ÿWPCj: ¦Â½§HŽD˜Žå¸Ž™ÜP*¡›v*A¿.<ä]LÆÊŒ„šÐ™v–ŒÿZše3GRôòR£i·»(Eê+£5Zr`'œ ì3 ÓÊnž ¯—Œ¯+d}].ûÂ׊ܖ§½5wÁUŸù-¬P[KÿsÙ,H.mÔgXÅääT$)_¾6åì1(F±[/ƒk W£WÃo3Æý5J]ç'¤g ó–&`w¸é1ÈfÜê¼yzf) ¶]§Ê|ÔC Ú*<¼‹?øIÌ¢I³©SuêYú+GR¾òØÕù)³Æ¼cž=€† À –Xǹän=ù]¨61‹L{k½¸ÐiŽQÿ%|¶t gGLmðaÒd¢ ÃZ.Ù£m^0·ÓÀM²¸¨ Ÿ“[üM†~nïâE8f© hý2"mji1&œh¡ªToPþ'¡µ¾¾å¡^ãB vlÉFe ˦8ðD¯˜ÜCòÉÀϧÜ+‹IÜIÐÚ/ l{Á,¥XIÒZn:M†O‡ºé«Ï£,ʈ!Q×µÖ6Óˆ£¹i¾5­àÿ‡¾¬?›D^Å?(ÍäKÄŸEZg°NïêqœÚÌ"mˆµ`(ÝbU:\ %–UVœònT 04V ÆŠ w@P 4 ¤ m¦ 0…½ n«B 0eí R Æg 0e- Æ’ 0DXnTœð 0eø]n«e ( 1m0s¥ 0c 0@{»ÃHÑp 0L‰ BÕ 0@ò 0L2n«~M)-"5n«W 0Z 0=\ 0a™Gú 0>A 0hç 0Rï 0RA 0R“! 0Rå" 0R7$ 09‰% 0žÂ% 02`' 0ú’' 0:Œ( 0VÆ( 0\) 0x) 0€* 0——, B*.. D3X. D+‹. 0™¶. 0þO0 06M1 0ƒ1 0:‰2 0hÃ2 0F+3 Bq3 BŽ3U6«3U<á3U*4G4\4_q4pÐ5 AQ@8Æ‘8 0PW9 0P§9 0D÷9 D/;:;:;:;:j:<þ6X9`("Courier 10cpiX*Ö*ä0 >CG TimesBold ItalicScalable#|x·:«<þ6X9`("Courier 10cpiXôxþ6X@É“8Ç;X@*Ö*ä0 >CG TimesBold ItalicScalable„„´Ö*ä0 xìéM7û„˜( ¤U$¡¡Ó  ÓI., II.,Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 ®:¯:°:E±:E²:E³:´:Eµ:¶:E·:«Mq)(]CG TimesBold ItalicScalable„„´Ö*ä0 xìéM7û„˜ 4#*þ2Quick A.ÚƒÚÚ  Ú.à0 àÛ€Û «<þ6X9`("Courier 10cpiXôxþ6X@É“8Ç;X@    # e37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)  iÝ ƒ Ê—$ÝÓ  ÓòòÓÓ€€€€€òòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý›The€facts€set€forth€in€Part€I€of€this€opinion€are€written€in€the€light€mostÐ ° Ðfavorable€to€appellant,€the€non„prevailing€party€below.€€òòSeeóó€òò¢Tennant£€v.€ShoppersÐ Zª ÐFood€Warehouse€Md.€Corp.€óó,€115€Md.€App.€381,€386€(1997).(;³´$´´Ô2 eÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à2²ã0Quick ÓðÓðà0 à  Ý ƒ Ê—$ÝÓ  ÓòòÓÓ€€€€€òòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý›The€City€does€not€argue€otherwise.€€The€City€says€in€its€brief:Ð ° ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àPursuant€to€the€Charter,€[a]ppellant€was€entitled€toÏpreference€in€hiring€if€and€when€the€City€decided€to€fillÏa€City€Planner€supervisor€position€for€a€similar€positionÏbetween€June€28,€1996,€and€June€28,€1997.€€The€CivilÏService€Rules€echo€this€preferential€treatment€for€theÏstated€position.c:\Corel\Office7\Template\WP7US.WPT fÝ ƒ Ê—$ÝÓ  ÓòòÓÓ€€€€€òòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý›The€third€vacancy€arose€on€June€28,€1996€ð"ð€the€same€day€that€appellant€wasÐ ° Ðlaid€off€ð"ð€when€Israel€¢Patoka£€was€voluntarily€laid€off€as€a€City€Planner€Supervisor.€ÏOn€March€27,€1997,€the€City€hired€one€Kyle€¢Legg£€as€a€City€Planner€I.€€It€is€notÏcompletely€clear€whether€¢Legg£€replaced€Mr.€¢Patoka£€as€a€City€Planner€Supervisor.€ItÏis€unnecessary,€however,€to€struggle€with€that€issue€because€the€manner€that€theÏCity€handled€the€other€two€vacancies€is€both€clear€cut€and€outcome€determinative.>c$"Small Circleð"ðà0 à d2c0Quick "ð"ðà0 à>ßb$Large Circleððà0 à«<þ6X9`(CourierXôxþ6X@ɹ`7ûX@  Ñ ° ÑÑ ° 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NewRomanQÔ4ÿÿ2Variableòòóó:ÿÿ8HTML MarkupÔB  ÔÔ ÿ ÔÔ  Ô2 ÿÿ0CommentÔB  Ôüÿ+ +dûÿX Xd<þ6X9`(Courier Newô\  `$Times NewRoman%ä2¼A`Arial Ñ  Ñ Ñ  Ñ UÝ ƒ Ê—$ÝÓ  ÓòòÓÓ€€€€€òòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý›In€any€event,€it€is€by€no€means€clear,€based€on€the€material€in€the€record,Ð ° Ðthat€lack€of€funding€was€in€fact€the€reason€appellant€lost€her€job€through€no€faultÏof€her€own€ð"ð€it€may€have€been€due€to€a€lack€of€need.à È à fÝ ƒ Ê—$ÝÓ  ÓòòÓÓ€€€€€òòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý›The€third€vacancy€arose€on€June€28,€1996€ð"ð€the€same€day€that€appellant€wasÐ ° Ðlaid€off€ð"ð€when€Israel€¢Patoka£€was€voluntarily€laid€off€as€a€City€Planner€Supervisor.€ÏOn€March€27,€1997,€the€City€hired€one€Kyle€¢Legg£€as€a€City€Planner€I.€€It€is€notÏcompletely€clear€whether€¢Legg£€replaced€Mr.€¢Patoka£€as€a€City€Planner€Supervisor.€ItÏis€unnecessary,€however,€to€struggle€with€that€issue€because€the€manner€that€theÏCity€handled€the€other€two€vacancies€is€both€clear„cut€and€outcome€determinative.YZ[\]Cþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5((3þ¸$¢¢Ý ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  Ý((3þ¸$££Ý ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óOO'÷ÿ dxdÝ ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  Ý›ÒܰÒÓ  ÓÑ  Ññ®:ñÌÌÌòòà@JJ$‚àò òJAMES€P.€SALMONó óóóˆÐ X Ðà@þþ$‚àAssociate€JudgeˆÌà@ââ‚àCourt€of€Special€AppealsˆÌà@vv%‚àP.€O.€Box€209ˆÌà@  ‚àUpper€Marlboro,€Maryland€€20773„0209ˆÌà@::$‚à(301)€952„5855ˆÌÌà@††#‚àNovember€22,€2000ˆÌÌÌÌHon.€Joseph€F.€Murphy,€Jr.,€C.J.ÌHon.€Charles€E.€¢Moylan£,€Jr.€€€ÌHon.€¢Arrie£€W.€DavisÌHon.€Ellen€L.€HollanderÌHon.€James€R.€¢Eyler£ÌHon.€Andrew€L.€¢Sonner£€€€€€€ÌHon.€James€A.€Kenney,€IIIÌHon.€Deborah€S.€Byrnes€€€€ÌHon.€Sally€D.€¢Adkins£ÌHon.€Peter€B.€¢Krauser£ÌÌà 4 àRe:à0 Œ àòòMargaret€A.€Ross€v.ЂҌ (#Œ (# Ðà 4 àà Œ àMayor€and€City€Council€of€BaltimoreÌóóà 4 àà Œ àNo.€2476,€September€Term,€1999Ð b² Ðà 4 àà Œ à(Argued:€€10/3/00)ÌÌDear€Judges:ÌÌà 4 àAttached€is€a€copy€of€my€opinion€in€the€above„referencedÏmatter,€which€I€am€submitting€for€publication€at€theÏrecommendation€of€Judge€Marvin€Smith.€€I€would€appreciate€anyÏcomments€or€criticisms€in€time€to€consider€them€before€theÏNovember€conference.ÌÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àBest€wishes,ÌÌÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì à€€Ô‡„8à„XXÔÔ‡XjXXXÔJimÐ R%¢ ) ÐÌÔ#†XjX„„4(N#ÔÔ#†XbXXXjm#Ô¢JPS:pr£Ð "(r#+ ÐÌAttachmentÌÌcc:€€Hon.€Marvin€H.€SmithÌÌJudges€¢Eyler£€and€Smith:€€There€has€been€no€change€in€theÏopinion€subsequent€to€your€approval.Ð  š-ê(2 ÐÑ€TP¸ÑÑ€UP¸Ñò òÓ  Ó¢HEADNOTES£:ó óÐ ° ÐÌòòMargaret€A.€Ross€v.€Mayor€and€City€Council€of€Baltimoreóó,€No.Ð h¸ Ð2476,€September€Term,€1999.ÌÌòòò òDECLARATORY€JUDGMENTó óóó:€€When€deciding€a€summary€judgment€action,Ð è8 Ða€judge€must€render€a€written€opinion€spelling€out€the€rights€ofÏthe€parties.ÌÌò òòòADMINISTRATIVE€LAWóóó ó:€€The€Baltimore€City€ñ£:ñCñ£:ñharter,€when€read€inÐ 0 €  Ðconjunction€with€the€Baltimore€City€Civil€Service€CommissionÏrules,€requires€that€a€person€on€the€re„employment€list€for€aÏvacant€position€be€given€absolute€priority€over€all€otherÏapplicants€for€that€position.€€Accordingly,€the€City€may€fill€aÏvacant€position€by€utilizing€the€ð ðin€lieu€ofðð€clause€set€forth€inÐ @  Ðthe€Administrative€Policy€Manual€only€if€a€job€is€vacant€andÏthere€are€no€names€on€the€re„employment€list€for€that€position.€ÏÌÓÉÓÐ  `° Ðñ®:ñÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ àòòREPORTEDÐ xÈ ÐóóÌÑ€-Ñ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€òòIN€THE€COURT€OF€SPECIAL€APPEALSóóÐ X ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€òòOF€MARYLANDóóÐ ˜è ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€No.€2476ÌÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€September€Term,€1999ÌÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€_______________________________ÌÌÌÌàHÜÜ ÜàˆÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ àà ô ààHôô9ôàˆÌÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ àà ô ààHôô9ôàˆÌÌÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ àà ô ààH441ôàMARGARET€A.€ROSSˆÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ àà ô ààH¸¸9ôà€ˆÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ ààHœœ4œàˆÌÌÌÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ àà ô àV.ÌÌÌÌÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ àà ô ààHÌÌ.ôàMAYOR€AND€CITY€COUNCILˆÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ àà ô ààH$$3ôàOF€BALTIMOREˆÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ àà ô àÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àà œ àà ô ààHôô9ôàˆÌÌÌÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€_______________________________ÌÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì à€€Salmon,Ìà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì à€€¢Eyler£,Ìà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì à€€Smith,€Marvin€H.Ìà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D à(Ret.,€SpeciallyÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D à€€€€Assigned),ÌÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€JJ.Ì€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€_______________________________ÌÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì à€€Opinion€by€Salmon,€J.Ìà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” à€€€€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ ˆ,Ø'3 ÐÌà 4 àà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì à€€Filed:ñµ:ñ€ñµ:ññ¶:ññµ:ñnOVñµ:ññ¶:ññ·:ñNovember€29,€2000ñ·:ñÐ .h)5 ÐÑ-Ñâ -âѰ°ÑѰ°Ñâ -âÑ  ÑÓ*°,XƒX" ¸ —X°œX*ÓÒ°ÜÒÓÓÓ  ÓÑ€2ô}ÑÑ€P¸Ñà  àAppellant,€Margaret€Ross,€up€until€June€28,€1996,€was€a€ð ðCityÐ ° ÐPlanner€Supervisorðð€in€the€Baltimore€City€Department€of€Planning.€Ð @ ÐShe€had€worked€for€the€City€for€fourteen€years€as€of€June€28,€1996,Ïwhen€she€lost€her€job€through€no€fault€of€her€own.Ìà  àMs.€Ross€had€a€right,€guaranteed€by€the€City's€Charter€and€theÏrules€of€the€Civil€Service€Commission,€to€hÔ  Ôave€her€name€placed€onÏa€re„employment€list€and€to€be€rehired€(in€order€of€seniority)€asÏa€City€Planner€Supervisor€if,€within€one€year€of€the€date€of€herÏdischarge,€the€City€filled€a€vacancy€for€the€position€of€CityÏPlanner€Supervisor.€€Ms.€Ross's€name€was€placed€on€the€re„¼employment€list,€and€as€far€as€is€shown€by€the€record,€she€had€theÏmost€seniority€of€any€former€City€Planner€Supervisor€on€that€list.€ÏMs.€Ross€was€not,€however,€re„hired€by€the€City€within€one€year€ofÏher€discharge,€and€her€name€was€thereafter€taken€off€the€re„¼employment€list.€€Ìà  àThe€central€question€to€be€resolved€in€this€case€is€whether,Ïwithin€one€year€from€the€date€Ms.€Ross€lost€her€job,€the€CityÏfilled€a€vacancy€for€the€position€of€City€Planner€Supervisor.€€IfÏthe€City€did€fill€a€vacancy,€it€would€appear,€at€least€from€theÏmaterial€presented€to€the€motion's€court,€that€Ms.€Ross€wasÏentitled€to€be€hired€for€that€vacancy.€€The€City€maintains€that€itÏdid€not€fill€such€a€vacancy€and,€accordingly,€maintains€that€it€hadÏno€obligation€to€re„hire€Ms.€Ross.Ìâ âÐ  (ð#. ÐÑ2ô}Ñâ 2âÑX°ÑÑ8€b)XXdÈXXdÈ8ÑØØâ 2âÑ  ÑÔ& Ž Ôâ ââ ââ ââ ââ âà@ ìàò òI.€€òòBACKGROUND€FACTSóóó ó¢×ƒ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×£ˆÐ ° Ðà  àArticle€VII,€section€100(b),€of€the€Baltimore€City€CharterÏÔ'ްÔprovides:ÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àEach€person€discharged€for€the€purpose€ofÏreducing€the€force€and€without€fault€shallÏreceive€a€certificate€so€stating€and€allÏpersons€so€discharged€shall€be€placed€on€theÏeligible€list€in€the€order€of€the€length€ofÏtheir€service€in€their€classifications€at€theÏtime€of€being€laid€off€.€.€.€.€€Persons€soÏdischarged€shall€have€preference€in€the€orderÏof€their€seniority€over€others€on€the€eligibleÏlist€.€.€.€.Ð ` x` x ÐÌÓÓà  àThe€rules€of€the€Civil€Service€Commission€for€the€City€spellÏout€the€rights€of€employees€who€have€been€Ô  Ôdischarged€ð ðthrough€noÐ Ø( Ðfault€of€their€own.ðð€€Civil€Service€Rule€¢52C£€reads:Ð h¸ ÐÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àWhenever€it€becomes€necessary€to€reduce€theÏwork€force€in€any€organizational€unit€becauseÏof€lack€of€work€or€lack€of€funds,€theÏappointing€officer€shall€notify€the€DepartmentÏ[of€Personnel]€of€the€names€andÏclassifications€of€the€affected€employees€forÏthe€purpose€of€entering€their€names€onÏappropriate€re[„]employment€lists€as€providedÏin€Rule€39,€and€shall€furnish€each€person€soÏlaid€off€or€removed€with€a€certificate€to€thatÏeffect,€as€required€by€Section€102€of€the€CityÏCharter.Ð ` x` x ÐÌÓÓà  àCivil€Service€Rule€¢29A£€states:ÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àFor€initial€appointments,€the€PersonnelÏDirector€shall€first€certify€to€the€appointingÏofficer€from€the€appropriate€re„employmentÏlist€the€names€of€persons,€equal€in€number€toÏthe€positions€to€be€filled,€who€have€been€laidÏoff€pursuant€to€the€provisions€of€Rule€52.€ÏAll€names€shall€be€selected€or€removed€from€aÏre[„]employment€list€for€a€class€before€anyÏselections€may€be€made€from€an€employment€listÏfor€the€same€class.Ð ` x` x Ðâ âÐ €*Ð%0 Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àCertifications€for€promotions€to€a€class€forÏâ âvacancies€in€an€organizational€unit€in€which€aÏlayoff€occurred€may€not€be€made€while€the€re„¼employment€list€for€that€class€contains€theÏnames€of€eligibles€from€that€organizationalÏunit.€€Certifications€for€promotions€to€theÏclass€for€vacancies€in€other€organizationalÏunits€may€be€made€only€if€no€new€or€additionalÏnames€were€placed€on€the€re„employment€listÏwithin€the€90€days€prior€to€the€date€ofÏrequest€for€certification.Ð ` x` x ÐÌÓÓà  àLastly,€Civil€Service€Rule€39€reads,€in€pertinent€part:ÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àB.à " àThe€names€of€persons€laid€off€in€accordanceÐ  ð  Ðwith€Rule€52€shall€be€placed€on€the€re„¼employment€list€for€the€appropriate€class€inÏthe€order€of€the€length€of€their€service€inÏtheir€classifications€at€the€time€of€beingÏlaid€off€and€in€other€classifications€in€theÏClassified€Civil€Service€in€which€they€mayÏhave€served€previously.Ð ` x` x ÐÌà@ÀÀ(ìà*€*€*ˆÌÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àC.à " àPersons€laid€off€under€Rule€52€shall€haveÐ 8ˆ Ðabsolute€preference€in€re„employment,€in€theÏorder€of€their€standing€on€the€re„employmentÏlist,€when€certified€for€the€class€inÏaccordance€with€the€provisions€of€Rule€29€andÏshall€not€be€required€to€serve€a€probationaryÏperiod€upon€re„employment€in€their€formerÏorganizational€unit.Ð ` x` x ÐÌÓÓà  àBecause€of€the€provisions€quoted€above,€Ms.€Ross's€name€wasÏplaced€on€a€re„employment€list€for€the€position€of€ð ðCity€PlannerÐ Ð $ ÐSupervisorðð€on€June€28,€1996.€€In€the€one„year€period€that€passedÐ `"°& Ðwhile€Ms.€Ross's€name€was€on€the€re„employment€list,€four€positionsÏof€City€Planner€Supervisor€became€vacant.€€One€of€those€positionsÏindisputably€remained€vacant€for€one€year€and€therefore€does€notÏconcern€us.€€Whether€any€of€the€other€three€City€Planner€SupervisorÏâ âpositions€remained€vacant€was€disputed€by€the€parties,€but€for€ourÐ 0*€%0 Ðpurposes€it€is€necessary€to€discuss€only€what€occurred€in€regard€toÏtwo€of€the€three€vacancies.ñ¤:ñ¢×ƒ%×ñ¤:ññ¤:ñ׃W×ñ¤:ñÝ ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ףР@ Ðâ âà  àOn€July€30,€1996,€Raymond€Bird€retired€from€the€City'sÏDepartment€of€Planning.€€The€position€vacated€by€Bird€remainedÏempty€until€November€1996€when€Gloria€Griffin,€an€employee€formerlyÏunder€Mr.€Bird's€supervision,€was€asked€to€serve€as€Acting€CityÏPlanner€Supervisor.€€She€was€also€asked€to€perform€all€theÏfunctions€previously€performed€by€Mr.€Bird.€€Ìà  àBefore€the€City€asked€Ms.€Griffin€to€perform€the€duties€of€aÏCity€Planner€Supervisor,€the€City€did€not€first€try€to€hire€aÏreplacement€for€Mr.€Bird€from€the€re„employment€list.€€Instead,€itÏrelied€on€a€provision€of€the€City's€Administrative€Policy€ManualÏreferred€to€as€the€ð ðin€lieu€of€provision,ðð€which€reads:Ð pÀ ÐÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà " àAn€agency€may€fill€a€vacant€position€withÏan€employee€whose€job€class€is€not€the€same€asÏthe€class€of€the€vacant€position€if€suchÏaction€will€allow€the€individual€to€gain€theÏnecessary€experience€to€qualify€for€the€class.€ÏTo€be€eligible,€the€employee's€class€and€theÏclass€of€the€vacant€position€must€be€in€theÏsame€class€series.€€(For€example,€a€SeniorÏClerk€position€may€be€filled€with€a€Clerk€ð ðinÐ @" Ðlieuðð€of€a€Senior€Clerk.)Ð X#` x` x ÐÌÓÓà  àA€little€over€two€months€after€Ms.€Ross's€name€was€removedÏfrom€the€re„employment€list,€on€September€8,€1997,€Ms.€Griffin€wasÏpromoted€to€the€position€of€City€Planner€Supervisor.€€Ìà  àThe€promotion€of€Laurie€¢Feinberg£,€an€employee€of€theÏDepartment€of€Planning,€followed€a€path€almost€identical€to€the€oneÐ Ø'(#- ÐÑP¸Ñâ âÑ  Ñâ âÑ  Ñtraversed€by€Ms.€Griffin.€€Ms.€¢Feinberg£'s€supervisor,€DonaldÏDuncan,€retired€as€City€Planner€Supervisor€on€July€30,€1996.€€AboutÏthree€months€later,€again€in€November€of€1996,€Ms.€¢Feinberg£€wasÏasked€to€perform€thÔ  Ôe€functions€Mr.€Duncan€had€previously€performed.€ÏShe€performed€the€duties€of€a€City€Planner€Supervisor,€albeitÏwithout€benefit€of€the€formal€title€or€pay,€until€September€8,Ï1997,€when€she€was€formally€promoted€to€the€position€of€CityÏPlanner€Supervisor.ÌÓ9°,XƒX" ä –X°,XƒX" ¸ —X9Óà  àOn€August€13,€1998,€Ms.€Ross€filed€suit€in€the€Circuit€CourtÏfor€Baltimore€City,€naming€her€former€employer,€the€Mayor€and€CityÏCouncil€of€Baltimore,€as€a€defendant.€€Ms.€Ross€alleged€that€underÏthe€City's€Charter,€as€well€as€under€applicable€civil€serviceÏrules,€she€had€a€right€to€be€re„hired€as€a€City€Planner€Supervisor,Ïbut€that€the€City,€rather€than€re„hiring€her,€had€transferred€orÏreassigned€existing€lower€ranking€employees€into€the€vacant€CityÏPlanner€Supervisor€position.€€Ms.€Ross€further€alleged€that€theÏCity,€by€its€failure€to€re„hire€her,€denied€her€rights€guaranteedÏunder€Articles€19€and€24€of€the€Maryland€Declaration€of€Rights.€ÏShe€prayed€for€the€following€relief:ÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà " àa.à ä àFor€the€declaration€of€her€rights€andÐ `"°& Ðreinstatement€in€her€position;Ð ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà " àb.à0ä ` x` xàFor€front€and€back€pay;Ðð#@(ä xä x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà " àc.à ä àFor€interest€and€the€costs€of€thisÐ ¸$ ) Ðaction;Ð ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà " àd.à ä àFor€such€other€and€further€relief€asÐ H&˜!+ Ðthis€court€deems€appropriate.Ð ` x` x ÐÌÓÓà  àThe€City€filed€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€that€wasÏsupported€by€a€memoranda€that€underscored€the€point€that€whetherÏthe€City's€motion€had€merit€depended€on€the€truth€of€two€(alleged)Ïfacts:€€(1)€between€June€28,€1996€(when€Ms.€Ross€was€placed€on€theÏre„employment€list)€and€June€28,€1997,€ð ðthere€were€no€City€PlannerÐ à.0*6 ÐSupervisor€Vacanciesðð;€(2)€the€persons€who€ultimately€were€hired€asÐ ° ÐCity€Planner€Supervisors€were€not€hired€for€the€supervisor€positionÏuntil€after€June€28,€1997,€when€Ms.€Ross€was€no€longer€on€the€list.€ÏThe€City€concluded€its€trial€memoranda€with€these€words:ÌÓÓÓ9°,X„Xä –X°,XƒX" ä –X9Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€Department€of€Personnel€has€soleÏdiscretion€in€the€maintenance€of€a€re„¼employment€list€and,€in€this€case,€dutifullyÏperformed€its€responsibilities€to€theÏ[p]laintiff.€€That€no€jobs€became€availableÏduring€the€one€year€period€is€not€actionable.€ÏNor€does€the€[p]laintiff€have€any€remedyÏbecause€the€City€promoted€two€City€employeesÏto€City€Planner€Supervisor€after€June€30,Ï1997.€€The€[p]laintiff€has€failed€to€present€aÏòòprima€facieóó€case€alleging€any€improperÐ À Ðpurpose,€or€establish€any€evidence€of€aÏconstitutional€denial€or€City€CharterÏproscription€[sic],€which€would€have€impededÏher€re„employment.Ð ` x` x ÐÌÓÓà  àMs.€Ross€filed€an€opposition€to€the€City's€motion,€as€well€asÏa€cross€motion€for€summary€judgment.€€Her€opposition€and€crossÏmotion€were€supported€by€her€own€affidavit,€as€well€as€by€excerptsÏfrom€the€depositions€of€Ms.€Griffin,€Ms.€Feinberg,€and€others.€€TheÏcentral€point€advanced€by€Ms.€Ross€in€her€opposition€memorandum€wasÏthat€during€the€year€she€was€on€the€re„employment€list€threeÏpositions€of€City€Planner€Supervisor€became€vacant€and€were€laterÏfilled€by€existing€City€employees€ð ðin€lieu€of€promotion.ðð€€SheÐ `"°& Ðcontended€that€filling€the€vacancies€in€this€matter€violated€theÏclear€and€unambiguous€provisions€of€the€City's€Charter€and€the€ruleÏof€the€Civil€Service€Commission.Ìà  àA€hearing€on€the€pending€motions€was€held€in€the€Circuit€CourtÏfor€Baltimore€City€on€December€3,€1999.€€At€the€hearing,€counselÏfor€the€City€made€a€brief€oral€argument€in€which€he€asserted€thatÏâ âthe€ð ðcase€boils€down€to€the€factðð€that€while€Ms.€Ross€was€on€the€re„Ð P- (4 Ðemployment€list€the€vacant€position€of€City€Planner€Supervisor€ð ðwasÐ ° Ðnot€filled€by€anyone.ðð€€Ð @ Ðâ âÌà@¨ ¨ ìàò òII.€€òòTHE€MOTIONS€JUDGE'S€RULINGóóó óˆÐ ` ° Ðà  àIn€making€her€ruling,€the€motions€judge€said€that€two€factsÏwere€undisputed,€òòvizóó:€€(1)€that€Ms.€Ross€was€on€the€re„employmentÐ Ð   Ðlist€from€June€28,€1996,€to€June€28,€1997,€and€(2)€that,€if€theÏCity€hired€a€City€Planner€Supervisor€during€that€period,€Ms.€RossÏwould€have€been€at€the€top€of€the€list.€€During€argument,€the€trialÏcourt€made€clear€that€she€accepted€the€validity€of€the€City'sÏargument€that€the€position€of€City€Planner€Supervisor€was€notÏfilled€while€Ms.€Ross€was€on€the€re„employment€list.€€She€orallyÏdelivered€her€decision€and€the€rationale€for€it:ÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àWhat€happened€in€each€one€of€thoseÏinstances€was€that€the€City,€instead,€placedÏsomeone€in€the€position€in€lieu€of,€following,ÏI€guess,€the€administrative€manual€policy€thatÏis€set€out€in€231„1,€which€states€that,€ð ðAnÐ pÀ Ðagency€may€fill€a€vacant€position€with€anÏemployee€whose€job€class€is€not€the€same€asÏthe€class€of€the€vacant€position€if€suchÏaction€will€allow€the€individual€to€gain€theÏnecessary€experience€to€qualify€for€the€class.€ÏTo€be€eligible,€the€employee's€class€and€theÏclass€of€the€vacant€position€must€be€in€theÏsame€class€series.ððа"&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àAdditionally,€òòthat€policy€states€what€isÐ @$( Ðprohibited.€€And€explicitly€it€states€that,€ð ðItÐ %X ) Ðis€prohibited€to€fill€a€vacant€position€withÏan€employee€whose€job€class€is€in€the€sameÏclass€series€as€the€vacant€position€and€has€aÏsalary€range€which€is€higher€than€the€budgetedÏposition.ððóóÐð(@$.` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àSo€what€that€meant€is€that,€if€the€CityÏwas€going€to€be€filling€the€positions€in€lieuÏof,€the€plaintiff€did€not€qualify€to€fill€theÏpositions€in€lieu€of.Ð ` x` x Ðâ âÐ  -ð(4 Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àAnd€the€plaintiff€has€stated,€and€I€thinkÏâ âcorrectly€so,€that€¢that£'s€not€really€what€herÏgoal€was.€€Instead,€her€goal€was€to€be€hiredÏas€a€City€Planner€Supervisor,€which€isÏunderstandable.Ð ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àHowever,€essentially€what€that€means€isÏthat€the€plaintiff€is€saying€that€the€City€wasÏrequired€to€fill€the€position€with€the€CityÏPlanner€Supervisors€and€was€prohibited,€as€aÏmatter€of€law,€from€filling€them€in€lieu€of.€ÏAnd€that's€not€my€understanding€of€œñ§:ñtñ§:ññ¨:ñwñ¨:ñhat›€theÏCharter€and€the€Civil€Services€rules€provide,Ïa€requirement€that€the€City€fill€positions€andÏnot€use€in€lieu€of.€€It€just€simply€does€notÏexist.Ð ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àSo€for€all€of€those€reasons,€I€am€goingÏto€grant€the€City's€motion€for€summaryÏjudgment,€which,€of€course,€means€that€theÏplaintiff's€motion€for€partial€summaryÏjudgment€will€be€denied.€€So€I'll€sign€anÏÔ&   Ôorder€to€that€effect.Ð ` x` x ÐÌÓÓ(Emphasis€added.)Ô' àeRÔÌà  àThe€underlined€portion€of€the€court's€oral€opinion€referred€toÏa€portion€of€the€Administrative€Policy€Manual,€which€sets€forthÐ à Ðð ðProhibited€Actionsðð:Ð  p ÐÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€following€personnel€actions€areÏprohibited€and€will€not€be€approved€under€anyÏcircumstances:Ð ` x` x ÐÌÝ‚&cÿÝÝ  ÝÓ9°,XƒXŒ ƒ,h•X°,X„Xä –X9Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà Œ àÝ‚&cZTÝð"ðà0¸ ` x` xàÝ  ÝFilling€a€vacant€position€à8@è¸ x¸ xàà8 @ àwith€anÐ Ð $ Ðemployee€whose€job€class€is€in€the€sameÏclass€series€as€the€vacant€position,€butÏhas€a€salary€range€which€is€higher€thanÏthe€budgeted€position,€(for€example,Ïfilling€a€vacant€Clerk€position€with€aÏSenior€Clerk€ð ðin€lieuðð€of€a€Clerk)....݃&cZTÚT݌Ѐ%Ð *¸ x¸ x ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÓÓÌà@¤¤#ìàò òIII.€€òòANALYSISóóó óˆÐ  (ð#. ÐÓ9°,X„Xä –X°,XƒXŒ ƒ,h•X9Óà  àThe€trial€judge€erred€in€granting€summary€judgment€in€thisÏcase€without€rendering€a€òòwrittenóó€opinion€spelling€out€the€rights€ofÐ ,`'2 Ðthe€parties.€€As€the€Court€of€Appeals€recently€said€in€òòMarylandÐ  -ð(4 ÐAssociation€of€HMO's€v.€Health€Services€Cost€Review€Commissionóó,€356Ð ° ÐMd.€581€(1999):ÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€plaintiffs€in€this€action€sought€aÏdeclaratory€judgment,€and€the€issues€underÏcounts€1,€3,€and€4€were€appropriate€for€aÏdeclaratory€judgment.€€The€circuit€court,Ïhowever,€filed€no€written€declaratory€judgmentÏand€filed€no€written€opinion€which€could€beÏtreated€as€a€declaratory€judgment.€€In€thisÏregard,€the€circuit€court€committed€error.Ð ` x` x ÐÌòòÓÓId.óó€at€603;€òòsee€alsoóó€òòHarford€Mutual€Ins.€Co.€v.€Woodfin€EquitiesÐ Ø(  ÐCorp.óó,€344€Md.€399,€414€(1997)€(ð ð[W]here€a€party€requests€aÐ h¸  Ðdeclaratory€judgment,€it€is€error€for€a€trial€court€to€dispose€ofÏa€case€simply€with€oral€rulings€and€a€grant€of€.€.€.€judgment€inÏfavor€of€the€prevailing€party.ðð)€(quoting€òòAshton€v.€Brownóó,€339€Md.Ð h Ð70,€87€(1995)).€€Ìà  àIn€òòWoodfinóó,€the€Court€of€Appeals€explained:Ð 8ˆ ÐÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€fact€that€the€side€which€requestedÏthe€declaratory€judgment€did€not€prevail€inÏthe€circuit€court€does€not€render€a€writtenÏdeclaration€of€the€parties'€rightsÏunnecessary.€€As€this€Court€stated€many€yearsÏago,€ð ðwhether€a€declaratory€judgment€action€isÐ °  Ðdecided€for€or€against€the€plaintiff,€thereÏshould€be€a€declaration€in€the€judgment€orÏdecree€defining€the€rights€of€the€partiesÏunder€the€issues€made.ðð€€òòCase€v.€Comptrolleróó,Ð Ð $ Ð219€Md.€282,€288,€149€A.2d€6,€9€(1959).€€òòSeeÐ ˜!è% Ðalso,€e.g.óó,€òòChrist€v.€Departmentóó,€òòsupraóó,€335Ð `"°& ÐMd.€at€435„436,€644€A.2d€at€38€(ð ð[t]he€court'sÐ (#x' Ðrejection€of€the€plaintiff's€position€on€theÏmerits€furnishes€no€ground€forðð€failure€to€fileÐ ¸$ ) Ða€declaratory€judgment);€òòBroadwater€v.€Stateóó,Ð €%Ð * Ð303€Md.€461,€467,€494€A.2d€934,€937€(1985)Ð H&˜!+ Ð(ð ðthe€trial€judge€should€have€declared€theÐ '`", Ðrights€of€the€parties€even€if€such€declarationÏmight€be€contrary€to€the€desires€of€theÏplaintiffðð);€òòEast€v.€Gilchristóó,€293€Md.€453,Ð h)¸$/ Ð461€n.€3,€445€A.2d€343,€347€n.€3€(1982)€(ð ðwhereÐ 0*€%0 Ða€plaintiff€seeks€a€declaratory€judg„¼ment...,€and€the€court's€conclusion€.€.€.Ïis€exactly€opposite€from€the€plaintiff'sÏcontention,€nevertheless€the€court€must,€underÏthe€plaintiff's€prayer€for€relief,€issue€aÏdeclaratory€judgmentðð);€òòShapiro€v.€CountyÐ à.0*6 ÐComm.óó,€219€Md.€298,€302„303,€149€A.2d€396,€399Ð ° Ð(1959)€(ð ðeven€though€the€plaintiff€may€be€onÐ xÈ Ðthe€losing€side€of€the€dispute,€if€he€statesÏthe€existence€of€a€controversy€which€should€beÏsettled,€he€states€a€cause€of€suit€for€aÏdeclaratory€decreeðð).Иè` x` x ÐÌÓÓòòWoodfinóó,€344€Md.€at€414„15€(1997).Ð ( x Ðà  àBecause€no€written€declaration€of€rights€has€been€filed,€thisÏcase€must€be€remanded.€€We€include€the€following€comments€for€theÏguidance€of€the€circuit€court.€€Ìà  àThe€motions€court's€reliance€on€the€ð ðProhibited€ActionsððÐ h¸  Ðprovision€of€the€Administrative€Policy€Manual€(quoted€above)€wasÏmisplaced.€€There€is€nothing€in€the€record€to€show€that€Ms.€Ross'sÐ ˆØ Ðð ðjob€classðð€had€a€ð ðhigher€salary€rangeðð€than€the€range€budgeted€forÐ h Ða€City€Planner€Supervisor.€€Nothing€in€the€Administrative€PolicyÏManual€prohibited€Ms.€Ross€from€being€named€as€a€City€PlannerÏSupervisor€if€the€City€elected€to€fill€that€vacancy€while€she€wasÏon€the€re„employment€list.Ìà  àThe€court's€second€ground€for€granting€summary€judgment€inÏfavor€of€the€City€was€that€the€trial€judge€believed€that€byÏutilizing€the€ð ðin€lieu€ofðð€provision€in€the€Administrative€PolicyÐ  X# ÐManual,€the€City€successfully€kept€the€City€Planner€SupervisorÏposition€vacant€while€Ms.€Ross€was€on€the€re„employment€list.€€ItÏis€also€upon€this€ground€that€the€City€placed€primary€reliance€inÏits€brief.€€According€to€the€City,€ð ðAppellant€was€never€rehired€byÐ H&˜!+ Ðthe€City€because€the€City€did€not€fill€the€position€of€City€PlannerÏSupervisor€during€.€.€.€[the€one€year]€period€[that€Ms.€Ross€was€onÏthe€list].ðð€Ð ø*H&1 Ðà  àIt€makes€no€sense€to€argue,€as€the€City€does,€that€on€the€oneÏhand€the€City€could€utilize€the€ð ðin€lieu€ofðð€clause€when€positionsÐ .h)5 Ðbecame€vacant€and,€on€the€other€hand,€contend€that€the€City€neverÏfilled€the€City€Planner€Supervisor€position.€€By€its€plain€andÏunambiguous€terms,€the€ð ðin€lieu€ofðð€clause€òòonlyóó€comes€into€play€whenÐ Ð  Ðthe€City€elects€to€òòfill€a€vacancyóó.€€As€mentioned€previously,€theÐ ` ° Ðð ðin€lieu€ofðð€clause€readsñ©:ñ:€€ñ©:ññª:ñ€ñª:ñð ðñ«:ñ[ñ«:ññ¬:ñAñ¬:ññª:ñ¢ñª:ññ«:ña]ñ«:ñnñª:ñ£ñª:ñ€agency€òòmay€fill€a€vacant€positionóóÐ ð @ Ðwith€an€employee€whose€job€class€is€not€the€same€as€the€class€ofÏthe€vacant€position€if€such€action€will€allow€the€individual€toÏgain€the€necessary€experience€to€qualify€for€the€class€.€.€.€(forÏexample,€a€Senior€Clerk€position€may€be€filled€with€a€Clerk€'inÏlieu€of'€a€Senior€Clerk).ðð€€(Emphasis€added.)€€In€other€words,€ifÐ À Ðthe€City€Planner€Supervisor€position€was€indeed€kept€vacant,€theÐ P  Ðð ðin€lieu€ofðð€provision€of€the€Administrative€Policy€Manual€wouldÐ à0 Ðhave€no€possible€relevance€to€this€case.Ìà  àIn€the€motions€court,€it€was€undisputed€that€the€City€used€theÐ P Ðð ðin€lieu€ofðð€clause€to€temporarily€move€Ms.€Griffin€and€Ms.€¢Feinberg£Ð à Ðinto€City€Planner€Supervisor€spots€that€previously€were€held€byÏpersons€with€the€title€of€City€Planner€Supervisor.€€Although€Ms.ÏGriffin€and€Ms.€¢Feinberg£€were€not€immediately€given€either€the€payÏor€the€title€of€City€Planner€Supervisor,€they€both€fulfilled€theÏduties€of€a€City€Planner€Supervisor.€€Under€these€circumstances,€itÏis€illogical€to€say€that€a€position€remains€ð ðvacantðð€simply€becauseÐ ð#@( Ðno€one€has€assumed€formal€title€to€that€position.€€Ìà  àWe€therefore€hold€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€grantingÏsummary€judgment€on€the€basis€that€the€City€did€not€fill€anyÏvacancies€in€the€job€of€City€Planner€Supervisor€during€the€periodÏMs.€Ross€was€on€the€re„employment€list.Ìà  àIn€her€brief,€Ms.€Ross€stresses€(1)€that€the€Baltimore€CityÏCharter€is€the€supreme€law€of€the€City;€(2)€that€with€exceptionsÐ à.0*6 Ðnot€here€relevant€all€employees€are€required€to€be€members€of€theÏcivil€service;€(3)€that€appointments€to€any€jobs€in€the€City€are€toÏbe€made€in€accordance€with€the€provisions€of€Article€VII,ÏSection99,€of€the€City€Charter,€which€deals€with€civil€service;Ï(4)€that€the€Civil€Service€Commission€is€authorized€by€the€CharterÏto€review€and€apply€rules€proposed€and€submitted€to€the€DepartmentÏof€Personnel,€and€(5)€that€rules€written€and€duly€promulgated€byÏthe€Civil€Service€Commission€cannot€be€ð ðtrumpedðð€by€provisions€ofÐ  ð  Ðthe€Administrative€Policy€Manual,€which€are€merely€policyÏstatements€by€the€agency.Ìà  àOn€a€theoretical€basis,€we€agree€with€appellant€that,€if€thereÏis€a€conflict,€provisions€of€the€Administrative€Policy€Manual€doÏnot€ð ðtrumpðð€the€provisions€of€the€rules€set€down€by€the€CivilÐ pÀ ÐService€Commission.׃#×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€We€believe,€however,€that€the€ð ðin€lieu€ofððÐ P Ðclause€and€the€Civil€Service€Commission€rules€can€be€read€inÏharmony.€€Under€the€Civil€Service€Commission€rules,€a€person€on€theÏre„employment€list€for€a€vacant€position€takes€absolute€priorityÏover€all€other€applicants€for€that€position.€€If€a€job€is€vacantÏand€there€are€no€names€on€the€re„employment€list€for€that€position,Ïthe€City€may€fill€the€vacant€position€by€utilizing€the€ð ðin€lieu€ofððÐ `"°& Ðclause€set€forth€in€the€Administrative€Policy€Manual;€but€if,€as€inÏthe€case€òòsub€judiceóó,€an€individual€is€at€the€top€of€the€re„Ð €%Ð * Ðemployment€list€for€a€vacant€position€and€òòifóó€the€City€elects€toÐ '`", Ðfill€that€vacant€position,€then€the€City€must€follow€its€CharterÏand€Civil€Service€Commission€rules€and€fill€the€vacancy€by€givingÏthe€most€senior€person€on€the€re„employment€list€an€absoluteÏpriority.Ìà  àIn€its€brief,€the€City€raises€an€argument€that€was€not€raisedÏbelow.€€The€City€contends:ÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àNeither€the€Charter€nor€the€Civil€ServiceÏRules€mandate€that€the€City€must€only€staffÏvacant€positions€through€permanent€placements.€ÏIndeed,€the€Civil€Service€Rules€specificallyÏcontemplate€that€the€City€may€temporarilyÏappoint€a€person€to€a€position€when€ð ðpermanentÐ øH  Ðfunding€for€the€position€is€not€available.ðð€€AsÐ À Ðexplained€above,€the€City€abolishedÏ[¢a]ppellant£'s€position€on€June€28,€1996Ïbecause€of€lack€of€funding.Ð ` x` x ÐÌÓ<°,XƒX× ¸ ‚,h•X°,X„Xä –X<ÓÓÓà  àThe€Civil€Service€Commission€rule€(Rule€¢36B£)€relied€upon€byÏthe€City€in€the€just„quoted€argument€reads€as€follows:ÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àB.à × àA€temporary€appointment€may€be€made€to€aÐ È ÐCivil€Service€position€when€the€position€isÏexpected€to€be€abolished,€or€when€permanentÏfunding€for€the€position€is€not€available.€ÏWhenever€such€a€temporary€appointment€isÏrequested,€the€Personnel€Director€may€grantÏauthority€for€such€appointment€for€a€periodÏnot€to€exceed€one€year,€provided€that€personsÏappointed€for€more€than€30€days€must€meet€theÏminimum€qualifications€for€the€classification.Ð ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIf€a€Civil€Service€position€that€is€filledÏtemporarily€is€not€abolished€within€one€yearÏor€if€funding€is€made€available€beyond€oneÏyear,€then€the€Director€shall€proceed€toÏcertify€an€appropriate€eligible€list€forÏpermanent€appointment€or€may€authorize€aÏtemporary€appointment€in€accordance€with€partÏ(A)€of€this€Rule€above.Ð ` x` x ÐÌÓÓà  àRule€¢36B£€has€no€relevancy€to€this€case€ð"ð€at€least€no€relevancyÐ h)¸$/ Ðbased€on€the€material€presented€to€the€motions€court.€€There€was€noÏevidence€presented€to€the€motions€court€that€showed€that€it€wasÏexpected€that€the€vacant€City€Planner€Supervisor€position€filled€byÐ .h)5 ÐMs.€Griffin€or€the€position€filled€by€Ms.€¢Feinberg£€were€positionsÐ ° Ðð ðexpectedðð€to€be€abolished€or€that€permanent€funding€was€notÐ @ Ðavailable€for€those€position.€€And,€by€the€plain€terms€of€sectionÏ¢36B£,€it€makes€no€difference€whatsoever€if€the€City€is€correct€whenÏit€says€that€Ms.€Ross's€position€was€abolished€ð ðbecause€of€[a]€lackÐ ð @ Ðof€funding.ðð׃V×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð € Ð  ÐÔ& x Ôà  àOn€remand,€the€City€will€have€ñ­:ñthe€ñ­:ñopportunity€to€presentÏevidence,€if€it€has€any,€that€section€¢36B£€is€applicable.ÌÓÓÌà  àà ` àà × àà ¸ àà ä àà  àà h àà À àò òJUDGMENT€REVERSED;Ð øH  Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0× ` (#` (#àà0¸ × (#× (#àà0ä ¸ (#¸ (#àà0ä (#ä (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àCASE€REMANDED€TO€THE€CIRCUIT€COURTÏFOR€BALTIMORE€CITY€FOR€FURTHERÏPROCEEDINGS€NOT€INCONSISTENT€WITHÏTHIS€OPINION;Ð À(#À(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0× ` (#` (#àà0¸ × (#× (#àà0ä ¸ (#¸ (#àà0ä (#ä (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àCOSTS€TO€BE€PAID€BY€MAYOR€AND€CITYÏCOñ±:ñUNñ±:ññ°:ññ¯:ñcñ¯:ññ°:ññ±:ñSñ±:ññ²:ñEñ²:ññ³:ñUNCILñ³:ññ´:ñLñ´:ñ€OF€BALTIMORE.ó ó€Ô'x že„Ô