Subject
title
Authorization for the City Manager to Execute a Right-of-Way Agreement with Montgomery County, Maryland for the Construction of Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations on City-Owned Property and Public Rights-of-Way
end
Department
PW - Environmental Management
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Right-of-Way Agreement (Attachment 1) between the Mayor and Council of Rockville, and Montgomery County, Maryland for the construction of approximately twenty-eight (28) publicly accessible Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports across City-Owned Property and Public Rights-of-Way (ROW).
Discussion
Authorization of the agreement enables Rockville to partner with Montgomery County and leverage outside funding to expand public electric vehicle (EV) charging on city-owned property and public ROW. City staff coordinated with Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (MCDEP) on EV charging station site evaluation, surveying, and preliminary design for seven (7) locations within Rockville city limits. This partnership is anticipated to result in the installation of up to 28 publicly available Level 2 charging ports distributed across the following sites:
|
SITE NAME |
ADDRESS |
|
Rockville Senior Center |
1150 Carnation Dr |
|
Rockville Civic Center Park |
603 Edmonston Dr |
|
Elmwood Smith Community Center |
601 Harrington Rd |
|
Charles Street ROW |
301 Charles St/McArthur |
|
Congressional Lane ROW |
451 Congressional Ln |
|
Yale Place ROW |
1700 Yale Pl |
|
David Scull Park First St ROW |
1133 First St |
Background
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted on November 15, 2021, as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), established the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) to fund projects aimed at reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, specifically carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from on-road sources. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administers CRP funding, which is apportioned to states based on a federally defined formula.
In 2022, the city launched a community engagement process to develop Rockville’s first Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Plan with a goal to make charging available, accessible, equitable, affordable, safe and convenient for all who live in, work in, and visit the city. The EV Readiness Plan was adopted in March of 2025 and includes actions to expand public charging:
• Action 2.1.3: Coordinate with Montgomery County to expand public charging; and
• Action 2.1.5: Identify City-owned properties and rights-of-way in gap areas and leverage outside funding and partnerships to expand public charging infrastructure.
On July 17, 2024, the Maryland Transportation Planning Board (TPB) adopted Resolution R2-2024 approving projects for inclusion in the FY 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program utilizing CRP funds. Subsequently, on September 10, 2024, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) awarded funding to Montgomery County and the City of Rockville to support the design and construction of a regional EV charging network. A supplemental agreement between SHA and Montgomery County was executed on April 18, 2025, encompassing both County and City of Rockville project sites.
Montgomery County intends to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design, construction, and operation of EV charging stations across approximately 30 sites throughout the county, including the seven locations charted above within Rockville. The RFP includes sites in Montgomery County parking garages, libraries, and community centers and local partner sites within the City of Rockville, the City of Takoma Park and Montgomery County Public Schools. Issuance of the RFP is contingent upon execution of a Construction Right-of-Way Agreement between the City and Montgomery County. Authorization by the Mayor and Council is therefore required to enable the City Manager to execute this agreement.
Montgomery County will then issue the RFP and the review committee will select one or more contractors to design, construct, operate, and maintain the public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in accordance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) programs.
This project also advances Rockville’s greenhouse gas reduction goals and supports the expansion of publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure, as outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan adopted on January 10, 2022.
Mayor and Council History
This is the first time this item has been brought before the Mayor and Council.
Fiscal Impact
Execution of the Right-of-Way Agreement will enable deployment of EV charging infrastructure at no direct capital cost to the City. Staff coordination efforts will be minimal and accommodated within existing operating budgets across the Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, and other supporting departments as needed. Electric vehicle operators will pay for electricity use directly through the charging station software.
Next Steps
If approved by the Mayor and Council, the City Manager will execute the Right-of-Way Agreement with Montgomery County. Following vendor selection through Montgomery County’s RFP process, staff anticipates bringing a separate agreement to the Mayor and Council for authorization. Similar to an EV license agreement, this agreement would govern the ongoing operation and maintenance of charging stations installed on City-owned property and within the public right-of-way.