Councilmember Barry Jackson

A quick note about what is going on in our City. I'm adjusting these to be more space-efficient and make them quick and easy to write and quick and easy to read - and hopefully engaging. If you like what you see and read, or don't like it - please drop me a line at [email protected]. I always want to hear from you.

That goes double for meeting on City issues or other ideas you have. Whether an individual or a Civic Association or an HOA - I try to make the time to listen to your concerns, ideas. Since my last newsletter I have met with New Mark Commons HOA, Fallsgrove HOA, Fallsmead HOA, Americana Condominiums as well as attended events in King Farm for their Town Hall with Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) and the Rockville City Manager Jeff Mihelich. We also have a new City endeavor designed to get the Mayor and Council and City staff out of City Hall - it is called Neighborhood Connect. We have had two in Twinbrook and in Rockshire. There are others planned for locations across the city. Reach out to me or the city to see if your neighborhood can get on the list. And of course I try to read and respond to all emails and phone calls. You can always come out to City Hall and speak at Community Forum as well - you have three minutes to speak on whatever topic or issue is a concern to you. 

Look for an update soon on the County and State elections. I've decided to do a special update closer to the election with details about how and when to cast your ballot, and information about the candidates on the ballot. But I decided to keep those separate from this newsletter.

Be sure and connect with me through social channels to see real time updates and interact with me on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , and Instagram .

Let's get to it -

 There's no better place to spend Memorial Day weekend than Rockville! From a free festival in the heart of the city to the Memorial Day Parade, this holiday weekend is packed with ways to connect, celebrate and honor those who served.

FY 2027 Budget - Rockville now has an official budget. I am pleased to report that there was no tax increase in the City and that we held programmatic fees paid by residents down while some permitting fees have increased to have them be more aligned with other municipalities across the region and generate enough revenue to cover the costs of the City. We managed to fully fund the RCPD, gave a sizable grant to the Volunteer Fire Department, funded some much need grants to organizations that provide services to our residents and funded some capital projects, like King Farm Farmstead and Redgate that will generate excitement and use among Rockville residents.

Landlord/Tenant - I am excited about our Landlord/Tenant code update. We were supposed to approve language at the last meeting, but there were some questions and concerns that were raised, especially about defining some language and terms to clarify the intent of the direction from the City.  I especially appreciate all the outreach and engagement done by City staff. A short list of organizations invited to weigh in and to look at what items were proposed to the Mayor and Council include tenant organizations contacted included the following: Action in Montgomery, CASA, Everyday Canvassing, Housing Initiative Partnership, Housing Justice Montgomery, Jews United for Justice, Latino Economic Development Corp, Maryland Center for Legal Assistance, Maryland Legal Aid, Montgomery County DSA, Montgomery County Renters Alliance, Progressive Maryland, Renters United Maryland, and Rockville Renters United – and the city kept them updated about the progress on Landlord/Tenant.

Deer Mesh - As part of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite (ZOR), we were asked to weigh in on whether deer mesh will be allowed to be erected up to eight feet high so as to keep deer from eating people's plants and protecting residents from contracting Lyme disease. There was also the question of whether they could erect it around the entire house (including the front) or just the sides and the back. I am pleased to say that we voted to allow people to erect it as they see fit - so they can erect it around the front of a house if they so choose. 

Volunteer Appreciation Month - The month of April was a time to celebrate volunteers. I want to thank everyone who takes the time out and volunteers for a cause, whether it is on a City Board or Commission, a neighborhood Civic Association, an HOA, Condo Board, or a Tenant Association. I recently went to Stepping Stones event at Smokey Glen Farm and was really in awe of the work they do. I also attended Community Reach/Mansfield Kaseman Clinic's "Woven Together" gathering at the Rockville Hilton which was really moving and helps them serve the residents of Montgomery County - from everything from health care, to help with language to seniors and more.  There are many many more organizations which people volunteer for and I thank everyone of you who takes the time to help out causes you care about. The organizations rely on volunteers to make sure they can carry out their missions and serve the people of the community. 

2nd Annual NonProfit Symposium - I am really excited about this series of events to assist nonprofits through gathering and sharing information, challenges and opportunities with one another and with the City. It is an initiative that I really pushed for, and I believe very strongly will pay dividends for nonprofits, the City and result in improved services to Rockville residents. In addition to the annual events, there are nonprofit cafes held quarterly that are smaller in size and topic and have tackled such issues as resources for nonprofits, like the NonProfit Navigator position in the state championed by Senator Cheryl Kagan. 

Events

• 5/23 Flags for Heroes (10:00 AM), King Farm Farmstead (Corner of MD 355 & Ridgemont)
• 5/23 - 5/24 Hometown Holidays Festival (12:00:00 PM - 6:00 PM), Rockville Town Center
• 5/25 Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade (9:00:00 AM - 12:00 PM), Rockville Town Center
• 6/2 37th Annual Rockville Public Safety Awards (11:30 AM - 2:00 PM), Lakeview Country Club
• 6/2 RBAC Weekly Group Ride (6:30:00 PM - 8:30 PM), Various Rockville locations
• 6/4 Neighborhood Health and Safety Day (10:30 AM - 1:00 PM), Main Street Connect
• 6/5 Swim Center Summer Kick Off Party (8:00 PM - 10:30 PM), Rockville Swim and Fitness Center 
• 6/7 Rockville Pride (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM), Rockville Town Square
• 6/13 Suds & Soles 5K (7:30:00 PM - 10:00 PM), Rockville Town Center
• 6/19 Juneteenth (4:00 PM - 9:00 PM), Rockville Town Center
• 7/4 Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks (7:00:00 PM - 10:00 PM), Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park
• 7/11 Peace Day (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM), In Front of World of Beer at Rockville Town Center
• Check Listings - Summer Concert Series (6:00:00 PM - 8:00 PM), Rockville Town Square
• Saturdays, 5/16 – Nov. 21 Rockville Farmers Market (9:00:00 AM - 1:00 PM), Jury Parking Lot
• 8/4 National Night Out (Various Times), Various Neighborhoods Around Rockville

Videos From Rockville 11

Check out the debut episode of Rockville 11's new program "Conversations With The Mayor and Council."

In this first episode, the conversation is about public safety with Councilmember Barry Jackson, Rockville City Police Department Chief Jason West and Rockville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Craig Lazar. This in-depth conversation covers traffic safety initiatives, community policing efforts, and new police programs planned for the city. I had a blast doing it and speaking with the Chiefs. I hope you find it as interesting as I did!

Other videos from the City of Rockville featuring the Mayor and Council -

Rockville Celebrates Earth Month and Arbor Day

Rockville Lunar New Year

2026 Rockville International Night

"Past to Present" Twinbrook Mural Dedication

Martin Luthor King Day