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Highlights of the May 10 Mayor and Council Meeting
The Mayor and Council met on Monday, May 10. The agenda included several proclamations, approval of the green building ordinance, a discussion on the Fiscal Year 2011 budget and more.
The following items outline many of the decisions that were made and discussions that were held.
Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Discussed
The Mayor and Council made its final changes to the city manager’s proposed Fiscal Year 2011 budget, which was introduced on March 22. Those include increasing parking fines in City-owned Town Center garages from $12 to $40 and charging patrons $1 per day on Saturdays to park in the garages.
The Mayor and Council voted to give a $100 tax credit for the fourth consecutive year to owner-occupied residential properties. The tax credit was given, in part, because of a Mayor and Council decision earlier this month to implement a Cost Allocation Plan that will increase the cost for utilities, such as refuse, sewer and stormwater, in Rockville.
Other changes include adding $1.5 million to the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to repair the Edmonston Drive vehicular bridge, and replace two pedestrian bridges – on Wootton Parkway and over the CSX rail tracks near Stonestreet Avenue.
The Mayor and Council also agreed to add $18,000 for the skate park located near the swim center at Welsh Park, which will pay for lighting and to look into the feasibility of expanding the skate park; $25,000 for the Rockville Chamber of Commerce Buy Rockville campaign; and a total of $55,000 for IT projects, including wireless Internet access all city facilities. They also voted to restore $14,000 for the bi-annual citizen survey; $65,000 for a housing codes inspector; and reduce funding for some asphalt and concrete repair projects.
There will be no tax increase in FY11. In addition to the $100 tax credit, the property tax rate will remain at 29.2 cents per $100 of assessed property value for residential and commercial properties, and a personal property tax rate of 80.5 cents per $100 of assessed value for commercial properties.
The FY11 budget was particularly challenging because of declining property values and severe cuts in revenue from state and county governments.
The Mayor and Council held four work sessions and three public hearings on the proposed budget. The FY11 budget will go into effect July 1. Adoption is scheduled for May 24.
Green Building Code Passes
The Mayor and Council voted to adopt a revised version of chapter 5 of the City Code, “Buildings and Building Regulations.”
The revisions will align the City’s building codes with state requirements and are aimed at making new building construction in Rockville “greener.”
The proposed ordinance adopts the latest editions (2009) of the International Codes and the 2008 National Electrical Code. The ordinance also adds a new article, Article XIV, titled, "Green Building Regulations,” that requires increased energy and water efficiency in buildings.
The ordinance goes into effect July 1 and adopts the latest editions (2009) of the International Codes and the 2008 National Electrical Code.
You can read the ordinance or pick up a printed copy at the Inspection Services Counter at City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave.
Proclamations Issued
The Mayor and Council issued three proclamations during their meeting. The proclamations recognized May as Historic Preservation Month, May 16-22 as National Public Works Week and May 22-28 as National Boating Safety Week in Rockville.
Residents Appointed to Boards
The following residents received Mayor and Council approval to boards and commissions: