COLLEGE GARDENS CIVIC ASSOCIATION SPRING MEETING MINUTES May 14, 2025
A hybrid meeting with 22 people attending in-person and two participating virtually.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by the College Gardens Civic Association (CGCA) President Jennifer Weiland (JW). Other CGCA Executive Committee Officers in attendance included Vice-President Gamal (Jimmy) El-Masry (GE), Treasurer Efi Atkinson (EA), and Secretary John Mosely Hayes (JMH).
Introduction and Proposed Meeting Agenda (JW): JW introduced the proposed agenda: Treasurer Report – JW Police Report – Rockville Police Major Bill Nieberding City Updates (City Budget, College Gardens Park Mural, 270 Expansion, Home Town Holidays, Street Light Maintenance, West Gude Entrance to Rockville Senior Center, other) – Mayor Monique Ashton, Council Member Marissa Valeri and Council Member Barry Jackson College Gardens Garden Club – JW CGCA Directory and Dues Collection – JW Fordham and Pitt Place Rockville Connects – Diane Fuchs National Night Out Picnic, August 5th – JW CGCA Executive Committee Election – JW New Business
Treasurer Report, JW: The most recent bank account statement balance is $5,778.64.
Police Report, City of Rockville, Police Major Bill Nieberding (BN): Following BN’s recent promotion to Major with broader responsibilities, he had requested and would remain the City police department’s CGCA liaison. BN explained that though crime statistics remain very low in the neighborhood, there had been a few anomalies – gunshots of unknown origin had been reported; heard; there was a stolen car in the apartment complex, the car was “borrowed” and returned with damage; and in front of the apartment complex an unattended TV was stolen. BN emphasized the importance of citizens calling the police with any safety concerns; to call 240-314-8900 for non-emergencies and 911 for emergencies. By next year, the city expects the police department to be fully staffed with the currently approved staffing level of 73 police officers. BN explained that in addition to these 73 permanent officers the police department is also approved to do overhires to help overcome the staff shortages caused by the six months of training when a new officer is recruited, the impact of officers serving in the military reserves, and long recovery times for officers hurt on the job. BN explained that the police department has four police response teams of nine members each, with each team consisting of a police sergeant and eight more officers. In addition, the department has investigative and community service units. BN emphasized that partnerships with other police departments are the way to go. City police have a very good and well-integrated relationship with the Montgomery County and Gaithersburg police. When either city or county police departments do not have sufficient capacity to respond, they can call on the other for additional officers and resources. In addition, a critical help that the county police provides the city police is it (not the city police) responds to requests for assistance from the Mental Health Crisis Center located on Picard Drive. BN was asked what the Rockville police department’s policy was when the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) decides it needs to take action in Rockville? BN responded that ICE or other Federal enforcement entities do not ask the Rockville police to help them. In addition, deconfliction is done when an outside enforcement group needs/wants to come into another jurisdiction to do something. However, ICE is not required or expected to give a heads-up when it comes into the Rockville area to do ICE work. BN also emphasized that the officer firearms training, use of force training, and training in general that the Rockville police officers are receiving have really changed for the better… officers are now taught how to think through situations, not told what to do. BN was asked and responded that the Interim Chief of Police of the Rockville City Police Department was Major Jason West. BN further explained that there were currently four candidates to become the new Chief of Police, with West being one of the candidates. A meeting attendee commended the police for capturing the juveniles that had broken into her car. Other meeting attendees asked what could be done about vehicles that are parked in the neighborhood that don’t have tags or seem abandoned. BN said to submit a form on the Rockville police department website at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/FormCenter/Police-Forms-3/Abandoned-Vehicle-Report-34 The website form instructions state: Use this form to report an abandoned vehicle that is located within the corporate limits of the City of Rockville. A vehicle may only be reported as abandoned if it meets at least one of the following criteria. (1) The vehicle is both inoperable and left unattended on public property for more than 48 consecutive hours. (2) The vehicle has remained illegally parked for more than 48 consecutive hours and has been left unattended on or along a public highway or roadway. (3) The vehicle is not displaying a valid registration plate or is displaying an expired registration plate. (4) The vehicle has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than 48 consecutive hours.
City of Rockville Update, Mayor Monique Ashton, Council member Marissa Valeri, and Council member Barry Jackson: The City budget was approved – see https://www.rockvillemd.gov/951/Budget for more details. Even so, the city is preparing for federal budget changes that may impact Rockville. Six million in Federal grants are still expected to come through, and to date, there is no indication that the grants will be reduced. It was noted that Montgomery County, not the city, is proposing to raise the tax rate. What the city budget prioritizes reflects its concerns, including housing shortage and cost issues. As new federal grants are released with conditions, the City will need to decide before applying whether the new requirements are in keeping with the Council’s values. The City is still working on its Zoning Ordinance Rewrite to correspond to the 2040 Comprehensive Master Plan that was enacted in 2021. See https://www.rockvillemd.gov/2521/Zoning-Ordinance-Rewrite for more details. The City Council adopted the Town Center Master Plan revision. See https://www.rockvillemd.gov/2309/Rockville-Town-Center-Master-Plan-Update for more details. The latest project updates will continue to be posted on Engage Rockville at https://engagerockville.com/towncenter . City officials emphasized when questioned that a paved path will not be put through the Upper Watts Branch forest. It was also noted that while it is in the master plan to put provide an opening at the end of Princeton Place into Montgomery Community College, nothing has been done so far. City officials, when prompted, also reiterated that while no road opening will be put in from West Gude to Yale Place that the bicycle path opening will be regraded. It was also noted that the budget includes a noise for the north side of West Gude Drive. The Rockville bond rating remains very strong at AAA; however, the MD state bond rating was recently degraded by Moody’s by one level from AAA to AA. Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) – in the City budget, there will be an opening made from West Gude into Sr. Center but with no cut through into Woodley Gardens. The design will be completed in about 6 months, then a construction contract will be made and work will start soon after. The Woodley Gardens pool and day care center is having some additional financing that is needed; bathroom and changing areas need to be added. Construction has started. Another community meeting will be (was) held on May 18th at the Senior Center. Attendees also raised concerns about how Federal layoffs may impact the City’s revenue. The City officials stated that 17% of the City’s income comes from property taxes and that there will be an impact with some lag if there is an economic downturn. It was also reported that the Senior Citizen Commission name will be changed to the Commission on Aging. Home Town Holidays will be held at Town Center for two days (Sat/May 24, and Sun/May 25), and the Memorial Day Parade on Monday (May 26). Kings Farm Farmstead – The Kings Farm Farmstead, including a large parcel of land, was given to the City by the developer with certain specifications on how it could be used. Infrastructure was brought to the facilities on the land (e.g. water). Now decisions are needed on what to do with the land and buildings. A number of suggestions were obtained, and now filtering of ideas will after in-person meetings on May 28th at Kings Farm and May 29th at Glenfield Mansion, and virtually on June 21st. Redgate Park – An attendee asked about the current plans for developing Red Gate park. The park will largely become an arboretum. A dog park has already been created. The park’s vision plan is available on the city website at https://www.rockvillemd.gov/2311/RedGate-Park-Arboretum-Master-Plan . 270 update – Nothing will be explored again until 2045 as far as expansion. The Rockville City’s position is to focus on the Legion Bridge and 270 section north of Rockville, where the choke points are. The expansion does remain a possibility despite the unanimous opposition by the City Council. To this end, the Mayor had sent a letter expressing strong opposition to this project to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (CoG). The exact position of Governor Wes Moore’s Administration is not clear since CoG formally approved the plan to go ahead with the widening/toll project, but also said it would not implement the plan for now. This project appears to have been pushed from 2040 to 2045, but it could be reactivated earlier if the political majorities change. We all need to be vigilant. Unlike the Rockville City Council, city governments north of Rockville are not opposed to the project. Street lights – The City, through grants, has replaced bulbs with LED lights. Attendees noted that the lighting seems less because the reflective shields were removed to decrease light pollution impacts on birds and other animals… so lighting is directly below the street lamps now. The City is in discussion with Pepco to improve service and response, and in general, to improve the City’s energy grid. The City appreciates the community bringing to their attention those poles that need repair, and it will continue to work with PEPCO and others to address them. An Explore Rockville website has been established – see https://explorerockville.org/ Trader Joes – will be opened in the Towncenter in the previous Dawsons space in June. Also later this summer, a Wegmans will be opened on 355 close to the Twinbrook metro station. A bike to work day is to be held on May 16, from 6-9 am. Questions were asked by meeting attendees about support services for the 1000+ Federal employees living in the Rockville area who lost their jobs – Mobilize-Montgomery and Work-Source Montgomery and the State have websites. City Housing and Community Support Services are an additional resource to help; for example such individuals can receive a reduced recreation fee rate. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a support phone helpline for people experiencing mental health or substance use emergencies. A Non-profit organizations in Rockville Summit is to be held on May 22nd. These nonprofits have a big need for donations. A new global pass is being rolled out for Senior Center members, so their membership also includes access to other Rockville Community Centers for a reduced price. The Rockville Main Street Housing facility, which is for persons with special needs, celebrated its fifth year. It was noticed and appreciated that Rockville Police Department representatives attended the celebration. Update on College Gardens Park Pavilion Mural – In April 2025 the City Mayor and Council approved artist Andy Dahl’s mural plan which now is to include all five walls of the pavilion. Meeting attendees suggested that lighting be installed that would illuminate the mural for a few hours each night. The mural painting is expected to start in June.
College Gardens Garden Club, JW: The College Gardens Garden Club (CGGC) plant sale was a success. The CGGC appreciates those who participated and purchased plants. The CGGC is working on plans to improve the landscaping at the intersection of College Parkway and Nelson St. with more native species.
CGCA Directory and Dues Collection, JW: JW explained that additional volunteers are needed for collecting the directory information and dues on Fordham St. and Pitt Place. Mark Pierzchala volunteered to cover Fordham, and Gamal (Jimmy) El-Masry Pitt Place. Karen Carp explained that she had created a mock-up of what a printed directory would look like and needed an updated directory. A lengthy discussion ensued about how to determine how many CGCA members wanted a printed directory, and if the CGCA would subsidize any of the cost of printing a directory. JMH clarified that the CGCA Bylaws did not prohibit the CGCA from subsidizing directory printing costs, but that it was not required. JW explained that the Bylaws made it clear that to be a CGCA member in good standing, a household was to give the required bi-annual dues (currently $10), but that the dues was not intended to pay for a printed directory nor was and the CGCA Executive Committee required to create a printed directory. As had been agreed at the previous CGCA meeting, it was agreed that during the upcoming directory information and membership dues collection process (time to commence still to be determined), to ask if a household wanted to pay for a printed directory in addition to the collected membership dues (note the actual cost of a printed directory is unknown until it is clear how many households would want a printed directory). Further once the demand for printed directories was known the CGCA Executive Committee could then decide if it would subsidize some of the printing costs with the membership’s money.
West Rockville Connects, Diane Fuchs: Rockville currently has eight Villages and WRC is part of one of these Villages and represents several neighborhoods, including CG. WRC has been recognized as a not-for-profit organization by the State of MD. WRC gives a welcoming package to persons who have recently purchased a home in the WRC neighborhoods, and it includes welcoming CGCA and CGGC letters for the CG homes. WRC recently brought together the Boy Scouts with the Sr. Center woodworking center to create the boxes for two new Little Free Libraries. Diane volunteered to be the contact for those who have books they would like to donate to the Little Libraries.
National Night Out Picnic, JW: The CGCA National Night Out event will be held on Tuesday, August 5th (always the first Tuesday of August), at the CG Park Pavilion.
CGCA Executive Committee Election, JW: New CGCA officers (President, Vice-President, and Secretary) need to be elected. Attendees suggested that an information campaign be conducted to create interest in running. Tom Miner suggested that an officer request flyer be placed on Tulane Lane where parents take their children to school. Others suggested that requests for volunteers be placed in the CG Elementary School newsletter. JMH suggested that an officer request flyer be handed out when the directory information and dues are collected and that persons be asked to consider serving. Mark Pierzchala suggested that the CGCA consider holding a special meeting in September to elect new officers.
