The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all officials,
employees and appointees to boards, commissions and committees of
the City unless otherwise specified.
The Commission may grant exemptions and modifications to the provisions of §§
16-3 and
16-4 of this chapter to employees and appointed members of boards, commissions and committees if it determines that application of those provisions would:
A. Constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy;
B. Significantly reduce the availability of qualified persons for public
service; and
C. Not be required to preserve the purpose of this chapter.
A final decision of the Commission on a complaint or request
for a waiver may be appealed to the circuit court under the applicable
Maryland Rules of Procedure governing administrative appeals. An appeal
does not stay the effect of the Commission's decision unless
the court hearing the appeal orders a stay.
A member of the Commission may be removed by the majority vote
of the City Council after a hearing for neglect of duties, misconduct
in office, a disability that make the member unable to discharge the
powers and duties of office, or a violation of this chapter.
An official or employee of the Town may not retaliate against
an individual for reporting or participating in an investigation of
a potential violation of this chapter.