August 2016 Senior Staff Notes

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

August 10, 2016

Attendees: Nita Settina, Chris Bushman, Amanda Mock, Mary Owens, Mike Riley, Al Preston, Dave Powell, Christy Bright, Steve McCoy, Alison Woodfield [next meeting’s manager-of-the-month – Southeastern Region]

Senior staff welcomed Rangers Christy Bright and Steve McCoy as they transition into their new roles as the Western and Central Regional Managers, respectively. Both will officially begin their new assignments on September 14, 2016.

Senior staff recognized Rangers Al Preston and Dave Powell for their contributions to the MPS while serving as Acting Regional Managers for the majority of 2016. 

REGIONAL REPORTS

• SOUTHEAST

1.     Interviews conducted for the Pocomoke River and Tuckahoe Park Manager positions (many thanks to the interview panel).

2.     Belt Woods NEA Update: Working to help current tenants and planning for a managed deer hunting program on the property.

3.     Rosaryville Conservancy: Working with E&C to resolve ongoing issue with atrium settling issue.

4.     Update on potential new property acquisitions in Eastern Region.

• CENTRAL

1.     Update from Rob Dyke: Flooding in Ellicott City and Patapsco River.

                                                              i.     Vehicles and debris deposited along many miles of river, including the portion flowing through the Avalon day-use area.

                                                            ii.     Several sewage discharges also affected the river.

                                                          iii.     Avalon area of the park remains closed until active search and recovery operations are concluded and the sewage issue is resolved.

                                                           iv.     Park management is continuing to work with allied agencies as plans for debris removal, cleanup and recovery continue.

                                                             v.     Big thanks to the staff at Patapsco for the hard work in the recovery effort.

2.     Several seasonal employees have left for full-time employment elsewhere (e.g. Howard County Rangers).

3.     Update on playground meeting.

4.     Seneca had a request for hearing impaired service, but was not able to accommodate it due to cost. The park has now found a volunteer who can provide this service in the future.

• WEST

1.     Updates on playground project. Owens will follow up on concerns.

2.     Youghiogheny land ownership / boundary issue: adjacent landowner was blocking access to public land. Issue was resolved with a visit from Preston and NRP officers.

3.     Trail to Washington Monument: staff working to recover old trail from monument to town.

4.     Review of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) signage: Draft of AIS signs for boat launch areas were presented to senior staff and well received. A model “invasive species disposal station” was also presented

5.    Employee Field Day: Fort Frederick – September 28

ATTENDANCE REPORTING

• Regional Managers were directed to make sure Park Managers are reviewing and approving visitation data (including initials and notes as appropriate).

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY

• Reviewed and discussed July results. Senior staff noted the high number of happy remarks again this month J

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS (Owens)

• Successful seasons completed for CJC and MCC programs
• Working on hiring new MCC crews
• Veteran Conservation Corps: HRS to post recruitment soon
• Possibility of incorporating NRP participation into the CJC program in the future, to provide positive experiences with law enforcement officers. Senior staff interested in ideas for ways to include officers.
• National Night Out: Will work with NRP to coordinate MPS participation in local events.

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE (Bushman)

• Policy Issues: Revised generator policy has been finalized, to be effective January 1, 2017. Please make sure parks are posting information and otherwise notifying our campers. New policy is on the reservation system “must reads.”
• 700 MHz radio system: Senior staff was previously provided with detailed information about this, which they will share with field staff. NRP continues their transition to the new system. MPS will also be receiving the new radios for classified staff. The MPS will be keeping the current system and equipment as well. Managers may continue to order the current Kenwood radios as needed. Distribution of the 700 MHz radios will begin this fall in the Eastern Region (training included) and is expected to be completed for the entire state by the end of 2018.
• NRP Coverage: Managers are to direct staff (e.g. Duty Ranger) to communicate regularly with the NRP Duty Officer / DNR Communications if there is the need to know the schedule of the local NRP officers (e.g. check on Friday as to weekend coverage).
• NRP meetings: Keep up the good work involving NRP in MPS staff meetings and attending NRP staff meetings! Managers are asked to continue working with NRP counterparts to communicate park happenings.
• State Duty Officer: With all three Regional Managers now identified, a new rotating SDO schedule has been established by Bushman (in 2016 MPS Policy Manual). Please remember…the SDO is in charge of the MPS and should be the primary point of contact outside of regular business hours, when your regular chain of command is not on duty (i.e. notify SDO, copy Regional Manager for awareness). When the normal chain of command is on duty, use regular channels for communication (i.e. notify supervisor, may copy SDO for awareness). The SDO system is in place to provide an on-call supervisor for times when the regular chain of command is off duty (typically, evenings and weekends).

ADMINISTRATION (Mock)

• With changes in senior staff, standard location for senior staff meetings will be changed to the NRP Area 3 office (Broadneck) located at Sandy Point State Park.
• Will also look for opportunities to hold senior staff meetings at various parks around the state.
• Vehicle Replacements: Mock has worked with managers to address vehicle / heavy equipment needs. Will continue to work with Bushman / Suydam / Regional Managers to finalize the plan.
• New CFO Connie Martin starts Wednesday, August 17. Mock is planning field visits to several parks.
• FY17 budget still in development.
• FY16 budget has been a challenge to close out. Parks need to be very careful about properly coding expenses to the correct budget object / items.
• Mock has been working closely with the legislative auditors as they continue their work.
• September 12 – field visit to Southern Maryland with Department of Legislative Services and Department of Budget and Management staff.
• House Appropriations Committee will be spending an hour at Rocky Gap on September 14 as part of a bus tour of Western Maryland.
• Day-Use Customer Satisfaction Survey: Senior staff recommended final changes to survey tool. McCoy will work with Spanish interpreter to create second link. McCoy made recommendations for distribution methods for survey.
• Reservations / Advance Tickets for Day-Use: Further discussion tabled until future senior staff meetings.

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE (Settina)

• Settina reviewed Park Advisory Commission award nominations.

1.     Legislative Champion

2.     Partner of the Year

3.     Partner of Excellence

• Plan needed for Hispanic interpretation and communication for next summer.
1. Hiring staff who are bilingual (seasonal / classified)
2. Working with media
3. Main focus interpretation
• Regional Managers to follow up with Park Managers regarding seasonal employees hired this summer as an interpreter, to explore possibility of employment as a long-term contractual employee.