Maryland Municipal League State of the League Report July 1, 2010 June 30, 2011 Change/Challenge/Cooperation MML Celebrates 75 Years- Part 1 By Scott A. Hancock, Executive Director I have borrowed the theme chosen by the 1983 MML Convention Planning Committee for the annual convention 28 years ago as the title for this year s annual report as it seemed most appropriate as a description for the recently completed MML year. (I served on that 1983 committee as a fledgling Town Manager, by the way) The League was undergoing a great deal of change and significant challenges in 1983. The most notable change in the annual report that year was the relocation of the annual convention activities from an antiquated Ocean City Convention Center to the Carousel Hotel. The move to the Carousel satisfied the desire of many regular Convention goers to have all convention activities housed under one roof. Of course, back in 1983 convention attendance was much smaller and the Carousel Hotel could accommodate the less than 1,000 attendees and 25 exhibits quite nicely. MML was also dealing with challenging state fiscal issues (sound familiar?) and the inaugural fight to eliminate double taxation in local government. Both challenges were addressed by leveraging the cooperative strength of MML s diverse membership. 1
Fast forward to 2011. Just prior to the annual June convention, MML First Vice-President and Salisbury Council Vice President Gary Comegys was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer. Undergoing chemotherapy just prior to his inauguration as MML s 2010-2011 President, Councilman Comegys was unable to attend much of the 2010 Convention nor his inaugural ceremony. In and out of the hospital most of the summer and fall months of 2010 and facing a re-election campaign in Salisbury in the Spring, he chose not to seek re-election in Salisbury and therefore was obligated to step down as MML President in April of this year. MML s first President Elect under a bylaws change approved by the membership in 2009, Aberdeen Mayor Michael E. Bennett became MML President on April 18, 2011. During his 10 months as MML President while battling cancer, Councilman Comegys assembled a superb group of leaders to serve as standing committee chairs. Bel Air Mayor David Carey was asked to serve as the Legislative Committee Chair, Malinda Miles, Mayor of Mt. Rainier served as chair of the Communications Committee, Gregg Dotson, Council Vice President of North Beach was asked to chair the Convention Planning Committee and Edward Hopkins, Commissioner from Bel Air served as the Hometown Emergency Preparedness Ad-Hoc Committee chair. President Comegys standing committee appointees along with a cooperative Executive Committee including Immediate Past President Craig A. Moe, Mayor of Laurel, Mayor James Hoover from Emmitsburg, President Elect Mike Bennett and North Beach Council Vice President Gregg Dotson helped assure leadership success and continuity during President Comegys absence. I am pleased to report that Past President Comegys received a in remission report from his oncologists in June and is attempting to make the transition into non-elected life with the same grace and fortitude he fought his cancer battle during his presidency. 2
MML At 75 The League launched an austere year long 75 th anniversary celebration in January unveiling its commemorative logo at a reception on opening day of the 2011 General Assembly session in Annapolis. Former Governors Marvin Mandel and Parris Glendenning joined Governor Martin O Malley and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown in attending the event at the Maryland Inn on January 12 th. Also attending to offer well wishes were a number of past presidents, honorary members, legislators and other friends. The MML 75 th Anniversary Committee, chaired by Laurel Mayor and Immediate Past President Craig A. Moe, commissioned a special insert to be written for the January issue of Maryland Life Magazine highlighting the history of MML. The committee is planning a special celebration of service at the 2011 Fall Conference in Cambridge in October as the final formal event of the 75 th Anniversary. Special use of the logo, various 75 th anniversary commemorative items and Municipal Maryland articles written by former Executive Directors and remembrances of Past Presidents have been and will continue to be highlighted throughout 2011. Convention, 2011 The theme selected by the 2011 Convention Planning Committee, chaired by Council Vice President Gregg Dotson from North Beach highlighted the focus phrase of President Gary Comegys Working Together Today for a Successful Tomorrow. Continuing to face statewide budget shortfalls as a result of strained economic conditions, attendance at the annual June gathering of municipal officials was off the norm but much improved from the previous year s tally. Appreciating the financial plight of Maryland cities and towns, the MML Board awarded 5 training grant scholarships for 3
convention attendance to eligible members. MML Corporate Partner, Maryland Environmental Service graciously funded an additional 10 Convention scholarships to allow municipal officials to attend MML s premier training event in June. The Monday opening general session featured a keynote address by United States Senator Ben Cardin and the ever popular parade of flags. An eight minute video presentation provided Convention attendees a trip down memory lane by highlighting some of the memorable moments of MML s 75 years. The 2011 Municipal Achievement Award winners were announced on Monday morning as well and the town of North Brentwood, city of Fruitland, and city of Laurel took top honors in the small, medium and large city categories, respectively. Former Hurlock Mayor and MML Past President Don Wm. Bradley was honored as MML s 2011 Distinguished Service Award winner at the Tuesday inaugural dinner. MML s Banner City/Town Program, established to honor member municipalities for commitment to their association, added 20 new honorees to the roles for 2011. A record number of 44 municipalities were honored during the convention business meeting on Tuesday morning, June 28 th as having attained Banner City/Town status. A New Legislature 2011 marked year one of the new four year term for the Maryland General Assembly. A smaller group of freshman legislators took the oath of office in January compared to four years earlier when nearly 45% of the Assembly was new. As is custom, MML participated in orientation week for the freshman class in early December. MML government relations staff and leadership reached out to 30 brand new legislators and 11 new 4
to the State Senate to introduce or re-introduce MML. The work of MML s Municipal Revenue Strategies Sub-Committee, chaired by Gaithersburg Mayor and MML Past President Sidney Katz, provided much material to process through our public relations specialists, Van Epren and Associates. As MML continued to publically tell our story on the devastation caused by the continued loss of state funding for the third straight year, our message resonated stronger than ever. By the time the Assembly adjourned at midnight on Monday, April 11, MML was able to look back on another very successful legislative year. The 2011 Legislative Committee took positions on 31 bills during the session. 26 of the 31 were support or support with amendment positions and of those bills, 5 actually passed. Of the remaining 5 bills which were opposed by MML, all failed. Thanks to the unwavering public support from House Speaker Michael E. Busch, the General Assembly responded to the urging of cities and towns across the state and agreed to include an additional $8.4 million in municipal Highway User Revenues in the 2012 budget. Language was also included in the Budget Reconciliation bill to require that before funds can be transferred or diverted from the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) to the General Fund in future years, the legislature must provide for repayment of the funds to the TTF within five years after the transfer or diversion is made. Thanks to Speaker Busch s distinguished service, he was honored at MML s inaugural dinner on June 28 with MML s 2011 Distinguished Legislator Award. Legislative advocacy activities in Annapolis always get a boost each February when the members of the Maryland Mayor s Association arrive for their annual conference. 43 Mayors attend the February 10 th & 11 th conference at the Lowes Hotel this year. Over the course of the conference, the mayors were updated on the Sustainable Maryland Certified Program (SMC) and given an opportunity to brainstorm about how the program will assist them in addressing sustainability in their communities. The mayors heard from Attorney General Doug Gansler and the constituent relations staff for Senator Barbara Mikulski. A small town mayor s forum was re-launched during the conference s second day with the goal of continued networking to exchange best 5
practices and solutions unique to small municipalities. Overall feedback from conference attendees was very positive. Of Note: MML s successful Corporate Partner Program entered its sixth (6) year and added Funk and Bolton to its top tier Corporate Citizen category. The program maintained thirteen (13) strong and committed members adding over $75, 000 in non-dues revenue to the MML operating budget. The long standing Newly Elected Officials workshops became regional Orientations for Municipal Officials during the year. Six (6) regional sessions were offered in Hurlock, North Beach, Takoma Park, Westminster, Elkton and Cumberland. The orientation sessions offered a broad overview of MML benefits and services, member programs and committees. An elective Academy for Excellence in Local Governance course was added to each session. MML now has a social media presence on Facebook! The popular website was used to push information about the 2011 Legislative program and both the Fall Conference and Summer Convention. Staff Notes MML s longtime Manager of Member Services and Education, Linda Burrell bid a fond farewell to the MML membership at last year s annual Convention and officially began her retirement in July. Paula Chase Hyman, a native Annapolitan and former staff with the City of Annapolis became MML s Member Services Manager in mid-august. Tom Reynolds took on the responsibilities of MML s Education Services Director at the same time. At the end of December, June Krankowski, MML s Accounting Assistant retired after 18 years of dedicated service. Jolita Peterson joined the MML staff in January in the accounting position. My Executive Assistant Kimberly Cetrone moved on to service with the Army Defense Intelligence Agency in February. Caitlin Moran joined the MML family in March. 6
Final Thoughts. I suppose the Change/Challenge/Cooperation title would be applicable for ANY year as the heading for an annual report on the state of municipal government in the 2000 s. We face constant change, immense challenges and cope with it all through superb cooperation of MML members. I continue to be amazed and proud of the courageous work performed everyday by the municipal officials of Maryland. When one thinks courage, especially on this 10 th anniversary of the terrorists attacks of 2001, certainly police and fire personnel come immediately to mind. But the courageous work of elected officials, city managers, clerks, planners, public works personnel and others does not go unnoticed. We are proud to be the government closest to the people although it is not usually the most comfortable place to be. We are problem solvers, making due with whatever resources we have at our disposal and usually with much personal sacrifice. The assembled MML team is proud to work on behalf of all municipal officials in Maryland and we hope you are proud of the accomplishments we have made by working together today for a successful tomorrow. Happy 75 th, MML!! 7