November Senior Staff Notes

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

November 4, 2015

ATTENDEES: Nita Settina, Chris Bushman, Amanda Mock, Gary Burnett, Mike Riley, Rob Dyke, Dennis Smith, Mark Spurrier, Barb Knisely, Guest – Kevin Chesley (next meeting’s manager-of-the-month – Central Region)

REGIONAL REPORTS

• SOUTHEAST
• Regional work projects at Smallwood campground
• Bathhouse roof replacement week of November 9-13
• Followed by chain saw / tree removal work
• Contact Patrick Bright for details  
• Belt Woods NEA – Staff will be working with WHS to post managed hunting area and safety zones and set up process for continued managed deer hunting program
• Plan is to have it in place for deer firearms season
• Franklin Point State Park – Monitoring / evaluating permit-only access program
• Access after obtaining gate code online
• CENTRAL

• Ash survey efforts underway
• Training provided to Patapsco staff by Forest Service personnel
• Warrior Canine Connection event at Schaefer Farms at Seneca
• November 10 – TCB Rail Trail will be inducted into Rail Trail Hall of Fame
• WEST
• Cunningham Falls – Received Pollinators Grant from First Energy
• Hunting area expansion at South Mountain
• Archery-only program in new area south of Gathland

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

• Association of Southeast State Park Directors Meeting – West Virginia’s efforts to increase visitation are very different from Maryland’s efforts to better manage high visitation. West Virginia’s most successful marketing strategies are recommendations communicated via word-of-mouth and park websites.
• DNR Events Calendar – Please post all events in a timely manner
• Include “signature” events hosted by partner / third party organizations (e.g. Fair Hill International events, Apple Butter Festival, Maple Syrup Festival, Knocks Folly, etc.) that are open to the general public
• Regional Managers to send Angie Pease a list of the signature events at parks in their regions, using the template that Christina Holden developed
• From that, we can look to develop themes for the individual months
• Fall Managers Meeting – New Germany – November 17-19
• Work Day projects are undergoing final internal review and supplies to be delivered. Email will be sent providing times and locations and requesting individuals to sign up
• Email will be sent requesting topics for Open Discussion Forum
• Finalized agenda – Theme: Natural and Historic Resource Conservation
• Park Visitation Data
• Updates and comments on 2015 visitation reports from State Park Managers sent to senior staff
• As directed on multiple occasions, park staff are to use validated attendance reporting procedures developed by MPS
• Park Managers to work with their staff to underscore the critical importance of gathering the most accurate data possible
• Identify best practices for visitation recording / reporting
• Topic for the Open Discussion Forum at the Fall Managers Meeting.
• NPS Centennial Celebration
• To celebrate all parks, not just National Parks
• We can add State Park events to NPS website
• Spurrier to check on process
• Employee Viewpoint Survey
• Superintendent will be highlighting 2015 results at the Fall Managers meeting
• The 2016 survey will be sent out earlier in the calendar year
• MD Charity Campaign
• In addition to making donations to worthwhile charities, this is an opportunity to be part of a DNR organization that supports these non-profit organizations
• Please encourage participation by MPS staff – Secretary Belton would appreciate your consideration of this worthwhile cause
• Participation to the level you are able, not the amount donated, is the focus
• Volunteer Leadership Summit
• November 21 at North Point State Park
• Volunteer Coordinators to attend
• Please encourage representative(s) from each of your Friends groups to participate and RSVP to Jay Myers
• First Day Hikes
• Submit information to Barb Knisely
• Please keep stops and interpretation to a minimum – hiking should be the focus
• Utilize sign-up and encourage multiple hikes if there is high demand
• Customer Satisfaction Survey
• Wonderful and positive comments – Great job, everyone!
• Please review comments / concerns / complaints with your Managers and take appropriate action where necessary

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

• State Duty Officer Rotation
• There are some missing parts, so…
• Bushman will be SDO for December 2015, Riley will assume SDO duties for January 2016
• Amended Use of State Parks Regulations (COMAR 08.07.06.01-.02)
• No comments received – Final Notice will be published in the Maryland Register
• Amend State Park land unit designation terminology to reflect current practice and accurately list all current State Park land units
• Delete obsolete State Park designations
• Establishes designation of “State Park” and four sub-designations with specific management objectives for some units (NEA, NRMA, Rail Trail, State Battlefield)
• In support of EAB containment efforts, Managers to restrict price of firewood to our cost if at all possible, provided that it does not create issues with perception of unfair competition with local vendors
• Burnett to have his managers develop standard signage regarding EAB / firewood that can be used statewide
• Civilian Safety Issues
• Continued discussion regarding civilian employees being asked to respond to or handle law enforcement situations
• Will be topic of discussion at the Fall Managers Meeting
• Policy Issues
• Assateague – Expanding pet friendly policy to all areas of marina at all times
• Assateague – Smoking ban on the beach?
• As per prior discussions, MPS is not inclined to pursue this prohibition in open areas – will continue to adhere to statewide restrictions
• Patapsco – Extend optional months for winter / summer uniform
• Policy will not be changed
• Exceptions will be granted for extended periods of unusual weather (e.g. the recent march with period of 90 degree weather)
• Jackets may be worn year-round
• Western Region – Use of pyrotechnics for aversive conditioning
• Only by staff with specific training, certified in bear aversive conditioning or use of weapons for wildlife management
• MPS Golden Age Pass Policy will be updated to reflect boat launch change

• Scales & Tales Naming Proposal – Taylor working with Pease on draft memorandum to explain change in policy
• MPS / NRP 2015 Officer of the Year – Send nominations to Bushman

ADMINISTRATION

·       Hiring Update

o   MCC Crew Leader interviews completed

o   Recruitment announcements just closed for PSS at Rocky Gap, PSA Lead at Elk Neck and Park Tech Trainee at Assateague

·       Budget Update

o   FY 2016 MPS operating ($600k) and concessions ($150k) budget amendments approved by DBM and DLS

o   Develop and finalize park budgets in late November, assuming budget amendments fully approved

KEVIN CHESLEY

• Kevin joined the DNR Office of the Secretary a month ago and is working with Assistant Secretary Daryl Anthony on several projects. He worked previously for the U.S. Department of the Interior and will be assisting MPS with development and evaluation of lease agreements.
• Among his current projects are issues associated with projects at Belt Woods and Langenfelter / Love Point