2018 November Senior Staff Notes

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

November 7, 2018

Broadneck Office, Annapolis, MD

Attendees: Nita Settina, Chris Bushman, Amanda Mock, Mary Owens, Christy Bright, Steve McCoy, Patrick Bright, Natalie Miller (next meeting’s manager-of-the-month – Southeast)

REGIONAL REPORTS

Central – Stephen McCoy

·         State Park Inspections – Recently completed inspections at Seneca Creek, Rocks, and Susquehanna State Parks. As a result of these inspections, the parks intend to implement signage improvements and develop formal annual work plans.

·         Hunting – Discussion of to-date North Point deer hunt results and upcoming hunting program at Bohemia River.

·         Gunpowder Falls State Park – Interest in incorporating the Lee Mansion, in Jerusalem Village, into the overall Friends of Jerusalem Mill lease, which is up for renewal in a year.

Southeast – Patrick Bright

·         State Park Inspections – Recently completed inspections at Tuckahoe, Janes Island, Pocomoke and Harriet Tubman UGRR State Parks. The inspections confirmed that more comfort stations must be replaced, shop clutter must be cleaned up, and bulletin boards need to reflect wayfinding standards.

·         Pocomoke River State Park – Mini-cabins are closed through December 2018 for bed bug treatments.

·         Janes Island State Park – Discussion of potentially discontinuing RV storage after investigation of other private storage options in the area and development of a written proposal providing options.

·         Bill Burton Fishing Pier – Assessment of pier integrity indicates that significant and very costly improvements are required in the near future.

West – Christy Bright

·         State Park Inspections – All Western Region park inspections are completed except for Fort Frederick State Park and the SMRA. During the inspection, it became clear that the mini-cabins at Cunningham Falls are nearing or at the end of their useful life.

·         Employee Field Day 2019 – The annual event will be held at Washington Monument on September 25, 2019.

·         Cunningham Falls State Park – Strong interest in developing recreation use agreements with RV rental companies to allow them to place RVs on camp sites for their customers with State Park reservations. Mark Spurrier to follow up with Angela Baldwin.

Review of Customer Service / Attendance Reporting

·         Park Managers should review and take timely action on customer satisfaction survey feedback every month. Survey results should be posted in park offices for park staff review.  

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS – Mary Owens

·         Staff are to submit requests for mapping projects to Mary Owens, for her review and assignment to Shane Johnston.

·         Project Review – 281 projects have been submitted for review to-date. New MPS long-term contractual planner April Sparkman has accepted a classified position with the federal government.

·         Monuments and Memorials Policy – To secure approval for a memorial or monument, a robust written description is required and the individual must have made a very significant and meaningful contribution per the policy. Park Managers must be familiar with the policy and are not to submit project reviews for items that do not meet the policy criteria.

·         Most parks have submitted proposed critical maintenance projects for internal review / consideration.

·         Strategic Management Plan development process is ongoing. Staff should use completed plans as a model of the tone, language, and approaches that should be taken, e.g. phrasing challenges / problems in positive fashion.

·         State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund – Five open houses will be held this fall and winter to gather public input on the use of these new funds for improvement of state-owned lakes.

·         Emerald Ash Borer – While the EAB quarantine may be lifted in the future, State Parks will maintain existing firewood transportation policies and prohibitions.

ADMINISTRATION – Amanda Mock

·         There has been a significant reduction in FY 2019 revenues compared to FY 2018, likely due to the rainy season and the lower Greenbrier lake levels. Most parks have updated their FY 2019 budget projection tracking spreadsheets on the Google Drive. FY 2019 park budget appropriations should be updated in WebFocus within the next few weeks.

·         DNR Unconscious Bias and Workplace Inclusivity Training – Park supervisors are strongly encouraged to attend this important and necessary training, which is currently scheduled for early April 2019.

·         Critical Incident Stress Management Team – Recruitment for additional members is forthcoming.

·         2018 Seasonal Employee Survey – 179 survey responses were submitted and the overall feedback was very positive.

·         2019 Town Hall Meetings – Discussed topics and timing for the 2019 Town Hall meetings.

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE – Nita Settina

·         Reviewed and approved the October 2018 Senior Staff Meeting Notes.

·         Kudos to Christy Bright, Donnie Oates, Dan Hudson, LeeAnne Chandler, and other Western Region staff for hosting an informative and excellent public meeting on Wolf Den Run.

·         Kudos to Patrick Bright, Bob Cantin, and other SMRC staff for organizing an outstanding tour of Chapel Point State Park for Treasurer Kopp and other important visitors.

·         The Park Advisory Commission meeting at Patapsco Valley State Park went smoothly – thank you, Rob Dyke and staff.

·         Fall Managers Meeting – Finalizing logistics associated with the upcoming meeting. A few last-minute agenda changes associated with proposed site visits.

·         Discussion of the role of a Maryland Park Service Ranger and hosting a facilitated discussion on this topic at the Fall Managers Meeting and perhaps at additional venues.

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE – Chris Bushman

·         Policy Issues – Firewood Permits – Park staff must follow all of the same procedures as members of the public for securing and utilizing a firewood permit.

·         Policy Issues – Smoking and Vaping – Discussion of draft regulations prohibiting smoking and vaping on a beach or other designated areas in a State Park.

·         To facilitate the timely response by first responders, Regional Managers are to work with Park Managers to update the physical (street) address of various park access points in the Natural Resources Police CAD incident reporting system.

·         Reminder to submit nominations for 2018 MPS NRP Officer of the Year to Bushman.