Council to Review Twinbrook School Plans, Legislative Priorities, and Arts Month
The Rockville Mayor and Council will meet on Monday, October 6, 2025, to discuss a wide range of topics—from arts and culture to historic preservation, state legislative priorities, and school planning. Several of these items directly affect Rockville neighborhoods, local businesses, and the city’s future development.
Proclamation: Arts and Humanities Month
(Agenda pages 32–37)
Rockville will declare October as Arts and Humanities Month, joining communities nationwide in recognizing the arts as vital to civic life and public well-being. The proclamation highlights the city’s ongoing commitment to culture through venues like the Glenview Mansion Art Gallery, the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, and numerous workshops and performances throughout the month.
- This proclamation reinforces Rockville’s reputation as a cultural hub and affirms support for artists, nonprofits, and creative programming but symbolic proclamations rely on sustained investment to maintain visibility beyond the month’s events.
- Rockville can use this proclamation to advocate for local and state arts funding, strengthening its case for grants from the NEA or Maryland State Arts Council. Unfortunately, recent White House actions have curtailed or politicized programs at the National Endowment for the Arts, IMLS, and public media. Rockville’s consistent, nonpartisan approach to arts advocacy helps buffer local institutions against such national instability.
Historic District Commission FY25 Annual Report
(Agenda pages 65–82)
Continue reading →What Rockville Residents Are Saying: Youth Voices, Rent Stabilization, and Fair Elections
At the June 16, 2025 meeting of the Rockville Mayor and Council, more than two dozen residents—many of them renters and students—delivered passionate testimony on the future of our city during Community Forum. Three major themes were emphasized (note: the claims or facts are presented as given by the speakers and were not fact-checked for accuracy or context):
1. Rent Stabilization Dominates Public Concern
The majority of speakers called on the city to adopt rent stabilization policies similar to those in Montgomery County, which caps annual rent increases at 6%. Residents described being priced out of their homes despite working full-time jobs, raising families, or serving in essential roles such as teachers, nurses, and federal employees. Many pointed to:
- Sharp rent hikes of 10–17% over the past year or two.
- Unsafe or neglected apartment conditions.
- Displacement and homelessness among vulnerable groups, especially Black women and children.
- A sense of political frustration with city officials who have declined to move forward on rent stabilization.
While Councilmembers Zola Shaw and David Myles were repeatedly thanked for their support, other council members were criticized for inaction, perceived conflicts of interest, or dismissive behavior toward tenant advocates.
2. Youth Push for Voting Rights at 16
Several articulate high school students—members of Sunrise Rockville, the Youth Commission, and the Vote16 Movement—advocated for lowering the voting age to 16 in municipal elections. Their arguments included:
Continue reading →Child Care, Green Buildings, and City Reorganization on June 2 Council Agenda
At its June 2, 2025 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will issue several proclamations, including ones recognizing Men’s Health Week, Juneteenth, and LGBTQ+ Pride Month. They’ll vote on community arts agreements (Rockville Little Theatre, Rockville Musical Theatre, and Victorian Lyric Opera Company) and a FY25 budget amendment. The agenda also includes potential revisions to the city’s personnel code. A worksession will focus on green building regulations and exploring child care solutions. The public is invited to speak during the 6:45 p.m. Community Forum or send comments to MayorandCouncil@RockvilleMD.gov.
Reorganization of City Government
What’s on the Agenda:
The Mayor and Council will vote on a series of ordinances and resolutions to formally establish two new city departments: Procurement and Communications & Community Engagement. These functions were previously divisions within the City Manager’s Office. The Council will also update the city’s personnel code and pension plan to reflect the new structure and clarify employment policies.
Why It Matters:
Overall, this reorganization has strong potential to improve services, particularly in procurement transparency and public engagement. It reflects a maturing city government structure and a recognition that Rockville’s growth and complexity require more robust administrative capacity.
Continue reading →
Rethinking Rockville’s Proclamation Parade
At the City Council meeting on May 12, 2025, the Rockville Mayor and Council are set to issue seventeen proclamations—yes, seventeen—covering everything from public service and health awareness to historic preservation and cultural celebrations.
Here’s what’s being recognized:
- National Public Service Recognition Week (May 4–10)
- National Police Week (May 11–17)
- Women’s Health Week (May 11–17)
- Taiwanese American Heritage Week (May 11–18)
- National Public Works Week (May 19–23)
- National Kids to Parks Day (May 17)
- Greek Genocide Remembrance Day (May 19)
- ALS Awareness Month
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Building Safety Month
- National Bicycle Awareness Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- Lyme Disease Awareness Month
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- Older Americans Month
- National Preservation Month
- Stroke Awareness Month
Each of these proclamations represents a worthwhile cause or celebration—some with deep relevance to our city. From recognizing the contributions of older adults and public works employees, to celebrating heritage communities and raising awareness for health issues, the topics are both timely and important.
But when so many proclamations are issued in a single night, it’s hard for any one to stand out. And for Rockville’s residents and businesses, the question becomes: how does this affect me?
Continue reading →Discrimination, Economic Hardships, and Mental Health Challenges in Rockville
The Rockville City Council will meet on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 6:30 pm to discuss a Human Services Needs Assessment Report, results from a community survey on human services, budget adjustments for FY 2025, a Zoning Text Amendment to implement changes from the Town Center Master Plan, and amendments to infrastructure contracts totaling $13.2 million for road and sidewalk improvements. A work session on the city’s Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan will explore strategies for expanding EV infrastructure. No public hearings or board appointments are scheduled. The meeting is open to the public.
This meeting is an important opportunity for you to stay informed and engaged with the decisions that shape our community.
Key Agenda Items:
Continue reading →Shaping Rockville’s Future: Preserving Lincoln Park and Urbanizing Town Center
At its Monday, January 6, 2025 meeting starting at 6:30 pm, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss revisions to the Lincoln Park Conservation District and the Town Center Master Plan. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) is an additional loan of $1.5 million from Montgomery County to RHE Scarborough Square. This meeting is an important opportunity for you to stay informed and engaged with the decisions that shape our community.
Key Agenda Items:
Continue reading →Is Your Neighborhood Missing from City Survey?
Did you know that Twinbrook, one of Rockville’s largest neighborhoods, wasn’t included in the city’s recent Human Services Needs Assessment survey? Surprisingly, much of the southern half of the city was left out, including neighborhoods like Silver Rock, Burgundy Estates, Montrose, North Farm, Congressional Towers, and Woodmont Park. It’s unclear how this oversight happened, but it might be a good opportunity for the City of Rockville to take another look at the map to ensure all our neighborhoods are represented. After all, a strong community starts with listening to every voice!
Council to Review Town Center and Metro Development Plans
At its Monday, December 9, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing on the Town Center Master Plan. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are FY2024 Financial Report, contracts for diesel fuel, CDBG funding request, among others. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on the remodeling of the Rockville Metro Station as part of a worksession on Town Center.
This meeting is an important opportunity for you to stay informed and engaged with the decisions that shape our community.
Key Agenda Items:
Town Center Master Plan public hearing (page 401+). The Rockville Mayor and Council will hold a second public hearing on the updated Town Center Master Plan during their meeting on December 9, 2024. This updated plan, an amendment to the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan, replaces the current Planning Area 1 chapter. It builds on community feedback, research, and the city’s long-term goals to shape a vibrant, equitable, and sustainable Town Center for the future.
Key Themes and Goals of the Plan:
- Housing: Focus on adding 2,000 new residential units by 2040, including affordable and attainable housing.
- Economic Development: Encouraging retail diversity and activating vacant spaces to make the Town Center a hub of activity.
- Transportation: Improving mobility with pedestrian-friendly designs, enhanced bus services, and new wayfinding signage.
- Sustainability and Equity: Promoting green building practices and ensuring that changes support all residents equitably.
- Parks and Recreation: Expanding green spaces and recreational programming for all ages.
Renters’ Rights and Housing Equity: Key Takeaways from Rockville’s Worksession
Housing stability is a cornerstone of a thriving and inclusive community. On November 18, 2024, the Rockville City Council convened a critical worksession to address housing stability—a top priority for city leaders. This third installment in a series of housing-focused sessions followed discussions on supply and subsidy strategies, and emphasized the importance of protecting renters, preserving affordable housing, and ensuring fairness in the city’s housing policies. Here, we outline the key themes, challenges, and opportunities that emerged from the session, offering a comprehensive view for residents and business owners alike.
Tenant Protections Take Center Stage
One of the most pressing topics discussed was the need for stronger tenant protections. Councilmembers widely supported the creation of a Rockville Renter Bill of Rights, a document designed to empower renters by providing clear, accessible information on rental histories, fees, and code violations. The document would also be translated into multiple languages, ensuring inclusivity for Rockville’s diverse community.
Several councilmembers emphasized transparency as a cornerstone of tenant protections. For example, landlords would be required to disclose not only the rent history of individual units but also trends across their properties. Such measures aim to stabilize rent increases through informed decision-making by tenants while fostering accountability among landlords.
Continue reading →Council Seeks Community Input on Budget, Downtown Growth, and Reuse of King Farm
At its Monday, October 28, 2024 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss Fiscal Year 2026 budget, another hearing on the Town Center Master Plan, and a worksession for a master plan on the adaptive re-use of the King Farm Farmstead Park Complex. On the Consent Agenda (items approved without discussion) are funding emergency management facilities, energy-efficient lighting, office upgrades, and electricity supply contracts. Reminder: Council meetings now start at 6:30 pm.
This meeting is an important opportunity for you to stay informed and engaged with the decisions that shape our community.
Continue reading →
Max for Rockville 