Rockville Reviews Twinbrook Quarter MPDU Rental Program Agreement—Today
Today at 10:00 am, the Mayor and Council reviewed a Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit (MPDU) Rental Program Agreement for Phase 1 of the Twinbrook Quarter development as a simple Consent item as a virtual-only meeting. These agreements are one of Rockville’s major ways to provide affordable housing within the city (the other is Rockville Housing Enterprises).
But why the rush? Today’s morning meeting was conducted outside of the regular Mayor and Council bi-monthly evening schedule and posted with less than 24 hours’ notice. Maryland’s Open Meetings Act requires “reasonable advance notice” of its meetings and that agendas are available in advance except in cases of emergency, but what’s “reasonable” or “in advance” is not defined. Two days? Two hours? Perhaps that’s something that the Mayor and Council should define for itself in the spirit of transparency.
Twinbrook Quarter is Saul Centers’ transit-oriented, mixed-use 18-acre development located along Rockville Pike and adjacent to the Twinbrook Metrorail Station. The project will include a mix of uses, with a focus on residential development and retail, complemented by two trophy office buildings to create a complete live/work/play environment. Phase I is underway with 450 residential units, a Wegman’s grocery store, shops and office spaces, and an extension of Chapman Avenue and is planned for completion this fall. Nearly 150,000 people live within three miles of this supersized development.
Twinbrook Quarters joins Saul Centers’ portfolio of huge ambitious projects such as Park Van Ness and Waycroft, but it holds many more modest commercial properties, such as a CVS and PartyCity at 1500-1582 Rockville Pike and two bank sites fronting Montrose Crossing Shopping Center at 12095 Rockville Pike.
The 50-page agenda (missing pages 3-4) is available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05242024-7206
Rockshire Development and Town Square Management Set for Council Review
At its Monday, May 20, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss approval of the historical designation for 4 Courthouse Square (1930 Farmer’s Banking and Trust building, the last remaining Art Deco architecture in Rockville)(page 30). On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are purchase of a utility truck for $283,582; a cooperative agreement with the Chesapeake Bay Trust; bus transportation for recreation programs for $150,000, among others. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on the development of 2401 Wootton Parkway in Rockshire by EYA Development LLC (272); amending building regulations in Chapter 5 of the City Code to align with international codes (571); the agreement with Morguard to manage Town Square (882); and a multiyear agreement with Rockville Economic Development Inc. (884).
Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) is requesting a multi-year agreement through June 30, 2028. Primarily supported by the City of Rockville, REDI promotes economic development and supports local businesses. In 2025, its proposed budget of $1.4 million includes $983,960 from the City of Rockville. The organization has ten staff members, with Cindy Stewart Rivarde as CEO and is currently chaired by Susan Prince, with Mayor Monique Ashton and Acting City Manager Craig Simoneau serving on the board.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 905-page agenda packet (more than 90 Mb!) are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05202024-7194.
Mayor and Council to Consider Major Funding Boost for Climate and Pedestrian Plans
At its Monday, March 4, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss fees, taxes, and federal earmarks for FY2025. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are a water meter easement for 1151 Fortune Terrace. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on the proposed budget for FY2025.
For FY2025, the City Council will be considering increasing staffing levels by 12 fulltime positions, half of which will be police officers in response to the decrease in support from Montgomery County. Other positions range from transportation engineer and building plan examiner to preschool teacher and board and commissions coordinator. They are also funding efforts to advance the Climate Action Plan ($3.7 M), Vision Zero Action Plan & Pedestrian Master Plan ($10.7 M), Town Center Master Plan, and economic development (primarily $1.4 million for REDI and its efforts to make Rockville a business destination for the life sciences) (page 7+). Capital improvements are expected for parks, including replacement of playground structures, renovating an outdoor pool, implementing the master plan for Red Gate Park, and improvements for the Lincoln Park Community Center, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, and David Scull Park (some of which will require taking out a loan for $30 M). There seems to be nothing related to housing or other commercial districts (i.e., Rockville Pike). The City Council will be accepting comments at their meetings on March 18 and April 8, or you can make suggestions online at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/951/Budget.
While property tax rates should remain unchanged, utility rates for FY2025 may go up:
- Water and Sewer: 4% or $52.56 annual increase
- Refuse/trash: 6% or $32 annual increase
- Stormwater Management: 4% or $6 increase
Senator Cardin, Senator Van Hollen, and Congressman Raskin have invited Rockville to submit requests for projects for which the City wishes to partner with the Federal government and seek funding support. Congress revived earmarks in FY22 after a decade-long prohibition (pork barrel politics has returned!) (page 57+). Some suggested projects from staff include:
- Inspecting more than 8,000 water lines for lead to ensure safe drinking water.
- Replacing “orangeburg” sewer lines to prevent backups, overflows, and ground contamination.
- Rehabilitate aging water mains and asbestos cement pipes in southeast Rockville (Twinbrook).
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 133-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03042024-7129.
Mayor and Council to Discuss 68% Increase in Car Thefts
At its Monday, February 26, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss 2024 state legislation and community engagement plans. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are a transportation grant agreement and purchasing of three different types of trucks, among others. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on police statistics and recognize the Richard Montgomery High School Girls Varsity Volleyball Team on winning the state 4A Championship.
For the first time, the Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) shared its annual statistics on crime and their report states that “thefts of automobiles and thefts from automobiles remain one of the highest reported criminal offenses in the region and across the nation. The RCPD noted an increase in theft of automobiles by 69 from 2022 to 2023, an increase of 68%. Thefts from automobiles were up by 19 from 2022 to 2023, an increase of 2%. The most noteworthy change in crime reporting was Carjackings. Carjackings have been on the rise, locally, regionally, and nationally.” Furthermore, “Montgomery County Department of Police re-deployed personnel assigned to the Rockville District to other areas of Montgomery County. This has left parts of the city that once had dual police coverage between the RCPD and the Montgomery County Department of Police to be policed solely by the RCPD.” That resulted in a significant increase in calls for help to RCPD and a significant reduction in response time (“on average, for every additional 1,000 calls dispatched to police per month, officers arrive nine minutes slower”). More on pages 12-20.
The City Council will discuss legislation being introduced at the state level and which they will support or oppose. Under discussion are SB484: Housing Expansion and Affordability; SB537: Restrictions on Cannabis Licensee Locations; SB 783/HB 1435: Renewable Energy (Net Energy Metering Aggregation, Solar Renewable Energy Credits, and Taxes on Solar Energy Generating); HB 601/SB 442: Prohibiting Street Racing and Exhibition Driving; and HB 1306 Taxing Food and Beverages. These bills are complex and continually revised, so if you have an interest, read the staff report for a summary and recommendations (pages 190-200) or contact Senator Kagan or Delegates Palakovich-Carr, Vogel, and Spiegel.
Potential topics for the March 4, 2024 meeting is a presentation on the FY2025 budget and approval of taxes and fees.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 205-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02262024-7117.
Mayor and Council Gets Update on Proposed 36-Unit Condo in Twinbrook
At its Monday, February 12, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will receive updates on a proposed 36-unit condominium at 5906 Halpine Road (Twinbrook) and new laws under consideration by the state (particularly Gov. Moore’s proposed Housing Expansion and Affordability Act). On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are construction of a storage structure ($500,000) and executing an amendment to Rockville Intermodal Access Project for Baltimore Road, among others. The Mayor and Council will also receive an annual report from the Board of Appeals.
On the Consent Agenda, the City Council will be appointing Deputy Director of Community Planning
and Development Services Jenny Snapp as the City of Rockville Representative to the Town
Square Condominium Board, replacing Deputy Director of Public Works James Woods. The staff report provides some insight into the complex ownership and management of Town Square, explaining that it “consists of five blocks, each of which has a condominium association represented by the respective owners of each block. These owners must delegate a representative to the Rockville Town Square Master Condominium Board. The City owns portions of Block 1/2, Block 3A, Block 4 and Block 5. The City’s ownership of Block 1/2, Block 4 and Block 5 is limited to the Parking Garages. The City’s Block 3A ownership includes the Arts and Innovation Center where VisArts is located. Each block’s condominium association has an agreement delegating the management of common areas to Morguard. Several other agreements were established to delegate the management of the Plaza, the private sidewalks, and the Parking Garages to Morguard.” (page 101+)
The City Council will receive a briefing on a request from Pulte Home Company to rezone a property at 5906 Halpine Road (Twinbrook) from R-60 (single unit detached residence) to RF-FZ (residential flexible-floating zone) to permit construction of 36 two-over-two stacked condominiums (page 104+). The “two-over-two stacked” dwelling type consists of 2 two-story townhouses which are stacked one on top of the other to create a four-story building. For comparison, the adjacent Cambridge Walk has 17 townhouses. At a community meeting on May 16, 2023, attendees voiced concerns about protecting of the existing adjacent forest conservation area as well as adequate visitor parking on site. Pulte will brief the Council about the proposal, including a project overview and review schedule and at a future meeting, the Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing and consider rezoning the property, approving the Project Plan, and authorizing waivers to the required side yard setback and layback slope for the project.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 250-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02122024-7107.
Random Rockville Reports: January 28, 2024
Playing Musical Chairs and Three-Card Monte in Rockville City Hall
The Takoma Park City Council hired Robert DiSpirito as their new City Manager effective January 22, 2024. DiSpirito was City Manager of Rockville for seven years and by coincidence, his predecessor was Barbara Mathews, who was previously the City Manager of Takoma Park. They were also both hired and fired by the Rockville Mayor and Council, which both times included Mayor Bridget Newton and Councilmember Beryl Feinberg.
DiSpirito’s departure continues to be an embarrassment of poor management by the Mayor and Council. When he resigned at the conclusion of a Closed Session (aka “secret meeting”) of the Mayor and Council on August 17, he also received a $307,093 severance package (typically resignations don’t include severance). But figuring out what was going on was kept secret illegally for several months. According to Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, the Mayor and Council must provide minutes of a closed session at its next open session (3-306), which would have been September 11 but they failed to share the minutes. It wasn’t until October 23, 2023 (three regular meetings later) that the Mayor and Council approved the August 17 minutes (Agenda, page 218), keeping the public uninformed for more than two months. Furthermore, they played a trick in the meeting minutes. The Mayor and Council approved the official minutes of the September 11 meeting as if they included the Closed Session minutes of August 17 (watch the video of September 11 meeting and you’ll see the August 17 meeting was not discussed)–but it actually didn’t happen until October 23. Hmm, looks like the Mayor and Council is playing three-card monte with the public. Clearly, the Mayor and Council violated the Open Meetings Act but also acted unethically in the preparation of their official records.
More Pedestrians Struck in Rockville Than Reported
The recent death of a 70-year old pedestrian struck by two vehicles at Atlantic Avenue and Viers Mill Road prompted me to see if this a growing problem in Rockville. Data collected by Montgomery County suggests that many more pedestrians were injured or killed in Rockville in 2023 than the eight reported at the most recent Mayor and Council meeting. Not sure the cause of the discrepancy, but county data shows the greatest numbers of incidents occur in and near King Farm, downtown Rockville, and Twinbrook. Although these high incident areas all share major highways (MD Route 355 and 586), pedestrian injuries and deaths also occurred on smaller streets in these neighborhoods, which conflicts with the City’s conclusions. Both the City of Rockville and Montgomery County have adopted Vision Zero, but they don’t seem to be working from the same data. Should pedestrian safety be a higher priority for Rockville’s Transportation and Mobility Commission?
Mayor and Council to Tackle Controversial Rockshire Development
At its Monday, December 18, 2023 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will recognize Mark Pierzchala’s sixteen years of service on the Council and discuss a resolution addressing anti-Arabism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia in Rockville. On the Consent Calendar (items approved without discussion) are vehicle leasing contracts valued at $4.5 million (about 12% of the City’s vehicles are electrified) and approval of the minutes of October 23 and October 30. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on the revised development plans for Rockshire Village.
EYA Development has requested a revision to the Project Plan for Rockshire Village Center to construct a total of 60 dwelling units, including 31 single unit detached dwellings and 29 townhouses (fifteen
percent of the units or nine townhouses, are proposed to be moderately priced); up to 5,200 square feet of commercial and office use (application initially proposed up to 5,500 square feet); and a neighborhood park at 2401 Wootton Parkway (a vacant 1970s shopping center at Wootton and Hurley, near Wootton High School in the Rockshire and Fallsmead neighborhoods). EYA is also seeking a parking waiver in case the commercial/office building is leased entirely for full-service restaurant use as well as a road code waiver for a private alley. The City has received 56 emails and multiple phone calls from the public requesting information, expressing opposition and support for the project. Full report starting on page 73 of the agenda packet.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 271-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12182023-7074.
The draft agenda for January 8, 2024 will discuss justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI); update the new Council on City branding; and begin a process for revising Neighborhood Conservation Districts.
First Public Hearing on FY2025 Budget Scheduled for Newly Elected Rockville Council
At its Monday, November 20, 2023 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will receive the certification of the 2023 election and hold its first public hearing on the FY2025 budget. This is the first meeting of the new Mayor and expanded six-member Council.
After resolving all challenges, the Board of Supervisors of Elections certifies the results of the election to the City Clerk/Director of Council Operations, who records the results in the minutes of the Mayor and Council. In January, the Board of Supervisors of Elections will hold two Post-Election Forums and prepare a report on the 2023 Vote by Mail Election to the Mayor and Council.
This election was marred by two major instances of Rockville residents not receiving ballots. Most recently, voters in the Bainbridge community did not receive ballots, which was not discovered until Election Day when voters requested provisional ballots on Election Day at City Hall.
The Mayor and Council are conducting hybrid meetings. If you wish to submit comments in writing for Community Forum or Public Hearings, please email the comments to MayorAndCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the meeting.
More details in the 153-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11202023-7061.
More Troubles With City of Rockville Executives?
Although the November 30 Mayor and Council meeting was to be the last for the current Mayor and Council, a closed session meeting was hastily scheduled for 9:00 am today to “discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of an employee over whom the Mayor and Council has jurisdiction.” That concerns only three employees: City Manager, City Attorney, or City Clerk. This must be incredibly serious because it couldn’t wait until the first meeting of the newly elected Mayor and Council on November 20. The Mayor and Council might receive a summary at the end of the meeting, but it may be through a news release later in the day. Mayor Newton has played her cards very close to the vest with closed sessions, even flaunting Maryland’s Open Meetings Act to keep information secret, so we may have to wait to learn what is happening. Let’s hope the new Mayor and Council will be more transparent and open about their decision-making.
Rockville’s $307,093 Question: What Led to City Manager DiSpirito’s Resignation?
The cause of former City Manager Rob DiSpirito’s resignation in August remains a mystery except that we now know that it cost the City of Rockville $307,093.21, including $229,630.98 representing nine months’ salary and benefits and $77,462.23 for unused vacation time. It’s an extraordinary expense for the City of Rockville which so far remains unmentioned by the Mayor and Council and would be equal to:
- Ten years of the Senior Nutrition Program ($30,070 per year according to the upcoming agreement to be approved by Mayor and Council at Monday’s meeting).
- Salaries for three to four police officers ($70,036.00 – $105,429.00 annually according to the latest job posting).
- All computer and communication equipment expenses for the City ($259,880 in the FY 2024 budget)
- Janitorial services for all City facilities for a year (almost! annual expenses are $364,840 in the FY 2024 budget)
- Annual property tax for 175 houses (if $600,000 is the average cost of a house in Rockville and tax rate is $0.292 per $100 of assessed value on real property = $1,752.00 per house)
Why would someone who has gone through a Performance Improvement Program and then resign be entitled to a severance package? According to his 2016 contract, “the City shall have no obligation to pay the one-time lump sum cash payment and shall have the right to immediately terminated this Agreement without payment of any further compensation to the City Manager” if he commits “any act which involves moral turpitude.” Obviously, no moral turpitude occurred or he wouldn’t have received a severance payment.
So under what circumstances could the City Manager receive a severance package? His 2016 contract states that the “City may terminate the City Manager at any time for any reason including, but not limited to, a conflict in management style or philosophy” and if the “City Manager is still willing and able to perform the duties under this agreement, then, in that event, the City agrees to pay the City Manager a one-time lump sum cash payment equal to nine (9) months’ aggregate salary.” Hmm. So there’s a reason for his resignation, or should we say termination, but no one has provided an adequate explanation.
Rob DiSpirito has refused to explain why he resigned, but that’s because his 2023 Settlement Agreement requires that he “shall keep the terms of this settlement completely confidential, and that confidentiality is an essential element of the settlement itself” nor can he “directly or indirectly, engage in communication or conduct that disparages the City, its elected officials, officers, employees or agents or make any negative statements about the employment practices of the City.”
The Mayor and Council is not required to keep this confidential, but unfortunately, they’ve insisted on secrecy. Indeed, obtaining copies of the City Manager’s 2016 Employment Agreement and 2023 Settlement Agreement required invoking the Maryland Public Information Act. What is the Mayor and Council hiding that’s worth $307,093? If there’s a “conflict in management style,” let’s discuss it and stop guessing. Mayor and Council, where are you leading the City? Right now you’re being sneaky and opaque—exactly the opposite of good governance. Mayoral candidates Ashton and Pierzchala, will you be able to bring better governance and transparency? What will you do better and differently than Mayor Newton? Or is just more of the same?
October 30, 2023: Response from Mark Pierzchala, Rockville City Councilmember and candidate for Rockville Mayor:
In your October 29 post about Mr. DiSpirito’s departure, I remind you that in May, it was I who wanted to end the drama at that time. The Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) was unwarranted for such a senior manager.
The date of the closed August 17 meeting, concerning Mr. DiSpirito’s status, was chosen because that was after the 3-month ending of the PIP. Note that the August 17 meeting was held during the Mayor and Council summer recess.
I was the one who took the August 17 closed-session minutes. These were typed up immediately after that meeting and sent confidentially to my colleagues before 8 pm on August 17. The length of time it took to officially approve them, over 2 months later, is not appropriate. Indeed, Mayor Newton pulled them off the October 9 consent agenda.
The August 17, 2023 closed-session minutes were approved at the October 23, 2023 meeting, as were the September 11 minutes. Since the August 17 minutes were from a closed session, they are to be included in the September 11 minutes when these are put on the City’s website (the September 11 meeting was the next public meeting of the Mayor and Council). In the August 17 minutes, you will see the motions and results that led to Mr. DiSpirito’s departure. These minutes should soon be posted.
There is no reason for Mayor and Council to hide actions and votes from a closed session. Some of the information presented therein should be kept confidential, but the resulting decisions should be made public in a timely manner. That is what I will achieve as Mayor.
Max for Rockville 