Rockville Declares Snow Emergency

>This from the City’s public information department:

Rockville City Manager Scott Ullery declared a snow emergency as of 11 a.m. Monday, March 2, giving residents notice that they must move their vehicles off of neighborhood roads where possible or to the designated side of the street to allow Department of Public Works crews to more easily plow snow.

Rockville’s snow emergency plan is geared specifically toward helping clear residential streets. Most jurisdictions that have snow emergency plans apply those plans to major streets. After the City Manager declares a snow emergency, residents are requested to park their cars in available garages or driveways on their properties. When that is not possible, residents are required to park only on sides of the street with even house numbers. Once that lane and the main part of the street are cleared, cars must be moved to the cleared curb (odd-numbered side). Violators may be ticketed or towed. When both sides of the street are cleared, cars can be parked in regular spaces.

Conditions leading to a “snow emergency” are significant, deep snow. If the City Manager has declared a “snow emergency,” the status will be announced through local media, via the City’s Web (www.rockvillemd.gov) and on Rockville Channel 11.

The “snow emergency” ordinance states:

• Residents with driveways must park all vehicles there.
• Residents without driveways, or who have more vehicles than will fit in the driveway, may park on the even-numbered side of the street only.
• In courts or cul-de-sacs, where house numbers are not even on one side of the street and odd on the other, parking is allowed only on the left side of the streets as one enters the cul-de-sac or court.
• No parking is allowed in the “bulb” of the cul-de-sac or court.
• After the snowfall ends and the odd-numbered side of the street is cleared, vehicles must be moved to the odd-numbered side to allow plows to clear the even-numbered side.
• The City may remove or impound cars improperly parked.
• A fine of $100 for a “snow emergency” parking violation may be incurred.

For more information about the policy, call the Public Works Department at 240-314-8566.

In addition to the parking restrictions, residents are reminded of the Snow Ordinance, which requires that snow must be removed from all sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces and the paved right-of-way sidewalk immediately fronting or abutting a property. This includes access ramps and curb cuts designed for use by people with disabilities.

Snow and ice removal must occur within 48 hours if it is more than 3 inches. Call 240-314-8330 for more information.

Due to the inclement weather, some City facilities have closed and some programs have been canceled. The information below details those closures and cancellations as of 10:30 a.m.

• Parking meter enforcement is suspended for the day.
• The Rockville Municipal Swim Center will open at 11 a.m., but all classes scheduled for today have been canceled. A decision regarding swim team practices will be made by 2 p.m. Call 240-314-8750.
• The Thomas Farm Community Center, Lincoln Park Community Center and Twinbrook Community Recreation Center are open. Classes and programs at all centers have been canceled for the day.
• The Rockville Senior Center is open from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for drop-in use only. All classes and programs are canceled for the day. There will be no transportation to and from the center and lunch is canceled.
• All recreation class programs and sports programs have been canceled.
• All preschool and childcare programs in Montgomery County Public Schools are canceled, as are all city activities in Montgomery County Public Schools.
• The climbing gym is closed.
• The F. Scott Fitzgerald Box Office is closed on Mondays.
• The Croydon Creek Nature Center is closed on Mondays.
• Recycling and refuse is being collected as scheduled. Yard waste will not be collected today; instead it will be collected on the next regularly scheduled collection day.

POTD: Skinny!

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This neat find is by Rockville Central friend Carl Henn. Of it, he says, “Rockville’s skinniest fire hydrant, out front of Womack Pest Control.”

And, apropos of our recent brightly colored hydrant photo, Our Fair City’s JoAnn Grbach sent along some information that was pretty useful:

The City of Rockville is changing the color of its fire hydrants to help Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services to better see them at night. The tops for the fire hydrants will be one of four colors based on the water flow of the particular hydrant.

City Of Rockville Closings For President's Day

>This from Our Fair City:

Rockville City Hall will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16, in observance of Presidents Day. In addition to City Hall, some Rockville facilities and programs will not operate on Feb. 16.

Parking fees at City-owned meters and garages will be suspended for the day. The following Rockville facilities and programs will not operate or will operate on a limited schedule Monday:

• City Hall will be closed.
• The Rockville Senior Center will be open 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for drop-in use only. There will be no lunch, programs or transportation.
• The F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre and Box Office will be closed.
• Croydon Creek Nature Center will be open 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Rockville Civic Center Park offices, including Glenview Mansion and the Glenview Mansion Art Gallery will be closed.

The following Rockville facilities will operate as scheduled Monday:

• Recycling and refuse will be collected.
• Twinbrook Community Recreation Center will be open 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
• Lincoln Park Community Center will be open 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
• The Rockville Municipal Swim Center will be open 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• RedGate Municipal Golf Course will be open with the first tee time at 9 a.m.

Compensation Committee Seeks Input, Hearings Set

This from Our Fair City:>

The City of Rockville’s Compensation Commission would like to hear from residents about salaries for the mayor and council. The commission, a five-member appointed panel, meets every two years to recommend possible changes to the compensation of the mayor and councilmembers.

The commission will conduct meetings on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 9 a.m., Tuesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. and Thursday, March 19, at 9 a.m. All meetings will be held at City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave. and are open to the public.

The commission seeks input in the following areas: how compensation of the mayor and councilmembers should be determined; the frequency of mayor and councilmember compensation; who should determine the compensation of the mayor and councilmembers; and other general matters related to the compensation of the mayor and councilmembers.

Currently, the annual monetary compensation for the mayor is $25,750. Councilmembers receive $20,600 annually. . . .

Persons wishing to submit written testimony should do so by e-mail before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2009. Submissions may be e-mailed to the deputy city clerk at bbean@rockvillemd.gov.

Go here for the full release.

The Commission has until March 31 to make its recommendations, and they won’t take place until after the 2009 city elections.

New City Of Rockville Website

If you listened to last week’s edition of >Rockville Central Radio (or if you read Rockville Reports), then you know that Our Fair City’s website has gotten a facelift!

I first started to notice a couple of weeks ago, when search results started having a different background. But now the whole sitre has a new look and a new structure!

New Info On Verizon's FiOS Efforts

Recently I received a question about the latest with Verizon’sd FiOS fiber optic system. After inking a deal with Our Fair City to be able to sell the service to residents, many are waiting with bated breath for those cool orange cables carrying massive amounts of data.>

I know I am one of those people! A tree blocks my view of the southern sky so DirecTV doesn’t work, and Comcast just gives me fits. Fits, tell you.

So I asked the City and here is the response I got from Doug Breisch, telecommunications manager:

Verizon has begun to install the fiber-optic cable for its Fiber To The Premises (FTTP) project. This is a construction project that involves installing fiber primarily along streets and other rights-of-way. Much of the work has been above ground installation, attaching to poles where Verizon has copper wire attached. Verizon also has started doing some underground work. Verizon posts its construction schedules on its Web site at www.verizon.com/md. This part of the project is essentially the “backbone” of the network from which FiOS connections will be made to individual residences at the request of the customer.

Verizon will be using its marketing tools to inform the community when FiOS service will be available for ordering to individual neighborhoods and areas. Verizon has the lead responsibility for informing the community about its construction project and when and where FiOS will be made available. There are several ways residents can contact Verizon to ask about these schedules.

Construction complaints, inquiries:
Call the toll-free telephone number on contractors’ trucks and on signs placed in neighborhoods; if you need further help, call Verizon Customer Care Center 1-888-550-2244, Mon. – Fri. 7a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat. 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.; or e-mail md-fios-dpcc@verizon.com.

Construction schedule, service availability:
Web site: www.verizon.com/md
Customer Care Center: 1-888-550-2244, Mon. – Fri. 7a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat. 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m
E-mail: md-fios-dpcc@verizon.com

This information, along with information about the Verizon project and the City’s relationship with the project can be found on the City’s Web site at: www.rockvillemd.gov/cabletv-telecom.

The City recently requested certain information from Verizon about tis project, including whether any FiOS marketing and installation (from the backbone to individual residences) has begun. Again, this was a recent request, and we have not yet received a response from Verizon.

I went ahead and linked through to the January construction schedule. Looks like Verizon is planning work on these streets in January:

Brice Rd
Copperstone Ct
Curtis Pl
East Jefferson St
Fleet St
Grand Oak Way
Hardy Pl
Julian Pl
Preserve Pkwy
Regal Oak Dr
Ritchie Pkwy
Tower Oaks Blvd
Treasure Oak Ct
Welsh Ln
West Edmonston Dr
Wild Oak Ter
Wootton Pkwy

(That is all the info I have; I do not have block number or anything like that.)

Progress!

City Of Rockville To Host Inauguration Viewing

Some time ago a reader posted a comment on our >Facebook page. (If you are on Facebook, please consider becoming a “fan” of Rockville Central here.)

The suggestion: “Wouldn’t it be great if we could celebrate the Presidential Inauguration in Rockville Town Square? If we could watch it on a big screen there, we could join the crowd without the jams.”

What a great idea, I thought . . . and then did not act on it. Our Fair City to the rescue!

According to the city:

The City of Rockville will host a viewing of the inauguration of 44th President Barack Obama on Tuesday, Jan. 20, in council chambers at City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave.

The City will televise the swearing-in ceremony, inaugural address and associated festivities from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the television monitors and big screen. The swearing-in ceremony takes place at 11:30 a.m. on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

How cool is that?

Many readers, I know, do not have time to go all the way into DC and make a big production of it, yet want to feel the sense of community that being with others while watching such things can bring. This is a great way to make that happen. Thank you, city leaders, for doing this.

I’ll see you there!

POTD: The Leaf Guys!

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Everybody knows I love leaf collection time! Here are the guys taking care of my pile . . . though by now I already just about have enough to make a new pile for them.

Leaf Time Again! Collection Begins Today

> I love this time of year — it’s leaf pickup time. I have never lived anywhere that got rid of my leaves for me. I just have to get them to the curb!

Just make a big pile of leaves, make sure there aren’t any big sticks hiding among them, and wait. The City comes around on a schedule and sucks them all up. Here’s this year’s leaf pickup schedule, by area:

Area 1
Nov. 17-21
Dec. 22-24

Area 2
Oct. 20-24 <== That's this week!
Nov. 24-28

Area 3
Oct. 27-31
Dec. 1-5

Area 4
Nov. 3-7
Dec. 8-12

Area 5
Nov. 10-14
Dec. 15-19

Not sure where you live? Me neither. here’s a map:

Workshop Will Provide Mortgage Advice

Did you know that in 2007, there were 117 foreclosures within the city limits of Roc>kville? So far in the first two quarters of 2008, there have already been 122. People from all income levels throughout the City have been struggling with housing burdens beyond their capabilities. It’s important to seek help as soon as you realize you are heading for trouble.

The City, State, and HomeFree USA are holding a free workshop for homeowners who are having difficulty paying the mortgage. The Foreclosure Workshop will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the Lincoln Park Community Center, from 10 AM to 3 PM.

The program will begin with a one-hour general information session about foreclosures from the panel of sponsors. The rest of the day will be individual sessions with counselors and attorneys. HomeFree USA is an organization that helps homeowners by discussing housing issues and providing confidential counseling.

Registration is required. Call Tanya Hines at the City of Rockville 240-314-8113 or email her at thines@rockvillemd.gov to attend and request the individual counseling. Sign and foreign language translation are available. Refreshments will be provided.

If you fall behind in payments or are facing a change in your interest rate, an important first step is to contact your lender and meet with a nonprofit housing counselor. Mortgages can be renegotiated three times, but never sign anything you don’t understand. This workshop is a good start.

As we talked about on Rockville Central Radio, people have a tendency to bury their heads in the sand when faced with financial problems. If you think you are having trouble, you should find out your options in order to make a sound decision for your future.

Fall Recreation Guide Available!

We’ve just received word here at >Rockville Central that Our Fair City’s Fall Activity Guide is now available. That’s great news, because Summer’s drawing to a close and we were wondering just what to do. Watch your mailbox . . . or read on for more.

Rockville has one of the most extensive and well-run citizen recreation services around (just look at the staff in the photo), and it’s always a joy to see what’s on tap. A highlight: the new 16-and-over Ultimate Frisbee League!

The full guide is here (pdf). Or you can get to individual chapters here. If you’d rather just get right to registering, you can use the City’s Rock Enroll system to search for and sign up for specific activities.

But there’s more. There’s a new foundation that makes it easy to support the City’s programs and also help your neighbors:

A resource for recreation scholarships is the new Recreation and Parks Foundation. This 501c3 organization has incorporated to raise funds to support Recreation and Parks programs, facilities and open space needs for the citizens of Rockville. Donations to the Recreation and Parks Foundation are considered a charitable contribution and are tax deductible (see page 68.) Your support through program registrations, “adding up” and donating to the Foundation will help those less fortunate attend programs with scholarship assistance.

This fall, we will continue our “People Helping People” campaign to assist those in our community who need it most. To provide much needed support to the Rockville Youth Recreation Fund, $1 has been added to each program costing $25-$99, and $2 is added to programs costing $100 or more. Added together, this small donation will help keep our fund active for those in need.

See you around the City!

P.S. The photo is of the City’s recreation staff. At front left, you can see Nina Herndon, who was a guest a few weeks back on Rockville Central Radio.

(Image: City of Rockville)

Should You Go To Monday's Mayor And Council Meeting? Yes!

As >Rockville Central readers know, I have long pined for a way to watch meetings of the Mayor and Council on my computer — on my own timetable, rather than tuning in only when they are televised. For folks who are involved in civic activities, Monday night can be a big night and I, for one, often have other things on my mind than moseying on down to City Hall.

So I am delighted to learn that this Monday’s meeting of the Mayor and Council will be the first one that will test out the new “video on demand” service from the Our Fair City! I can watch our city leaders on my own schedule now, and for that I am grateful. I will post the link when I know it (it may be this one, in fact).

But, there’s still a good reason to go to Monday’s meeting! It is the second in a series of two public hearings on the new zoning ordinance. The Mayor and Council are gathering input as they consider revisions to the proposed new rules — and there are definitely issues to be discussed. Rockville Central friend Rich Gottfried is hoping that citizens who have small home-based businesses will come and weigh in, for example. (Rich has had a lot of success advocating — with other residents — for the creation of a new “no impact” home business category).

At the last such hearing, if memory serves, there were five speakers. So there is definitely room for you!

Stop Boiling Your Water

As we just mentioned on >Rockville Central Radio (were you listening?):

We’re happy to inform you that WSSC has lifted the “boil water” restrictions on Montgomery County customers outside the Beltway. The situation is over. So, all is back to normal as regards your tap water.

Drink up!

Lots Of Ideas For Speed Camera Money: City

No surprise, since we have such a professionally-run City staff, but Our Fair City has been thinking hard about what to do with the >potentially large annual income generated by the smattering of speed cameras throughout town. As we have mentioned before, in the first year it appears these cameras have generated upwards of $3 million in revenue (this will of course decline as people get used to the speed traps.

Rockville Central friend Christina Ginsberg had sent along a few good ideas for ways the City might direct the money.

Council member Piotr Gajewski was kind enough to share with me the City’s detailed response to Christina and at first glance it looks like the planning has been very thorough.

Here is the key section of the response:

The Departments have provided the following information in response to your comments. We hope that you find it to be helpful.

The City has already taken steps to carefully review traffic safety and associated needs as part of the process of budgeting and planning for the expenditure of speed camera revenue. The City budgets the speed camera funding based on the highest priority needs across the City. The use of this revenue is heavily reflected in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 budget. FY2009 begins on July 1, 2008 and will end on June 30, 2008.

In addition to the existing 3.5 full time equivalent positions (FTE’s) and the direct operating costs related to the Speed Camera program, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 budget will fund three Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), 2.5 new FTEs, and a consultant study as described below.

The three CIP projects are as follows:

• Pedestrian Bikeway System Improvements – $1,010,000 (page 52 of the Proposed CIP)
• Pedestrian Safety – $320,000 (page 75 of the Proposed CIP)
• Street Lighting Improvements – $100,000 (page 77 of the Proposed CIP)

The new 2.5 FTE’s are as follows:

• 0.5 FTE Civil Engineer II to assist with sidewalk design and other pedestrian safety measures
• 2.0 FTE Police Officers assigned to traffic enforcement
• These additional positions are summarized in the Full Time Equivalent Positions section on pages 1-9 through 1-11 of the Proposed Operating budget book

In addition to the three CIP projects and the new FTEs, the City budgeted $50,000 of Speed Camera funding to assess the City of Rockville’s inventory and condition of sidewalks, crosswalks, and curbcuts.

All of this information is presented in the FY 2009 Proposed Budget and will be included in the FY 2009 Adopted Budget. The FY 2009 Adopted Budget will not be available until late July. Please click on the attached link to view the information in the FY 2009 Proposed Budget.

The Traffic and Transportation Division in the Public Works Department has the Twinbrook Station developer working on a traffic calming project on Twinbrook Parkway (traffic circle at Linthicum Street) and this project is currently under design. The Division has also applied for a grant (Safe-Route-to-School, year 3) to add another traffic circle at Twinbrook Parkway at Pinneberg Avenue.

In recent years, the Traffic and Transportation Division added several crosswalks and fluorescent pedestrian crossing signs to improve pedestrian safety along Twinbrook Parkway. The Division will look at the intersection of Marshall Avenue/Twinbrook Parkway as suggested by Mr. Roberts. As for Baltimore Road, this street will be reviewed and studied in the next few months through the Baltimore Road Capital Improvements Project. The Traffic and Transportation Division expects to select a consultant by the end of July and to begin the public outreach in September.

The funds from speed cameras allocated in FY09 Capital Improvements Program for streetlight upgrades will specifically target the east side of Rockville (Twinbrook and ERCA). The Traffic and Transportation Division is currently working on this list of upgrades in response to the requests they received and in conjunction with the analysis they performed during the last few months. The list will be sent to Pepco for a cost estimate in July.

Now that’s a response.

But, we should not be surprised: it came from Linda Moran, who is one of six Rockville employees who recently won an award for their excellence in innovation.

Rockville Senior Center Has Water You Don't Have To Boil

While I was in Dayton yesterday (stuck in the airport, natch), I got a call from >Rockville Central friend Ruth Hanessian. She was calling to let me know that council member Phyllis Marcuccio had had a good idea: since Rockville’s city water is unaffected by the recent WSSC water main break, why not offer some to our neighbors who otherwise would have to be boiling their water?

Seems Phyllis called the City and I’m happy to report that Our Fair City has set up a water station in the parking lot of the Senior Center, so if you are a Rockville resident but use WSSC water, you can tank up over at 1150 Carnation Drive in Woodley Gardens!

Neighborliness, that’s what it’s all about.