1060                                 LAWS OF MARYLAND                          [CH. 602

adjustment for any improvements or betterments to the utility's
facilities made in connection with the relocation; and to levy taxes
and assessments for such purposes; to borrow money and to apply
for and accept advances, loans, grants, contributions and any other
form of financial assistance from the Federal Government, the State,
County or other public bodies, or from any sources, public or private,
for the purposes of this subheading, and to give such security as may
be required therefor; to invest any urban renewal funds held in
reserves or sinking funds or any such funds not required for imme-
diate disbursement, in property or securities which are legal invest-
ments for other municipal funds.

(4) to hold, improve, clear or prepare for redevelopment any
property acquired in connection with urban renewal projects; to
mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber such property;
to insure or provide for the insurance of such property or operations
of the municipality against any risks or hazards, including the
power to pay premiums on any such insurance;

(5)  to make and execute all contracts and other instruments
necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers under this sub-
heading, including the power to enter into agreement with any other
public bodies or agencies (which agreements may extend over any
period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary),
and to include in any contract for financial assistance with the
Federal Government for or with respect to an urban renewal project
and related activities such conditions imposed pursuant to Federal
laws as the municipality may deem reasonable and appropriate;

(6)  to enter into any building or property in any urban renewal
area in order to make inspections, surveys, appraisals, soundings or
test borings, and to obtain an order for this purpose from the Circuit
Court for the county in which the municipality is situated in the
event entry is denied or resisted;

(7)  to plan, replan, install, construct, reconstruct, repair, close or
vacate streets, roads, sidewalks, public utilities, parks, playgrounds,
and other public improvements in connection with an urban renewal
project; and to make exceptions from building regulations;

(8)  to generally organize, coordinate and direct the administration
of the provisions of this subheading as they apply to such munici-
pality in order that the objectives of remedying slum and blighted
areas and preventing the causes thereof within such municipality
may be most effectively promoted and achieved;

(9)  to exercise all or any part or combination of powers herein
granted.

3. Establishment of Urban Renewal Agency.

The municipality may itself exercise all the powers granted
by this subheading or may, if its legislative body by ordinance de-
termines such action to be in the public interest, elect to have such
powers exercised by a separate public body or agency as herein-
after provided. In the event said legislative body makes such de-
termination, it shall proceed by ordinance to establish a public body
or agency to undertake in the municipality the activities authorized
by this subheading. Such ordinance shall include provisions establish-