* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill
Introduced by: Councilmember Costello
At the request of: South Baltimore Gateway Partnership
Address: c/o Brad Rogers
101 W. Dickman St., Suite 1000
Baltimore, MD 21230
Telephone: 410-493-0852
A Resolution Entitled
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council concerning
title
South Baltimore Gateway Community Impact District and Management Authority - Renewal Through June 30, 2028
For the purpose of reviewing, renewing, and continuing the South Baltimore Gateway Community Impact District and the South Baltimore Gateway Community Impact District Management Authority; providing for a special effective date; and generally relating to the activities and authority of the South Baltimore Gateway Community Impact District and the South Baltimore Gateway Community Impact District Management Authority.
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Recitals
By the authority of City Charter Article II, § 69, the Mayor and City Council, through the enactment of Ordinance 16-509 on August 29, 2016 (the “enabling legislation”), codified in City Code Article 14, Subtitle 19, established the South Baltimore Gateway Community Impact District (the “District”) and the South Baltimore Gateway Community Impact District Management Authority (the “Authority”), subject to certain terms, conditions, and limitations.
Article II, § 63(g) {“Periodic review - general”} of the Charter requires that the Mayor and City Council renew the effectiveness and desirability of continuing the existence of the District and the Authority every 4 years from the enactment of the Ordinance. More specifically, § 19-16 of Article 14 provides that, no later than 4 years after the establishment of the District, and every 4 years following, the Mayor and City Council shall “hold 1 or more public hearings to evaluate the activities and undertakings of the Authority and the District. [ . . . and] [a]t the conclusion of the hearings [ . . . ] shall determine whether the District is to continue for another 4 years.”
As established by Ordinance 16-509 on August 29, 2016, the enabling legislation required the first review of the District and the Authority by August 29, 2020, with each subsequent review following 4 years thereafter.
As of August 2020, due to the continuing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Maryland was operating under a State of Emergency. The State of Emergency was originally declared by Governor Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr. on March 5, 2020, ending July 1, 2021. Under the State of Emergency, Governor Hogan issued an Executive Order on March 12, 2020, as continued and amended from time to time, “Ordering Extending Certain Licenses, Permits, Registrations, and Other Government Authorizations, and Authorizing Suspension of Legal Time Requirements”. Under the authority of this Executive Order the periodic review of the District and Authority was then considered postponed until after the end of the State of Emergency, and at such a time when the Mayor and City Council were able to properly conduct the required review.
The first review, renewal, and continuance of the District and the Authority was not completed until Ordinance 22-127 was enacted and made effective as of April 4, 2022.
Now, in keeping with the original intent of the enabling legislation, the Mayor and City Council now seek to review, renew, and continue the District and Authority before the termination of the 2nd 4-year term ending on August 29, 2024.
For the purposes of determining whether to again renew and continue the District and the Authority, the City Council has held a hearing, as required by Article 14, § 19-16.
The Mayor and City Council have undertaken the requisite quadrennial review for a proposed 4-year renewal period. Based on their review of the activities and undertakings of the District and Authority, the Mayor and City Council find that the renewal and continuation of the District and the Authority are in the best interest of the citizens of Baltimore.
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That, beginning at its second meeting in April 2024, the Mayor and City Council shall review and determine the desirability of continuing the District and the Authority.
Section 2. Be it resolved by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That, if the Mayor and City Council find that it is desirable for the District and Authority to continue, the District and the Authority shall be renewed and continued for an additional 4 years, backdating from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028.
Section 3. And be it further resolved, That this Resolution of the Mayor and City Council takes effect on the date it is enacted.