September Senior Staff Notes

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE
SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

September 10, 2014

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

REGIONAL / PROGRAM REPORTS

• Southeastern Region
• Many parks experiencing increased levels of visitation this summer.
• Staff performed admirably, but the strain has been evident.
• Central / Western Regional Managers concurred.
• Beach / Waterfront Management Plans
• Terminology (drowning / near-drowning / water rescue) to be discussed during the upcoming meeting.
• Need to accurately describe and report the urgency / nature of the incident and threat to the health / safety of the victim
• Concessions
• General discussion about revenue / reinvestment strategies
• Employee Field Day
• Rosaryville – October 1 – 10 am - 2 pm
• Various activities planned with Oktoberfest theme
• Western Region
• Numerous external requests create a workload issue, especially during the busy summer season
• If these issues create a hardship, or it is anticipated that it will be difficult to meet the deadline provided, elevate to the Superintendent / Deputy Superintendent to explore extension / relief.
• Central Region
• Almost to finish line for 1812 Bicentennial events
• Standardizing use agreements?
• Should be consistent in application of policy, requirements, fees, etc. but do not have to be exactly the same (standardized) because every site, every event, every partnership is different.
• Support Services
• MEA Building Audits
• Burnett needs copies of credit card logs for completed audits

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

• Fall Managers Meeting
• Reviewed agenda
• Session on invasive species management / control?
• Bushman to contact WHS (McKnight)
• Possible team work project
• Build bear boxes for Swallow Falls?

• Possible Field Trips
• Yough / acid mine drainage mitigation project?
• Friends Store / Hinebaugh property tour?
• Other ideas?
• American Indian Heritage – Virginia Busby
• Discussion points for November Managers Meeting
• History of American Indians in Maryland
• Purpose of Governor’s Commission
• Resources – contacts, funding / grants, history research
• Interpretation “minefields” and sensitivities / hope / vision today
• Why are we talking about this?
• Shared connection to the land
• Current activities and partnerships
• Concrete examples of success
• Q & A time
• Goals and opportunities in the future
• Indian activities in MD (e.g. Powwows, Indian Tourism Association, Piscataway Museum, etc.)
• Invite American Indians
• Current Activities
• Re-burial effort (several sites)
• Dugout canoe w/ Pocomoke Nation (Pocomoke River SP)
• Bald Friar Petroglyphs (Susquehanna SP)
• Potlatch at Sandy Point SP
• Future Opportunities
• Goals?
• Resources?
• Education of staff
• Interpretation
• Connect w/ Indian tribes and individuals
• Archaeological protection
• Land preservation of indigenous landscapes
• Environmental stewardship
• Employment opportunities
• Partnership projects
• Gardens
• Trails
• Forestry
• Short term                                           
• Assateague Nation
• Pocomoke Nation
• Cedarville Nation
• Garrett County
• Seneca
• Patapsco
• Form an Advisory Committee
• Inventory opportunities
• War of 1812 Bicentennial Events – Greatly appreciate the support of all staff
• North Point / Takos Visitor Center looks wonderful with the new exhibits
• New pier is spectacular
• Land Unit Designations
• State Park System regulation / definitions revision to be done this fall
• Public lands not currently designated to be designated (e.g. Chapman)
• NASPD
• John Jarvis (keynote speaker)
• Main theme was the centennial celebration of the NPS in 2016
• Celebration of America’s parks (not just national parks)
• Opportunity for us to talk about our history, work with our NPS partners on joint promotions (Catoctin / C&O Canal / Assateague)
• ‘Find your park’ NPS app to come out in April
• Superintendent to get together with Mel Poole to work on ideas
• Burnett to work with MRPA
• Camping is declining nationwide
• Average distance traveled is 200 miles from home
• Social activity
• Pets are increasingly popular
• Tents are most popular nationwide
• Electricity is #1 preferred amenity
• Hiking is #1 most popular activity / Outdoor cooking is #2
• 82% of camping population is Caucasian
• 5^th graders are #1 target to introduce to camping
• Introduced idea of sponsor campers to work with first time campers / offer incentives
• Focused on restoring urban parks
• Vehicle registration fees to fund State Parks
• MPS studying programs in other states for possible implementation

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

• Policy Follow-Up – Wearing of campaign hat with cargo pants
• Suggestion made in Employee Viewpoint Survey comments
• Senior staff sought feedback from managers
• No consensus to change the policy, so it will remain as currently written
• Shift Reports / Incident Types
• Working with NRP as they continue to make adjustments to the new CAD system
• Discussing the addition of a separate CAD for significant incidents that occur during a patrol check to provide better information
• The primary focus for information about incidents occurring in State Parks is to foster regular, open communication at the local level between the MPS and NRP
• The shift report is secondary to that (backup)
• Radio Communications
• Report any issues with radios / communication center so that MPS leadership can follow up with the NRP or the DNR Wireless Communications staff
• All MPS staff should be monitoring local NRP channels
• Policy Issues
• Nothing brought forward from managers this month

ADMINISTRATION

• Recruitment
• Reinvigorating our recruitment efforts with Banks as the lead
• Career Fair in October (North Point)
• Think about who you want to represent the MPS
• Provide technical assistance
• Farm Team
• A – CJC Members
• AA – CJC staff
• AAA – Seasonals / MCC members / LTC staff
• Job shadowing and orientation
• Developing a database of potential candidates
• Mentorships
• Training and certifications
• Disciplinary Procedures
• Mock will be distributing updated information (process / tools)
• Budget
• FY2015 request for needs sent to Regional Managers (vehicles, heavy equipment)
• Due back to Mock by Friday, September 12
• Budget Webfocus training
• Working with Training Division
• On-site and Tawes sessions being planned
• Goucher Poll
• 2^nd annual poll to be conducted this month
• Students to present results to senior staff and leadership

SUPPORT SERVICES

• Supervisor / Manager Training
• Coaching 101 currently being provided to supervisors
• Proposal to provide it to all new supervisors within first year after promotion
• Manager / Administrator Training for all new managers within first year after promotion to manager position
• Emerald Ash Borer
• Homeowner’s Guide (handout) distributed
• Infected trees succumb quickly and become hazardous
• Make inventory / inspection of Ash trees in campgrounds, day-use areas and other heavily used public areas part of each park’s hazardous tree management plan
• Ash trees should be considered for removal as soon as they have become infested
• Specimen trees can be treated in an attempt to save them
• Frederick and Washington Counties are the hot spots