Rockville City Council Agenda: Financial Advisory Board, Bond Sales and Holiday Drive Awards

A discussion of the structure and scope of a financial advisory board, votes to authorize the sale of city bonds and recognition of partners in the city’s annual holiday drive are on the Rockville City Council’s agenda for Monday. 

A closed-door session will be held at 5:30 p.m. before the regular business meeting. The purpose, according to the agenda, is "to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice; and to consult with staff, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation” regarding alley abandonment.

The council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting will be broadcast live on Rockville 11.

Financial advisory board

The council is scheduled to continue its discussion of the creation, structure and duties of a financial advisory board, which is intended to increase citizen input on the city’s budget and finances. The council approved the concept of a board Dec. 3.

Bond sales votes

The council is scheduled to hold two votes on whether to increase borrowing in order to finance public works projects and refinance debt.

The first vote is on whether to sell $20 million in general obligation bonds to finance water, sewer and stormwater system improvements as called for in the city's capital budget for fiscal 2013, which ends June 30.

The second vote is on whether to sell $7 million in general obligation bonds in order to refinance the city’s outstanding debt on bonds issued in 2003. “The interest rates obtainable today are lower than when the bonds were issued in 2003; consequently, the City can reduce its debt service payments by refinancing,” city staff wrote in a report.

Holiday drive recognition

The council also is scheduled to recognize major donors and partners in the city’s annual holiday drive with plaques and certificates of appreciation.

Here’s the 2012 drive, by the numbers, according to a city staff report:

• More than $50,000: Value of the food, cash, toys, and gift cards donated.
• 939: Young children who received toys.
• 516: Thanksgiving food baskets distributed to Rockville households.
• 215: Teens who received gift cards to a local retailer.
• 204: Local grocery store gift cards given to seniors and households without children.
• 132: Individuals and businesses who contributed.
• More than 120: Community volunteers who assisted in packing and distributing Thanksgiving food boxes.
• 104: Rockville seniors who received Thanksgiving dinners.
• 59: Rockville families matched with sponsors who provided food and gifts tailored to each family’s needs.

Thanksgiving basket distribution partners were:

• CAS & Associates, Inc.
• Manna Food Center.
• Montrose Baptist Church.
• Rockville Church of Christ.
• St. Mary’s Church.

Rockville schools that conducted food and toy drives included:

• Children's Manor Montessori School
• Christ Episcopal School.
• College Gardens Elementary School
• Franklin Montessori.
• Robert Frost Middle School.
• Lakewood Elementary School.
• Maryvale Elementary School.
• Richard Montgomery High School.
• St. Mary’s School.

Frost also donated the proceeds of its annual Turkey Trot, a 1.5-mile race that supports the drive.

Stormwater management contract

Monday’s consent agenda includes a vote on a $1 million contract through Nov. 21, 2016 to Environmental Quality Resources, LLC of Arbutus, for maintenance on stormwater management facilities and the removal of non-native invasive plants on city property. The contract is a rider to a Baltimore County contract.