EXECUTIVE ORDER 01.01.2024.34
Reinvest Baltimore
A. Establishment.
1. There is hereby established a Reinvest Baltimore Program (“Reinvest Baltimore”), a collective effort between the State, Baltimore City, and local organizations to eliminate concentrations of vacant properties and blight, revitalize neighborhoods, and maximize the economic potential and quality of life for residents in Baltimore City.
2. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Revitalization and Equity) Initiative to develop green space, affordable and mixed use housing, greater opportunities for “small business owners”, generate jobs, and strengthen the partnership between the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland to create safer, healthier and more attractive spaces for families to live and put down roots in Baltimore, shall now be known as the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative.
a. The Secretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development shall rebrand, incorporate and merge the activities of the former Project C.O.R.E. with the new Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative.
3. There is hereby established a Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council (“Council”) to coordinate State and local efforts to implement Reinvest Baltimore and provide timely and accurate information to the Governor about the programs, activities, and progress of Reinvest Baltimore.
4. Reinvest Baltimore shall consist of the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative and the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council.
B. Membership. The Council shall consist of the following members:
1. The Secretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development, or the Secretary’s designee, who shall serve as Chair;
2. The Commissioner of the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, or the Commissioner’s designee, who shall serve as Vice Chair;
3. The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning, or the Secretary’s designee;
4. The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, or the Secretary’s designee;
5. The Executive Director of the Maryland Stadium Authority, or the Director’s designee;
6. The Attorney General, or the Attorney General’s designee;
7. The Executive Director of the Maryland Economic Development Corporation, or the Executive Director’s designee;
8. One (1) member of the Maryland Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;
9. One (1) member of the Maryland House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates;
10. Two (2) members appointed by the Baltimore City Mayor representing:
a. The Office of the Mayor; and
b. The Baltimore City Department of Finance;
11. One (1) member of the Baltimore City Council, appointed by the Baltimore City Council President;
12. Five (5) members, appointed by the Governor, with training, knowledge, or experience in real estate, community-engaged design and planning, building equitable neighborhoods, and addressing housing vacancy; and
13. Such other officials of executive departments and agencies as the Governor may from time to time designate.
C. Duties. The Council, led by the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development, shall:
1. Develop a plan to obtain private, philanthropic, and federal funding to support Reinvest Baltimore;
2. Recommend strategies and establish community-based priorities to maximize investments, reduce vacancy and promote neighborhood renewal in Baltimore City;
3. Identify and address challenges related to the implementation of Reinvest Baltimore;
4. Gather and share information related to vacancy reduction, eliminating blight, and neighborhood renewal;
5. Provide recommendations on the establishment of “VacantStat,” a State and Baltimore City comprehensive and public data dashboard to measure and monitor key metrics that will combine existing resources and the information, tools, and supplements to illustrate progress on Reinvest Baltimore;
6. Identify opportunities for the State and Baltimore City to increase collaboration to advance Reinvest Baltimore; and
7. Recommend policy changes at the State and local level to promote Reinvest Baltimore.
D. Administration.
1. The Council shall be staffed by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.
2. The Council may function through established or ad hoc committees or working groups.
3.
Members appointed by the Governor shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
4. Members of the Council may not receive any compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of duties in accordance with the State Standard Travel Regulations and as provided in the State budget.
5. To the extent permitted by law, all Executive Branch departments and agencies shall cooperate with the Council and provide such assistance, information, and advice to the Council as the Council may request.
6. The Council shall maintain transparency in its operations and is subject to the provisions of the Public Information Act and the Open Meetings Act.
E. Procedures.
1. The Council Chair shall:
a. Oversee and lead the implementation of this Executive Order and the work of the Council;
b. Determine the Council's agenda; and
c. Identify additional support as needed.
2. The Council Chair may adopt bylaws, rules, and other procedures necessary to ensure the orderly transaction of business.
3. A majority of the members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business of the Council.
4. The Council shall submit an annual report to the Governor on or before January 1, 2025, and by September 30th, each year thereafter, outlining the status of Reinvest Baltimore and any progress, challenges, and recommendations.
F. Meetings of the Council.
1. The Council shall meet as often as its duties require, but no less than quarterly.
2. The Council Chair may convene meetings of the Council and shall preside over the meetings.
3. The Council may establish ad hoc committees or working groups that meet in between the Council’s official quarterly meetings.
G. Duration. This Executive Order shall remain in effect until January 15, 2027, unless earlier modified or rescinded.
H. General Provisions.
1. This Executive Order shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with all applicable statutes and regulations. Nothing in this Executive Order shall operate to contravene any State or federal law or to affect the State's receipt of federal funding.
2. If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person, entity, or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions or applications of the Executive Order shall remain in effect to the extent possible without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are severable.
Effective Date: October 1, 2024.
