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From the City’s website:

Board of Supervisors of Elections Issues Memorandum & Opinion
Posted 2/22/2008

The City of Gaithersburg Board of Supervisors of Elections has released its Memorandum & Opinion of the Board of Supervisors of Elections of the City of Gaithersburg concerning a series of complaints that were filed in connection with the November 6, 2007 City election. While the unanimous decision found there were no violations of City election laws, the Board did conclude there were reasonable grounds to believe that three Political Action Committees made contributions to City candidates in violation of State election law. Accordingly, this issue has been referred to the Maryland State Board of Elections and the State Prosecutor’s office for review. In addition, the Board has asked the Unites States Postmaster General to investigate allegations that certain campaign brochures were mailed to City voters using the non-profit postage rate.

During the course of the investigation, the Board determined that the current City campaign finance laws are outdated and inadequate and has recommended that the Mayor and City Council consider amending these laws prior to the next City election scheduled for November, 2009.

Complete Memorandum & Opinion

For more information please contact Board Staff Liaison Fred Felton at ffelton@gaithersburgmd.gov or 301-258-6310.

From the City’s website:

Public Invited to Provide Input on City Manager Search
Posted 2/21/2008

A representative of Alliance Resources Consulting LLC, the firm hired to assist Gaithersburg in its search for a new City Manager, is seeking input from the public at a Community Open House on Thursday, February 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the City Hall Gallery, 31 South Summit Avenue in Olde Towne Gaithersburg.

Mr. Eric Middleton of Alliance Resources will host the event, and would like to hear suggestions from residents, businesses and organizations as to the ideal qualities and qualifications for the next City Manager.  Please note that the Open House will not be televised.

 With input from elected officials, staff and a broad cross section of the community, Alliance Resources will then conduct a national search, with the entire process expected to take approximately six months.

David B. Humpton retired on October 26, 2007 after twenty two and a half years of service to Gaithersburg, serving as City Manager since 1995.  James D. Arnoult, Director of the Department of Public Works, Parks Maintenance and Engineering, has been Acting City Manager since Mr. Humpton’s departure.

For more information please contact Sarah Paxton, Executive Assistant to the Acting City Manager, at 301-258-6310, or cityhall@gaithersburgmd.gov.

Melissa J. Brachfeld writes:

Harrison Jay Bryant, 20, of the 5300 block of Gardner Street in Williamsburg, Va., and Calvin Fitzgerald Currica, 22, of the 24700 block of Frederick Road in Clarksburg, each face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed carjacking, carjacking, armed robbery and attempted armed robbery in connection with the four incidents, according to a statement from Montgomery County Police. Bryant is also charged with first-degree assault and Currica was charged with a second count of kidnapping, police said.

The crimes that this pair were charged with took place in Gaithersburg, Germantown and Aspen Hill.

From the City’s website. This was released on Tuesday. I kept looking for it on the County’s site (where it still isn’t posted); it hadn’t occurred to me that it would show up on the City’s website. For more information on this see my previous post.

Suspicious Death Ruled a Homicide and Police Release a Composite of one Suspect

Press release provided by the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide/Sex Section are continuing to investigate a death that occurred Sunday in Gaithersburg. It has now been ruled a homicide. Detectives are releasing a composite of one of the suspects involved.

Sunday, February 17 at approximately 9:00 p.m., Gaithersburg Police and officers from the 6th District responded to the 500 block of S. Frederick Avenue for an assault and battery in progress that involved multiple subjects. Upon arrival officers found a deceased male in the parking lot of the apartment complex at that address.

Through the course of the investigation it was determined that two adult male victims were walking in the parking lot of the above address. Three suspects attacked the victims from behind. One victim was able to escape but the second victim, Aureliano Evelio Miranda-Fuentes, age 42, of the above address in Gaithersburg, succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack.

Suspect #1 depicted in the computer-created composite is described as a black male, 25 to 35 years of age, 5’8” tall, with a medium build, and short cropped hair. He was wearing a black leather zip-up jacket and black jeans. The second suspect is described as a black male, age 25 to 35 years of age, 5’8” tall, with a heavy build. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and blue jeans. The third suspect is described as a black male, 25 to 35 years of age, 5’6” tall, with a muscular build.

Anyone who may have information about this incident and/or the suspects involved is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

From the City’s website:

City of Gaithersburg Draft 2008 Strategic Plan
Posted 2/11/2008

Gaithersburg is a City with vision.  The following document is our Year 2008 Strategic Plan. Strategic Planning is a way for us to focus our resources on improving the City’s livability in specific areas that will most help us achieve Gaithersburg’s vision.

On an annual basis, the City refines its Vision, Mission Statement, Guiding Principles, and Strategic Directions.  Our strategic planning and budgeting process are linked to assure that the City’s budget reflects the City’s strategic priorities.  We believe Gaithersburg is a great place to live, work, learn and play, and we want to continue to improve Gaithersburg’s livability in these areas.

Gaithersburg cannot be a great City without the involvement of its residents and businesses.  It is through partnerships that we can accomplish the most and build the community we all truly want.  Gaithersburg is lucky to have many involved residents, businesses and nonprofit groups that really care about the City and want to make it a better place.  Gaithersburg is a City where CHARACTER COUNTS!

We hope you find the Strategic Plan very informative. If you would like to get involved or if you have any questions or suggestions regarding our strategic plan, please contact us at 301-258-6310 or cityhall@gaithersburgmd.gov.

Sidney A. Katz
Mayor

Jim Arnoult
Acting City Manager

• Download the 2008 Strategic Plan pdf file

Note: This meeting has been canceled due to the weather.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Planning Commission Meeting, 2/20/2008
Posted 2/11/2008

City of Gaithersburg
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
Telephone: 301-258-6330

PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA [Subject to Change]

Wednesday, February 20, 2008
7:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers

RECORD PLATS

RECOMMENDATION TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL

MP-2-07 – Community Facilities
An Amendment to the General Plan for the City of Gaithersburg Master Plan
Background Material (pdf format)

SITE PLAN

PI-BO71057 BO71058 —  Wyndam Garden Hotel
C-2 Zone
805 Russell Avenue
Building Signage
SIGN ADJUSTMENT
Background Material (pdf format)

AFP-08-004 – Crown Pointe
MXD Zone
98 Sharpstead Lane
Change in House Type and Elevations
AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format)

AFP-08-005 – Watkins Mill Town Center
MXD Zone
White Ash Place
Additional Townhouse Elevations
AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material (pdf format)

AFP-08-006 – Watkins Mill Town Center
MXD Zone
Community Center and Urban Avenues
Architectural Elevations of 2/2 Units
AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW
Background Material - I (pdf format 5.5M)

Background Material - II (pdf format 8.2M)
Background Material - III (pdf format 9.2M)

FROM THE COMMISSION

FROM STAFF

ADJOURNMENT

Items below that I find particularly interesting are:

• The appointment of a new City Attorney, N. Lynn Board.
• A report on the City’s strategic planning retreat.
• A public hearing on the proposed application for Olde Towne to receive Enterprise Zone designation from the State.
• Discussion of the historic designation of the England-Crown Farm Site in Crown Farm.
• A memo outlining the City’s position on the M-83 alternatives.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Mayor and City Council Meeting, 2/19/2008
Posted 2/15/2008

City of Gaithersburg
AGENDA FOR A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2008, 7:30 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. INVOCATION

Reverend Sarah Lewis, Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Held February 4, 2008

Background Material (pdf format)

V. APPOINTMENTS

Resolution of the City Council Confirming an Appointment by the Mayor to The Greater Historic District Committee
Background Material (pdf file)

VI. PRESENTATIONS

1. Certificates of Appreciation Presented to the 2007 Winter Lights Sponsors and Presentation of Donations to Charities
2. Certificate of Recognition Presented to the 2008 Mid-Atlantic Recreation and Parks Sports Alliance Award Recipient
3. Gaithersburg’s Multicultural Affairs Committee Celebrates African American History Month, “The Sights, Sounds, and Tastes of Africa, our Motherland”
4. Introduction of New Employee, Eliza Voigt, Planner

VII. PUBLIC APPEARANCES
(public is invited to speak on any subject that is not a public hearing topic on tonight’s agenda — each speaker three minutes)

VIII. FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL/ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Upcoming City Events

IX. FROM THE ACTING CITY MANAGER

• Report on the City’s Strategic Planning Retreat Held January, 2008
  Background Material (pdf file)

X. PUBLIC HEARING

Public Hearing to Solicit Input Regarding Pursuit of State of Maryland Enterprise Zone Designation for Gaithersburg’s Olde Towne Central Business District
Background Material (pdf format)

XI. RECESS MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

---

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

1. Call to Order

2. Approval of Minutes

• Minutes of a Historic District Commission Meeting Held January 7, 2008
  Background Material (pdf format)

• Minutes of a Historic District Commission Meeting Held January 22, 2008
  Background Material (pdf format)

3. Policy Discussion

HD-32, Application Requests Historic Designation of the England Crown Farm Site Located at 9800 Fields Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Background Material (pdf format)

4. Adjournment

---

XII. RECONVENE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

XIII. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND REGULATIONS
(ordinances, resolutions, and regulations to be introduced or adopted following appropriate procedures required by the City Code, or resolutions that may require discussion by the Mayor and Council prior to approval)

1. Resolution of the City Council of Gaithersburg Confirming the Mayor’s Appointment of the City Attorney
   Background Material (pdf format)

2. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Gaithersburg Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into an Agreement With Community Clinic, Inc., Family Services Agency, Inc., Identity, Inc., Mobile Medical Care, Inc., Spanish Catholic Center of Catholic Community Services, and Upper Montgomery Assistance Network ($236,500)
   Background Material (pdf format)

XIV. FROM THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS, CITY ATTORNEY AND OTHER STAFF

Guidance on a Memorandum Dated February 11, 2008 Concerning M-83, Midcounty Corridor Study
Background Material (pdf format)

XV. ADJOURNMENT

---

THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

WILL BE HELD MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2008 , 7:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 31 SOUTH SUMMIT AVENUE

---

UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETING AND WORK SESSION ITEMS
This list is not all-inclusive, and does not reflect priorities or scheduling
But is intended to provide a glance at future items to come before the City Council.

Work Session

Feb. 25 - Z-307, Application to Amend the Zoning Map of the Summit Shopping Center
from C-2 to MXD Zone

Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
March 3 - Policy Discussion
- Z-310, Crown Farm Village, Amended Sketch Plan
- MP-2-07, Community Facilities Element, an Amendment to the 2003 Master Plan

OK, this is the last one until the County posts more reports. From February 6:

P1 Beat:

• An assault occurred on Wednesday, 1/30, just before 8:00 p.m. at West Deer Park Road. and Duvall Lane in Gaithersburg. Two suspects knocked an adult male off his bicycle with a baseball bat. No property was taken.

  Suspects: B/Ms 18 to 20, 5’7”-5’8”, black baseball caps

• A robbery occurred sometime between Sat 2/2 and Sunday 2/3 near the Diamond Square Giant, 46 Bureau Drive in Gaithersburg. An adult male was robbed by suspects described as four B/M’s.
• Vehicle-related thefts occurred on more than one date between 1/29 and 2/06 from overnight to between 8:00 am and10:00 a.m. on both weekday and weekend dates, in the area of the Rio Center at the Washingtonian complex in Gaithersburg. Property taken ranged from stereos to purses to GPS systems.

P2 Beat:

• Six commercial burglaries occurred between Saturday, 2/2 and Sunday, 2/3 between 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to offices at 910 Clopper Road in Gaithersburg. Forced entry. Property was taken.
• A residential burglary occurred on Thursday, 1/31 between 2:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. in the 800 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg. Unknown entry. Property taken.
• Vehicle-related thefts occurred in many areas of the beat, with the largest number of incidents occurring overnight between Sunday, 2/3 and Monday, 2/4 in the area just north of Great Seneca Highway and Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg. The method of entry for most was described as unknown.

R1 Beat:

• Vehicle-related thefts occurred overnight from Sunday 2/3 into Monday, 2/4 just south of Montgomery Village Avenue in the Centerway/Harkness Drive area of Montgomery Village. Forced entry. Property was taken.

R2 Beat:

• A robbery occurred on Sunday, 2/3 around 2:15 a.m. in the 18900 block of Mills Choice Road in Montgomery Village. The adult male victim was approached by three suspects in ski masks. He was not injured. Property was taken.

  Suspect: B/M 5’10”, 150-180 lbs., black Northface jacket, black sweatpants, handgun
  Suspect: B/M 5’7” to 5’8”, 150-170 lbs., black Northface jacket, black jeans
  Suspect: B/M 5’6” to 5’7”, 150-160 lbs., black goose down jacket, black jeans

• An assault occurred on Tuesday 2/5 around 2:30 p.m. in the 20400 block of Shadow Oak Drive in Montgomery Village. The 15-year-old male victim was assaulted by a known suspect. The suspect struck and injured the victim in the face, and took personal property. Charges are pending.

S1 Beat:

• A commercial burglary occurred on Thursday 1/31 around 4:30 a.m. at Olympic Auto Parts at 9136 Gaither Road in Gaithersburg. Forced entry. Property taken.

S2 Beat:

• A theft of copper wiring and piping occurred from two businesses during the first four days of February. At this stage of the investigations, they are not believed to be related.
• 2/2-2/3 During this weekend, at a first-floor garage under construction at 9901 Medical Center Drive in Rockville.
• 2/2 At approximately 8:30 a.m. A suspect was seen climbing the fence at Rockingham Construction, 19200 Woodfield Road in Gaithersburg. He fled but left behind his vehicle, a Ford Pickup.

Still catching up on the County crime reports. This one from January 30:

P1 Beat:

• A robbery occurred at Gigi’s Jewelry at 241 Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg on Saturday 1/26 around 9:54 p.m. There were four suspects, with at least two of the suspects armed with handguns. Property was taken. Some of the property was recovered around the corner in the 300 block of West Side Drive.

  Suspect: B/M dredlocks, black Northface hooded jacket with fur trim, ski mask
  Suspect: M 6’1”, blue & purple jacket with an orange hood, ski mask
  Suspect: M wearing a black and white camouflage jacket, ski mask
  Suspect: M wearing a black winter coat with tan trim around the hood

• An aggravated assault occurred involving a mentally unstable individual who attacked two MCP officers with a knife in the 100 block of Timberbrook Lane in Gaithersburg on Wednesday 1/23 around 9:55 p.m. Suspect was taken in for a mental evaluation. Warrant on file.

  Suspect: W/M, 30 years old, 5’10”, 170 lbs.

• A road rage incident turned into an aggravated assault at Muddy Branch Road and West Deer Park Road in Gaithersburg on Friday 1/25 around 12:30 p.m. The suspect fled after ramming the back of the victim’s vehicle.

  Suspect: B/M, 6’3”, 205 lbs., multicolored Jamaican hat
  Suspect Vehicle: white Chrysler 4-Door, D.C. tags

P2 Beat:

• The reported rape that occurred at the Motel 6 on Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg on 1/27 at 6:00 a.m. involved a known suspect. Investigation is continuing.
• A food deliverer was the victim of an armed robbery on Tuesday 1/22 around 8:50 p.m. after responding to a bogus food order on Longpoint Way in Gaithersburg. Upon arriving, the victim was met by a female who displayed a small handgun. A male then came up from behind with a larger handgun. The victim’s delivery money and food were taken. The suspects then stole other property from the victim’s vehicle.

  Suspect: B/F 20 years, black winter coat, black scarf covering her face, small handgun
  Suspect: B/M 20 years, grey winter coat, black scarf over his face, larger handgun

• Many of the vehicle-related thefts centered around two areas, with each area visited on more than one night. The method of entry was unknown with most victims insisting their vehicle was locked and, as usual, small items like sunglasses and GPs systems were taken.

Cherrywood Lane Neighborhood

Kentlands Neighborhood

R1 Beat:

• A strong arm robbery occurred at Tunstall Road and Treyford Drive in Montgomery Village on Thursday 1/24 around 4:40 p.m.. Three MS-13 members were caught fleeing the area and arrested; one still having the victim’s cell phone.

  Defendant: H/M 5’8”, 185, 19-years-old
  Defendant: H/M 5’6”, 160, 18-years-old
  Defendant: H/M 5’6”, 170, 21-years-old

• Two Attempted residential burglaries occurred when unknown suspect(s) tried to break into two townhouses under construction in the 300 block of North Summit Avenue in Gaithersburg, between Tuesday 1/23 and Saturday 1/26 overnight. Attempted forced entry, but no entry was made.

R2 Beat:

• An aggravated assault occurred on Saturday 1/26 in the 9400 block of Vineyard Haven Drive in Montgomery Village after an argument escalated. The defendant, who was arrested, struck the victim in the head with a hammer.

  Defendant: H/M 5’10”, 185, 31-years-old was arrested.

S1 Beat:

• An attempted traffic stop at Goshen Road and Midcounty Highway in Gaithersburg at 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday 1/22 escalated to a pursuit, two struck cruisers, and a bailout. The offender was finally subdued in the area of Emory Grove Road and Tea Rose Place.

  Defendant: B/M 23 years, 5’9”, 175 lbs., no fixed address

S2 Beat:

• Four residential burglaries occurred when homes were broken into in the Flower Hill neighborhood in Gaithersburg on Friday 1/25 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. One neighbor described seeing a B/M 5’8”, 155 lbs., with a dark Northface jacket with grey trim near one address. A suspect has been developed. All involved force. Property was removed at all four homes.

• Vehicle thefts of Honda Accords continue to occur in the beat with the most recent in the Spiceberry area of Gaithersburg. As with the pattern that began in earnest around January 5, different 1990’s model Accords have been stolen. These latest three probably occurred after midnight on Saturday 1/26. Suspects have been developed.
  • 8100 block of Morning View Drive attempted on a 1991 Accord; purse and jewelry taken
  • 8100 block of Pepper Ridge Way 1996 Accord taken
  • 8200 block of Ironclad Court 1994 Accord taken

Update 3: County Police still have not posted press release on their website concerning this issue. However Ernesto Londoño writes in the Washington Post, Robbery Considered Possible Motive in Fatal Attack:

A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation is continuing, said it appeared that the victims had been drinking and were walking to a store to buy more alcohol when they were attacked.

Miranda-Fuentes was apparently struck on the head with an object and hit his head on the pavement during the scuffle, the source said. Police have not found the object.

Police said witnesses described the assailants as black males 25 to 35 years old. One was described as about 5 foot 8, of medium build and with cropped hair. He wore a leather zip-up jacket and black jeans. A second attacker was described as about 5 foot 8 and heavyset. He wore a black, hooded sweat shirt. The third was described as about 5 foot 6 and muscular.

The Gazette also has an updated story in today’s print edition, but I cannot find it online. It says that Mr. Miranda-Fuentes was stabbed and likely beaten with a baseball bat and an iron pipe.

Update 4: The above-mentioned Gazette article (by Sebastian Montes) is now online.

Update 2: The Gazette now has an article on this; Sebastian Montes and Meghan Tierney write, Gaithersburg man found dead in his apartment parking lot:

A Gaithersburg man was found dead in the parking lot of his apartment complex Sunday night in what county police are investigating as a homicide.

Police are looking for two suspects in Miranda-Fuentes’ death, said Officer Diane Tillery, community services officer for the county police 6th District station. He was stabbed and beaten, she said.

Update: I received a copy of the following MCPD press release via a neighborhood mailing list; as far as I can tell the police have not posted it online:

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION

For Immediate Release

February 18, 2008

Police Investigate Suspicious Death in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County Police detectives from the Major Crimes Division, Homicide/Sex Section are investigating a suspicious death in Gaithersburg.

Last night at approximately 9:00 p.m., Gaithersburg Police and officers from the 6th District responded to the 500 block of S. Frederick Avenue for an assault and battery in progress that involved multiple subjects. Upon arrival officers found a deceased male in the parking lot of the apartment complex at that address.

The subject has been identified as Aureliano Evelio Miranda-Fuentes, age 42, of the above address in Gaithersburg. Currently detectives are classifying his death as suspicious. The Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore will perform an autopsy where the exact cause and manner of death will be determined.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about this incident to call 240.773.5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

###

PRS/prs

Channel 4 reports:

The victim has been identified as Aureliano Evelio Miranda-Fuentes, 42, of Gaithersburg.

Authorities have classified the death as suspicious. They are awaiting autopsy results for the exact cause and manner of death.

Further details have not been released.

Police are asking anyone with possible information about this incident to call 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.