Rockville City Council Meeting, Feb 9, 2026: Wooton Shooting & REDI Report
Rockville City Council Meeting, Feb 9, 2026: Wooton Shooting & REDI Report
Mayor Ashton convened the meeting at 11:45 AM. She opened with a statement about a shooting earlier that day at Wooton High School, where a student was wounded and the suspect arrested. The city manager provided details: the shooting occurred at approximately 2:15 PM, the victim was in stable condition, and there was no ongoing threat. The mayor expressed condolences and called for renewed attention to mental health and gun safety. The meeting then proceeded with a community forum, consent agenda, and a work session on economic development.
Consent Calendar
- Award of Contract (Item 9-1): The council unanimously approved a purchase order to Mid-Atlantic Truck and Equipment of Clinton, Maryland, for one leaf collection truck in the amount of $293,000, consistent with the terms of the Virginia Sheriff's Association cooperative purchase contract #26070711.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Margie Graff, CEO of the Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce, spoke against the proposed sign ordinance (Article 10 of the staff draft zoning ordinance), which would prohibit internally illuminated freestanding signs and electronic message centers (EMCs) visible from the public right-of-way. She argued these signs are essential business tools and that the ban would disproportionately harm small and mid-sized businesses, placing them at a competitive disadvantage compared to neighboring jurisdictions. She urged the council to collaborate with the business community on revised regulations.
- James Drova Kamara (JD Kumar) announced his legal name change to James Druva Kumar (JD Kumar) and his evaluation of a candidacy for U.S. Congress. He requested that the council and public refer to him as JD and discussed the process for using a nickname in political filings.
- Ulysses Santa Maria, President of the Rockville Science Center, reported that the center's location at 36C Maryland Avenue had been unexpectedly leased to another tenant, forcing them to vacate. This has led to the suspension of summer camp registrations, affecting hundreds of families. He requested assistance in finding a new space (approximately 5,000 sq ft immediately, with aspirations for 20,000 sq ft) and noted a $1 million fundraising campaign. The mayor directed him to Rockville Economic Development Inc. (REDI) for relocation support.
Discussion Items
- Mid-Year Economic Development Update from REDI: Cindy Rivard, CEO of REDI, presented a report on the impact of federal restructuring on Rockville and the region:
- The DC region lost 52,000+ jobs since November 2024; Maryland lost 25,000 federal jobs; the area covering Frederick, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, and Rockville lost 9,900 jobs.
- Rockville's unemployment rate rose to 4.2% (comparing September 2025 to September 2024).
- Federal policy changes have disrupted SNAP, Head Start, OSHA, and nonprofit grants; research data from some agencies has been suspended.
- Maryland's 3% sales tax on data and IT services has affected technology companies.
- Montgomery County federal contracts decreased 38% in 2025 ($11.3 billion vs. 2024).
- Office vacancy in Rockville is 25% (steady); industrial flex space vacancy is 7.7% (slightly up from 7%).
- REDI launched "Founders Rising," a cohort-based program for displaced federal workers (20 entrepreneurs in the first cohort).
- They also helped create "Mobilize Montgomery" and coordinated with Worksource Montgomery's Federal Workforce Career Center, which saw 175 clients in its first 10 weeks.
- REDI attracted 32 new businesses and conducted 70 business visits in the first half of the fiscal year.
- The Biotech Corridor brand gained traction with international interest; small-scale manufacturing hubs in Rock East and Twinbrook received county funding.
- REDI's budget is 39% spent, on track with last year.
- Councilmembers asked about job replacement goals, retention of federal workers, coordination with other jurisdictions, and ways the city can support economic development (placemaking, zoning, wayfinding). Mayor noted the city is developing an economic development plan and a joint session with Gaithersburg is planned for June 29, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- The consent agenda item (leaf collection truck purchase) was approved unanimously.
- No other formal votes were taken; the meeting adjourned by motion.
- The council acknowledged the ongoing recovery from the Wooton shooting and pledged continued support for affected families.
- REDI will share follow-up data on job placement success from partner programs.
- The annual REDI board retreat is scheduled for April 25, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Today is Monday, February 9, 2026. We are convening meeting number 4-26. We're now convening in an open session to entertain a motion to go into closed session pursuant to 3-305 B7 to the general provision article to the annotated code of Maryland to consult with the Office of the City Attorney to obtain legal advice regarding a draft zoning tax amendment. Councilmember Valeri. Madam Mary, I I move uh what you said. Thank you very much. Do we have a second? Thank you. All those in favor? Aye. Good evening, Rockville. Today is February 9th, 2026, and we're beginning meeting 4-26. Please join me as you're able in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic. One nation under God. Liberty and Justice. Good evening all. I just want to uh say a few quick things. Some of my colleagues are not here because this is an unusual day. There was a shooting at Wooton today. I'm gonna ask the city manager to read a statement about that so we can provide the facts. But as a mother, as a community leader, this is a tough time for our entire city. And uh just want to just my heart goes out to everyone who's still dealing with and unfolding what's happening. Uh I'm gonna turn over to city manager to share a few facts with you all. Mayor Ashton, members of city council, ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Um, unfortunately, at approximately 2 15 p.m. today, the Rockville City Police Department were dispatched to Wooton High School for a reported shooting. The first arriving officers located the victim in a hallway inside the school. The student victim was found with one gunshot wound and transported to an area hospital. Pleased to report to you that that victim is in stable condition. The suspect, also a student, was quickly identified and arrested a short time later near the school. It's also important to know at this time there's no further threat to public safety in and around the school or in the community at large. All our thoughts right now are really for the victim and the family and friends of the victim. I do want to call out the very fast response by the Rockville City Police Department who are very well trained, knew how to handle this incident and handle it in such an outstanding way, including apprehending a suspect immediately. That's all I have to report, Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. I want to thank Rockville City Police, uh, Montgomery County Police, uh, MCPS, as well as Montgomery County's emergency response. I was on site today and had a chance to see them all working very closely to bring resolution to the situation to make sure that first and foremost that uh the building was secured and students were safe and that they were apprehending the suspect. Uh there are parents right now who are still waiting for their children to be rejoined with them. Uh there are there's a pickup of unification location at uh frost, but I just want you to have a compassion and support for our community because this is a hard thing. Unfortunately, division and conflict is escalated more than ever. We're seeing it at the national level and it's playing out locally. We all need to be thinking about mental health, supporting each other through stress, as well as having a national conversation on gun safety. We cannot have another child being shot in one of our schools. Again, I want to thank all emergency personnel who quickly responded and know that all of the parents uh who are still waiting for their children. We are praying that you get to return to your child quickly. Thank you. I do want to acknowledge uh my colleagues.
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