At its Monday, July 17, 2023 meeting, the Rockville Mayor and Council will discuss whether to ask voters to lower the voting age, allow non-citizens to vote, adopt term limits for council members, adopt ranked choice voting, and create representative districts for council members. They are also considering an annexation of 1202 Seven Locks Road (an office building south of Wootton Parkway near Seven Locks Plaza); a revision of the maximum rental rate for Moderately Priced Housing; adoption of Floating Zones; affordable housing on North Stonestreet Avenue in Lincoln Park; and a letter to the County Council regarding rent control. On the Consent Calendar (items approved without discussion) are agreements for employee retirement management, workers’ compensation, and water quality management, among others. The Mayor and Council will also receive reports on the final Rockville branding initiative and compensation for council members.

Many residents assume that the Mayor and Council are volunteers, but they are considered “part time” positions and given an “annual stipend” of $37,560 for the Mayor and $30,483 for council members. Ten years ago, it was $25,750 for the Mayor and $20,600 for council members. They are also issued a laptop computer and printer; can request office supplies, furniture, and equipment; have access to all City facilities at the same rate as City staff; and have access the City’s health, dental, vision, and life insurance at their own expense. To consider whether this should change or remain the same, the Compensation Commission conducted a city-wide survey that received 95 responses (of which 56% felt that the current compensation was reasonable; the rest were mixed) and a public forum (only two residents provided comments). They also compared stipends with other jurisdictions (Gaitherburg’s Mayor is paid $37,560 and Frederick’s is $105,937–but that’s a fulltime position), but did not consider the income of Rockville residents ($57,336 per capita; $116,031 per household; 7% live in poverty according to the US Census Bureau). The Commission is recommending that the annual stipend increase at the same COLA rate given to City staff; increase the travel allowance for council members according to the Consumer Price Index and for the Mayor by 10% to $6,600 (travel for Sister City events is provided elsewhere in the budget). Otherwise, no additional benefits (e.g., no additional funds for cell phones). The Commission also discussed the role of the annual stipend on attracting candidates for council. More details starting on page 50 of the agenda.

Interested in running for Mayor or Council? Right now there are two candidates for Mayor and nine for Council. There were 13 candidates for Council in 2019. The deadline for petitions is Friday, September 8. More details at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/2262/Running-for-Office.

Coming up on the next agenda is a report from Rockville Housing Enterprises, allowing accessory apartments as a conditional use in single family residential zones, revising the responsibilities of the Cultural Arts Commission, and extending the moratorium on vape shops.

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 463-page agenda packet are available at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07172023-6963.