August Senior Staff Notes

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

AUGUST 12, 2015

ATTENDEES: Nita Settina, Chris Bushman, Amanda Mock, Gary Burnett, Mike Riley, Peyton Taylor, Rob Dyke, Diane Feheley (next meeting’s manager-of-the-month – Southeast Region)

REGIONAL REPORTS

• Southeast
• Some new branded park signs (e.g. Sandy Point and Rosaryville) are defective / deteriorating (off-color, chipping)
• Burnett will follow up with MCE
• Hat with sweatband (new prototype)
• SMRC providing TDY staff to Sandy Point on weekends, but…
• Having ongoing issues at Rosaryville with over-capacity shelter groups
• Seeking operational solutions
• Point Lookout engaged in pilot program using goats in certain areas (e.g. campgrounds) to control invasive plant species
• Central
• North Point State Battlefield
• Working with community on Defenders Day event for September 12
• Flag poles to be installed by September 10
• West
• Drones
• Request to use one during special event at Fort Frederick
• Event organizer will need to coordinate with Park Manager to ensure public safety is not compromised
• FAA regulations for recreational use are still pending
• In the meantime, State law prohibits new regulations
• Generally, no need to restrict their use unless there is a problem
• MPS can prevent / restrict their use under existing regulations for public safety / resource protection reasons
• Will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
• Rocky Gap Casino merger completed (private parties)
• Will be asking for more parking (150 additional spots)

LATINO HERITAGE INTERNSHIP PRESENTATION

• PowerPoint presentation (senior staff can share notes)
• Visitor experience study conducted at Sandy Point
• Interviewed 118 groups with over 1,000 individuals
• Some things that are important
• Restroom cleanliness
• Shade trees
• Picnic tables and grills
• Playground
• Fishing activities

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

• Pollinator Workshop – North Point (October 1 and 2)
• Full day on how to establish and maintain pollinator meadows
• Two one-day sessions (40-50 attendees per session)
• For Park Managers and staff that will be involved
• Regional Managers to send list of names to Robin Melton
• Fall Managers Meeting Agenda
• Some suggested topics
• Guest speaker – bees in the mid-Atlantic
• Deer Management
• Ask Park Managers for topics / project suggestions
• Field trips
• Assateague State Park
• 50^th Anniversary celebration on Friday, August 14
• Affiliated Foundations
• Please continue to send signed agreements to Amanda Mock

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

• Handling conflicts / claims of bias – sometimes associated with park closures
• Make sure staff is prepared to deal with these allegations
• Incorporate scenarios into Ranger School / In-Service Training
• Reminder to inspect / update all park signs
• Smoke-free areas
• Ongoing discussion, but no changes proposed at this time

ADMINISTRATION

• Hiring fall seasonal employees
• Needs will be solicited
• Park Managers need to submit cut-offs for their contractual staff – important!
• Classified recruitment
• Recruitment out for MCC long-term contractual Crew Leaders
• PSS – Rocky Gap
• PSA Lead – Elk Neck
• Park Maintenance Program Supervisor – New Germany
• Park Technician Lead – Gunpowder Falls

SUPPORT SERVICES

• Vehicle Replacements
• Will receive only 2 new vehicles in FY16
• Regional Managers to provide hat order to Burnett