May Senior Staff Notes

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

MAY 7, 2014

ATTENDEES: Nita Settina, Chris Bushman, Gary Burnett, Amanda Mock, Daryl Anthony, Mike Riley, Peyton Taylor, John Ohler, Diane Feheley (next meeting’s manager-of-the-month – Western Region)

REGIONAL REPORTS / ISSUES

• Southeast
• Newtowne Neck State Park is now reopened, effective April 21
• Harriet Tubman UGRR State Park Manager selection pending
• Met with Talbot County officials regarding Bill Burton Fishing Pier (MOA to be developed between DNR and Dorchester / Talbot counties)
• Assateague – bathhouse construction date continually changes / alternative funding being sought for dune relocation project (FY16)
• Central
• Continuing storm cleanup / assessment
• Bridge inspections
• Trail washouts
• Trees down
• Sediment at mill pond in Historic area at Susquehanna
• North Point 1812 Bicentennial plans being reviewed
• Jones Road lot (Gunpowder) closed until after Labor Day
• Elk Neck campground noise complaints on rise – will follow up with the NRP
• Upcoming meeting with Harford County Council President Boniface at Palmer to discuss parking lot / trail project
• Request made that campaign hat be authorized for wear with the work uniform (related to impression that campaign hat must be worn when directing traffic). MPS policy does NOT require this; therefore there is no need to alter the MPS Uniform Policy or Traffic Direction Policy.
• Western
• Mold issue at operational house being resolved
• Canada geese management plan underway at Deep Creek Lake / hunting options being explored
• Cabin sprinkler system delay at New Germany / reservations continue to be adjusted
• Need update on sprinkler system work at Herrington Manor (Burnett to check with Suydam)
• Request made to increase footwear allowance amount (currently $75 / year or $150 / 2 years) – effective immediately, the allowance will be raised to $100 / year or $200 / 2 years
• Current procurement procedures still apply
• More discussion on need for project tracking system being developed by Suydam
• Extensive discussion regarding shift reports / more detailed information needed by parks
• Bushman to follow up with NRP commanders
• Invite NRP majors to June senior staff retreat?
• Mock to set up meeting with new HRS Director Gwen Schindler for Settina, Bushman and herself
• In addition, invite Ms. Schindler to future Senior Staff Meeting
• Recruitment for the latest Park Manager positions (Fair Hill, Rocks/Susquehanna, Rocky Gap) will be an open recruitment
• To achieve succession planning goals of selecting the best person for these most critical MPS positions
• Park Manager vacancies are occurring at a rapid rate (11 in the last year), with large numbers of internal MPS candidates already having been promoted
• Action Items from Review of Customer Satisfaction Survey
• Add automatic gates where possible
• Ask managers to consider submitting a Project Justification for replacement of gates in high-traffic locations with after-hours use
• Make sure Trash-Free Parks bags are stocked and available
• Continuing firewood issues
• As per previous direction, signs are to be posted at each location where firewood is sold, advising customers to return wood, that they think is substandard, for replacement
• After-hours issues – Visitors need to know who to call
• Park Watch phone number does not work if cell phone is utilizing out-of-state tower – always post the DNR Communications Center number as well (410-260-8888)
• Offer consistent message at all parks / clearly communicate emergency, information and assistance contact numbers

§  Modify portion of park website pages that provides phone numbers to call

• Knisely to work with Mock / senior staff

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

• Park Technician ASR / Classification Series

• Progress being made toward salary adjustment / classification series
• Settina / Bushman / Mock to continue to work with HRS / DBM
• Long-Term Lease Review
• Create process that involves all appropriate MPS staff in the drafting / review
• Manager to ensure that all internal MPS approvals are obtained before Lipphard forwards the draft to the OAG for review
• MPS Mission Statement
• Senior staff to review and consider changes more in line with the Ranger Oath administered at Ranger School graduation
• Will discuss further at June senior staff retreat

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

• Legislative Session Follow-up
• Sunday hunting
• Western Maryland parks including appropriate information in Guide to Hunting and Trapping to indicate that State Park hunting areas are available from Monday - Saturday
• American Indian Heritage Month (November)
• Check with your managers for programs and events to highlight
• Active Shooter / Threat Response
• All staff did a great job in response to the recent email threat made against MPS personnel
• Burnett / Melton / Suydam will be adding an additional component to Emergency Response Plans and developing in-service training module (to complement Voluntary Compliance / Situational Awareness training regimen)

ADMINISTRATION

• Managers Meeting Session
• Handout – A Procurement and Finance Primer PowerPoint presentation
• There is a guide for WebFOCUS on our P:/drive
• Regional Managers – have your managers prepare questions for Mark Hoffman and Kim Knussman, who will be at the Managers Meeting
• JobAps
• Need constructive suggestions / feedback from managers
• Regional Managers to collect and submit to Mock
• Restructure job announcement – skilled v. non-skilled?
• MDTime
• Still issues that need to be worked out (e.g. shift differential)
• Will be sending out hints / suggestions that address other issues
• Thanks to all Park Managers for submitting budget information!

SUPPORT SERVICES

• Vehicle and equipment list received
• Need to compile for FY15
• MOU with MES for energy audits has been signed (reimbursable funding available)
• Regional Managers to provide Burnett with pilot building
• Incident Management Team – plan has been finalized and distributed
• MCC Spring Project – HWA at New Germany