March Senior Staff Notes

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

March 11, 2015

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

REGIONAL REPORTS

• Southeast
• NRP transitioning to 700 MHz radio system on Eastern Shore (Areas 1 and 2)
• Riley and Burnett following up with the NRP and DNR Wireless Communications staff to ensure:
• Continued direct communication capability between the NRP and MPS staff without having to contact DNR Communications
• Continued capability of MPS law enforcement personnel to communicate directly with NRP / allied law enforcement agencies
• Wick Property Acquisition (and associated Big Mill Pond FMA)
• Property is former tree nursery with 7 houses and ~225 acres (+ 55 acres in Big Mill Pond FMA)
• At least 4 houses need to be razed
• Riley and Ohler to provide Settina with additional information regarding our management options and challenges
• Central
• Seasonal recruitment update
• Discussion concerning concession budget challenges
• West
• MPS phone answering / voice mail protocols are to be used for all state-owned or state-issued phones (cell phones as well as office phones)
• Greeting is to be professional and identify the employee
• Emerald Ash Borer continues to spread and infest Ash trees
• Need to consider treatment of specimen trees or those in developed areas
• Contact Tyler Wakefield (Forest Service) to report evidence of EAB and/or discuss treatment / response

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

• Spring Managers Meeting – May 13, 2015 – North Point State Park
• Prepared draft agenda – Topics:
• Resource Management Topic (Pollinator Conservation)
• Senior Staff Q&A
• Secretary Belton
• Awards and Recognition
• American Indian Program
• Northeast State Park Directors Conference
• Hosted by MPS at Woodmont Lodge on April 21-23
• On-site costs covered by sponsors
• ParkStat
• Discussed possibility of more efficient method(s) of collecting / presenting State Park metrics and statistics

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

• Ice Safety
• MPS will utilize “assumption of risk” policy, on the part of park visitors, as we do with other recreational activities (e.g. rock climbing)
• Existing mix of various ice safety warning signs will be removed this spring and will not be re-posted next year
• Deep Creek Lake is only exception, as it is a designated ORV trail (snowmobile)
• Will post appropriate signs and educational material, to include the exact language from the relevant COMAR ORV regulations, which is consistent with the MPS “assumption of risk” policy
• “Snowmobile operators use the lake surface at their own risk. The Department makes no assurances regarding the safety of:

(a) Operating a snowmobile on Deep Creek Lake; or

(b) The ice conditions.”

• Policy Issues
• MPS Pet Policy revision being finalized
• Good feedback from managers and staff resulted in several significant enhancements to the current policy
• No other outstanding policy issues brought forward
• Regional Meeting feedback
• Senior staff (Regional Managers, Burnett, Mock) are providing written feedback from their regional / HQ meetings to Settina / Bushman
• More formal process is providing useful information and continued good two-way communication

ADMINISTRATION

• Budget Update
• Reviewed operating budget for FY15 and FY16
• Looking into the use of Google Drive for projection worksheets
• Scales & Tales Volunteer Application Form (proposed)
• Should be developed to be used as supplemental to a standard MPS Volunteer Application, which should be used by all volunteers
• Supplemental forms could also be developed for other specialized volunteer functions (e.g. Camp Host, Volunteer Mounted Patrol)
• Camp Host Agreement
• Draft documents created by Myers and committee of field staff
• Amendments discussed by senior staff
• Affiliated Foundation Agreements
• Mock continuing to compile existing agreements
• Managers to provide copies to Mock and/or notify her of Friends groups who decline to sign agreements
• Those who do not have a valid, signed agreement may not collect funds on behalf of the MPS and/or receive funds from the MPS
• Seasonal Hiring
• Managers to notify Mock as to whether or not they have enough candidates
• Paperwork processing changes / required contractual paperwork is now the same as for permanent employees
• MPS Administrative Staff is working closely with FAS
• Scan documents whenever possible and forward to HQ
• Have created a secure drive to maintain confidentiality of stored documents
• Ranger (PSA) Interviews
• Sincere thanks to parks hosting interviews / interview panels
• Some rescheduling of interviews due to weather cancellations
• Last day of interviews is now March 20

SUPPORT SERVICES

• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at State Parks
• Rocky Gap initiated discussion
• Grants may currently be available, but might not cover entire cost
• Further research necessary – tabled for now
• EEO Training for Supervisors
• Melton to explore web-based training program
• Honor envelopes and Trash-Free Parks bags have been ordered
• If you are currently out of stock, please borrow from another park until the order comes in