Public Meetings - Rockville, Maryland

The Rockville Mayor and Council met on September 2, 2026, to discuss consent agenda items, updates on the King Farm Farmstead plan and Community Development Block Grant, a work session on Chapter 18 (landlord-tenant issues), and a detailed six-month planning calendar for future meetings. Key commitments were made regarding early release of agenda materials for the January 5, 2027 meeting. Consent Calendar - Extension of a grant agreement. - Agreement for Cisco systems IT hardware, software, and upgrades. - Contract for athletic court maintenance. - Grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration for Safe Streets and Roads for All project. - Approval of meeting minutes. Discussion Items - King Farm Farmstead Adoption: Mayor Ashton noted very few public comments had been received so far. The item was scheduled for adoption. - Community Development Block Grant: A brief presentation was planned to explain the grant program and funded projects. - Chapter 18 Update (Landlord-Tenant Issues): Mayor Ashton expressed appreciation for the work session materials, particularly regarding algorithm issues, transparency, fees, and education. However, she noted that a previously supported measure—requiring landlords to share not just rental history of the tenant but also prior rental history with the tenant before lease signing—was not addressed in the current update. She asked the staff to prepare a response for the next work session. Staff confirmed they would be ready. - Six-Month Planning Calendar: The council reviewed upcoming agenda items through early 2027, including: - December 15, 2026: TOD designation for Rockville Metro Station, pasture rail program application, Green Building Code regulations, and fire code. - January 5, 2027: Rules of procedure and work session on budget priorities. - January 12, 2027: Tree preservation code. - February 2, 2027: Adoption of green building regulations. - February 9, 2027: Mid-year report. - A second work session on Chapter 18 as needed. - Mayor Ashton raised concerns about the timing of the January 5th agenda materials falling during the Christmas holiday and requested either swapping the agenda topics with January 12th or firm commitment to release materials by December 18, 2026. Councilmembers Jackson and Van Grack supported this approach. Staff agreed to release materials by December 18th, with a fallback to swap topics if not possible. - Mayor Ashton also flagged several pending items not appearing on the six-month calendar: human needs assessment next steps, election code summary and earlier discussions, streets/roads/right-of-way update, Talbot Street Park, child care, and template for EV charging for those without driveways. She had emailed the staff with full details. Key Outcomes - Staff committed to releasing agenda materials for the January 5, 2027 meeting by December 18, 2026; if unable, the agenda topics will be swapped with January 12th. - Staff will prepare a response for the next Chapter 18 work session regarding the requirement to share prior rental history with tenants. - The council will continue to track the outstanding items raised by the Mayor for inclusion in future calendars.

The meeting focused on planning the upcoming council meeting schedules for May through August, including work sessions on the election code update and zoning ordinance rewrite (ZOR). The council also discussed the handling of a large number of proclamations for May. Discussion Items - Election Code Work Session Scheduling: Councilmember Ashton raised concerns about the May 11 date being too soon after the Board of Supervisors of Elections (BSC) meeting on May 7, as the BSC would review Articles 7 and 8 and provide feedback. She proposed moving the work session to May 18 to allow time for incorporation of BSC feedback. The city attorney noted that if BSC provides comments by May 8-9, they might still meet the May 11 date. After debate, staff agreed to consider moving the session to May 18 to avoid a rushed timeline. The June 1 meeting was designated for a comprehensive review of the full code with public hearing. - Zoning Ordinance Rewrite (ZOR) Schedule: Councilmembers expressed concern about the July 6 work session falling right after the July 4 holiday. The mayor and several members recommended moving it to June 29. Staff agreed to consult with the planning team and adjust if feasible. - Community Grants Work Session: Councilmember Ashton requested adding a work session for community grants to the calendar. Staff noted it would be addressed in July or August. - Proclamations Handling: With 16 proclamations scheduled for May, the council discussed efficiency. It was decided that the 5 proclamations without recipients would be read in a shortened format (one line summary). For the remaining 11, recipients would be allowed brief remarks (15-20 seconds). Councilmembers urged brevity in their own remarks to stay within an hour. Key Outcomes - Election Code Work Session: Tentatively moved to May 18 (subject to staff confirmation). June 1 work session confirmed for full code review and public hearing, with potential adoption on June 29. - ZOR Work Session: Moved from July 6 to June 29, pending staff feasibility. - Proclamations Format: Adopted the approach of short readings for unclaimed proclamations and brief recipient remarks for others. - Agenda Calendar: Adjusted to include the election code work session on May 18, ZOR on June 29, and community grants work session to be determined. - Future Meetings: The council agreed to a virtual meeting in August to accommodate member absences.

The Rockville City Council met on September 2, 2026, to review the consent agenda and the six-month meeting calendar. Discussion focused on the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) tree donation and balancing the workload of upcoming meetings. Consent Calendar The consent agenda included a jar/tree from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for Glenbue Mansion, the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) emergency vehicle grant agreement, the water main rehabilitation program, and the approval of minutes. - DAR Tree: Councilmember Valeri expressed serious concerns, citing the DAR's historical denial of Marian Anderson. Valeri requested the council deeply consider the organizations it partners with. - Mayor Ashton framed the donation as a potential opportunity for healing, suggesting a plaque or playing of Marian Anderson's music at the planting. The Mayor noted this would be the first such DAR tree in Montgomery County. - City Manager Jeff stated the team was unprepared for the specific historical context but would research the matter to support the council's decision. - Rockville VFD Items: Councilmember Valeri clarified the VFD item was the formal grant agreement for the budgeted vehicle. No other objections were raised to the consent items. Discussion Items - Next Meeting Preview: The council reviewed the following meeting's agenda, including proclamations, the Board of Appeals annual report, agreements for the Lyric Opera Company and teen swim team, David Skull Park Improvements, a police department MOU, and a JEDI Strategic Plan work session. - Six-Month Calendar (June–July 2026): A work session on the election code was added per staff recommendations. The council debated the balance of the June 8 agenda. Mayor Ashton requested shifting items to June 1 to avoid exceeding the standard 200-minute meeting limit and other obligations. City Manager Jeff noted moving items earlier was difficult but moving them later was possible. Councilmember Valeri stressed the importance of reserving time for community forum on nights with high-interest items. - Zoning and Election Code: The zoning code adoption was targeted for June 29. The election code adoption was acknowledged as not ready for that date. Councilmember Van Grek thanked staff for their flexibility in scheduling these complex items. July 27 was set for a cultural arts work session and JEDI Strategic Plan approval. Key Outcomes - The DAR tree item was flagged for further discussion before any final consent vote; staff were directed to provide research on the organization's history and potential partnership models. - The six-month calendar was generally approved, with a directive to staff to attempt better balance of the June 8 agenda. - No final votes on consent items or the calendar were recorded in this discussion segment; the council moved to recess.

This meeting was primarily a planning and preview session for the Mayor and Council, covering the current evening's agenda items as well as a detailed look ahead at upcoming meetings and work sessions through March 2027. The meeting began at 5:30 PM and was expected to conclude around 8:30 PM. Proclamations at 5:30 PM - Three proclamations were scheduled: one for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, one for the 250th anniversary, and one recognizing the National Gold Medal awarded to the Rockville Recreation and Parks Division. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda included items for: electrical maintenance testing and repair services; material fencing services (noted as rarely used); and approval of meeting minutes. - Future consent agenda items mentioned for the January 12, 2027 meeting include fleet services, acceptance of the ACFR and PAFER audit reports (for acceptance only, not approval), and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Montgomery County Board of Elections for a ballot drop box at City Hall. Discussion Items - Rules of Procedure: The long-awaited rules of procedure were presented in a short document. Councilmembers were encouraged to send questions in advance; responses to questions received over the prior week were provided. - Budget Priorities Discussion: City staff provided a brief overview of budget considerations to date, including a review of key initiatives discussed in the fall and input received from residents through an online portal. Councilmembers were asked to indicate any additional priorities for staff to consider as the recommended budget is built. - Election Code Revision: A councilmember inquired about the status of the election ordinance rewrite. Staff confirmed that the plan remains to bring the revised election code to the Mayor and Council for review and approval in late spring (May or June 2027). Upcoming Meeting Schedule Preview The council reviewed a six-month outlook of future meetings, including: - January 12, 2027: Board and commission appointments/reappointments, fleet services, audit acceptance, election drop box MOU, and forest and tree preservation ordinance adoption (pending state feedback). - January 26, 2027: The meeting is proposed to be canceled in favor of District 17 Night in Annapolis, with a chartered bus for councilmembers. Details were being coordinated with Senator Kagan’s office. - February 2, 2027: Green building regulations work session, part of the climate action plan. - February 9, 2027: Ready at Mid-Year Report. - February 23, 2027: Landlord-Tenant Relations work session. - March 2, 2027: JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) strategic plan update with the consultant. - Mid-March 2027: Budget discussions begin. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken during this meeting. Councilmembers received information on upcoming items and provided some feedback. The rules of procedure and budget priorities will continue to be refined before formal action. The election code revision is scheduled for late spring 2027. Staff will follow up on details for the District 17 Night bus logistics.

The Rockville City Council held a work session on September 2, 2026, to address routine consent agenda items, discuss the upcoming budget process, review the six-month calendar, and receive updates on state legislative activities. Key decisions included support for a resolution on municipal revenue sources, agreement to increase housing funds, and positions on several state bills. Consent Calendar - Approved the Instrumental Nonprofit Grant Seeking Resource, which allows city grant seekers to access a nationwide database for additional support. The item was praised by the Mayor for its potential benefit. - Approved a Resolution to Support the Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Sources, aimed at enhancing revenue pre-budget. - Approved the minutes of the previous meeting. Discussion Items - Budget Work Session: The Council introduced the budget with a focus on revenues and strategic initiatives. A public hearing was noted, and Councilmember Van Grack cautioned that a second hearing on the 23rd would likely have higher attendance due to the short timeframe. The Mayor recommended adding extra funds for housing, citing a projected 20 million dollar reduction in state Department of Housing and Community Development funding (from 85 million to 65 million). This would also support extensions for Scarborough Square and other projects. - Six-Month Calendar: The Council reviewed the calendar for upcoming meetings, including budget work sessions, zoning ordinance rewrite, and landlord-tenant code updates. Councilmember Ashton requested an update on the election code hearing schedule by the 23rd and a presentation on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) from the county, tentatively eyed for June 11th. The Mayor also emphasized the need to accelerate updates to cooling requirements in the building code, separate from the landlord-tenant code. - Legislative Updates (LRT): Staff reported on state bills: - HB 1142 (Task Force on Modernizing County and Municipal Revenue Structures): The Council supported a resolution and anticipated positive reception from the delegation. - SB 12 (Residential Rental Apartments Air Conditioning Requirement): The Council agreed to send a letter of support to the Senate committee. The Mayor noted the bill had passed the House and expressed support. - SB 31 (School Construction and Housing - Adequate Public Facilities): After discussion, the Council decided to take a monitor position, with interest in supporting an amendment by Senator Kagan to include municipal data. - HB 601 (Stop Sign Monitoring System): Now moving to the Senate committee. - Tree of Heaven Regulation: Passed the full House. - HB 691 (Permitting Efficiency for Housing Development): Received a favorable committee report. - HB 168 (Affordable Housing): No further activity. - Algorithmic Devices: The Council continues to monitor and may incorporate into local landlord-tenant code. - SB 389 (Transit Oriented Development): Expected to be in a clear position by Friday. - HB 548 (Land Use Permitting): Undergoing amendments. - WSSC Water Funding: The Mayor flagged the need for a letter to Congress supporting the DC Water Fund, which the City Manager confirmed would be drafted and sent for approval without objection. Key Outcomes - The Council approved the consent agenda as presented. - The Council agreed to put extra money into housing in the upcoming budget to compensate for state reductions and support ongoing projects. - The Council directed staff to send a letter of support for SB 12 (air conditioning requirement) to the Senate committee. - The Council took a monitor position on SB 31 (school construction and housing), with interest in the proposed amendment. - The Council approved sending a letter to Congress regarding WSSC water funding without formal objection. - Staff will provide a detailed answer on the source of the 20 million state housing budget reduction at the next LRT update. - The Council noted the need for meetings with the county council and board of education on CIP issues; staff reported that school board reception has been "cool" so far but efforts continue.

The meeting included a review of the upcoming six-month work plan and a legislative review team session where council members discussed multiple state and county bills, expressed support positions, and planned testimony. Key topics included immigration enforcement prohibitions, face covering regulations, data privacy, school security, algorithmic price fixing, and bicycle safety. Discussion Items - Six-Month Work Plan: Staff presented a draft schedule of work sessions and hearings from March 23 to May 18, 2026. Key dates included: - March 23: Planning and zoning commission feedback on zoning ordinance rewrite. - April 13: Budget work session and 301 Frederick Avenue property conveyance. - April 20 and 27: Continued zoning ordinance rewrite. - May 18: Climate action plan, EV readiness plan, annexation outreach summary, landlord-tenant code update, and Shady Grove strategy. - Legislative Review Team: - HB 444 / SB 245: Emergency bill prohibiting local governments from entering immigration enforcement agreements. Already signed into law. Council expressed support. - SB 1 / HB 1341: Prohibits face coverings; amended and passed in the House. Council agreed to continue monitoring. - SB 504 / HB 71: Modifies online data privacy act and public information act regarding personal records. Council considered it reasonable to support and continue monitoring. - SB 810 / HB 1341: Prohibits public school security personnel from engaging in federal immigration enforcement. Council voted to support without providing testimony. (Thumbs up from council members.) - Montgomery County Bill 826 (Anti-Algorithmic Price Fixing Act): Council expressed support for the county bill. Mayor Ashton and council members Jackson and Shaw indicated interest in testifying. Staff will monitor state-level action before advancing a local ordinance. Council directed staff to keep the issue on the agenda. - HB 1567: Requires operators of bicycles, motor scooters, and electric mobility devices to exercise care and maintain a three-foot distance from pedestrians. Council supported the bill but raised concerns about infrastructure limitations (narrow paths on routes like MD 355 or MD 28). Staff will send the bill language to council, gather input from public works and police, and consider suggesting amendments. Key Outcomes - Council approved support for SB 810 (school security/immigration) without testimony. - Council approved support for the Montgomery County anti-algorithmic pricing bill; staff will draft recommended testimony for Mayor Ashton, Councilmember Jackson, and Councilmember Shaw. - Council directed staff to send HB 1567 language to all members and to public works and police for comment before finalizing written support. - Staff will continue tracking state bills and report back.

The City Council held a work session and legislative review on September 2, 2026. The meeting covered the zoning ordinance rewrite (ZOR) process, a six-month agenda preview, and a legislative review team update. The council provided preliminary direction on ZOR and supported several state bills. Consent Calendar - No specific consent calendar items were discussed; the city manager noted that routine approvals would be handled later. Public Comments & Testimony - No public testimony was presented during this meeting. Discussion Items - Zoning Ordinance Rewrite (ZOR) Work Session: The council discussed the iterative process for the ZOR. Staff requested preliminary thumbs-up/thumbs-down direction to draft code language, with a public hearing scheduled for the next meeting. Councilmembers expressed concerns about the timing of public input relative to direction. Staff clarified that a draft would be posted 7-10 days before the public hearing, allowing time for review. The final binding vote is planned for June 1. - Six-Month Agenda Preview: Staff presented a detailed six-month calendar including public hearings, work sessions, and adoptions for April through June 2026. Key items include the ZOR, comprehensive plan amendment, budget adoption, election code update, and landlord-tenant code adoption. The council added student recognitions and requested data on cost-burdened renters for housing policy evaluation. - Legislative Review Team Update: The council reviewed state legislative activity at crossover. They discussed Rockville-specific budget items (e.g., maintaining funding for the Rental Housing Works program and pedestrian bridge projects). The council voted to support multiple bills via written statements: HB 437/SB 59 (highway capacity impact assessments), HB 597 (community choice aggregation pilot), HB 345/SB 341 (solar energy systems), and HB 1086 (crosswalk monitoring system, pending police review). Additional tracking was requested for teacher housing, permitting, menopause, and immigration bills. - County Transfer Station Concerns: Councilmember Jackson raised issues regarding Montgomery County Executive's budget proposal affecting the transfer station near the Mattie Sepanic Park area, noting existing odor problems. The council agreed to draft a letter expressing concerns and questions to the county. Key Outcomes - The council provided preliminary direction on ZOR, with staff to release a draft code before the public hearing. - The council directed staff to support four state bills with written statements and to track additional legislation. - The council authorized drafting a letter to Montgomery County regarding the transfer station impact.

The Rockville City Council met on September 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM UTC to discuss the filing of the major zoning ordinance rewrite (ZOR) and associated map amendment, approve the consent calendar, and preview upcoming meeting agendas. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to Councilmember concerns about the timeline, clarity of the draft document, and the need for additional work sessions before the public engagement phase. Consent Calendar The consent calendar was approved, including: - Two proclamations - Writer agreement for environmental quality resources - Award for chemicals at the water treatment plant - Authorization for amendment to the MCOG enhanced mobility grant (extending the period of performance) - Award for vegetation management services - Approval of minutes Councilmember Valeri questioned the extension on the MCOG grant, flagging concerns about grant delays and potential punitive aspects. Staff noted they would follow up with more details. Discussion Items Zoning Ordinance Rewrite (ZOR) and Map Amendment Filing Staff (Jeff) introduced the items as a "filing" to signal to the community that this is a draft subject to extensive further review, with a target adoption date of June 1, 2026. The filing is intended to kick off a six-month process involving Planning Commission review, community engagement, and multiple work sessions before final adoption. Councilmember deliberations included: - Mayor Ashton expressed support for filing but requested flexibility to bring the item back if major edits arise, noting that a majority discussion on Rockville Pike (MD 355) was not reflected in the draft. - Councilmember Valerian voiced strong frustration about the timeline, stating that the draft document was received only a few days before the meeting and over a holiday weekend. She argued that it was unclear what the Council had agreed to in prior work sessions and that staff additions were not clearly flagged. She requested a consolidated list of agreed-upon items and Planning Commission feedback before filing. - Councilmember Van Grack acknowledged the document's size but thanked staff for providing it as soon as possible. He supported using the evening as a work session to discuss edits and agreed that additional work sessions might be needed before formal filing. - Councilmember Shaw agreed that another work session may be necessary and noted that some elements in the draft did not align with her understanding of prior agreements. - Councilmember Fulton supported filing tonight, viewing it as part of an iterative process with ample time for changes. - Councilmember Valeri emphasized that the public may not understand the iterative nature and called for clearer communication in agenda items. She expressed frustration about the lack of a summary of Council decisions and the absence of Planning Commission feedback from a March meeting. City Attorney Robert clarified that the Council could vote to authorize filing the ZTA with specific changes agreed upon tonight, and staff would incorporate those changes before transmitting the document to the Planning Commission. Future Meeting Preview Staff previewed upcoming agendas for December 8 and December 15, 2026: - December 8: Consent items (DNR grant extension, Cisco systems agreement, athletic court maintenance contract, minutes); Action items: King Farm Farmstead Master Plan adoption, Community Development Block Grant (with note that RHE withdrew its request for this round); Work session on Chapter 18 (rental facilities/landlord-tenant relations). - December 15: Adoption of Green Building Regulations, Fire Code Regulations, Inner Rail Passenger Grant, and Maryland Transit TOD Designation for Rockville Station. Councilmember Valerian inquired about the status of the Street Tree Master Plan, noting that it had not been updated in about a decade. Staff indicated it was not currently on the agenda and would follow up. Key Outcomes - The consent calendar was approved. - Councilmembers generally agreed to proceed with filing the ZOR and map amendment, with the understanding that extensive further work sessions and public engagement would occur. Some members requested an additional work session before formal filing to ensure edits are incorporated. - Staff committed to providing clearer communication about the iterative process to the public and to compiling a summary of Council decisions from prior work sessions. - The City Attorney offered the option to vote on filing with specific agreed changes, which may be utilized. - Future meeting dates were noted: December 8 and December 15, 2026.

The meeting covered board and commission appointments, consent agenda items, action items including the TOD designation for Rockville Metro station, FRA grant, and updates to green building and fire codes. Future agenda items and budget priorities were also discussed. Consent Calendar - Approval of a grant agreement for Avery Road below-grade resources. - Approval of the Croydon Creek, Calvin Park Tributary Stream Restoration Project. - Approval of the meeting minutes. Discussion Items - Board and Commission Appointments: Appointments and reappointments were discussed and moved forward. - TOD Designation for Rockville Metro Station: Action item to designate the station area for transit-oriented development, expected to facilitate redevelopment. - FRA Grant: A grant in partnership with multiple entities was presented; the Mayor expressed excitement about it. - Green Building Code Regulations: Discussed as a key part of the climate action plan; adoption deferred to allow additional community outreach, scheduled for February 2, 2027. - Fire Code Updates: Important updates to the fire code were presented. - Future Agenda Planning (January 5, 2027): Items include a proclamation for MLK Day, rules of procedure action item, and a work session on budget priorities. - Budget Impact from Federal Job Losses: Mayor Ashton raised concerns about potential lower income and property values due to federal job cuts; staff will monitor forecasts. - Six-Month Lookahead: Items include tree preservation ordinance (Jan 12), trip to Annapolis (Jan 26), green building regulation adoption (Feb 2), workforce mid-year report (Feb 9), chapter 18 work session (Feb 23), and Jedi strategic plan update (Mar 2). Key Outcomes - Consent calendar items were approved without objection. - The TOD designation and FRA grant were advanced. - Green building code adoption was postponed to February 2, 2027 for further outreach. - Future meeting agendas were set, including January 5 and ongoing items through March 2027. - The finance team will assess budget impacts from potential federal workforce reductions.