TO: Maryland Municipal Leaders
FROM: Scott A. Hancock, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Weekly UPDATE on MML’s Operational Commitment During COVID-19 Emergency
DATE: April 27, 2020
I am sure you have received the news of the action taken by MML’s Board of Directors on Saturday, April 25th regarding MML’s 2020 Summer Conference. It was a tough decision to cancel the very popular in-person event, but I am pleased to report that the Board enthusiastically endorsed the creation of a virtual conference as an alternative. The “reimagined “event will be held during the same period as the scheduled 2020 Summer Conference (June 28-July 1) but with increased program focus on how the pandemic has affected Maryland municipalities. Specific event information including new content, registration options and highlights will be forwarded to members and posted on MML’s Summer Conference webpage in the coming days so be on the lookout for it.
The MML Board and staff team is excited about this opportunity to provide meaningful content and training options using the latest technology and maintaining the required social distancing mandates from the State of Maryland. We hope you will “virtually join us” in June for MML, 2020!!
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In last week’s UPDATE, I suggested you track all your COVID-19 expenses and work with your County Administration (Anne Arundel, Montgomery or Prince George’s municipalities) or County Health Departments (all other municipalities) IMMEDIATELY on reimbursements made possible by the federal CARES Act. You recall that the requirement of current reimbursement allocation is that they “must be directly related to expenditures incurred to address the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Unfortunately, there was no mandate included in the disbursement guidelines requiring ANY money be shared with the municipalities. Since last week, we have heard from members whose counties are restricting the types of uses that can be reimbursed or have been denied entirely.
Because we are always stronger together, I request that you share your city or town experience in requesting qualified reimbursements (and inclusion in the county’s plan for additional future funding) with MML. We need to know the following:
- What was the general response to your reimbursement requests?
- How much did you ask for and how much are you receiving?
- What types of uses did you request reimbursements for?
- Which were approved and which were not?
With this information, I am confident that we will be in a better position to advocate for dedicated funding to municipalities later. Please send your reimbursement request experiences to Justin Fiore at MML, justinf@mdmunicipal.org.
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Don’t forget that MML’s FAQ page in our COVID-19 Resource Center is constantly updated with new information. The Municipal Connections Forum provides much of the inspiration for the FAQ page so please post your ideas, questions or comments to share with your fellow municipal officials. It is password protected so your thoughts are shared with only municipal officials or staff.
Your MML staff team remains committed to supporting you in any way we can during this health crisis. Please let us know how we can help you!
Please stay well, safe and continue the social distancing practices. #MunicipalMarylandStrong!
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