[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6546364,"mediaKeyId","3736856-7045b3b5d51e3a105eb26304aafa3504","parentId",3736856,"title","Rockville reorganizes city personnel code; council creates Procurement and Communications departments and amends pension coverage","audioSeconds",676,"startMs",3928000,"endMs",4604000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3736856-7045b3b5d51e3a105eb26304aafa3504&start=3928&end=4604","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3736856-7045b3b5d51e3a105eb26304aafa3504/thumbnail_3928000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546364/Rockville-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Rockville-reorganizes-city-personnel-code-council-creates-Procurement-and-Communications-departments-and-amends-pension-coverage","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546364-85ce408bc269b7833dae536e541249b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206403&Signature=LDglTdyPXgtdj~OksRpTdOGCYSQWvPIIVDJgZ40df5Z8IdXwj0oRa9fYMtV1Ai3G28-OJuhQOyZKSNPAzq26e72QrtO9G7EIrmxCZPv0ijDcUL6JXCI-pSN5ltwBvwFk~1B0lem-iMpY3~tXAQbLWT-dBq2ULQPbhAbcokorvxltmnuSM0RnZLKywu2CJtZf27BRQk7kxjay0ZhXt1r97csF7NhdwxKiwPAkcEIdUIhg75YczCh0p8O3QsB9H~qroqzym6tQrUqf4rUBjLV8XkYZ~ue8ihbbyvkkqQTufjnmfFffTZPVdDKKQ~FvJA2unHnGvq96v95kT36hRBnFHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockville","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Rockville Mayor and Council on June 9 adopted an ordinance to create a Department of Procurement and a Department of Communications and Community Engagement and approved resolutions changing civil service classifications and aligning the pension plan with those changes. The actions are intended to improve administrative efficiency and strengthen recruitment and retention.

Staff presented multiple linked items: creation of the two departments; a resolution to place certain at-will classified positions in the city's nonmerit civil service list (including deputy positions and department directors); an amendment to the July 1, 2024 pension plan document to add coverage for newly-designated positions; and a proposed rewrite of Chapter 15 of the City Code to move certain administrative approvals to the city manager and to narrow the Personnel Appeals Board's scope.

Susan Selig, presenting the staff recommendations, told the council the changes \"create additional efficiencies\" and align City Code with budgeted FY26 positions, including recent decisions to fund the new departments. Staff said the pension amendment would add roughly $63,000 in annual cost, of which about $40,000 was already approved in the budget and approximately $23,000 was new and available within existing funds.

The council approved Ordinance 1 to create the two departments after a motion to waive the layover period; the adoption motion passed with all members present voting in favor. Council then adopted the related resolutions to establish the nonmerit civil service list and to amend the pension plan; those resolutions were moved by Council Member Valeri, seconded by Council Member Jackson, and approved unanimously.

Debate on the proposed Personnel Policy Manual (PPM) changes continued at length. Staff proposed moving administrative approval of the PPM to the city manager, requiring Mayor and Council approval for certain appointed-official employment contracts, allowing appointed officials to approve nonmerit civil service agreements, and narrowing the Personnel Appeals Board's authority to findings about whether an employee violated law, city policy, rule, regulation or directive. Several council members expressed concern about removing Mayor and Council authority and about how the changes would affect checks-and-balances and employee protections.

Councilmembers discussed a separate section that currently restricted political activity by employees; City Attorney staff advised that portions of the existing Code conflicted with state law and were removed to conform with the Local Government Article. Deputy City Attorney Cindy Walters noted the PPM already includes prohibitions on political activity \"during duty hours,\" and the city attorney reiterated state law protections for employee political activity while noting statutory penalties for coercion.

After extended discussion, the council paused on several PPM items to give staff time to prepare clarifying language and additional legal review. Council directed staff to (1) return with clarified language and a written legal opinion about whether the municipality can enact additional restrictions; (2) draft guidance and an employee-facing explanation of political-activity rules for use in orientations and trainings; and (3) provide any union responses in writing.

The council voted to adopt the departmental ordinances and the pension and nonmerit resolutions at the meeting; other PPM changes (notably the Personnel Appeals Board final-decision language) were held for further review and possible future action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockville - Mayor and Council Meeting - June 9, 2025 (Meeting No. 16-25) - Jun 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On June 9 the Rockville Mayor and Council adopted ordinances creating a Department of Procurement and a Department of Communications and Community Engagement and approved resolutions reclassifying several at-will positions as nonmerit and amending the city pension plan to extend benefits to those positions.","taxTitle","Rockville City, Montgomery County, Maryland","taxId",9268,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546368,"Rockville council approves zoning change to allow cannabis retail, including drive-throughs",1582,2218000,3800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3736856-7045b3b5d51e3a105eb26304aafa3504&start=2218&end=3800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3736856-7045b3b5d51e3a105eb26304aafa3504/thumbnail_2218000.jpg","/articles/6546368/Rockville-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Rockville-council-approves-zoning-change-to-allow-cannabis-retail-including-drive-throughs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546368-41c02a0a61b3ee28ff1927d89bc3a4a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206403&Signature=a0RLwJadXSVI0sqQQ5nzKEBXnljBxZu4Z31zqgWzRjbKgeW5NBpgMIDj2CrOOvxqsfLHv-1gM24IldX5U4NOweONl06PrfN12FsN2veR1zoDzVDb58VcH3zxnn~-UpdotnwsUNzt5Rm4g7dTEd-l8Bl-Z-6WOn68dwLEU34O26CZYioy2AHMZa-j98awIg-8y4TcyIAwWovX3R1I-RPtMsPaY5vBtAVzNaXx3HfNnci-ACJ6Fc7~y68E51Y0vRDn7Y0YGeNrPUlPy2L-5iNrncSQZKzZOnU4eF8WltTGsu0AwzF15EQTPepS0nQJAkJKCIih2VyFw73CVMIXD6kLGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockville Mayor and Council on June 9 adopted a zoning text amendment to add cannabis dispensaries as a conditional use in areas where retail use is permitted, including an option to allow drive-through service.

The proposal codifies separation distances set by state law: a 500-foot buffer between dispensaries and specified sensitive uses such as parks, schools and places of worship, and a 1,000-foot separation between dispensaries themselves. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval before the council hearing.

Planning staff member Jim Wasilek described the measure as \"a zoning text amendment that proposes to add cannabis dispensaries as a conditional use in areas where retail use is permitted.\" He told the council the text amendment would \"codify those distance requirements, which are the same as they are in state code.\" Wasilek also noted Montgomery County is considering a separate approach that would require a 100-foot setback from properties containing residential uses.

Public commenters urged the council to permit drive-through operations. Steve Van Grama, who said he had consulted with cannabis operators, told the council, \"We think a drive through should be acceptable for a cannabis dispensary.\" Resident John Becker asked staff to help the public visualize the separation distances; staff said 1,000 feet is \"a little bit less than a quarter of a mile,\" roughly a comfortable walking distance.

Councilmembers debated on-site consumption and the drive-through language, which was added to a republished packet before the hearing. Wasilek told the council that the ordinance does not include a prohibition on on-site consumption; he also explained that any on-site consumption licensing is administered by the Maryland Cannabis Administration under state law. Council members asked staff to track county-level actions and to coordinate enforcement responsibilities between zoning staff and the state regulator.

Councilwoman Valeri moved to adopt the zoning text amendment that explicitly includes drive-through establishments; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Jackson and passed on a 6-1 vote. Councilwoman Fulton recorded a public opposition to on-site consumption and voted no. The council also voted earlier to waive the usual layover period so the ordinance could be adopted at the same meeting.

Council members asked staff to keep them advised as the new regulations are implemented and to report any major enforcement or operational issues affecting Rockville Police Department or zoning staff.

The text amendment is recorded as Zoning Text Amendment TXT2025-025270; implementation will involve permitting and coordination with the Maryland Cannabis Administration and county zoning activity.","After a public hearing and unanimous Planning Commission recommendation, Rockville adopted a zoning text amendment allowing retail cannabis dispensaries as a conditional use — including drive-through service — while codifying state separation distances.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546355,"Planning Commission presents 2024 annual report; zoning rewrite ahead",320,1837000,2157000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3736856-7045b3b5d51e3a105eb26304aafa3504&start=1837&end=2157","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3736856-7045b3b5d51e3a105eb26304aafa3504/thumbnail_1837000.jpg","/articles/6546355/Rockville-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Planning-Commission-presents-2024-annual-report-zoning-rewrite-ahead","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546355-ee9f9dac6336a1221489173a1ca8fd91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206403&Signature=icq087JqajEvsPdPN-o62ddcG7bNqacwDyrx31XYucfYlhzOQ1BYwMZAerLaNQKtKS2tj3wQCw5CmL~rVJSJyMTTpTLi-p~8z1j2ZPuEZF1pFW3naCYv5RBD3c1tQcTLFfg~r53gxyZjcAeGOmhbRe7QHZts8y6cK3SYu1f-hN~FjbvLlUIOZ~V65aY-jDLQyobYNiGcKziOkxyp5X9fywAU6Uj2FLrulStqp-t80h67O9A~isJcCSAzFAzyneI4A0aWqG0IlraP7v4IDIaVrtd5cqLmIXXqGs2n-AQ3tQ9nDBdyN2VS3nNQLx1dKrEeMi6wc2~7FYRmQm1Y~XLzlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jamie Espinosa, chair of the Planning Commission, presented the commission's 2024 annual report to the Mayor and Council on June 9. Espinosa said the report \"provides the technical details on the activities in which the planning commission engaged last year\" and credited city planning staff for support.

The commission reviewed applications ranging from large multifamily proposals in Town Center to smaller conversions of office space to multifamily in Twinbrook. Espinosa emphasized that every application was considered through the lens of the Rockville 2040 comprehensive master plan and that public testimony was treated with respect.

Espinosa told the council the commission's 2024 activities touched every neighborhood in the city and that the commission expects a substantial role during the upcoming comprehensive rewrite of the city's zoning ordinance. The commission's chair during 2024 and staff liaisons were identified in the presentation. The mayor noted the presentation is listed as a special presentation and said questions would be submitted to staff for follow-up.","The Rockville Planning Commission summarized its 2024 activities to the Mayor and Council and identified a central role in the upcoming comprehensive zoning ordinance rewrite, saying the commission considered projects across the city and followed the Rockville 2040 master plan.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546359,"Rockville sends three priorities to Maryland Municipal League: stop sign monitoring, protect highway user revenue, back regional transit authority",386,10144000,10530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3736856-7045b3b5d51e3a105eb26304aafa3504&start=10144&end=10530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3736856-7045b3b5d51e3a105eb26304aafa3504/thumbnail_10144000.jpg","/articles/6546359/Rockville-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Rockville-sends-three-priorities-to-Maryland-Municipal-League-stop-sign-monitoring-protect-highway-user-revenue-back-regional-transit-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546359-5e17ede0700f57174e2c68ba58305dcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206403&Signature=LI4arKp61HuwnWy8WPHges3iiZVEuNc-OfBojZwe4pUw92g3FzviaBA1x3Pg6Du2TiLJKS7TC4AdB4MdS9kOzprKCeF3mtdXAG8vKK8kDI2v01KDbfJ4saUVPHbgNEa0uIeacuYr-LwbpTwG49YHHkG3fq62Q-yCkVI0n57nEPZCcywU-pssDcLcuy5qYUW97X2V6CGY2FMLNkD9J5Tk6wp0UuGE5PNSTaHZXiButGZ6Gg5m9pTzdjp~7aIj9Bz6ZTedmE~j9~yl-vqLFZM~nVMArZBRkBqBuMoBfH23-4frAGkUoReg6gw4zPP~E2~3ThafVTWf5~Puen6c9sto2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On June 9 the Rockville Mayor and Council voted to submit three legislative action requests (LARs) to the Maryland Municipal League for consideration as 2026 municipal priorities: (1) statewide stop-sign monitoring systems in school zones, (2) preserving and protecting municipal highway user revenue and police aid, and (3) legislation to enable or support regional transportation authorities.

Linda Moran, who presented staff's recommendations, said the proposed LARs \"align with mayor and council priorities and legislation that the mayor and council previously passed.\" The council discussed four recommended items in the staff packet and chose three to forward as the city's official MML submissions; staff will retain the fourth item for the city's own fall legislative priorities discussion.

Councilor Fulton moved to forward the three items (stop-sign monitoring, municipal highway user revenue/police aid protection, and regional transportation authorities) to MML; the motion was seconded by Councilman Van Grack and approved unanimously.

Councilmembers asked staff to follow up with more detailed impact information and equity considerations on the selected items for use when City staff and lobbyists meet with state legislators during the next session. Staff said they will prepare supplemental materials and pursue legislative bond and priority discussions in the fall.","The council selected three legislative action requests for the Maryland Municipal League's 2026 priority program: statewide stop-sign monitoring in school zones, protecting municipal highway user revenues and police aid, and supporting regional transportation authority legislation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rockville reorganizes city personnel code; council creates Procurement and Communications departments and amends pension coverage

Rockville council approves zoning change to allow cannabis retail, including drive-throughs

Planning Commission presents 2024 annual report; zoning rewrite ahead

Rockville sends three priorities to Maryland Municipal League: stop sign monitoring, protect highway user revenue, back regional transit authority