ROCKVILLE TO SUPPORT OCEAN CITY EFFORT TO MOVE ELECTIONS TO PRESIDENTIAL YEARS

Over the dissent of Mayor Bridget Newton, four Rockville councilmembers approved a motion by Councilmember Tom Moore to back Ocean City's effort to have city offices appear on the presidential year ballot.

All four councilmembers who voted affirmatively were part of the Team Rockville slate in last November's city election. However, only Moore has fully endorsed the idea of moving Rockville's city elections to presidential election years. Virginia Onley, Julie Palakovich Carr, and Beryl Feinberg said they support Ocean City's effort only as an endorsement of home rule - essentially the resort city's right to set the date of its own elections.

Moore noted that Hagerstown already holds its elections in presidential years on Election Day.

Prior to the vote, Moore asked city staff to support the legislation in Annapolis that would allow Ocean City to move its election date. "You can't direct city staff," Newton responded.

The mayor challenged the majority's assertion of home rule. She said city voters had made clear they don't want elections moved, through their rejection of a ballot question last November. For the city to now use funds and resources to support the contrary elsewhere in the state would be inappropriate, Newton argued.

BUDGET THE TOPIC AT TONIGHT'S ROCKVILLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

Citizens can get a preview of the Rockville FY-2015 city budget at tonight's Mayor and Council meeting. City staff will present the highlights of the proposed budget, and the mayor and council will vote on two resolutions: one on taxation, and one amending the zoning ordinance with "technical and clarifying revisions."

The meeting will be held in the council chambers at City Hall tonight at 7:00 PM, and can also be viewed on Rockville Channel 11 on Comcast.

ROCKVILLE RESIDENTS WANT ANSWERS ON TREE REMOVALS

Maria and Tom Luginbill sought answers to (so far) unanswered questions regarding the removal of two trees co-owned by two property owners on Wall Street in Rockville. Maria Luginbill said her Community Forum appearance last Monday evening was her latest attempt to get a response from the city. She said that only by attending Mayor Bridget Newton's drop-in meeting Monday was she able to get the gears turning towards a resolution.

A dispute between a new-home builder and the Luginbills apparently took several unpleasant turns over the last four years. "I've been threatened, the police have come," Tom Luginbill testified Monday night. Ultimately, two trees co-owned by the Luginbills and the builder's clients were taken down without clear evidence of who gave permission for the removal, Maria Luginbill said. Under city rules, this should not have been possible. Both co-owners must agree to remove the trees, under normal circumstances.

The removal of the trees was "very, very painful for me," Maria Luginbill testified. "We lost our privacy screen...[Our] entire quality of life [was] effected immensely."

Both Luginbills acknowledged it is too late to reverse what has happened, but asked the Mayor and Council to assist them in getting answers from city staff as to how this action occurred.

ENGAGE ROCKVILLE TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION, PRESENTED AT MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT

A new online community engagement tool, Engage Rockville, will be a major focus of tonight's Rockville Mayor and Council meeting. The mayor and council will obtain legal advice regarding the website's relation to state laws regarding open meetings, and ex parte communications between government officials and citizens, businesses, or other individuals.

There will then be an official presentation of Engage Rockville, listed as agenda item 11.

Right now, the website offers a poll, and invites users to upload photos of their favorite locations in Rockville. It also asks you to share "your big idea for the future of Rockville."

According to the site, 5 city employees from the Planning Department are participating in the online discussion.

ROCKVILLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT AT CITY HALL

Tonight's meeting of the Rockville mayor and council will include a public hearing on the FY 2014 city budget. This is your chance to comment on the proposed budget, including taxes, fees, spending, etc.

The mayor and council will also proclaim May 2013 as ALS and Historic Preservation Months.

Other important items on the agenda: renewal of the city's agreement with Federal Realty for management of Rockville Town Square's district and plaza. And a vote on new political campaign regulations.

Last week's discussion on the latter featured differing opinions on what challengers should be allowed to do in the annual Memorial Day Parade (can they throw candy from parade vehicles like incumbent politicians, what size signage may they carry, how big can their parade unit be).

Attend at City Hall, or watch the meeting on Channel 11.

ROCKVILLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT AT 7 PM

The Rockville Mayor and Council will meet tonight at 7:00 PM at Rockville City Hall.

A discussion with the city Board of Supervisors of Elections, and the establishment of a Financial Advisory Board are among items on tonight's agenda.