February 2017 Senior Staff Meeting Notes

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

February 8, 2017

Wye Island NRMA

Attendees: Nita Settina, Chris Bushman, Amanda Mock, Mary Owens, Mike Riley, Christy Bright, Steve McCoy, Alison Woodfield (next meeting’s manager-of-the-month – Western)

2017 – BIG GOALS

• Senior staff discussed goals for 2017 and prioritized.

REGIONAL REPORTS

• Southeast
1. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad SP grand opening event plans going well. NRP assisting with logistics / security. Exhibits are being installed.
2. Belt Woods NEA – Riley responding to stakeholder inquiries.
3. Cypress Branch NRMA – staff continuing to work on management agreement with private partner.
4. Love Point SP – staff working with NRP on change in property management.
• West

1.     Question from the West about employees not being able to report to work due to weather conditions. Decisions made by DBM.

2.     Staff working with Spanish-speaking employees to interview / hire Seasonal Interpreter positions.

• Central
1. Fair Hill on short list for international 4-star equestrian event. Staff is planning a public open house.
2. Elk Neck / Turkey Point Lighthouse – staff exploring options for shuttle service to lighthouse to alleviate parking issues and will prepare a written proposal.

REVIEW OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY

• Senior staff noted comments from cabin customers: limited supplies, no matches, etc.

REVIEW OF ATTENDANCE REPORTING

• All staff, especially supervisors and managers, is reminded to review and follow the Attendance Reporting Procedures. Attendance figures are to be carefully reviewed, reconciled / corrected if necessary, and initialed as per policy.

ADMINISTRATION (Mock)

• Update on legislation of interest to MPS.
• Social Media: Reminder to park managers about social media postings and content. Postings are to be limited to park events and happenings.
• Succession planning: Status of hiring reviewed.
• Budget Projections: Mock asked Regional Managers if they are aware of any budget projection issues. Please remember to look at projections and park operating budgets and have conversations with managers about over/under budget predictions. Park managers must seek authorization from regional managers if they anticipate the need to exceed their budget allocation due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Reservation System (CAMIS): Mock and team are working with new vendor for reservation system. Thank you to staff for participating in training for the new system.
• Kudos to Angela Baldwin for her great work with the transition process.

                            

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS (Owens)

• Project Review: To date, 38 projects being reviewed in 2017.
• Planning Projects: Greenwell SP Strategic Management Plan meeting was held. Another will be coming in spring.
• Chapel Point SP update: MPS will be meeting with MHT soon, to discuss possible limitations related to archaeological / historic resources.
• Newtowne Neck: Things are progressing nicely.
• Strategic Management Plans: LeeAnne and Mary are working with park managers to complete the first round. Spring round of plans are Rocky Gap, Patapsco, Rosaryville and Assateague, to be presented at the spring managers meeting in May.
• Interpretation
1. 20 parks have registered for final year of Park Quest.
2. New Trash-Free Parks sign was circulated to senior staff for review and input.
3. Healthy Parks / Healthy People publications will be completed soon.

• EAB/HWA: Spring treatments are scheduled with staff and MCC. Great response from parks to look for affected ash trees.

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE (Bushman)

• Regional managers to submit amendments to hot spots list for NRP.
• Please remember to do quarterly website review / updates and provide either: 1) updates to Barb, or; 2) respond that there are no updates.
• Policy Issues
1. Park email address on park websites – Some park website pages list a park email, others do not. All parks need to list their park email as a contact, and assign a staff member to monitor the email account.

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE (Settina)

• Review January Senior Staff Meeting Notes
1. Fair Hill – neighboring stable Use Agreement – park staff has drafted agreement to be presented to business owner.
2. Customer service training – Settina will meet with Melton to discuss upcoming training.
3. Lifeguard Competition – Central region has agreed to plan and host the competition.
4. Great job by everyone on completing all PEPs by deadline!
5. Employee Recognition Committee – Group will present plan at Spring Managers Meeting.
6. Trapping Permits: Owens is coordinating training provided by WHS staff. Park managers are reminded to submit current / recent trapping programs for review (Janes Island, Cedarville, Patuxent properties, Youghiogheny).
7. Deer Hunting Opportunities – Look for opportunities for new deer hunting programs as a resource management tool / recreational opportunity. Regional managers will work with managers to supply list to Senior Staff. After internal MPS discussion, selected programs will be submitted for DNR internal review.
• Town Hall meetings in March: Settina would like to plan for an interactive town hall meeting to follow the customer service training. Looking for ideas.
• May Managers Meeting: Regional managers will ask park managers for topics for this spring’s meeting and relay to Senior Staff.