a volunteer, and it's a lot.

But I also want to thank our volunteers.

There are many volunteers who helped neighbors in need, people with disabilities, people with mobility issues, people who were uh senior who just needed a little help.

I do know that there are still people who need help.

Uh, so we still need volunteers.

Uh, and I just want to say thank you.

This was not normal snow, uh, and it's been a lot of hard work.

I've heard of people breaking their shovels and breaking uh their snow removal uh devices, but just want to thank them because those volunteers were critical during the storm, as well as staff.

Um I also want to thank residents for their patience.

I know that there was a lot of snow, and so sometimes it meant that as it the plows went through the city uh that sometimes it might have went through a driveway that they just cleared, and so I want to thank residents for their patience.

Um, and then I just want to ask everyone for their help.

Um, I know staff are trying to go out to curbs, but we have cleared many of the roads, and now we need to help, we need to help residents be able to walk throughout the city.

We need kids to go back to school.

I know a lot of parents are saying that.

So if you can, you see a curb.

If you can help clear it and it's on your, you know, on your corner, please do that.

I know corner lots have done a lot of extra double-duty work, um, but please help your neighbors to clear corners, especially around safe routes to school.

Please clear your sidewalks, please clear fire hydrants, uh, and sign up to volunteer.

I just wanted to please encourage everyone to do that.

Thank you very much.

Okay.

Um, the other note that's not snow related.

Um, I just wanted to note that the city of Rockville has listed on its site, the Gilcrest Center.

It's the immigrant resource center for the county.

And I want to just note that a lot of people want to know how they can be helpful as a bystander.

A lot of people want to know are there resources for people who need help?

We are in unprecedented times, and just want to make sure that people know that resource is available.

Um, the link to the Gilcrow Center is on our site, but you can also go straight there from the county and just reach out to your neighbor.

Uh be supportive, check on them, and uh just learn how you can be helpful.

Thank you.

Councilman Van Grek.

Um, one other note if we since we're talking about helping the community.

I think it's important to note this past Friday, the Rockville Police Department team participated in the Maryland Public Safety and Police Plunge.

Um, I know that um the mayor and I joined in that, and I can attest that the Chesapeake Bay is as cold as you would think it was on Friday, but I think it's more important to note that the um police and public safety plunge this year raised three hundred over three hundred and forty thousand dollars for Special Olympic Maryland, and the Rockville Um police department team was participant of 1.5% of that with the contributions of I know numerous residents and numerous people up here on the day.

So uh thank you to the organizers in the Rockville Police Department putting it together because um uh as cold as it was, it was warm to know that um we were helping many in our community.

Thank you.

And also uh continue with disability support bizarre's visibility lab celebrated their tenth anniversary as well.

Um, so thanks everyone for finding ways, especially with everything you're seeing in the world to help your neighbor and to make this a better community.

Okay.

Okay, uh, we are now moving on to our community forum.

This is a time for us to listen to ideas, concerns.

Uh, I encourage everyone to address the mayor and council.

Please speak in a civil and courteous manner, and members of the audience, please be respectful and supportive of each other.

Each person is allowed three minutes, and we ask that you stick to them.

Uh there is a time clock in front of you to help you keep track when you hear the audible beep, that is the end of the three minutes.

Uh please state your name and whether you live in the city of Rockville for the record.

I'm going to call the folks who have signed up in advance, and then I will uh look to see the folks in the room.

Okay.

First, we have Cesar Barreto.

Yes, Caesar here.

Welcome.

If someone can let me know when I'm going, I can't see that very well.

I will help you keep track.

Thank you.

Uh, my name is Caesar Barreto.

I live in the residential community of Lincoln Park community since 2002.

I came, I come before the council this evening to bring to your attention the condition of the pedestrian sidewalks and to give uh voice to the many other pedestrians here who, like myself, do not drive and depend on the safe safely accessing bus stops and their adjoining sidewalks to get to grocery stores, work, and school.

Some of my neighbors on Landmore Avenue are elderly and disabled and have severe mobility problems.

And I can just tell you my walk from here, there's several cross uh walks that are very dangerous to cross, especially and I have pictures of them, so uh, what I'll do is this evening or tomorrow send pictures to the county council to show you where exactly it is.

But one in mine is right in front of the national tire and battery store in PNC.

It is very dangerous to cross there.

And just my experience taking the bus up and down Rockville Pike.

There's been occasions where people could not open up the doors because the box, it's not even I it's no, I call it blocks of ice now at this point, and they can't even open the bus door.

So it's very dangerous.

A lot of uh businesses like the flagship uh car wash and the 7-Eleven store have blocked up that pedestrian access, so you have to walk on the streets, and it's very dangerous.

And uh, I just wanted to bring that attention very quickly, and hopefully that can be taken care of as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Welcome, Deborah Moore.

Well, I think she gave written comments.

Is that right?

She might five minutes.

She might be very written.

Next, welcome Adam J.

Wise.

Thank you.

Uh Madam Mayor and members of the council, my name is Adam Wise, and I'm a resident of Rockville.

Um, I'm personally concerned with the state of the democratic process at all levels of government, and so I look for into ways of repairing and improving the democratic process wherever possible.

So our current voting system awards the position to the candidate who gets the most votes.

While that may appear simple, logical, in reality, the winner of any race with more than two potential candidates is often elected by a minority of voters.

Voters who might be happy with several potential candidates are forced to choose only one.

This disregard for second and third choices means that it is possible for candidates to win with only 40, 30 or 20 percent support, not a majority.

So I'm very much of the opinion that ranked choice voting, RCV, is a powerful tool for improving how we vote.

It's really one of our best hopes, I think, for improving the democratic process.

Without naming names, there is strong evidence across multiple elections that some of the most problematic divisive politicians would never have won their elections or even primaries if ranked choice voting were in place.

I also understand that the powers that be at the Maryland state level are going to take their cues from what happens at the city level on this issue and what happens at the state level in turn influences the national debate.

So it may sound corny, but I think this really matters to our democracy as a whole.

I would encourage the city to use ranked choice voting for our elections to give voters more power and more choice.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, welcome Samir Merchant.

Good evening.

Sorry.

My name is Samir, and I am a resident of Rockville speaking in support of ranked choice voting for our city council elections.

There are six seats up for grabs, and ranked choice voting ensures every vote counts.

Being able to rank multiple candidates is a boon, as even if your first choice isn't win, your vote can still help someone else you support.

The system also reflects the diversity of our community here in Rockville.

As instead of majority taking taking all the seats, different viewpoints can win representation proportional to their support.

In short, our council will be better represented, will better represent the priorities of residents here in the city.

Ranked choice also reduces polarization as candidates have to appeal to their base, but a broader audience to earn second and third choice votes.

It rewards coalitions over attacks.

It also opens the doors for independents, progressive candidates, as well as outsiders, and outsiders and community focused leaders can compete in a fair way rather than being drowned out by well-funded incumbents.

And finally, this process is the most mathematically fair way to vote.

The winner truly reflects a majority of support in the community.

Thank you.

Welcome, William Bill McGowan.

Good evening, Mayor Ashton and esteemed council members.

My name is Bill McGugan, and I stand before you representing the Human Services Advisory Commission.

Beyond that, I'm a resident of Rockbell in the Rockville in the Twin Brook neighborhood.

The commission was disappointed in the county's decision to close nine of their 21 libraries on Sundays.

This is just under 50% of the libraries in the county.

Though any library closes a travesty, and I would love for all libraries to remain open.

I'm here today to discuss this the Sunday closure of the Twin Brook Library.

Sundays are one of the few days many library patrons may not be working.

It is then that they use library resources, which they may not have time to access during the week when they are working.

Further, according to the National Homeless Information Project, Montgomery County had the largest increase in homelessness from 2024 to 2025 in the entire Washington, D.C.

Metro Metro region, with a total of 366 individuals now experiencing homelessness.

This is an increase of 32%.

Yet the county decided to cut services like opening the Twin Brook Library on Sundays that directly help these individuals.

Libraries are more than a place to check out books and movies.

They're one of the last places on earth where it's okay to exist for free.

They provide shelter from the elements, yet during this coldest time of the year, nearly 50% were closed on Sunday.

One of the hardest days to find resources.

More than shelter, the Twinburg community is now losing programs that are or could have been available to them.

Students may not have reliable access to the internet.

They may lose a place to complete assignments and lose additional story times connecting them with kids that have a shared passion for books.

According to a 2025 Brown University study, when libraries close, reading and math scores for the affected area plummet for students across the board.

While this is not a complete closure of branches, we cannot simply ignore the fact that closing even one day, the effect that closing even one day a week will have.

Twinbrook already services Title I schools that are struggling for resources.

The impact for the closure of even one day a week goes far beyond affecting students.

It affects the entire community's access to information and resources.

Library offered language meetups for individuals to practice their language skills.

It is offering many other meetups for like-minded individuals to enjoy time together.

It provides pre free printing services of up to 15 pages, where patrons can print resumes, cover letters or job applications, or whatever other knowledge resources they may need.

The Twin Brook community stands behind us.

Some are in the meeting today.

Beyond their presence, they're working to reinstate the library advisory committee to ensure more recess resources to the community are not lost.

In conclusion, the commission requests that mayor and council take action with the county and make our concerns known.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Thank you.

Welcome.

Disclaimer, this is a limited access forum, so not all my thoughts.

City of Rockwell uh Maryland government, mayor and council.

Thank you for this opportunity.

This open democracy forum.

My name is Dreva Diego Kumar during our military family days.

Many knew me as James Druva Kumar, also, which is JD Kumar.

Diego in English means James.

All this has so much meaning for me.

Many call me JD Druva or just Drew.

Now, on Pledge Allegiance to USA America Everywhere, American values, rule of law, rule of law, thank you.

Recently, I was at the Montgomery County, Maryland Government Trust Act meeting on January 13, 2026.

I just I discussed use of the term established for migrants of illegal undocumented background.

Many most in this area are from Latin and Central America.

I tasked you all with a new not derogatory term.

I refer as established immigrant communities, EIC establish immigrant merit communities, EIMC, instead of established immigrant migrant communities.

We keep improving on this thought and concept.

Whether you came as illegal undocumented or legally, we are all now established due to many reasons.

So EIC or EIMC, and this also honors our Montgomery County, Maryland, one of the original DMV refugee protection locations.

Now, for those of you of Latin America South America, illegal undocumented background, and others who have not passed my non-discrimination certification training, which this county has not implemented, despite many suggestions, you are yet this, not established, but abusers, segregationists, etc., not respecting other people's constitutional protector rights, yet only promoting for your discriminating segregating cliques.

I hold you to our higher standards because all of you claim to be refugees, persecuted.

I hold you to a higher standard.

This is painful for me as I meet a few beautiful potential decency young people emanated from this background.

Many others are so damaged because of hearing the illegal undocumented term for decades.

We must protect them and others that do not abuse.

The county and country need to issue the great apology, the great apology.

I altered all of this a few years ago.

The use of the term illegal undocumented for decency established EIMC peoples is similar to the N word.

This is why I always use the this term together.

Neither is better, it's an offset for me.

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

Congress.

This district eight, not humble on this.

I'll be the best ever.

Know all issues and can work with all groups, belief systems.

If I do proceed with this, I will request a file as J.D.

Kumar, James Dhruva Kumar.

American values, an independent Democrat, make America great for all.

If you care for the vulnerable, those left behind, less educated.

If you are this, then you are also MAGA.

But MAGA brand is not good due to the past.

Three Gs and Trumpism.

Now we have five G's, three G's to five Gs.

We will be a powered country in less than 20 years if you don't elect competent America Protect American values, many subject knowledge leaders.

American values make America grateful for all.

Thank you very much.

Here and beyond.

You can look for more info from me at vote JDK, my ex-account.

Thank you very much.

And YouTube is the same.

Vote JDK.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you for your testimony.

Welcome, Brad O.

Hello, Mayor and Council.

My name is Brad, and I live in Rockfell.

I am here tonight to urge the city of Rockville to adopt ranked choice voting.

This is a common sense measure to increase voter empowerment.

In almost any electoral system of government, there tends to be tension between the competing goals of voter equality and voter empowerment.

The electoral college is a good example of this.

The electoral college, in many cases, increases voter empowerment by shrinking the size of the electorate.

If you vote in a national election of 77 million people, the odds that your vote will swing that election are extraordinarily low.

In a statewide election of closer to a million voters, your odds are 77 times better.

The problem is that the Electoral College badly distorts voter equality.

The wonderful thing about ranked choice voting is that it increases voter empowerment without sacrificing voter equality.

Everybody still gets the same one vote, but voters have an increased opportunity to support candidates who they like, or worst case scenario, to oppose candidates who they have concerns about.

There's no downside to this, and I do urge the city to adopt ranked choice voting.

On a separate note, I wanted to thank the city for its snow removal efforts.

Obviously, it's not perfect, but I think that we're doing pretty well, all things considered.

I will say the sidewalks near the Rockville Metro Station still needs some work.

And then on another separate note, uh, I wanted to thank the mayor for bringing up the Gilcrest Center earlier.

Um I am extremely concerned about the increasing reports that we're all hearing about federal agents in Montgomery County.

And I wanted to urge the city not to collaborate with ICE or CBP.

These agencies are hopelessly politicized, and they are not providing any type of legitimate law enforcement activity.

Rather, they are lawless marauders who are roaming through our communities, kidnapping people, attacking people with both non-lethal and lethal rounds, and attacking citizens and non-citizens alike with chemical weapons.

The city of Rockville should devote its resources to protecting residents from these agents rather than collaborating with those agencies.

And I urge the city to maintain the autonomy of our local government and local law enforcement.

ICE out of Montgomery County, ICE out of Rockville.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Welcome, Gail Holster.

Good evening.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak.

I do not live in Rockville.

I live in Bethesda.

But my claim to fame is that I worked as an ESOL counselor at Julius West Middle School, Richard Montgomery High School, and Rockville High School over a period of many years.

So I love Rockville.

I also love ranked choice voting.

And I love ranked choice voting because it promotes civility during the election process, something that's just so missing in our culture today.

If voters want I knew I'd mess this up.

If voters aren't a candidate's first choice, then they would be their second or third.

And so candidates are less likely to be unkind to one another.

Thank you.

That's all I had.

Thank you very much.

That exhausts the list of those who have signed up in advance, and we have received written comments as well.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak?

Okay.

I just wanted to address uh two quick things since there were some resources mentioned, uh, and I want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to know where to report things.

Uh so our um snow shoveling volunteer program uh that is managed through our senior center.

You can get in contact with them.

Uh and the number also is 240314-8810.

You can also email senior center at rockfell MD.gov.

There is an online form, which is greatly helpful to fill out that form.

Uh, and then also in terms of our roads and support uh for where you see issues, uh, you can do reported concern.

You can also call 240-314-8570 or PW at Rockville MD.gov.

And uh since there was a question about um, and I I don't normally go into this level of uh comment, but I just want to say that Rockville does have a fostering community trust ordinance, it's actually in our code, um uh ordinance 8-17.

Uh so folks can look that up, but Rockville has a long history of uh social justice and inclusion, and it speaks to uh how we believe the need for our police department to be uh able to do their jobs uh and uh making sure that we're protecting all residents without having any they don't collaborate in any way that is uh what make our community feel unsafe.

So I just wanted to note um there is that code uh ordinance eight-17 if anyone wants to look it up, and it's also on our justice equity and inclusion page.

Okay.

There are a couple of items on this list.

Uh we have consent agenda item 9a, authorize the city manager to execute the Maryland Market Money Program.

This is a program that supports um people who need uh food and help with food and security, the city of Rockville's Farm and Market Eat Fresh Rockville program with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Uh 9B is a resolution to ratify the approval and exercise the right-of-first refusal by yolk management to acquire Argal apartments and maintain affordable housing in the city of Rockville.

Item 9C is authorization for the city manager to release and extinguish an existing waterline easement and execute two new easements for sewer and water meters on lot 16, block B city center.

9D.

This would grant approval and delegation of authority to the city manager to specifically execute a template agreement for private improvements in the right-of-way associated with residents installed and maintained electric vehicle charging equipment.

We have an EV readiness program, and we talked about uh creating this type of template, and this will do that.

And then the last one is 9E, approval of our minutes from Mayor and Council on January 5th, 2026 and January 12th, 2026.

Colleagues, does anyone have any questions?

So can we move forward to approve 9 through E?

Does anyone want to make a motion?

Councilmember Fulton.

I move to approve consent agenda items A B C D and E.

Thank you very much.

Do we have a second?

Councilmember Valerie seconds.

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

Aye.

Excellent.

Thank you very much.

We now have agenda item 11A, a briefing and endorsement of the DMV Moves Plan.

This is presented to the Council of Governments, and we welcome Tom Harrington of COG, Multimodal Planning Program Director.

And I know we have staff lead Barack Matite as well.

Welcome.

All right, good evening.

Great.

Good evening, Mayor Ashton and members of council.

I am Tom Harrington, multimodal planning program director at the council governments.

So my presentation tonight will primarily focus on DMV moves, but I'm going to start with a brief overview of the council governments for those who may be not as familiar.

There we go.

Back a slide.

So again, COG is unique in this region because they focus on regional issues.

And transit's a great example of how interconnected the region is.

So the council of governments was created with 24 local government members representing our region of six million people.

It's the one place in our tri-state region that brings leaders together from DC, Maryland, Virginia, to tackle all the common issues we are dealing with and to plan for the future.

And I should recognize that Mayor Ashton is on the COG Board of Directors and also on the Transportation Planning Board, which is our Metropolitan Planning Organization.

So the TPB, which is the MPO for the region, one of 400 in the country, it ensures that all of our transportation projects are part of our long-range plan, they're part of our short-term transportation improvement program and can therefore receive federal funding.

At COG, our main focus areas include transportation, but also public safety, community planning, and the environment.

In transportation, the TPB recently approved visualized 2050, which is the region's long-range transportation plan, consisting of highway and transit projects totaling almost 300 billion dollars.

And COG also manages several regional programs such as commuter connections, which helps provide services to employers and connects workers and helps them make smart commuting choices.

Another benefit to the region is COG has a cooperative purchasing program, and the city is able to purchase through agreements things like fuel and roadway salt, which is timely.

And move forward there.

So if you look at COGS revenue, um 9% of our funding comes a little behind, comes from member dues, and that helps leverage the 41 million dollars in state and local funding.

And for reference, we did include the city's uh dues to the council governments.

Um so that's just the brief overview of the council governments.

Uh so moving on to DMV moves.

So um uh our presentation tonight comes after a significant milestone in November when the COG and Metro boards came together to endorse the final DMV Moves plan.

Um and that was after 18 months of hard work by COG Metro and really the whole region to help define what's needed to achieve world-class transit in our region and to continue to maintain momentum.

We're fortunate to have one of the best transit systems in the country.

In fact, the American Public Transit Association ranked Metro as the number one transit agency in the country in 2025.

Um but we do have challenges, and actually, when this work started in 2024, um the region was still coming off of the pandemic's impact on transit ridership.

So um there was a funding crisis, and um particularly on the operating side and operating costs.

Um but just in the last year, Metro's operating budget has sort of stabilized ridership has come back to the system.

Um, and what the focus is right now is on their capital funding.

So in the last funding agreement, Metro's debt capacity would be exhausted by 2028.

And so what that means is a big drop in the capital program and the potential to increase the pipeline of projects for Metro.

So unless this is addressed, we're going to see some backsliding in terms of some of the progress Metro's made recently.

Another challenge in this region is that we have a complex network of providers, and that's an opportunity too.

So it's not just Metro that runs transit in the region.

We have 14 different operators of transit in the region.

And so finding a way to coordinate helps the riders so that they have a seamless trip across the region.

So to address all these needs, the COG and Metro boards came together to create the DMV MOOCs initiative.

It was governed by a task force of elected officials, and it also had a series of advisory groups, both government representatives and community partners to help define what is needed to achieve world class transit.

The DMV Moves plan is available online at DMVMoves.org.

But to give you a quick overview, there are four key components of the plan.

First is a Metro funding plan.

And so the plan calls for an additional 460 million per year in new capital funding.

And that will be indexed to grow at 3% a year because having escalation was not part of the previous funding agreement, which led to some reduction in buying power with that.

And Metro has talked about how they would use that money, and in particular, wanted to highlight MetroRail modernization.

So the Metro system, which is celebrating its 50th year, I believe this year, so has many parts of it that have been updated over the past decades.

But the signal system is one of those that's lagging a little behind.

And so Metro wants to replace that outdated signal system, move to something that's really more state of the art technology, communication based train control.

And so that's a key part of the plan.

A second part is identifying local funding needs.

So it's not, as I said, not just Metro, but also the local bus systems.

And so the plan does call out and identify what's needed to bring all the regional bus systems up to a standard of frequent service.

And it also identified the needs for commuter rail for both MARC and VRE.

But the plan does not identify the funding source for those local needs.

So whereas the Metro number was pretty specific for the local systems, there was an identification of need, but a need to identify source.

In the middle of the chart, there is bus priority.

So Metro also emphasized the need to get buses out of traffic because that's something that really slows down buses.

It impacts customers, and it also impacts the cost to run the bus service.

So that was something that there was broad consensus is a priority.

Of course, Montgomery County through the Flash BRT already has pretty ambitious plans to roll out BRT across the county.

And so what the plan does is identifies the top seven corridors where Metro says we need to move first on getting priority to get buses out of out of congestion.

The plan did not identify a new regional source for bus priority.

So again, that was part of it that we we agreed on a partnership, but not necessarily on how to fund that.

So in addition to the regional bus priority, the action plan has the six areas.

So in addition to bus priority, there's looking for more uniform reporting of performance, and so adopting service guidelines among all the transit systems so that customers get sort of a consistent quality of service across the region.

In fair integration, looking for ways to make it easier to pay for transit, no matter what system you're on.

Customer information facilities, so looking for ways to standardize what you find at a bus stop and the types of information, and also improving Metro's customer service numbers, making it so that you call one number and regardless of what bus system you're on, you would get the same level of care and sort of attention in terms of the information that you need to make your trip.

On shared resources, we're looking at ways similar to the cooperative purchasing that COG already does, really focus on transit agencies.

How can they save money by purchasing things together?

And then the last bit is on training, and so looking at ways to train bus operators and mechanics and so forth through programs that would serve all the the region's transit systems.

And just to again mention the bus priority plan.

So it's these are the initial seven corridors called out in the plan.

The idea is to implement priority improvements in the next six to eight years on these corridors.

And then there's going to be work as as the partners, because it really takes the transit agencies but also the roadway owners to implement these types of improvements.

They'll work together on implementation.

And so four corridors reach into Maryland.

Of course, the Maryland 355 Rockfelt Pike segment is already in the county's BRT plan.

And so this is identifying particularly the segment from the district line up to Rockville as a priority for Metro.

And so that was kind of called out in the plan.

So we're, you know, the region came together on consensus on that we need to move forward on this.

Some of the hard work has to happen now where we actually look at each of these segments and figures out roles and responsibilities and kind of what the what the next steps will be.

And so our ask at this point is for your help to advocate for both securing the funding, the new Metro funding, but then also a partnership to work to implement that regional integration action plan.

TPB recently endorsed the plan, accepted its role as lead coordinator of the plan, and that means things like reporting back on an annual basis implementation and how the region is doing in fulfilling the DMV MOOCs plan.

We're currently meeting with our city and county partners like we're doing tonight.

And also work is being done at the state level at legislatures to move forward with the funding bills.

So we're at a pivotal moment, and you know, the Metro has really made great strides in the past decade.

Um but the time now is to kind of continue the momentum of that.

Uh DMV moves, the plan offers a regional vision.

And so we uh really appreciate your support in moving forward together with that vision.

And I'll answer any questions that you may have.

Thanks.

Thank you for the excellent presentation.

I'll just have a baseline uh clarification just so that we can my colleagues and I can move this along and help support.

Um so we all know how important uh Metro is and buses are, and not only just to think by jurisdiction, but that they collaborate regionally.

Um and I understand also that the funding is a question every year.

So this is gonna help to just to clarify, put more firm footing on what is Metro actually working with, and then how it can actually fulfill its strategic priorities so that you have an understanding of what you your budgets will be, so you can actually plan ahead.

Is that right?

Yeah, um, Metro uh is really the largest transit system without a dedicated source of funding.

So that really means every year's budget cycle is Metro trying to figure out how how it's gonna sort of pay more how the region's gonna pay for the service.

So what this new funding would be by being sort of a dedicated, reliable source of funding, it allows them to bond and to really support the whole capital program for Metro.

Um and so Metro will be reporting on an annual basis how they're using the funding and sort of what the results are, and also at TPB, we'll be reporting back on implementation.

Thank you.

And at the transportation planning board, you also shared that uh this is a collaboration between Virginia, mostly Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland, and that the funding formulas are worked out among the jurisdictions.

That's right.

Okay, that's great.

Thank you, colleagues.

Do we have any questions?

Councilman Van Grack.

So um, first of all, thank you for the great presentation.

I mean, it's really detailed, and this is the type of thing that we need.

The one question I have is you see this a lot more within international politics, but like since we are multiple jurisdictions, to what degree is there going to be some type of either assurance or relationship with some of the other jurisdictions with regard to as a whole?

Because if there's a certain jurisdictions that are all in and others aren't necessarily all in or come out a year or two into this, how would that affect the whole?

And is there some type of either relationship or rubric or structure that you're looking to kind of create cohesion here?

Yeah, and it's probably helpful to separate the funding part of it from the um the integration action plan.

I think on the funding side, that that's gonna require action at the state level.

Um I think we have the date on here, but it's really beginning of fiscal year 2029.

So July 2028 is when Metro wants the funding in place.

Um we know that ideally that would happen in this current legislative session, it may not for all three states, it may be next year when that happens, but um it is critical that that that be done really across the whole region at the same time.

But um it is critical that that that be done really across the whole region at the same time.

Um I think on the integration action plan, there's a little flexibility.

I think we um as long as we're all have consensus on where we're going, it may be that the the pace at which certain improvements are done um, you know, varies at different different places.

I think for example, uh with some of the bus stop improvements, we know each um city and county maybe on a different schedule on when they're going to replace bus stops.

And so what the uh resolution says is when when you do go to improve your bus stop, you use the guidelines, you know, to do those improvements.

Thank you.

Councilmember Valeri.

Yes, thank you.

Um, and thank you so much for for coming here and uh taking the time to providing all the resources ahead of time as well.

Um, as a self-professed transit nerd, I am always up for looking um, and Madam Mayor can confirm that status for me.

Um I'm always interested in looking at where the improvements um are possible.

Um, and also um uh council member Van Grack, as well as people who have um were raised in Montgomery County and still live here.

Um, you know, we've we've seen the various changes, and in particular um with Metro and with Wamada, so it'll be interesting.

Um to that point, it always it just feels to me.

I did not do an assessment of the landscape, but it it always feels to me that there is a um particular state jurisdiction that seems to always kick in to support Wamada um late or as last waiting for other jurisdictions.

So um, do you see this model as kind of um making maybe uh eliminating that because I would hate to see um that trend continue forward.

Yeah.

Well, again, I think when the with the new funding in place, the idea there is some predictability.

I think that's what we're after.

Um I think that's great.

And getting there is gonna be tough, but yeah, once we're there, I think it's gonna help the region.

Yeah, no, and I think that's fantastic um with that being the stated goals because it'll allow for uh Walmata to do that.

I do have uh just one last comment, and that um in looking at the um uh bus priority plan concept, which I totally I I completely um sorry, yeah.

If you want to pull it, I was being a nerd and looking at that, but um, I totally I I can see where the intent is.

Um, you know, you're looking at like like cross-border um bus connectivity.

I would also just kind of um flag as well, though 355 is the actual um road that crosses the jurisdiction.

You also see a lot of that similar sort of um crossed traffic because we're looking at Georgia Avenue as well along Beers Mill, and there's gonna be some sort of there's gonna be that I think a really good opportunity to um you know maybe it's prioritization, you know, within um our own uh jurisdiction and working with the county and so forth, but I see that as also being a benefit too for some of these major um bus routes.

So I just wanted to give a uh a plug to uh Beers Mill and in general, you know, just being supportive of of all the the Flash BRT that's coming online.

So yeah.

And and the seven quarters don't preclude um other quarters being implemented, and Montgomery County has been out ahead on bus priority, and I think yeah, I agree.

Yeah, adding Veers Mill to the network would help make those connections.

Absolutely.

I appreciate it.

Thank you so much for for all of this and for bringing this forward.

Thank you.

Dr.

Miles.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Thanks also for this presentation.

I'll echo that of my colleagues.

Oh, before getting out too far ahead of them, do recognize that Rockville is a jurisdiction, you know, at the within a county and some of the funding things we have less control over.

Uh because often this happens at the county higher levels.

But I think, you know, again, without getting ahead of my colleagues, it's something that we could support at a minimum resolution and continuing to work with our colleagues across jurisdictions within the county and at higher levels to help you achieve your goal or the collection goal that can benefit us all.

That's all I have.

Thanks for coming out, and thanks again for this presentation and the work that you all do.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And uh I understand that you're going and doing a tour among jurisdictions.

Uh and uh you've gotten quite a bit in Northern Virginia and working through Maryland.

Uh so thank you for being on the road show.

Glad to be here.

Thank you.

Councilmember uh Shaw.

I also wanted to echo my colleagues and thank you for the presentation.

Um there was an equity statement.

Um I believe it was from it may have been from staff.

Um, but I was just curious.

Um I I'm definitely supportive of expanding our our transit system and um improving our transit system.

But I I just wanted to ask do you think there'll be any um impact on uh the cost of the fare?

Yeah, um it's interesting.

Fair integration is one of the areas that was looked at, and in the process of doing DMV moves, uh we had three or four systems go fare-free.

So some of the issues about make sure we had consistent fares across the region um became moot points because they systems weren't charging bus fares.

Um, but um, but Metro bus, it still has a fair, and Fairfax and Arlington still have bus fares.

So having consistent fares and also having passes so that you can go between the local bus and and metro um and ultimately commuter rail too.

Um, so that I mean, we've made great strides.

The smart trip card allows you to do some of that.

You can pay with credit card now, but I think looking for convenience, I think is the key here.

Thanks.

I just want to also thank you for your focus on the user experience because that's who we're here to serve uh to make sure that they can get information from central sources that they don't have to have confusion between jurisdictions.

I think this is a fantastic plan and want to applaud the team for pulling it together.

Uh just two just a question.

I understand that there may be a bill circulating in the in Maryland.

I know delegate corman's been working closely on this.

Uh is there anything you want to say about that or any bill numbers?

Uh if I if my information is correct, there is a hearing tomorrow.

Uh uh 2 p.m.

Senate bill 281 on uh on in fact the Maryland funding bill.

So as I mentioned, um, at the moment there are bills in both Maryland and Virginia that are being evaluated.

And uh the hope is that the new funding will be in place July 2028.

Excellent, thank you.

Uh and our staff our team is going to be able to move forward with a potential motion to support and endorse this plan.

Uh and my hope is that we'll also include a letter of support uh for the bills that are introduced.

Uh, Mr.

City Manager, is that possible that we can also, in addition to our letter or our endorsement, get a letter of support and for the bill.

Sir, we can certainly do that.

Excellent.

Thank you very much.

Okay, and then since I have you, uh this council has been working to try to create transit-oriented development.

And if you can convey to our MADA friends that we would love to see housing at our uh Rockville and Twinbrook Metros, uh, we are, and I think listed as phase two.

So since you're advocating to us, we're going to advocate to you.

Please help us on that mission and also we'll help fund metro.

Yeah.

Absolutely.

Okay, colleagues, uh, thank you for your presentation.

We appreciate it.

Uh, do we have a motion to endorse council member Fulton?

Uh I move to endorse the conceptual funding component of the DMV move strategy that is being introduced during the 2026 state legislative session.

Thank you.

Second by Councilmember Ballary.

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

Uh it is unanimous.

Thank you very much.

I appreciate it, and we'll work to make sure that we uh show letters of support for the legislature as well.

Thank you.

Okay.

We'll now move on to agenda item 11 B.

This is an introduction of an annexation resolution to initiate the annexation process for the property at 1000 Westmore Avenue, which is the former Winx site, including two parcels, both addressed as zero stone streets, and adopt potential adoption of a resolution setting the public hearing date.

I'd like to welcome Manisha Tuari as well as Craig Simonel.

Welcome.

Thank you, Madam Mayor, members of the council.

Just by short, very short introduction.

Um, we are considering tonight an application from property owners at 1000 Westmore for annexation into the city.

And this is a very long process prescribed by state law and by city code, and there's many opportunities for public input, public hearings, both at the planning commission and the mayor and council.

And I want to emphasize that today is just a beginning.

Uh all the questions are not going to be answered today.

They don't have a detailed layout that we're going to be considering in the process is going to uh tease that out in produce annexation plan that we brought back to the mayor and council.

In addition, after the annexation, they still have to go through the detailed site plan process.

So you will not see a lot of details about that tonight, and that's by design.

And so tonight you're going to fulfill hopefully the state uh your state responsibility to introduce uh this uh resolution uh promptly as the state law says after application.

So with that, I'll turn it over to Manisha Twari who give the presentation.

Thank you, Greg, and um thank you, Madam Mayor and members of the council.

So here is the presentation outline.

Um we'll be talking about the petition and a little bit of background.

Um we'll also talk about Montgomery County uh master plan and zoning for the proposal for the site that is proposed for annexation.

We'll talk about Rockwell's comprehensive plan and land use, uh, and also talk about the zoning requested, key next steps, and suggested motion.

So the city received a petition for annexation.

This is for approximately 10.45 acres of land at 1000 Westmore Avenue.

Uh the petitioner for the annexation is Interstate Westmore LLC, who is the owner of 1000 Westmore Avenue.

The law offices of Bregman, Burber, Schwartz, and Gildy are representing as a counsel for petitioner.

The property, as outlined in red, is located in the northwest corner of the section between the intersection of Westmore and Ashley Avenue.

Um it includes industrial uses to the north and the east and Lincoln Park neighborhood to the south.

Uh per state law, an annexation cannot create an enclave of unincorporated area that would be completely surrounded on all sides by the city.

So the annexation of Winx property uh as a single application would have created the enclave, since the two of the parcels with the address of like Zero Stone Street Avenue would be completely surrounded on all sides by the city uh if the annexation would occur uh with the winks property alone.

So the annexation area thus includes uh three discrete parcels of land to be annexed together.

The petitioner has obtained consent from owners of all three parcels to initiate the annexation.

The property is currently not served by uh public water and sewer, and the applicant would be requesting to connect connect to the city utility services.

Uh the property is outside the WSSC service district.

As background, Rockwell's comprehensive plan was adopted in August 2021.

The municipal growth element is one of the elements of the comprehensive plan that requires a municipality to define its maximum expansion limits.

The map on the left shows the city's maximum expansion limits as identified in the city's municipal growth element.

The right side map shows an enlarged portion of the proposed annexation area that is adjacent to contiguous to the city boundary and within the city's maximum expansion limits, which are the core requirements for any annexations in Maryland.

Rockwell's uh 2040 plan also recommended a proactive annexation strategy, which you endorsed for specific properties in the municipal growth element.

The Westmore property is included in the city's proactive annexation area, where the Mayor and Council directed staff to conduct outreach to the property owners to discuss interest in annexation.

So, with respect to Montgomery County Master Plan and Zoning, this uh property is a part of the upper Rock Creek Master Plan.

Since the property is currently not served by public water and sewer, the plan recommends a low intensity light industrial uh light industrial uses.

However, over long term, the plan recommends incorporation into the city limits with residential developments.

The current uh zoning, Montgomery County zoning on the property is IM 2.5 H 50, which means it's moderate industrial, maximum total FAR allowed is 2.5, and the maximum building height allowed is 50 feet.

For the city of Rockwell's comprehensive plan, uh it recommended that the city work with the property owner to reach an annexation agreement for primarily residential development, the land use policy map designation for 1000 Westmores RF, residential flexible, and also for the two parcels, uh the applicant is requesting an IL zoning, uh service residential, which is consistent with the other uses near the property.

So the applicants are requesting the city's RMD 25 for the property at 1000 Westmore Avenue, so that they can develop uh with residential and IL for the two Stone Street Avenue parcel, so it remains uh consistent with what's in the neighborhood, and it is allowed to function um as is staff supports the um applicants requested zoning as of now since it's consistent with Rockwell's comprehensive plan.

As Mr.

Simeno noted, the annexation process is uh pretty long and it's governed by state's land use article of the annotated code of Maryland and Rockwell zoning ordinance.

There will be plenty of opportunities for public engagement and notification throughout the process.

Once you introduce the annexation, the planning commission will hold a public hearing on the preliminary annexation plan.

Um the purpose of the annexation plan is basically to ensure that uh the city is able to provide the necessary services, the proposed zoning is appropriate, and um whether the cost of such services can be managed.

Um the planning commission is also scheduled to hold a public hearing, which is tentatively scheduled for April 22nd as of now.

And once the mayor and once the planning commission holds a public hearing, uh they will uh review again, uh transmit the annexation plan with their comments uh to you, and uh that's scheduled for uh July 1.

Once you have the plan, you adopt it, and then uh the Mayor Council process starts where uh you would be holding a public hearing on the annexation, and then uh eventually it uh once you adopt the resolution.

If you decide to go through the process and adopt the resolution, the annexation is completed and effective 45 days after you adopt the annexation resolution.

So here is the suggested motion uh that you introduce a resolution for annexation for the property at 1000 Westmore Avenue and two adjacent properties, both addressed at Zero Stone Street Avenue, and you adopt the second resolution that sets the date for the public hearing, which is July 27.

This concludes my presentation, and I'm happy to answer any questions.

Thank you very much for the presentation.

Colleagues, do you have any questions?

Councilmember Miles.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

I want to also thank staff for getting back to me on the question I've asked before, but I'm asking it just to you know, let folks in the public know that it's on our minds.

In the past, and I'd have to also rely on my colleagues, particularly uh the mayor.

There was concern about sort of this this area of this city as it abuts to unincorporate unincorporate lines, and particularly its proximity to that gas field.

And you know, concerns for residents in the community about to what extent is the presence of that national gas field there conducive, consistent with housing people who you know live there more broadly.

Um and I did take the response from from staff um that I guess there's no concerns that they can identify, but I do want to just let the listening public know that we it's something that's on our mind, something we have heard in the past.

And I don't know if there's any more topine on it.

Um but you know, I just wanted to make sure it's it's out there for the for folks to know.

That's all thank you.

Would it be possible for staff to share?

There was some history of this when we went through the comprehensive plan.

Uh, you can also um you know, if you if you do have any updates on this, if you need to share anything later, that's fine.

Mayor, there really is no change.

I think what um council member Miles said is essentially accurate.

But if council decides to move forward with the annexation process and we get an annexation plan and a site plan, we'll evaluate all those um different concerns and make sure we include that in the staff report.

Okay, I have some follow-up questions to that.

I'll come back.

Uh councilmember um Ben Greg, sorry about that.

Thanks.

Um, and thanks for the presentation.

I know this is something that I know we've talked about with regard to annexation of certain commercial properties to potential fun, what we're looking to do for Shady Grove.

So uh thanks to staff and the whole department for really putting this, which I understand is just part of um what we're looking to do together.

One question I had is um from the presentation.

I understand that there's the RMD 25 that's being requested, and correct me if I understand from the presentation, it's being request from the applicant, right?

So I just want to make sure that still fits into what we're looking, because this is still within that, you know, the town center master plan and the transit oriented development that we're kind of looking for in the general vicinity.

It's adjacent to 355.

Is this still within what we're looking to do?

And is there an idea as to what the further use of the property would be turned into?

Yeah, I think it is so noted that they would like to develop it with a mix of uh uh townhouses and 202s.

So it does provide um the opportunity for uh missing middle, and which is what we've been trying to develop into the city, and that's what been one of our initiatives to have more housing.

So it does meet the housing goals.

Thank you, Councilmember Valeri.

Um, this is uh a little bit um connected to um councilmember Dr.

Miles' comment, um, but a little bit different in that the concern is more with this virtual pipeline aspect, which um you know I I think it's it's worth it.

This is not enough to to for me to say no to this annexation, but I think we need to have a really good sense of um, which I don't know if the public at large has heard um completely, a any sort of public safety concerns with uh natural gas vehicles coming through.

There's the issues of it being uh you know uh uh on the spot, natural gas, but then there is differing concerns of tractor trailers and and natural gas, and what is the public safety um plan and any sort of um mitigation um for if there were issues like um you know uh vehicular collision or some such.

I would love to hear that.

I definitely want um, I think this is a great idea, but I would be I would feel completely comfortable um once we get to that point, as you said, Mr.

City Manager, that we have kind of a um a good conversation from the city perspective on um what if anything we would do or coordinate with the county should this virtual pipeline continue into perpetuity councilmember Fulton Thank you and thank you for this.

Uh um further to those sorts of comments.

I take Mr.

Simon like the point that this is this is the beginning, right?

Um, and you know, at at the time that there is a potential site plan or whatever, I think there's a lot to discuss about that site.

You know, we've heard about the transit in the area.

So we've had some residents talk about the roadway there.

How would this help or hurt?

Um, I would want to understand natural gas as well, public safety, but uh trusting that our process will work that way.

I think this is exactly what we were asking for is to bring these types of things.

So thank you.

And um I just want to echo I'm supportive and it because I understand the process.

Okay, all right.

Thank you.

Uh is everyone who wanted to go had questions.

All right.

I did want to uh circle back.

Uh I do want to make sure that our council is fully aware of environmental issues if there are any, and then what the mitigation would be.

Um are there any things that would fall more in the city because it is in our city to handle versus the county.

So just want to make sure that as we're going through the annexation process.

First of all, I just want to say thank you for bringing an annexation request.

We always love to annex in more parts of the city, uh, but just want to make sure we're asking the right questions on what what the responsibilities are and what is the appropriate use of that land.

Uh so I think that will be important as we get through discussions, and I hope the planning commission will also receive the same information so that they understand the parameters and constraints of that land.

Um I've I've I think there was something related to gas before in Washington Gas, when they were doing some work had also made some comments about that.

So I will just note that um one concern that I had is if we are looking at residential, I want to make sure that um it's always safe, and I know that you all will do that.

Um, but that's my primary is our we are our duty to residence and safety.

Um this part of the area that street on Ashley Avenue is very, very narrow.

We've heard from residents on that.

I was there multiple times this weekend, especially with snow, it is impossible.

It's not even a full one lane.

Um so just would want to also understand they would have to be some improvements done to do anything there.

Uh so that's just uh uh more information I'd like to hear when you come back so that you're prepared with some of the questions that we might have.

Um and then the zoning question for me.

Uh one of the things I've heard from the county executive as well as um Rockwell Economic Development Inc.

is that they have challenges uh attracting some small scale manufacturing, they move up north or out of the state, and so um is this you know if we accept the annexation, is it immediate that it would have to be RD?

Or are we going to be talking about what that would be if it's you know opportunity for small scale manufacturing?

There were some projects that recently came through.

I won't mention what the specific businesses that they we just didn't have the site for them.

So I just wanted to raise the question since we're talking about economic development in the next few months uh as a topic.

And the proper zoning is part of the application, is part of the uh annexation plan that will have to be looked at, and it is uh up to the mayor and council ultimately to make that decision.

Uh, however, the applicant is requesting residential uh on the land right now.

Okay.

Councilmember Leary.

Yes, sorry.

Um correct.

So, but we're excluding or are we trying to adjust that little jutting out square moving that away from light industrial?

I'm looking at the little jutting up.

I and I'm struggling to read exactly.

I don't think it's this, it's not the Ashley Avenue side, but the other side.

Uh yeah, the Zero Stone Treat Avenue.

The applicant has requested that those two parcels be retained as industrial use.

Okay.

But primarily this would be residential on this.

Cool.

That's how I wondered.

Thank you.

Oh, and then the other question I have is um has the Lincoln Park community been made aware of this request?

And I know that we will be alerting them to the public hearing process, but I think the earlier the better that we get them engaged that they know what's going on.

Yes, I did alert the Lincoln Park uh community president about this uh that this was coming uh forward tonight.

And uh it said that they they didn't have any questions at this point in time, but we will be presenting this to the community as well, along with the applicant.

Excellent.

Can I also just add the East Rockville community because they share an adjacent road that goes to the feeds into that property as well as the Lincoln Park Historic Foundation?

Yeah, all right.

Um so you'll be coming back to us with the constraints.

We'll be thinking about the zoning that we're gonna allow.

Um you mentioned two over twos and townhomes, but then this is listed for RMD 25, which is higher density.

What are you thinking?

Because we just had this discussion on other property.

So what are you thinking here?

We haven't received uh kind of uh the applic the site plan as yet.

Um so we will be working with the applicant on the detailed site plan.

Ums Solicho is here if you have any questions specific to the applicant.

But uh yeah, good evening.

It's been a little while I've been here.

Welcome.

Um it's good to see everyone.

Sulichou with the law firm of Bregman, Berbert Schwartz and Gilday on behalf of the principal applicant of Parcel J, Interstate Westmore LLC.

Um, we have submitted a concept plan, and it's mostly a townhouse concept.

Um and the concept is actually you when you look at it, it's it indicates an RMD 15 density.

Uh we've requested RMD 25 to just allow for that flexibility because it is only a concept, um, and if we were to uh swap out some of the townhouse sticks with uh two over twos, we're not quite sure where we will land and density, but we think it it'll be uh more towards RMD 15, it might be slightly above.

So that's only the that's the only reason why we requested RMD 25 as a placehold for the annexation petition.

But as indicated by staff, um the exact zoning is is part of the process of this very um protracted conversation that we are glad to start tonight.

Um, and uh we'll be going through the planning commission process to really hone in on the um the the correct zoning uh to answer one of the questions the the residential concept that is being proposed under this application is really uh flows out of the city's 2040 comp plan.

Um there is a long history with regard to this property, and I am embarrassed to say that I've been part of a lot of it for the last 20 years, frankly.

So this is not our first uh run at annexation.

Um and the current owner is the is Perry Cho of Interstate Westmore, he's been with the property for many, many years.

We we had come to the city with an a proposal for industrial use that wasn't I would say uh well received or as well received, and I think the residential use is something that really flowed out of the the city's 2040 process.

And you know, we're I think um to speak for the property owner, he has been trying to just kind of work with the city and trying to deliver um and take this property, um, get it to a finish line in terms of getting it annexed, get it properly served with water and sewer, get it get a zoning on it.

It's it's in this limbo state where it is in the county, but it's not being served by water sewer.

Um the county has no intention of serving it, so it has encouraged through its master plan in the upper rock plan as as staff has mentioned for it to be annexed.

It is it has long been anticipated, planned, encouraged, whatever adjectives you want to put to it to be in the city of Rockville.

And um the quandary that we've been in is exactly in what form is it going to enter the enter Rockville.

The property owner has entertained an industrial use concept, you know, um warehouse storage, you know, usage.

The community of Lincoln Park and the adjacent who are there is an existing community that is adjacent to these natural gas fields.

We all understand that.

Um we are introducing a new community, but this is an existing condition that we've been well aware of.

We've been back and forth between industrial and residential.

Your plan calls for residential and it calls for residential of the type that we're proposing.

Um RMD 25 uh was one is is an example zone that is referenced in the comp plan.

Um and you're correct um in that the two pieces we have their consent authorization, in fact, to join in this annexation petition so that there is not an enclave that is remained uh that remains on uh uh which would violate state law, but their condition that their cooperation is conditioned on their remaining industrial, um, specifically the winks, the radio tower that is is the wings property is one of the small parcels.

It exists there, it continues to exist there, it doesn't want to you know remove the radio tower.

So we it is imperative that we maintain industrial zoning for those two small pieces, but for parcel J, we are talking about residential development.

Thank you.

Uh process question for staff.

Thank you very much for that, and thank you for bringing forward the annexation.

I do remember this property has had a long history.

Um given that we don't have a Department of Health and Human Services, uh, and I know we we do have some level of environmental support uh with sustainability and great work by our team.

Who is who would be oversight uh in terms of making sure that the land is safe for residents to live on?

Would that be working only with the city, with the state, with the county?

This question came up previously in 2005-2006.

Unfortunately, like Ms.

Sue Cho.

I was here and lived through it also.

Um we have a lot of documents where we reached out to Washington Gas, et cetera, and asked about safety, et cetera, and we can share that document through this process uh so we can all understand who regulates the field, how they do it, et cetera.

Uh it is not the city of Rockville.

Yes, and we engage with Washington Gas when there was a temporary virtual line that they were putting through, and they actually made comments.

So this is why this is important to just make sure that we're thinking about safety as well.

We also participated recently uh on a uh tabletop safety exercise with Washington gas on the on the site.

Uh Mr.

Woods participated in that, and that was around the time when the virtual pipeline was coming up.

So we do have that cooperation, we do understand uh a little about each other, et cetera, through that exercise, et cetera.

If we annex, will this force mitigation to make sure that it's safer for everyone, existing residents and incoming residents.

Um mitigation could be considered.

However, uh, if the mitigation is on Washington gas, then our party to this, and um, so we would have to figure out what that mitigation would be that would make it safer, which I'm not sure we know right now.

Okay, I think there's a lot more homework that we need to do when it comes back to us.

And I think it this needs to be a page or a section in our brief book so that we understand what what we're dealing with and how we can make this safer residents.

Okay.

All right, so we understand this is a process with many more discussions.

This will all go to the also go to the planning commission.

We'll go get community feedback.

Uh so this is just the potential support for opening the process.

And with that said, uh, I introduced the resolution as attached for the annexation of the property located at 1000 Westmore Avenue along with two adjacent properties addressed at Zero Stone Street Avenue and adopt the resolution to set a public hearing date.

So I'll introduce this.

I understand that we don't need any other motions on this particular one uh that will come back to us in the future.

However, um we do need to sorry, I um we do need to um separate out the adoption on the resolution to set a public hearing date.

So um if someone can introduce that portion only, uh, and then uh we will move forward from there.

And are we just adopting?

I think we're yeah, correct.

Um Madam Mayor, I um uh move forward to adopt the second resolution, which is attachment two in our packet that sets the date for the public hearing for the annexation as July 27th, 2026.

Perfect.

So we've introduced this process and we are uh have a motion to move forward with the setting of the public hearing dates.

Uh can we just say those out loud for the public and then we'll I'll introduce a second.

Go ahead.

Uh so the public hearing date, is that what you want me to say?

It's July 27.

July 27.

Okay.

Do we have a second?

Councilmember Shaw, seconds.

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

Excellent.

Thank you very much.

It's been introduced, and we have uh moved on the public hearing dates.

Thank you.

And thank you for your time.

Thank you for bringing the annexation forward.

Okay.

Now we're moving on to agenda item 11 C, which put is a potential adoption of an ordinance to amend Chapter 5 of the Rockville City Code entitled Building and Property Maintenance Regulations.

Uh, this relates to our green building code regulations.

I'd like to welcome Mr.

Chris Dempolf, and I understand that their panelists, Craig Simoneau, Kina Campbell, and Erica as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening, Madam Mayor, members of council.

Um we're back again for the adoption of the green building regulations tonight.

Uh, you'll recall we were here most recently uh for introduction, but wanted a little more time to get some public feedback.

Uh so our presentation tonight, uh, we're just gonna review the purpose, why we're doing this, uh, the proposed amendments, responses to some of the questions that you had during uh the introduction, review of our public outreach, uh next steps, and then we have the suggested motion for you.

So our purpose for doing this for updating our Article 14 green building regulations is to remain a leader in sustainability and resiliency by adopting the 2021 International Green Construction Code and the 2020 National Green Building Standard with some amendments.

This will support the climate action plan and add sustainable and resilient building stock to the city as well as build on some of our successes with local amendments to the Energy Conservation Code.

So just a quick review of the proposed amendments.

And then as far as the International Green Construction Code, which deals with the non-residential and certain certain multifamily residential.

Not a whole lot of changes to the code itself, but we have included a requirement to obtain the NGBS verified third-party certification for the applicable projects.

So as I said, some responses to the questions that were brought up during introduction.

So at this time, no no concerns there.

As far as the sound proofing, I spoke with uh Katie Gerbis, our long-range planning manager, uh, and we discussed action item, I believe it's 5.1 from the comp plan, uh, which was calling for this.

Um, and essentially what was determined was the goals of that have been met in ensuring that there are standards in place.

Um at this at this time, we're not suggesting anything above and beyond what is in place.

Can I sorry, just a follow up question?

Because you mentioned that specifically.

Were those standards in place when it was put in this the comp plan because staff helped to come up with that action item?

Those standards um have been in the International Building Code for a number of years now.

Uh I'm not certain if there was unclear communication or what.

I don't want to speculate on it, but um point is that we have met the goal of that and I don't believe that there's anything further needed to meet the goal that's stated in the comp plan at this time.

As far as uh the bird-friendly materials, council member Vallary.

Uh thank you for pointing out the um the lead uh requirement.

Again, another fun research project uh getting into uh the threat ratings uh for glazing on buildings.

So uh we did look into that.

We looked into in Washington DC, they they introduced some legislation a while back to have certain requirements on that.

Uh so we were able to craft some language and incorporate that in this.

Uh and as far as the impact on rent, I believe it was Councilmember Shaw brought that up.

Um did a lot of digging on that, could not find uh conclusive empirical data to suggest a correlation between new green building regulations and rent increases.

Um that's all I have on those.

As I said, uh the reason that we're coming back now, we had public outreach open uh document online as well as an online form.

Uh we did receive two responses, both of which were very strongly supportive of the updates.

Uh, and I did in the staff report include the uh the comments that were shared with us as well as uh I had attachments that shared all the responses.

So as far as our next steps, um, we'll share the adopted amendments via the city website, and uh we have the ability through MGO to share things to permit applicants.

Uh we'll work with home innovations research labs uh to set up our jurisdictional access to the NGBS portal for certification, again, making sure that we get that information as quickly as possible so we don't delay certificate of occupancy.

Uh and then the code changes will largely be effective July 31st, 2026, again with some certain stipulations for projects that are currently in the pipeline and have uh signed design contracts or are in uh have a site plan and review, uh what have you.

Uh those would be permitted to continue under what is currently adopted.

Can you clarify that?

Pardon?

Can you just clarify?

I didn't hear the last part.

Sorry, can you repeat that?

Uh the so the projects that are currently in the pipeline uh and that fall under the language uh that was written for this, they would be permitted to continue under the current additions, all of our current amendments uh that are you know presently adopted.

So with that, we have a suggested motion.

Uh and if there are any additional questions, I'm certainly happy to try and answer those for you.

I have a couple questions, just want to wait to see if my colleagues have any others.

I know that um you did a really nice job on presenting as well as on the follow up questions that each of my colleagues and I have asked.

Uh thank you for including them as clear sections uh so we could see where everything stands.

I'm not seeing any hands at this time.

Um I just wanted to clarify uh when this will take place with people who have projects in motion.

Um did you say anyone who has already a site map plan approved?

And then I also have something about design that they have to have design.

Um I just want to clarify that because I do know that um housing these days uh financing is an issue, so and and also if you can clarify for the listening public what type of buildings this would apply to so I don't have uh exactly the language in front of me right now.

Uh it is included uh in the attachment and it is included in the staff report.

Um, but the intent that I shared with the city attorney's office when trying to write this portion of it uh was projects that either are currently in the site plan process or have really progressed far enough along that having to adapt to these new amendments would be a significant hindrance to the project, and that's really kind of hard to put metrics on.

So we looked at other jurisdictions, even in other states and found some language that essentially referred to having a signed design contract in place or signed construction contract in place.

Uh so that basically at that point means that you have engaged with a design professional and are you know really working to pursue the project.

Is that usually at the point of when financing is also worked out as well by then it it varies, but um you know it could be at that point, yes.

Okay, thank you for I know this was an issue that came up last time, and we had like hundreds of people trying to beat our deadline.

Uh so thank you for trying to think through the process.

Uh, while also we must advance our climate action goals and try to make sure that we have opportunities for people to be able to choose green.

Uh and then my last question was just clarifying which building types this would apply to.

So generally uh Article 14 applies to all new construction, um residential, non-residential, single family, multifamily, any any new construction uh as well as I would say significant alteration um or addition to buildings, and we have some square footage associated with them.

I cannot recall off the top of my head right this moment what they are.

Um but generally we're looking at at the new construction primarily uh and fitting it where we can on existing projects that are undergoing alterations.

Excellent, thank you.

And you've reached out to everyone who's working on or has an application in with us to let them know what we're doing, just so that they're aware and can consider planning ahead.

So we will be uh sending something out through MGO to people who have applied for permits previously.

Uh I would anything that is been applied for currently that is you know undergoing a site plan or that has active permits uh is essentially going to I would say generally be allowed to continue under the current adopted code.

So there shouldn't be any changes for a lot of those projects already in motion.

Excellent.

And you're gonna be doing that uh the first part uh of what you said to let people know about what the changes are to plan ahead.

That'll happen in the next month or so.

Yes.

Okay, excellent.

All right, colleagues.

I don't see any questions, so uh I think we can can you move to the uh motion, please.

Uh councilmember Bank Rack.

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

Thank you.

Councilmember Valeri, seconds.

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

Aye.

Excellent.

And I also imagine that the city will be abiding by this call with any facilities or major changes that we make.

Is that right?

Yes, city buildings are subject to chapter five.

So I just wanted to say that for the record.

Yep.

Thank you.

We really appreciate the good work on this, uh, the thoroughness that you've come back and the research that you've done for us.

Appreciate it.

Great.

Thank you.

Thank you for helping us advance our goals.

Okay, colleagues.

It is 8 09.

And I'm moving on to our mock agenda, which we discussed this morning.

Does anyone have any other comments or questions about mock agenda?

Okay.

We're now moving on to old new business.

Does anyone have any comments or questions?

Okay.

May I make a quick absolutely Dr.

Miles?

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

I just wanted to bring from my colleagues' attention a request for a certificate of recognition as we did last year for the Morehouse College Glee Club.

It came last year during Black History Month Morehouse, being a historically black college.

Colleagues, I'm fine with that.

Can we just see a thumbs up?

Perfect.

Yes.

Thank you for raising.

Thank you all.

Okay.

I want to just thank staff for uh helping us to be able to have a city of Rockville testimony for the operating budget testimony, which I delivered in between our meeting break time.

Uh so um we really I want to thank Linda Moran and the team uh really spoke up for all kinds of things for our teachers, workers, staff, uh and making sure that our schools within the Rockville and the students have the necessary support they need.

So thank you all for supporting that testimony.

Okay, Councilmember Valerie.

Um this is a two-part art.

The first part um because we heard from the Human Services Advisory Commission, um, and Ms.

Moore was also going to be either testifying separately or um it sounds like she wasn't able to virtually, but I wanted to follow up on that with a request to send a letter to Montgomery County to the county executive, I presume, on the issue of closing the Twinbrook Library on Sundays.

So this is kind of more of a follow-up if we can for certain do that because I think some great points were also made tonight.

Thank you.

I I do see that as an important uh resource for the community, uh, and it's a long haul to have to go to the town center for you know there's a lot of social service needs that the libraries provide in addition to books.

Yep.

Uh and so I I would support this letter.

I just want to see if my colleagues support this.

No, thumbs up.

Okay, I'm seeing everyone thumbs up.

Do you need us to make a motion to authorize your take?

I saw seven thumbs.

I'm good.

Thank you.

Okay, let the record show unanimous support for the letter for the library opening.

Cool.

Um, I did have uh one other.

This is more of a uh comment and less of an ask.

Um and and thank you for our indulging me colleagues.

Um at this time for the benefit of the record and for the viewing public.

I am compelled to make the following statement, lest I personally be accused of not caring about our community in Rockville.

Personally, I could not live with myself if I do not say something at this time in our country's history.

As some of you know who have heard me speak, I come from a family that survived genocide in Turkey because of their religious faith.

My grandmother barely escaped Athens as the Nazis marched into the city to occupy it.

There are too many strands that connect the current actions of this federal government to those echoes of the past.

What we are seeing from federal civil immigration enforcement is no less.

I want our entire community and especially the immigrant community of Rockville to know that I hear your stories, I see what is happening literally, and will do everything and anything in my power to ensure your safety, security, and liberty.

You deserve nothing less.

If I am vilified for this statement, so be it.

But I will never stand idly by nor be silenced during this time.

The time is always right to do what is right.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Thank you.

I appreciate the comments of my colleague.

I also just want to reiterate uh fostering community trust and our uh resources that we were talked about earlier.

I recognize this is a difficult time for people and want to highlight again the Gilcrest Immigrant Resource Center.

Councilmember Shaw.

Um I initially wanted to highlight a few resources.

CASA has a center here in Rockville.

Um, and this is an immigrant-led organization, as well as it's well trusted and has hundreds of members throughout Rockville, as well as um the MoCO Immigrant Rights Collective, which is also immigrant-led and has similar resources.

Thank you.

And identity as well.

There is a list if you go to the Gilcrest Immigrant Resource Center, it has a very detailed list of the services the county provides as well as their nonprofit grantees.

So thank you to my colleagues for uh raising your voices.

I know that all of us are working hard to make sure we protect Rockville residents.

With that, uh I will entertain a motion to adjourn.

Councilmember Van Gratt.

Madam Mayor, I move to adjourn.

Do we have a second?

Councilmember Larry seconds.

Uh Dr.

Maas, did I see your hand go up?

Okay, all right.

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

All right, have a good night, everyone.

Be safe.