Rockville Reports Feb. 2020
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FEBRUARY 2020 • VOL. 66 #2 CELEBRATEYEAR. LUNAR THISSEE STORYPAGE. NEW • FIND MORE CITY NEWS AT WWW.ROCKVILLEMD.GOV • Enforcement and Education Are City Hall and Some City Facilities to Close for Focus of Strategy for Safer Streets Presidents Day Rockville is continuing its include: City Hall will be closed and push for safer city streets for • Patrols directed to address recycling and trash will not be all with renewed enforcement community concerns. collected on Monday, Feb. 17, in and education efforts. • An educational and enforce- observance of Presidents Day. The Rockville City Police ment effort in Town Center Several city facilities will oper- Department began the new that has distributed over ate on their usual schedule. year by redeploying patrol of- 500 educational brochures Recycling and trash collec- ficers to traffic patrol and fo- and issued citations and tion will not be collected on cusing enforcement efforts on warnings. Presidents Day. Collections high-incident areas. • Increased emphasis on will occur one day later City Opposes I-270 Widening A map of bicycle and pe- bringing criminal charges, throughout the week. For more destrian crashes from 2017- when appropriate, in pedes- information, call 240-314-8568 The Mayor and Council facilities, the letter said. 2019, presented during the trian-involved crashes. or visit www.rockvillemd.gov/ continued efforts last month to The Mayor and Council have Dec. 16 Mayor and Council • Greater statistical analy- recycling-trash. oppose a state project to widen actively engaged with the state meeting, shows a concentra- sis of pedestrian-involved On Monday, Feb. 17: interstates 270 and 495 over the about this proposed project, en- tion of incidents in Rockville crashes. • The Rockville Senior Center American Legion Bridge with couraging state officials not to Town Center, as well as near • Education through commu- will be closed. toll lanes, as a state board ap- take homes or breach sound-wall the Rockville and Twinbrook nity outreach events and by • Glenview Mansion will be proved the project. boundaries. Metro stations. The map and using city communication closed. The Board of Public Works, The Jan. 6 letter expressed staff report, as well as video tools, including the city’s • Croydon Creek Nature comprised of the governor, their concern that the project of the Mayor and Council dis- website, Rockville 11 (chan- Center and the F. Scott comptroller and state treasurer, would force Rockville to recon- cussion can be found with the nel 11 on county cable and Fitzgerald Theatre box office approved the project on a 2-1 struct city-owned bridges over Dec. 16 meeting agenda list- the city’s YouTube channel), are always closed Mondays. vote on Jan. 8, with Treasurer I-270 at Wootton Parkway and ing at www.rockvillemd.gov/ “Rockville Reports” in print Theater tickets are always Nancy K. Kopp voting in Gude Drive. The Mayor and AgendaCenter. and online, printed materi- available at www.rockville opposition. Council requested an analysis of Other ongoing educa- als and social media. md.gov/theatre. In a letter to the board on the traffic that construction relat- tion and enforcement efforts continued on pg. 8… • Lincoln Park, Twinbrook Jan. 6, the Mayor and Council ed to the widening will generate, and Thomas Farm com- said they “were stunned to learn and a discussion of long-term munity centers and the from the press” late on Jan. 4 maintenance needs resulting Rockville Swim and Fitness that the vote had been scheduled from additional traffic. Center will be open regular for Jan. 8 and that the plan had The letter noted noise pollu- hours. Visit www.rockville changed. md.gov/swimcenter for tion from the existing highway The approved plan calls for swim and fitness center lap and questioned why other op- toll lanes between a widened and program schedules. tions were not considered, telling Legion Bridge and Interstate 370 Parking will be free at city- the board, “Let’s put transit op- and defers widening the remain- owned meters. tions first – not last.” der of I-495. For more information, call The Mayor and Council also “This plan is dramatically 240-314-5000 or visit www. questioned why state officials different from the previous plan Sign On for Sidewalks rockvillemd.gov. and no one has had time to study were not more transparent and the impacts these changes will rushed toward a vote, asking the City’s Prioritization Policy Allows have,” the letter said. board to remove the item from its agenda and work with the Residents to Petition for New Paths The city will be “the most In This Issue… critically affected municipality,” city. Know a neighborhood that nectivity to existing sidewalks with the highway’s 12 lanes abut- To read the letter in full, visit could use a sidewalk? and its proximity to schools, Census 2020: Confidential, ting homes, Julius West Middle RockvilleReports.com/city- The city created a Sidewalk bus stops, Metrorail stations, 2 Safe and Secure. School, two churches and senior opposes-i-270-widening. Prioritization Policy to address recreational centers and other missing sidewalks in Rockville nearby pedestrian generators. Go Behind the Badge and the costs associated with • A traffic conditions score, 4 with Community Police Rockville to Celebrate Lunar New Year constructing them. The policy which assesses a proposed Academies. helps determine if, and in sidewalk’s connection to a Save Money and Energy Celebrate Rockville’s Asian ebration will mark the year what order, the city constructs street with higher speed limits. with Tax-free Weekend. cultures with performances, 4718, the Year of the Rat on the sidewalks. • Other considerations, such as 5 crafts and cultural displays Chinese Zodiac calendar. A missing sidewalk is any the availability of city right Community Centers at the city’s Lunar New Year Rockville High School, at existing or potential pathway of way, public support for 6 Show Love for Valentine's celebration. 2100 Baltimore Road, is acces- that, were it hard surfaced, construction of the proposed Day. The annual celebration sible via Ride On Bus 45. would be used by pedestrians sidewalk, and potential envi- will be held from 1-3:30 p.m. For more information, MAYOR & COUNCIL PRESORTED in their routine educational, rec- ronmental impacts. 111 Maryland Ave. STANDARD Saturday, Feb. 1, at Rockville visit www.rockvillemd.gov/ Rockville, Maryland U.S. POSTAGE reational, business, shopping, Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/ 20850-2364 High School. Multicultural per- lunarnewyear. PAID working, civic and social pur- sidewalks to learn more about SUBURBAN, MD. formances, including dancers, Can’t make it to the Feb. suits. Sidewalks are along streets the policy, view a map of side- PERMIT NO. 63 singers, drummers, a pianist 1 celebration? The Rockville and are typically built within walks prioritized for construc- and the traditional lion dance Lantern Festival, from 11 a.m.- city rights of way. tion and find petition forms. will be from 1:30-2:45 p.m. There 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Rockville residents may cir- Before circulating a petition will be interactive displays and F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 culate a petition to have new for a new sidewalk, residents ECR WSS Asian snacks after the perfor- Edmonston Drive, will feature sidewalks constructed. Once pro- should call the city’s Traffic mances. The city is organizing cultural performances and LOCAL posed, prioritizing is based on: and Transportation Division, at POSTAL CUSTOMER the celebration in partnership displays, food, and interactive • A utility score, which assesses 240-314-8500, to discuss the pro- with Rockville’s Asian Pacific crafts. See the calendar on page 7 a proposed sidewalk’s con- posed sidewalk. American Task Force. The cel- for details. Mayor and Council Approve Charter Review Commission The Mayor and Council commission. City’s Financial Assistance Program Can voted unanimously Jan. 13 The Mayor and Council to establish a commission to will hold at least one pub- Help in an Emergency review the city’s charter. lic hearing on the scope of Need financial help? Facing eviction? The charter is a legal the commission’s work, at a Utilities about to be shut off? Need help paying document similar to a con- date to be determined. for prescription medication? stitution. It establishes the The Mayor and Council Emergency financial assistance is available to city’s corporate limits and last appointed a Charter eligible Rockville residents facing a financial cri- outlines how the city is Review Commission in sis through the Rockville Emergency Assistance organized and conducts 2012. That commission Program. business, such as holding made recommendations Depending on eligibility, REAP assistance elections, levying taxes, about the length of elected may be available for funeral expenses and med- Jaden Walcoff, a Ritchie Park Elementary School student, adopting ordinances and terms of the Mayor and ical expenses. Referrals for emergency food, was Rockville’s Mayor for a Day in 2019. providing services. Council, the number of clothing, financial/employment counseling and The commission will be members on the council, other assistance are also provided. comprised of up to 11 city and the schedule by which For more information on REAP, visit www. Students Have a Chance to residents. Each member Mayor and Council elec- rockvillemd.gov/reap. of the Mayor and Council tions are held. The commis- be Mayor for a Day in May may choose one member. sion also identified several County to Provide Free Tax Preparation In addition, the mayor ways to enhance voting, Appointments through VITA Mayor Newton to Visit Rockville will nominate a commis- including early voting and Montgomery County is hosting free tax sion chair, to be approved voting by mail. preparation sessions throughout tax season for Fourth Graders by the council.