Rockville council approves contracts for transit signage and radio replacements, greenlights professional services agreement

The Rockville Mayor and Council on May 12 approved consent‑agenda items authorizing the city manager to finalize agreements for transit wayfinding, radio replacement and Stone Street corridor planning.

Council approved two items together first: (1) a real‑estate permit with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) enabling the city to install wayfinding decals on the pedestrian bridge that links the Rockville Metro Station to Town Center; and (2) a contract with Motorola Solutions, in an amount not to exceed $1,129,000, to replace portable and mobile radios for public‑safety communications in accordance with the pricing and terms of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments contract. Council Member Shaw moved to approve the two items; Council Member Valeri seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Council later considered and approved a professional services agreement with Mead & Hunt for the Stone Street corridor project. The staff report listed the contract amount as “not to exceed $6.86k” in the agenda book; staff clarified that figure in committee as the listed amount on the agenda. Councilor Jackson moved to approve item 9A and Councilman Van Grack seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

The Motorola purchase is intended to replace aging portable and mobile radios used by city services; the WMATA permit supports planned wayfinding and beautification work on the pedestrian bridge into Town Center. The Mead & Hunt contract funds preliminary design and engineering services for the Stone Street corridor that will inform eventual right‑of‑way and pedestrian improvements. The council did not discuss extra conditions at the vote but Council Member Miles urged staff to ensure public engagement includes the Bicycle Advisory Committee when the Stone Street design addresses bike lanes.