TO: Maryland Municipal Leaders
FROM: Scott A. Hancock, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Weekly UPDATE During the COVID-19 Emergency
DATE: May 11, 2020
Last week, Governor Hogan announced several eased restrictions to access to public recreation facilities, reopening state parks and recreation areas under certain conditions. The Governor made it clear that the gradual reopening affected state parks and recreation areas only. Local governments were asked to use their discretion in reopening local public spaces previously closed due to the pandemic.
MML reminds all cities and towns to initiate reopening of municipal parks and recreation areas carefully, posting the property with adequate signs and liability statements. The Town of Denton proceeded with such caution and consulted with their municipal attorney prior to the partial reopening of their municipal tennis courts. The property notice, developed by Attorney Chris Drummond, is shared with MML members on the COVID-19 Resource Center.
The Governor also announced a significant change to the distribution of the second half of the CARES Act allocation to county governments that did not receive direct funding from Washington. Funds will now be sent directly to each of the 19 respective county governments and not through the county health departments, as previously announced. MML HIGHLY RECOMMENDS that each municipality reach out to your county governing body to inquire about your county’s plans to distribute a portion of the state allocated CARES Act funds to your municipality following established federal guidelines. A special shout out to Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks who has allocated a portion of the CARES Act funds to each of the 27 Prince George’s cities and towns! Thanks for acknowledging the partnership between counties and municipalities, County Executive.
Don’t forget that MML’s COVID-19 Resource Center is constantly updated with new information. Make MML your first stop for all pandemic information from federal, state, and municipal sources.
Finally, a word about MML’s Reimagined Summer Conference! The preliminary program for this historic event on June 29th and 30th is now available. The MML Board and staff team is excited about this opportunity to provide meaningful content and training options using the latest technology while maintaining the required social distancing mandates from the State of Maryland. We hope you will “virtually join us” next month by registering TODAY!
Thanks for all you are doing to keep your communities safe and well. We are all in this together!
#MunicipalMarylandStrong!
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