Rockville City Council Meeting - March 2, 2026: Proclamations, Vision Zero Update, JEDI Plan, and Earmark Proposals
Rockville City Council Meeting - March 2, 2026
The Rockville Mayor and Council held a regular meeting on March 2, 2026, featuring multiple proclamations, a Vision Zero update, introduction of a property conveyance ordinance, a presentation on the JEDI Strategic Plan, and approval of two federal earmark proposals.
Proclamations
- Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week (March 8–14, 2026): Councilmember with a personal connection to MS presented the proclamation. Dr. Sadana Jackson Bibbins from NIH accepted, advocating for self-advocacy and communication about symptoms.
- Harriet Tubman Day (March 10, 2026): Proclaimed, highlighting Tubman's roles as a nurse, suffragist, and Civil War veteran. Anita Powell accepted, noting that Montgomery County has a Harriet R. Tubman Elementary School and expressing hope for a future memorial in Rockville.
- Vietnam War Veterans Day (March 29, 2026): Proclaimed to honor those who served. A Vietnam veteran accepted on behalf of all veterans.
- Women's History Month (March 2026): Proclaimed, with a theme of women shaping a sustainable future. Sheena Foster, Chair of the Montgomery County Commission for Women, accepted.
Consent Calendar
- Authorized a contract with SPINA Paving, MT Laney, and Manual Lewis Construction for asphalt maintenance (IFB 8-26) up to $6 million.
- Authorized amendment one to a grant with the Maryland Energy Administration for the street light and outdoor lighting efficiency program.
- Authorized two easements for public improvements and a water meter on Metro Place at Twinbrook.
Public Comments & Testimony
- David Hill, President of Rockville Sister Cities Corporation, read a declaration from sister city Pinneberg, Germany, expressing concern over U.S.-Germany relations but reaffirming the partnership. He requested celebration of the 70th anniversary in 2027.
- JD Kumar, a Rockville resident and Democratic primary candidate for U.S. Congress (MD-6), spoke about his campaign, immigration reforms (proposing a fast-track for non-criminal “established immigrant migrant communities” with 10+ years residency), and declared “Urban Malik Johnson Day” and “Karen Abigail Jabarde Day.”
Discussion Items
Vision Zero Update
Brian Barnett-Woods presented the biannual update. In 2025, Rockville had 2 fatal crashes (both pedestrians on state roads) and 16 serious injury crashes, totaling 868 crashes (average 890/year since 2015). High-injury network remains on state roads. Post-crash inspections are conducted. Recent safety improvements include:
- Traffic calming: raised crossings, curb extensions, and a raised crossing on LeMay Road/Ridgeway Avenue.
- ADA retrofits: 99 curb ramps and 322 driveway aprons (July–Dec 2025); 211 and 625 for all 2025.
- Sidewalks: 2,900 linear feet completed; 6 more in design.
- Bike facilities: 5 fix-it racks installed; shared-use paths at Veirs Drive/Scott Drive and Fleet Street/Monroe Street in design.
- Ongoing projects: Stone Street Corridor design (completion 2027), Rollins Avenue study (by June 2026), Twin Brook Pedestrian Bridge study (RFP closed, 4 proposals, 13-month timeline), SS4A grant study of 30 intersections (kicking off soon). Redland Boulevard demonstration project showed speed reduction but low parking utilization; no permanent change adopted.
Ordinance Introduction: Conveyance of 301 Frederick Avenue Property
Andrew Lutmeyer explained that the city owns a 7,340 sq ft parcel at 301 Frederick Avenue, acquired in 1964 for $10 from the adjacent property owners. The current owner (descendant of the original grantors) requested transfer of the unused 5,867 sq ft portion. City will retain 1,473 sq ft for the bus stop and sidewalk. No public need exists for the remainder. Ordinance introduced; a 20-day public notice period will precede a future adoption vote.
JEDI Strategic Plan
Jean Booth and Dr. Patricia Morgan (Executive Learning Lab) presented the framework for a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion strategic plan. The plan includes:
- Engagement strategy: 12 focus groups (7 internal, 5 external) plus surveys, interviews, and listening sessions.
- Community sectors: housing/economic development, faith-based/community organizations, education/youth/seniors, residents with barriers, business/civic.
- Focus areas: awareness of JEDI, effectiveness of existing practices, leadership capacity, and personal experiences. Councilmembers unanimously supported all three proposals. Additional feedback included emphasizing geographic equity, language access, involving boards/commissions, and ensuring outreach to marginalized communities. Next steps: launch internal staff survey by March 16, conduct focus groups, return May 11 with preliminary findings, and present final plan for adoption in June.
Old/New Business: Federal Earmark Proposals
City Manager presented two proposed federal earmark projects: Disadvantaged Community Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation ($443,000) and Stone Street Corridor Improvements ($3.5 million). Discussion on shovel-ready status. Councilmember Valeri expressed frustration over delays on the Twin Brook Pedestrian Bridge and Redgate Park projects. City Manager clarified that Stone Street is far enough in design to be considered shovel-ready and that project timelines would be extended slightly if funded, but the savings from using federal money outweigh the delay.
Key Outcomes
- All four proclamations approved unanimously.
- Consent agenda approved.
- Property ordinance introduced; adoption scheduled after 20-day public notice.
- JEDI strategic plan framework endorsed; staff to proceed with engagement.
- Motion approved 5-0 to submit two federal earmark proposals (wastewater rehabilitation and Stone Street corridor) to Congress.
- Council directed staff to forward Human Rights Commission letter about mental health at Wootton High School to Montgomery County Public Schools.
Meeting Transcript
Rockville, today is March 2nd, 2026. We're being beginning meeting 6-26. Please join me as you're able in the 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 with liberty and justice for all. We have some very special proclamations and celebrations for this month. I'm going to ask my colleagues to join me at the podium. Good evening, everybody. I never get that response. That was awesome. I am very honored and privileged to be giving the proclamation on multiple sclerosis awareness week. I am actually extremely honored for a variety of reasons, but first and foremost, my father had chronic progressive multiple sclerosis and died right before COVID. And so my family and I all throughout the 80s, we did all that we could to support MS research and awareness. And I think that I will urge anybody who is currently going through the challenges of having multiple sclerosis. Take care of yourself, engage in self-care. If you're the primary caregiver, please do what you can to get respite care because your health is needed to help your your family and your loved one. Multiple sclerosis does not have a cure as of yet. And scientists don't know the exact cause of multiple sclerosis, at least not yet. It affects women more than men, and uh actually affects black women more than white women at up to 47% of a higher rate. And in addition to taking care of yourself, I will also state that if you or a loved one have a family history of multiple sclerosis, while there is not a direct inherited uh genetic risk, please get an MRI, talk to your primary care provider and ask them to order you an MRI. I know I did recently within the last year. Um, and it's it's it's a good thing, and they'll understand why you're asking for that. So that's just my two cents. All right. Whereas multiple sclerosis, MS is a neurological disease of the central nervous system, affecting nearly one million people in the United States alone. And whereas the city of Rockville recognizes the importance of finding the cause and a cure for MS and expresses its appreciation for the dedication that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the NIH have shown toward creating a world free of MS. Now, therefore, the mayor and council do hereby proclaim and recognize March 8th through 14th, 2026 as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. And we encourage all Rockville residents to learn more about MS and what they can do to support individuals with the disease and their families. Madam Mayor, I move the proclamation. I we have a joining us, Dr. Sadana Jackson Bibbins. And Dr. Jackson Vibbins is with the uh with NIH, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the surgical neurology branch, and hopefully she will tell me that it was okay to say the part about MRI. So I want to say a few words. Sure. Thank you so very much for allowing me to accept this proclamation in honor of multiple sclerosis week. So as a physician and as someone who takes care of patients with various neurologic disorders, yes. The big thing is advocacy. So one of the main things that will happen at the initial diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is just overall weakness. And so these patients will present um to their doctor or to their family member with just weakness. And so, yes, I agree with you in terms of advocating for yourself as well as for others that you should go to the doctor, but also just be communicative about what's going on with your body. You know what's going on with the baseline, but then also what different things are happening. So that's just one of the main presenting symptoms. So just great to just be able to be here and accept this proclamation on behalf of the patients who currently have MS and us as clinicians and as researchers working towards improvements in the care for these patients. So thank you. Thank you. And nope, you guys stay up here for a picture. I also want to give a shout out that you are at NIH. And I have to say, as anybody at NIH right now, thank you for sticking in there and advocating for science and everything that you do. So thank you.
openpublica.com