Montgomery Achievement Award Legislative Dinner Nominations

JANUARY 2013

Fall Conference Wrap-Up page 4

Vacant & Foreclosed Properties page 10

The Supreme Court Municipal League Update

Representing page 13 Maryland's cities and towns

Contents January 2013

2012 Fall Conference Wrap Up 4 Call for Nominations: The Maryland Municipal League’s 2013 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 8 Call for Entries: 4 The Maryland Municipal League’s 2013 ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS COMPETITION 9 Strategies to Deal with Vacant and Foreclosed Properties 10 Supreme Court Update: Looking Forward and Looking Back 13 Montgomery Chapter Legislative Dinner 14 Upcoming Events and Meetings 18

On the cover... Maryland’s State House is the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use and is the only state house to have ever served as the nation’s capital. Members of the General Assembly will convene in the State House on January 9 for the 90-day legislative session. 10 Cover photo by Jay L. Baker, Chief Photographer, Governor’s Press Office

Vol. 43 | No. 5 | January 2013 Municipal Maryland THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION of MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

Scott A. Hancock Publisher Karen A. Bohlen Editor-in-Chief Paula Chase Hyman Contributing Editor Thomas C. Reynolds Contributing Editor Sharon P. Easton Circulation Municipal Maryland (USPS 331-980), a publication for and about Maryland's cities and towns, is published nine times a year (monthly November through April and combined May/June, July/August and September/October issues) by the Maryland Municipal League, 1212 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. The Maryland Municipal League is a non-profit, non-partisan association of Maryland's cities and towns. Information in Municipal Maryland does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Maryland Municipal League. Postmaster: Send address changes to Municipal Maryland, 1212 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 Second-class postage paid at Annapolis, Maryland 21401 For advertising rates contact: Whitfield Whylie, Allegra Print & Imaging, 103 Gibralter Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 Telephone: 410-267-1200, Fax: 410-267-1992, [email protected] Subscription rate: $40/year Telephone: 410-268-5514 Toll-Free: 800-492-7121 Fax: 410-268-7004 Web: www.mdmunicipal.org Email: [email protected]

Municipal Maryland | January 2013 | 3 Fall Conference

by Candace L. Donoho, Director, Governmental Relations

epresentatives from cities and towns Conference registrants visited Hagerstown’s display across Maryland were in attendance table to obtain information from host city staff about restaurants and local attractions. at the 2012 MML fall conference held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference foreclosure, green initiatives on a budget, joint Center in beautiful and historic purchasing, and meeting management. Registrants RHagerstown in County. Attendees also had the opportunity to attend a wonderful were able to choose between seven Academy core welcome reception and luncheon sponsored by and elective workshops and two additional non- the City of Hagerstown. MML extends its sincere Academy sessions covering topics such as ethics, thanks to Hagerstown officials and the City staff social media, strategies to deal with properties in for their hard work as host city.

4 | January 2013 | Municipal Maryland Pictured at the head table during the opening session are (l-r) Legislative Committee Vice Chair Carol Krimm, Legislative Committee Chair Bruce Williams, MML President J Davis, MML President-Elect Carl Anderton, and Hagerstown Mayor Bob Bruchey

2013 Legislative Priorities HURs and, as a result, the allocation to municipalities in the FY 2013 budget dropped back to $6.5 million. The League’s Legislative Committee met twice in August and considered 13 legislative action requests As newspaper circulation continues to decline and submitted by MML member municipalities. The internet usage increases, it becomes more and more Committee chose to recommend two legislative important that legal notices are posted in such a priorities to the membership: (1) the restoration and fashion that the information reaches the widest protection of municipal Highway User Revenues, audience. Legislation introduced the past two years and (2) the posting of legal notices on internet has included additional provisions to ensure that websites in lieu of publication in newspapers of notification is still displayed on the front page of a general circulation. At the business meeting held newspaper directing readers to a local government on October 5, the membership unanimously voted website. For those individuals without internet to approve the League’s two 2013 recommended access, a free subscription to enable the receipt of legislative priorities. legal notices by mail will be offered by the local government. In recent years, Maryland’s cities and towns have endured crippling diversions of state shared highway As approved by the membership at the conference, user revenues and police aid to help balance the the League will work to encourage the Administration state’s general fund budget. In 2011, the League was and General Assembly to support the restoration of successful in convincing the General Assembly to municipal Highway User Revenues and the adoption reinstate 25% of highway user revenues that were of legislation to enable local governments to post initially earmarked to go to the state. However, in legal notices on their websites in lieu of placing legal 2012, no additional funds were added to municipal notices in newspapers.

Municipal Maryland | January 2013 | 5 The conference schedule included nine workshops.

Thanks to our Membership MML would like to thank all those individuals who volunteered their time to assist League staff during the planning and implementation of the fall conference. Without volunteer moderators, prayer givers, and others who work hard to coordinate numerous activities crucial to the success of the conference, the conference would not be as successful and effective in providing training for municipal officials. The upcoming legislative session will likely require expertise and assistance from municipal officials who will be called upon to MML President J Davis presented Hagerstown carry the message of the League. The efforts put Mayor Bob Bruchey with a resolution thanking the forth by municipal officials are what makes MML host city for its hospitality. successful, and we sincerely appreciate all that our members do on behalf of the League.

MML’s Legislative Reception to your legislators now to ensure that our event is on their calendars. MML emailed invitations to all The Maryland Municipal League’s fourth annual legislators during the first week of January. legislative reception is scheduled for the first day of the 2013 General Assembly session, Wednesday, MML is fortunate to have a strong and active January 9, 2013. The MML Legislative Committee will grassroots system in place. Local municipal officials meet during the afternoon of January 9, followed by provide strength and feedback to MML at the state the legislative reception, which is scheduled from level. This is what gives the League a strong and 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Maryland Inn in downtown effective voice in Annapolis. Please reach out to Annapolis. Members of the General Assembly will your legislators in their districts to strengthen MML’s be sworn in at 12:00 noon and MML encourages grassroots efforts and encourage them to support all municipal officials to make plans to meet with the full restoration of municipal Highway User their legislators during the afternoon of January 9 Revenues and the passage of legislation to allow the and escort them to the reception. Please reach out posting of legal notices on the internet in 2013. v

Plan to attend MML’s next fall conference at the Holiday Inn, Solomons Island, October 17-19, 2013.

6 | January 2013 | Municipal Maryland 2012 Fall Conference Sponsors

The League would also like to sincerely thank all of the 2012 conference sponsors and exhibitors:

Benefit Administrators & Consultants

Municipal Maryland | January 2013 | 7 Call for 2013Nominations The Maryland Municipal League’s 2013 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

MML’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an elected or appointed city/ town official who has demonstrated outstanding service to Maryland municipal government. Nominees can be current or former municipal officials.

The winner will be announced in the May/June issue of Municipal Maryland. The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented at MML’s annual convention in Ocean City.

Judges. There will be a three-member judging panel composed of MML past presidents. The panel of judges has the authority to withhold this award if the judges decide that none of the nominees meets the award criteria.

Preparing the Entry. Keep your entry simple and clear. Entries must be submitted electronically. Each entry should be typed using a 12 point font, double-spaced, and should not exceed three pages. A cover page indicating the name of the nominee, and bearing the contact information for the current elected or appointed official who is making the nomination is required.

The entry should address the following criteria which the judges will use to select the winner:

» The nominee’s participation in the Maryland Municipal League and other municipal and professional organizations. » The nominee’s contributions demonstrating significant and outstanding service to the nominee’s municipality and MML. » The nominee’s leadership in his/her own city/town. » The degree to which the nominee would be readily identified by colleagues as a role model and example of exceptional public service.

Deadline for Both Awards: All entries must be submitted electronically by 12 noon on March 1, 2013. Please email: [email protected]

8 | January 2013 | Municipal Maryland Call for 2013ENTRIES The Maryland Municipal League’s 2013 ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS COMPETITION

Creating Your Tourism Niche Tight economic times have changed the way people vacation. Cookie cutter, ready- made vacations can be pricey…so enter municipalities with their local flavor and unique charm…perfect places for day trippers and those who want to get away for a few days. Cities and towns across Maryland have developed their own unique tourism niche by capitalizing on their history, natural resources, festivals, art districts, etc. … now is your chance to share your successes with your colleagues! The 2013 MML Achievement Awards theme is Creating Your Tourism Niche and will honor cities and towns that have developed a tourism initative which showcases the municipality’s assets and has successfully drawn visitors.

Entries must be for programs that have been successfully operating for at least one year during the time period March 1, 2010 to March 1, 2013. A municipality may submit only one entry. The three population categories for this award program are:

» Up to 3,000 population » 3,000 to 10,000 population » Over 10,000 population

Winners will be announced in the May/June issue of Municipal Maryland. Awards will be presented at the annual convention in Ocean City. A short article on each award-winning program will appear in the May/June issue of Municipal Maryland.

Judges. There will be a three-member judging panel composed of MML past presidents. The panel of judges has the authority to withhold an award in any category if no entry is exceptional.

Preparing the Entry. Keep your entry simple and clear. Entries must be submitted electronically. Each entry should be typed using a 12 point font, double-spaced, and should not exceed three pages. A cover page indicating the name of the tourism program, population category, municipality, and bearing the contact information for the chief elected official is required. The cover page must also include a 100 word summary of the project and indicate the name and daytime phone number of a contact person within the city. An appendix including photographs (in jpg format), art or newspaper article scans may be attached to the entry but is limited to six additional pages.

The entry should describe your municipality’s program and answer the following questions: » Why was the program needed? » How is the program set up? » What does it cost? » Who benefits? » Is the program innovative? » Can you demonstrate tangible results? » Can other municipalities implement a similar program?

Grammar and good writing style will be considered by the judges. Municipal Maryland | January 2013 | 9 Strategies to Deal with Vacant and Foreclosed Properties

by Candace L. Donoho, Director, Governmental Relations

10 | January 2013 | Municipal Maryland ne of the biggest challenges receives two citations for $900 each, states that “a person that acquires an in dealing with abandoned they will move forward on rehabilitation interest in property by way of a mortgage properties is determining before legal action ensues. or deed of trust (‘lender’) is liable to the whether they are vacant, same extent as an owner/transferee abandonedO or in foreclosure. Oftentimes, The City has added receivership to its for a violation or condemnation they can be all three, which makes it foreclosure toolbox for dealing with notice pertaining to a vacant, unsafe particularly difficult to legally address vacant properties. A receivership action structure, if: (1) the person with primary the problems associated with vacant is a code enforcement tool that allows responsibility fails to comply with the properties. Peter Dolkart, formerly with the City to request the appointment of notice, (2) the lender has been notified the City Housing Department, a vacant building receiver to abate the by certified mail of the violation or and now with the Department of public nuisance created by vacant and condemnation notice, and (3) within Housing and Community Development, problem properties. All properties in 180 days after receipt of the notice: (a) presented a workshop at MML’s 2012 fall receivership have previously been issued a ratification of a foreclosure sale of the conference on this topic. Vacant Building Notices by the City. If an property has not occurred, or (b) the owner fails to comply with the notice, an lender has not released its mortgage or The Baltimore City Code defines a attorney with the Baltimore City housing deed of trust.” The City’s code goes on to vacant structure as “an unoccupied department can request that the District stipulate that “During the pendency of a structure that is unsafe or unfit for Court appoint a Receiver to sell, rehabilitate foreclosure, the lender is responsible for human habitation or other authorized or demolish the property. If a property is maintaining the property free from high use. A determination of vacancy and of sold through a public auction or private vegetation and from the accumulation noncompliance with a notice or order sale, the Receiver oversees the transfer of trash and debris.” issued under this section may be based to the new owner and reports on the on observation that a structure: (1) Is progress to the District Court for approval. Local governments often face significant open to casual entry, (2) Has boarded More information on receivership can be complications when dealing with windows or doors, or (3) Lacks intact found at: onehousebaltimore.org/what- foreclosed properties. These challenges window sashes, walls or roof structures is-a-receivership-action/. can include the fact that a foreclosure to repel weather entry.” In the City, a filing does not always mean the sale of property will be designated as a vacant One of the biggest challenges in the property, as some filings are resolved structure and unfit for human habitation addressing foreclosed property is without the need to move to actual if there is a single board on one determining who is actually responsible foreclosure. There are also instances window. According to this definition, for the property. Baltimore City’s code where the borrower/lender walks away there are 16,000 vacant properties in Baltimore City, of which about 10,000 are concentrated in areas where there isn’t enough demand to rehabilitate and reoccupy these properties now or One of the biggest challenges in addressing in the near future. The remaining 6,000 foreclosed property is determining who is vacant properties are located in areas where the housing market can support actually responsible for the property. revitalization. To spur revitalization of these viable properties, the City has instituted a “Vacants to Value” strategy. The strategy entails streamlined code enforcement, $900 citations, injunctive relief and receivership. The idea behind the strategy is to expedite the process whereby a vacant property is rehabilitated. The process begins with a violation notice issued to the property owner. If no action is taken, a warning letter of legal action is issued. If rehabilitation does not occur, a first and possibly a second citation is issued. If the violation notice and citations do not spur action on the part of the property owner, litigation is initiated where the City takes possession of the title to the property, the property goes to auction and settlement, and rehabilitation is then initiated. The entire process can take up to 21 months, but oftentimes, when the property owner

Municipal Maryland | January 2013 | 11 when a property goes into foreclosure, which makes it difficult begins to show signs of neglect. Once the responsible party to locate an entity to take responsibility for maintaining the is located, it’s important to keep them on a short leash. Use property. To help keep on top of an unoccupied, but not citation authority and be sure to clean, secure and put a lien necessarily vacant property, a municipality should issue a on the property if necessary. violation notice at the first sign of decline. Establishing a non- In attempting to locate a responsible party, it’s best to use owner occupied registry is also a helpful resource if a property in-house resources first. Check online land records and property registrations. Also check to see if permits or licenses have been issued on the property and whether any recent code actions have been filed. Finally, access tax and water bill payments to determine who is making those payments, There are also instances where the assuming they have been kept up to date. borrower/lender walks away when If in-house resources do not produce results, there is an online mortgage registration system available. The Mortgage a property goes into foreclosure, Electronic Registration System (MERS) is a registry that which makes it difficult to locate simplifies the way mortgage ownership and servicing rights are originated, sold and tracked. It was created by the real an entity to take responsibility for estate finance industry to eliminate the need to prepare maintaining the property. and record assignments when trading residential and commercial mortgage loans. The web address is mersinc. org. Mr. Dolkart also encouraged municipal officials to proactively pursue information about a vacant property by talking to neighbors, accessing motor vehicle records, or utilizing fee based search internet services such as Accurint or CLEAR, which can be found at accurint.com and https:// clear.thomsonreuters.com/clear_home/index.jsp. In 2011, Governor O’Malley convened a task force to assess foreclosure trends and the impact of foreclosures on communities across Maryland, identify further innovative and effective strategies to enhance loss mitigation outcomes for homeowners, and identify strategies to strengthen Maryland neighborhoods impacted by foreclosure. Among the goals of the task force was the creation of a centralized Foreclosed Property Registry. As a result of the work of the Task Force, effective October 1, 2012, every residential property purchased at a foreclosure sale must be registered with the State of Maryland. Each property must be registered within 30 days of the foreclosure sale and a final registration must take place within 30 days of the deed being recorded. In addition to basic information required to register a property, a new owner must also supply the name and address of a person who is authorized to accept legal service for the foreclosure purchaser and the name, telephone number, and street address of a person who is responsible for the maintenance of the property. In addition, at the request of the foreclosure purchaser, a county or municipality must issue a certificate of vacancy if the local jurisdiction determines that the property is vacant or unfit for human habitation. A municipality may charge a fee of up to $100 and establish procedures for the issuance of these certificates. If the certificate is valid at the time of filing an order to docket or complaint to foreclose, the bill authorizes a secured party to expedite the foreclosure process by skipping the requirement for a loss mitigation statement and proceeding to an order to docket the foreclosure proceeding. To access the foreclosure registry, please visit dllr.state.md.us/ ForeclosureRegistry/web/content/Home.aspx. v

For more information, contact Peter Dolkart at 410/514-7015 or [email protected]..

12 | January 2013 | Municipal Maryland Supreme Court Update Looking Forward and Looking Back By Lisa Soronen, State & Local Legal Center

ince 1983 the State & Local law has gone into effect. A divided Court held that three other provisions of Legal Center (SLLC) has ’s immigration statute are preempted. filed over 300 amicus curiae While Filarsky v. Delia, decided last term, garnered little media attention it briefs in the U. S. Supreme is a big case for local government. In this case the Court held unanimously Court on behalf of the “Big that an individual temporarily hired by the government to do its work is Seven” national organizations eligible for qualified immunity. The Supreme Court also decided two big representing the interests search cases last term. In v. Jones, the Court unanimously of state and local governments (the National held that attaching a Global-Positioning-System (GPS) tracking device to SLeague of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a vehicle and then using the device to monitor the vehicle’s movements the International City/County Management constitutes a search under the Fourth Amendment. And in Florence v. Board Association, the National Association of Counties, of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Burlington the Court held 5-4 that jail the National Governors Association, the National detainees “who will be admitted to the general population may be required Conference of State Legislatures, and the Council to undergo a close visual inspection while undressed.” of State Governments). The Court has accepted a number of interesting environmental cases to In a workshop at MML’s fall conference, Lisa be decided during its October 2012 term. The issue in Arkansas Game & Soronen, Executive Director of the SLLC, Fish Commission v. United States is whether recurring floods must continue discussed the big cases from the Supreme Court’s permanently to take property within the meaning of the Takings Clause. The last term affecting cities, big cases from the October issue in County Flood Control District v. Natural Resources Defense 2012 term affecting local government that the Council is when water flows from one portion of a river that is navigable Court has already accepted, and some interesting water of the United States through a municipal separate storm sewer system cases the Court is likely to accept in the near future. into a lower portion of the same river can there be a “discharge” from an Last term, the two biggest cases were the Affordable “outfall” under the Clean Water Act. Care Act case and the Arizona immigration The Court has also accepted four cases so far involving “searches” under case. In the Affordable Care Act case, the Court the Fourth Amendment. The Court is likely to accept for review Maryland held 5-4 the Patient Protection and Affordable v. King. The issue in this case is whether the government can collect DNA Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate is within when someone is arrested but not yet convicted. It is also likely that the Congress’s constitutional power to tax. While Supreme Court will hear a case involving same-sex marriage. Likely, seven Justices concluded the Medicaid expansion the Court will decide whether the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is is coercive, five Justices agreed that the remedy is constitutional because a federal circuit court has struck down the law. The to bar the federal government from forcing states Supreme Court may also decide whether Section 5 of the Voting Rights to participate in it or lose all Medicaid funding. In Act is unconstitutional. Section 5 requires “covered” jurisdictions, which the Arizona immigration case, the Court held 8-0 have had a history of discrimination in voting, to “pre-clear” any changes that Arizona’s immigration law requiring police to to election laws with the Department of Justice or a three-judge panel. v attempt to determine a person’s immigration status if s/he is stopped for a legitimate reason and there is reasonable suspicion that s/he is in the United For more information contact Lisa Soronen at 202/434-4845 or [email protected]. States unlawfully isn’t clearly preempted before the

Municipal Maryland | January 2013 | 13 Montgomery CHAPTER Legislative Dinner December 13, 2012

Delegate Luiz Simmons and Delegate Shane Robinson.

MML Past President Charlie Challstrom, Washington Grove Council Member Greg Silber and Delegate Ben Kramer.

MML President J Davis (right) presented former Montgomery Chapter President and MML District Vice President Eddie Kuhlman with a framed print of Annapolis to thank him for his many years of service to MML as his wife Doree (left) looked on.

Rockville Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio, Chevy Chase Village Director of Municipal Operations Michael Younes and Chevy Chase Village Board of Managers Chair Patricia Baptiste.

Montgomery Chapter President Bridget Newton Donnell presented outgoing Chapter President Eddie Kuhlman with a plaque honoring his leadership within the Chapter.

Delegate Al Carr with Gaithersburg Council Members Cathy Drzyzgula and Jud Ashman.

14 | January 2013 | Municipal Maryland Town of Chevy Chase Council Member Linna Barnes, Chevy Chase Village Director of Municipal Operations Michael Younes, Friendship Heights Manager Julian Mansfield and Friendship Heights Finance Director Robert Shapiro.

Kensington Council Member Mackie Barch, Kensington Mayor Pete Fosselman and Delegate Brian Feldman.

Somerset Mayor Jeffrey Slavin and Council Vice President Marnie Shaul.

MML Legislative Committee Chair Bruce Williams and Montgomery Chapter Secretary Monica Sanchez.

Mollie Byron, Capital Region Outreach Coordinator for Governor Martin O’Malley, with MML President J Davis.

Takoma Park Council Members Seth Grimes and Jarrett Smith.

Municipal Maryland | January 2013 | 15 Students Paint Store Windows in Mount Airy

As a way to encourage more attention to Main Street businesses, student artists painted shop windows with fall scenes last October. Two middle schools and three high schools participated in the competition with the winning school selected by the Mayor and Town Council. Parents, students and area residents went downtown to view the art and discovered the restaurants, shops and services in downtown Mount Airy. The Lions Club sponsored the contest prizes.

For more information, contact Melissa Hoyle, Community Development Coordinator, Mount Airy, 301/829-1424 or [email protected]. I d e a G r e at

16 | January 2013 | Municipal Maryland Maryland: Percent Change in Population, 2000 – 2011

Public Works Pictured at the fall meeting in North Beach of MML’s Public Works Officials Association (l-r) are Paul McCullagh (Laurel), Billy Barner (Chesapeake Beach), Mike Schmidl (Hyattsville), Kenny Hall (Greenbelt), Jay Berry (Chesapeake Beach), Bob Stumpff (College Park), Wilson Cochran (Chesapeake Beach), Jim Henrikson (Bowie), Jim Sterling (Greenbelt), Mickey Beall (University Park), Luther Smith (Mt. Rainier), Mike Gibbons (Berlin), Matt Lapinsky (Aberdeen), Don Bowen (North Beach), and Drew Stafford (North Beach).

Municipal Maryland | January 2013 | 17 events & UPCOMING meetings

Maryland Municipal League • 410-268-5514 January 2013 Annual Convention 2 Southern Maryland Chapter, June 23-26, 2013 Ocean City Convention Center Chesapeake Beach June 8-11, 2014 Ocean City Convention Center 9 Executive Committee, Annapolis events 9 Legislative Committee, Annapolis Fall Conference 12 Convention Planning Committee, meetings October 17-19, 2013 Solomons Annapolis National League of Cities • 202-626-3105 16 Allegany/Garrett Chapter, Westernport Annual Congress of Cities & Exposition 17 Montgomery Chapter, Gaithersburg 17 Prince George’s Chapter, College Park November 12-16, 2013 , Washington 19 Legislative Committee, Annapolis November 19-22, 2014 Austin, 23 Communications Committee, Annapolis Congressional Cities Conference 25 Municipal Parks and Recreation March 9-13, 2013 Washington, DC Department, Annapolis March 8-12, 2014 Washington, DC 26 Board of Directors, Annapolis

International City/County Management 28 Washington Chapter, Sharpsburg Association • 202-962-3540 29 Eastern Shore Chapter, Grasonville, Annual Convention Legislative Dinner 30 Legislative Committee, Annapolis September 22-25, 2013 , September 14-17, 2014 Charlotte, February 2013 6 Legislative Committee, Annapolis Website of the Month 9 Hometown Emergency Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee, College Park Code for America: City Projects 12 Code Enforcement & Zoning Officals Take a glimpse at the future of citizen engagement Association, Bowie through the eyes Code for America. This relatively 16 Legislative Committee, Annapolis new non-profit endeavor aims to link innovative technology solutions with a variety of local government and 21 Prince George’s Chapter community challenges. Visit http: http://codeforamerica.org/ 21 Montgomery Chapter cities/ and click on “apps” to see the wide array of technology solutions being developed in cities throughout the country. 27 Communications Committee, Annapolis 27 Legislative Committee, Annapolis 28 Frederick Chapter, Middletown

THE GENERAL CODE March 2013 ADVANTAGE 6 Southern Maryland Chapter It will never be just about what we do. 13 Legislative Committee, Annapolis It will always be about how we do it. Liz Mistretta 20 Allegany/Garrett Chapter • Codification & supplementation of ordinances • Electronic access to Codes & records 21 Prince George’s Chapter • Document Management Product and Services 21 Montgomery Chapter 25 Washington Chapter

Patrick Smith Toll Free 855 GEN CODE | GeneralCode.com

18 | December 2012 | Municipal Maryland

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Representing Maryland's cities and towns