gaithersblog.net

Via Connected Communites, where reports for all six districts are available.

P1 Beat:

• An attempted robbery/sexual assault occurred along a path near Apple Seed Lane in Gaithersburg on Sunday, 3/29 at 11:30 a.m. The adult female victim was assaulted by a man who got off his bicycle and attacked her. He demanded cash but was scared off by a citizen. Responding officers found the adult male defendant nearby and arrested him.

• An aggravated assault occurred in the 9700 block of Skyhill Way in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, 3/24 at 7:30 p.m. This issue is domestic.

P2 Beat:

• No significant activity.

R1 Beat:

• An attempted robbery of an armored car employee occurred at 701 Russell Avenue on Thursday, 3/26 around 4:20 p.m. The female courier was on an escalator when the suspect grabbed her arm and displayed a knife. Suspect fled after a short struggle and obtained nothing.

• A home invasion robbery occurred on Docena Court in Montgomery Village on Friday, 3/27 at 1:30 p.m. The male suspect entered property and searched most rooms, taking property. He fled from the scene on foot.
  Suspect: B/M 29 to 30 years, 5’10”, 230, short black hair

• A strong-arm robbery occurred in the parking lot at 701 Russell Avenue on Saturday, 3/28 at 3:00 a.m. The adult male victim was getting into his car when two suspects attacked him. The suspects removed his property and fled. Two B/Ms, 19 to 25 years (one 5’10” to 6’0”) in dark blue hoodies.

• An attempted strong-arm robbery occurred in the 18800 block of Nathan’s Place in Montgomery Village on Monday, 3/30 between 5:20 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. A group of five juveniles approached an adult male victim and asked to use his cell phone. Then they began to assault the victim and the suspects fled the scene. The suspects went through the same routine with another adult male in the 9900 block of Lake Landing Drive in Montgomery Village moments later. However, this victim was an on-duty MCP officer in plain clothes, in the area searching for the suspects. The officer promptly arrested the group.

• A residential burglary occurred in the 18200 block of Willow Creek Way in Montgomery Village sometime between Wednesday, 3/25 at 5:30 p.m. and Friday, 3/27 at 7:00 a.m. Nothing was taken.

• An aggravated assault occurred at an apartment in the 400 block of North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg on Thursday, 3/26 at 10:00 p.m. Three of the participants were arrested. Three other suspects involved are at-large and unidentified.

• An aggravated assault occurred in the 9700 block of Docena Drive in Montgomery Village between Sunday, 3/29 at 4:00 p.m. and Monday, 3/30 at 9:00 a.m. This incident was domestic.

R2 Beat:

• An aggravated assault occurred on Saturday, 3/28 at 10:10 p.m. at North Frederick Avenue and Travis Avenue in Gaithersburg and was domestic. The male suspect rammed another vehicle in an attempt to stop a female friend from leaving the area. The suspect was arrested at the scene.

• A vandalism occurred in the 8300 block of Frontwell Circle in Gaithersburg on Sunday, 3/29 between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. This incident was domestic. The suspect flattened the tires on his estranged girlfriend’s vehicle and was arrested at the scene.

S1 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred in the 200 block of Park Avenue in Gaithersburg between Monday 3/23 at 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday, 3/24 at 5:00 a.m. There was no sign of forced entry.

• A residential burglary occurred in the 17700 block of Townecrest Drive in Gaithersburg between 6:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, 3/26. Forced entry and property was removed.

S2 Beat:

• A robbery occurred in the 18300 block of Streamside Drive in Gaithersburg on Saturday, 3/28 at 6:52 p.m. The adult male driver was approached by the suspect who was armed with a handgun. He demanded property. The suspect then fled towards Flower Hill Shopping Center.
  Suspect: B/M 25 to 30 years, 5’8”, 140 lbs., all black clothing, black bandana mask

• A residential apartment burglary occurred in the 17600 block of Sequoia Drive in Gaithersburg on Monday, 3/23 at 1:00 p.m. No forced entry, property removed.

• A theft from vehicle occurred in the 18000 block of Calabar Drive in between Wednesday, 3/25 at 9:00 p.m. and Thursday, 3/26 at 6:00 a.m. Forced entry, tools were taken.

• A theft from vehicle occurred in the 7300 block of Torran rocks way in between 6:30p.m. and 8:58 p.m. on Thursday, 3/26. The window was broken and an iPod, and other electronic equipment were taken.

Those of you who are following the County’s Gaithersburg West Master Planning process will want pull up the full meeting package, which contains some interesting correspondence on this topic.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Work Session: Personnel Amendments, 4/13/2009

Posted 4/1/2009

City of Gaithersburg
WORK SESSION

Mayor and City Council
Monday, April 13, 2009
7:30 P.M.
Full Meeting Package (pdf format)

I. Call to Order

II. Request for Motions

1. Special Meeting
   Background Material (pdf format)

2. Executive Session
   Background Material (pdf format)

III. Work Session Topics

1. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council to Amend Section 59 of the City Charter Entitled “Personnel Regulations; Merit System; Classified and Unclassified Service May be Established,” and Section 60 of the City Charter Entitled “Composition of Classified and Unclassified Service”
   Background Material (pdf format)
2. An Ordinance to Repeal and Reenact with Amendments Chapter 17 of the City Code Entitled “Personnel”
   Background Material (pdf format)

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SPECIAL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
Notice to the general public is hereby given that the Mayor and City Council of Gaithersburg plan to conduct a special meeting at City Hall on Monday, April 13, 2009, immediately following the scheduled work session, solely to vote to introduce and notify the public that a public hearing will be held on Monday, May 4, 2009, to discuss the proposed amendments to Section 59 of the City Charter Entitled “Personnel Regulations; Merit System; Classified and Unclassified Service May be Established,” and Section 60 of the City Charter Entitled “Composition Of Classified And Unclassified Service” and to discuss an Ordinance to Repeal and Reenact with Amendments to Chapter 17 of the City Code Entitled “Personnel.” The special meeting will be conducted pursuant to a motion properly adopted during the work session on Monday, April 13, 2009.

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EXECUTIVE SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
Notice to the general public is hereby given that the Mayor and City Council
of Gaithersburg plan to conduct a closed Executive Session at City Hall, Monday, April 13, 2009, immediately following the scheduled special meeting of the Mayor and City Council, pursuant to Section 10-508(a)(8), State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland to discuss pending or potential litigation. The purpose of the session is to consult with counsel, staff, and other individuals about pending or potential litigation. The closed executive session will be conducted pursuant to a motion properly adopted during the session

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• Sebastian Montes writes, Leggett strikes Webb Tract deal:
  

  Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett has agreed on a $46 million price tag for the 130-acre Webb Tract near Montgomery Village, where he wants the county to build four major facilities in the next several years.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Station cutbacks raise eyebrows:
  

  Tucked into Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett’s fiscal 2010 operating budget is a line item that would close the 2nd District and 6th District police stations to the public in the early-morning hours — the first time that closing stations has been considered as a cost-saving measure.

• Janel Davis writes, County unemployment rate highest in almost 20 years:
  

  As county leaders grapple with imposing budget cuts, they also face an additional burden — the highest unemployment rate Montgomery has seen in almost two decades.

  The county’s unemployment rate for February reached 5.1 percent, up from 4.6 percent in January, according to data released Friday by the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Although the county’s unemployment figure is still well below the state’s February rate of 7.2 percent, it is the highest level the county has seen since 1990.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Police identify body found on I-270 ramp:
  

  Montgomery County Police have put a name to the body found nearly two months ago on an on-ramp to Interstate 270 in Germantown.

  After scoring a fingerprint match from New York, county police announced Friday that the man is Gerardo Botello, who is believed to be 40 years old.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Tax idlers face postal pinch:
  

  There’s death, there’s taxes, and for one night a year in Gaithersburg, there has for years been another certainty: The last-minute rush of tax filers swarming the post office on Shady Grove Road until midnight April 15.

• C. Benjamin Ford writes, Prosecutor goes after late campaign finance filers:
  

  The Maryland State Prosecutor’s Office charged 77 individuals Thursday with violating state election laws for not filing campaign finance reports on time, including the treasurer for the campaign of former Frederick County State’s Attorney Scott L. Rolle, who ran unsuccessfully for Maryland attorney general in 2008.

• Susan Singer-Bart writes, Opponents line up against historic preservation law:
  

  One speaker after another told the County Council last week that the changes proposed to the county’s historic preservation law are a bad idea.

  Some 33 people, including historic preservation professionals, homeowners and a carpenter, identified flaws with the amendment proposed by Councilman Michael J. Knapp (D-Dist. 2) of Germantown. Two speakers testified at the March 31 hearing in support of the proposals — a woman who said she was unable to sell her parents home in a timely manner because neighbors nominated it for historic designation and an individual who said the needs of property owners deserve greater consideration, which is what Knapp said is his intention in proposing the amendment.

Via Connected Communites, where reports for all six districts are available.

P1 Beat:

• An armed robbery occurred in the parking lot in the 1000 block of West Side Drive in Gaithersburg on Saturday, 3/21 around 12:45 a.m. Two adult males were sitting in their car, when they were approached by two suspects; each was armed with a firearm and they demanded the victims’ property. Suspects fled after obtaining property.

  Suspect: H/M 18-20 years, 5’0” to 6’1”, 220-240 lbs., red checkered shirt, shotgun
  Suspect: H/M 18-20 years, 5’10” to 5’11”, 130-140 lbs., black tee shirt, handgun
  Suspect Vehicle: Black vehicle with tinted windows, B/M driver

• An aggravated assault occurred in the 100 block of Gold Kettle Drive in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, 3/17 at 12:20 a.m. The incident was domestic. The suspect was arrested at the scene.

• A commercial burglary occurred at the Brighten Beer and Wine at 225 Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg on Saturday, 3/21 around 3:50 a.m. The suspect was arrested at the scene.

• A sexual assault occurred in the 100 block of Bralan Court in Gaithersburg on Sunday, 3/22 between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. This incident is domestic.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the parking lot at Palm Springs Drive and Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg between 1:15 p.m. and 2;00 p.m. on Wednesday, 3/18. Truck bed unlocked, tools taken.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 300 block of West Side Drive in Gaithersburg overnight between Tuesday, 3/17 and Wednesday, 3/18. Window broken, iPod taken.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 9700 block of Washingtonian Boulevard in Gaithersburg between 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 3/18 and 7:25 a.m. on Thursday, 3/19. Unlocked vehicle, wallet and GPS taken.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 9700 block of Washingtonian Blvd. in Gaithersburg on Wednesday, 3/18 at 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, 3/19 at 8:30 a.m. Window broken, stereo taken.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 2600 block of Research Boulevard in Rockville between Wednesday, 3/18 at 11:15 p.m. and Thursday, 3/19 at noon. Forced entry, change taken.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 17000 block of King James Way in Gaithersburg between Thursday, 3/19 at 6:30 p.m. and Friday, 3/20 at 6:15 a.m. Forced entry, tools taken.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 9700 block of Washingtonian Boulevard in Gaithersburg between Tuesday, 3/17 at 9:30 p.m. and Wednesday, 3/18 at 9:00 a.m. Forced entry, change taken.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 17000 block of King James Way in Gaithersburg at an unknown time between Saturday, 3/21 and Monday, 3/23. Forced entry, tools taken.

P2 Beat:

• A strong-arm robbery occurred in the rear parking lot of Magruders, 602 Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg on Sunday, 3/22 at 8:00 p.m. The adult male victim was struck in the face and kicked by the suspects, who took the victim’s property.

  Suspects: Three B/Ms in their 20s, 5’3”-5’5”, dreadlocks, dark clothing

• A commercial burglary occurred at the Grog Beer and Wine Store at 614 Quince Orchard Blvd. in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, 3/17 around 4:00 a.m. Forced entry, property taken.

  Suspects: Three males (NFD)

R1 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred on Maryland Avenue in Gaithersburg on Wednesday, 3/18 between 3:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Forced entry, nothing taken.

• A residential burglary occurred in the 9100 block of Bramble Bush Court in Gaithersburg on Thursday, 3/19 between 7:40 p.m. and 8:13 p.m. No signs of forced entry, property taken.

• A drug arrest occurred in the 700 block of Russell Avenue in Gaithersburg on Thursday, 3/19 at 7:19 p.m. An adult male was reported to be displaying a handgun. When officers arrived, investigation discovered a handgun and 15 grams of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.

R2 Beat:

• A strong-arm robbery occurred at East Village Avenue and Cinnabar Drive in Montgomery Village on Tuesday, 3/17 around 8:00 p.m. The victim had gotten off the bus when he was accosted by several (not known how many) suspects. He was pushed to the ground, punched, and kicked by the suspects who demanded money. The victim turned over his cash and the suspects fled.

  Suspect: B/M, 15-19 years, red winter jacket
  Suspect: B/M, 15-19 years, black winter jacket

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 19200 block of Dunbridge Way in Montgomery Village between 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 3/17 and 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 3/18. Window broken, GPS taken.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 1200 block of Knoll Mist Lane in Montgomery Village between 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Monday, 3/23. Unlocked vehicle, stereo taken.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 9900 block of Maple Leaf Drive in Montgomery Village between Sunday, 3/22 at 11:00 p.m. and Monday 3/23 at 9:00 a.m. Window broken, laptop taken.

S1 Beat:

• No significant activity.

S2 Beat:

• An aggravated assault occurred in the 18300 block of Streamside Drive on Friday, 3/20 at 8:28 p.m. It was domestic and the suspect was arrested at the scene.

  Suspect: B/M, 6’1”, 199 lbs., 37 years

• An attempted burglary occurred in the 7400 block of Tarfside Lane in Gaithersburg on Thursday, 3/19 between 8:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Entry unsuccessful, nothing taken.

Update 2: In a revised version of the story from Wednesday’s Gazette, Henry Marraffa is quoted on this issue:

Gaithersburg City Councilman Henry F. Marraffa, whose name appeared on the list, questioned Monday how 77 candidates could have bungled the filing process.

“They have everything from me, they have it timely,” said Marraffa, who said on Monday that when he ran for Montgomery County Council in 2006, he filed his first two campaign finance reports manually, something a county election board representative said he could do. He has a witness and time-stamped documents, Marraffa said. He has since refiled the reports electronically at election officials’ request.

Marraffa said he has not been served with any charging documents.

Note that in conjunction with this article, the Gazette has posted a PDF of the State Prosecutor’s press release on this issue. Number 17 on the list of 40 committees charged is:

17) Friends of Harry Marraffa, Jr.
a. Chair = Henry Marraffa
b. Treasurer = Donald Fatzie

C. Benjamin Ford writes in the online Gazette:

The Maryland State Prosecutor’s Office charged 77 individuals Thursday with violating state election laws for not filing campaign finance reports on time, including the treasurer for the campaign of former Frederick County State’s Attorney Scott L. Rolle, who ran unsuccessfully for Maryland attorney general in 2008.

“Those were filed,” said Rolle (R), who currently is serving as an active-duty captain in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps. “There was a computer glitch, but I hadn’t heard anything about [the charges].”

The charges covered a range of political figures, election campaign treasurers and chairmen, as well as those at political action committees. A total of 40 campaign finance committees were affected.

Update: Following is the text of the press release that precedes the list of charged committees:

ROBERT A. ROHRBAUGH STATE PROSECUTOR

STATE OF MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE STATE PROSECUTOR

Hamplon Plaza Suile 410 300 East Joppa Road Towson. MD 21286-3152 Telephone (410) 321-4067 1(800) 695-4058 Fax (410) 321-3851

April 1, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Office ofthe State Prosecutor has announced that criminal charges have been filed against 77 individuals for violating state election laws regarding the timely filing of campaign finance reports.

Maryland’s Election Law Article, Title 13 governs the filing of campaign finance reports. All campaign finance committees are required to have a chainnan and treasurer and to file reports with the State Board of Elections periodically, delineating what monies have corne into the committee and where such monies are expended. The chainnan and treasurer of the committees are jointly and severally liable for filing these reports timely and accurately. Failure to do so can result in late fees being levied by the State Board of Elections and ultimately referral to the State Prosecutor’s office for prosecution. Upon receipt of such referrals from the State Board of Elections, the Office of the State Prosecutor sends notices to all the officers of the committees in an effort to get the committees to come into compliance with the reporting laws. However, after significant efforts to do so, the committees listed herein continue to be non-compliant.

Attached is the list of committees and their officers who are being charged. If found guilty, each count of failure to file the campaign finance report carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and/or a $25,000.00 fine. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Pursuant to Office policy, the office did not request warrants in these cases, opting instead to request that criminal summonses be issued.

No court dates have been set as of the date of this press release. Any inquiries regarding these charges should be directed to Assistant State Prosecutor Shelly Glenn.

There two quite interesting items in this week’s Council agenda. First is the publication of the draft Franchise Agreement for Verizon’s FIOS service. The second is a public hearing on a proposed redevelopment on South Frederick Avenue, across the street from St. Martin’s Catholic Church. Several properties, including the Fulks house and and the property now used for Dr. Robert Wilson’s dental office, would be affected:

The Wilson house, in the lower right of the picture, would be completely torn down along with some other structures on DeSellum, and a new two-story office building would be constructed. The Fulks house, which is a designated historic property and seen in the left of the picture, would be rehabilitated for use as an office building, as would another, smaller house further back on DeSellum. As the Wilson house is is quite an old property and a prominent feature along that stretch of MD 355, I would certainly hope that the City would carefully consider the historic preservation aspects of this proposal. Anyone who is concerned about this should note that this is a public hearing on the proposal, and thus tonight would be a prime opportunity to let you opinion be known.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Mayor and City Council Meeting, 4/6/2009

Posted 4/2/2009

City of Gaithersburg
AGENDA FOR A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009, 7:30 P.M.
Full Meeting Package (pdf format - Large File: 37M) Updated - 4/3/2009

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. INVOCATION

Rick Price, First Church of Christ, Scientist

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of a Work Session of the Mayor and City Council Held March 9, 2009
Background Material (pdf format)

V. APPOINTMENTS

Resolution of the City Council Confirming Appointments and Reappointments by the Mayor to the Art in Public Places Committee, Community Advisory Committee, Environmental Affairs Committee, Market Square Advisory Committee, Personnel Review Board, and Technology & Innovations Committee
Background Material (pdf format)

VI. 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)

VII. FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL/ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Boards/Commissions/Committees Vacancy Update (pdf format)
2. Upcoming City Events (pdf format)
3. Work Session Announcement (pdf format)
4. Special Meeting Announcement (pdf format)
5. Executive Session Announcement (pdf format)

VIII. FROM THE CITY MANAGER

IX. CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. JOINT — Z-311, Application Requests a Map Amendment to Rezone 1.2 Acres of Land From R-90 (Medium Density Residential) to CD (Corridor Development) in Accordance With §24-160G.6.(a) (Procedure for Application and Approval) of the City Code. The Properties are Located at or Near 11 and 13 DeSellum Avenue, (Parcels 387, 388 & 442)
   Background Material (pdf format 15M) Updated - 4/3/2009

2. JOINT — CSP-09-001, Application Requests the Redevelopment of 2.71 Acres of Land, Currently Known as Parcels 368, 387, 388, 390, and 442 Located at the Intersection of MD 355 (South Frederick Avenue) and DeSellum Avenue in the City of Gaithersburg. The Proposed Plan Includes the Construction of a Two-Story Office Building and the Conversion of Two Buildings From Residential to Office Uses
   Background Material (pdf format 20M) Updated - 4/3/2009

X. RECESS MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

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HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

I. Call to Order

II. Approval of Minutes

Minutes of a Historic District Commission Meeting Held March 2, 2009
Background Material (pdf format)

III. Certificate of Approval

HAWP-102A, Applicant: Dr. Rashid Levi, 20 South Summit Avenue, Request to Pave Two Additional Parking Spaces
Background Material (pdf format)

IV. Adjournment

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XI. RECONVENE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

XII. 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 Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Award a Contract for the Residential Collection of Recyclables in the City of Gaithersburg Effective July 1, 2009 ($580,000)

   Background Material (pdf format)

2. Introduction of an Ordinance to Award a Cable Franchise to Verizon Maryland, Inc., Pursuant to Section 6-4 of the City Code (Public Hearing 4/20/2009)
   Background Material (pdf format) Updated - 4/3/2009

XIII. POLICY DISCUSSION AND STAFF GUIDANCE
(discussion by the Mayor and Council about previous public hearing topics and other policy matters)

1. T-389, An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 24 of the City Code (City Zoning Ordinance), Article III, Entitled, “Regulations Applicable to Particular Zones,” Division 2, Entitled, “R-90 Zone, Medium Density Residential,” § 24-32, Entitled, “Dimensional Restrictions,” to Modify Subsection (d) to Establish New Standards for Impervious Areas in Front and Side Yards (ready for final action)
   Background Material (pdf format)

2. MP-2-08, Municipal Growth Element, an Amendment to the 2003 Master Plan (ready for final action)
   Background Material (pdf format)

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

XV. ADJOURNMENT

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ANNOUNCEMENT
Notice to the general public is hereby given that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Gaithersburg will conduct a work session on Monday, April 13, 2009, to discuss proposed amendments to Section 59 of the City Charter Entitled “Personnel Regulations; Merit System; Classified and Unclassified Service May be Established,” and Section 60 of the City Charter entitled “Composition of Classified and Unclassified Service” and to discuss an Ordinance to Repeal and Reenact with Amendments to Chapter 17 of the City Code Entitled “Personnel.”

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ANNOUNCEMENT
Notice to the general public is hereby given that the Mayor and City Council of Gaithersburg plan to conduct a special meeting at City Hall on Monday, April 13, 2009, immediately following the scheduled work session, solely to vote to introduce and notify the public that a public hearing will be held on Monday, May 4, 2009, to discuss the proposed amendments to Section 59 of the City Charter Entitled “Personnel Regulations; Merit System; Classified and Unclassified Service May be Established,” and Section 60 of the City Charter Entitled “Composition Of Classified And Unclassified Service” and to discuss an Ordinance to Repeal and Reenact with Amendments to Chapter 17 of the City Code Entitled “Personnel.” The special meeting will be conducted pursuant to a motion properly adopted during the work session on Monday, April 13, 2009.

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EXECUTIVE SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT

Notice to the general public is hereby given that the Mayor and City Council of Gaithersburg plan to conduct a closed Executive Session at City Hall, Monday, April 13, 2009, immediately following the scheduled special meeting of the Mayor and City Council, pursuant to Section 10-508(a)(8), State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland to discuss pending or potential litigation. The purpose of the session is to consult with counsel, staff, and other individuals about pending or potential litigation. The closed executive session will be conducted pursuant to a motion properly adopted during the session of the Mayor and City Council on Monday, April 13, 2009.

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THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF
THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009, 7:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 31 SOUTH SUMMIT AVENUE

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Making Olde Towne new:
  

  Olde Towne Gaithersburg is home to City Hall, a row of industrial supply and second-hand shops, small businesses and 22 eateries for dining in and carry-out. It’s not a place that droves of young professionals head to spend an afternoon noshing and window shopping or lounging at a trendy pub.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Developers weigh in on redevelopment:
  

  Gaithersburg missed the boat during the development boom, says a city councilman who spent his life in construction. The problem is most clear in Olde Towne, where an absence of new buildings is glaring.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Leggett’s ‘Initiative’ could crowd out other projects:
  

  With the details of the proposed purchase of one of two major parcels finally in hand, a picture is taking shape of what impact County Executive Isiah Leggett’s “Smart Growth Initiative” may have on future capital projects, including schools, libraries and community centers.

• writes, Man charged in sexual assault at Malcolm King Park:
  

  Police arrested a 27-year-old man on Sunday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 50-year-old Gaithersburg woman in Malcolm King Park.

  The victim, who was not raped, was not hospitalized, but “did have some bruising on her neck” after the man choked her, said Gaithersburg Police Sgt. Rudy Wagner.

  Denis Ofelio Cuadra, of no fixed address, is being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center on $200,000 bond, a jail spokesman said. He is charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, robbery, third-degree sex offense and fourth-degree sex offense.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Plane crash stokes worry around Airpark:
  

  Neighbors to the Montgomery County Airpark continue to be at loggerheads with pilots and airpark officials over complaints that aircraft sometimes fly too low or in alleged violation of Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, New legal turn in Grove land dispute:
  

  The state Court of Appeals has ruled that the Maryland-National Capital Planning Commission can join a legal dispute between the historic Town of Washington Grove and a nationally known developer over a 12-plus-acre land parcel the town hopes to preserve as a meadow.

• Susan Singer-Bart writes, More than 30 speak against proposed changes to historic preservation law:
  

  One speaker after another told the Montgomery County Council Tuesday night the changes proposed to the county’s historic preservation law are a bad idea.

• C. Benjamin Ford and Douglas Tallman write, Kagan to challenge Forehand for Senate seat:
  

  Sen. Jennie M. Forehand was in a committee meeting recently in Annapolis when former Del. Cheryl C. Kagan asked to speak with her. Kagan told the four-term senator she plans to run for her District 17 Senate seat in 2010.

  Despite the challenge, Forehand (D) of Rockville intends to seek a fifth term.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Hearing on ‘Science City’ draws a crowd:
  

  More than 50 boosters and critics of the Gaithersburg West master plan laid out their best cases to the Planning Board for adding to or taming the scope of the county’s blueprint to transform more than 800 acres in Shady Grove into a live-work science and research hub.

• Janel Davis writes, County expecting more cuts in state aid:
  

  The county’s cloudy financial forecast for next year is getting increasingly overcast.

  On top of local budget constraints, the county would lose an additional $40 million to $60 million in state aid in fiscal 2010 under budget bills making their way through Annapolis, as state lawmakers work to close a $650 million budget gap next year. Before receiving $1.7 billion in federal stimulus funds, the state gap exceeded $1 billion.

• Amber Parcher writes, County to renovate, rent foreclosed homes:
  

  Montgomery County received more than $4 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development last week to acquire and renovate foreclosed homes and rent them to county residents, County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) announced last week in Aspen Hill.

• Amber Parcher writes, Anti-illegal immigrant groups protest state funding for nonprofit:
  

  Two anti-illegal immigration groups are protesting a state bond bill that would pay for a permanent Wheaton facility for a Washington, D.C.-area nonprofit that gives business loans to Latinos and other low- and moderate-income populations, saying the program most likely serves illegal immigrants.