2019 April Senior Staff Meeting Notes

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

April 3, 2019

Broadneck Office, Annapolis, MD

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

REGIONAL REPORTS

Southeast – Patrick Bright

·         Sandy Point State Park – Meeting scheduled for next week with NRP, Anne Arundel County PD and MdTAP to coordinate traffic management for the upcoming season.

·         Assateague State Park – Dune and campsite construction project is progressing and on schedule.

·         Janes Island State Park – Park is hiring a boat captain to conduct interpretive boat trips to the island this summer. Park staff will be working with Tim Hamilton on marketing this new opportunity.

West – Christy Bright

·         Sang Run State Park – Historic Election House – Working with Engineering and Construction on the first phase of stabilizing the structure.

·         Youghiogheny River NEA – A very productive meeting was held with paddling companies on procedures for the summer and ensuring the safety of paddling participants.

·         Greenbrier State Park – Procurement associated with dam valve and associated repairs has started and sand is being ordered for the beach.

·         Wolf Den Run State Park – Discussion about selecting names for the three parcels and completing other tasks necessary to open sections of the park to the public.

Central – Steve McCoy

      

·         Elk Neck State Park – A community bulletin board will be erected inside the park camp store.

·         Patapsco Valley State Park – The Grist Mill Trail sign plan is nearly complete and associated trail maintenance and safety improvements are underway.

·         Seneca Creek State Park – MDE plans to conduct additional lead sampling and testing in the area of the former trap and skeet range.

·         Falling Branch / Kilgore Falls – Efforts are underway to collaborate with NIC on a pilot online day-use reservation system for weekends and holidays at Kilgore Falls. In the meantime, the park will implement a free in-house day-use reservation / permit procedure starting in late June.

Park Managers should be completing the “Record of Operational Drills” Google form to ensure we track all the on-the-ground training drills parks implement.

The attendance reporting and customer satisfaction survey results were discussed and reviewed.

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS – Mary Owens

·         Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) – The Corporation for National Community Service (AmeriCorps) notified the Maryland Park Service that funding for the 2019-2020 MCC program year was not approved. Alternative funding sources to support the MCC will be investigated.

·         Strategic Management Plan (SMP) Schedule – An updated, proposed schedule for completion of SMPs was distributed and discussed. The updated schedule is on Google drive.

·         Bill Burton Fishing Pier – Signs warning people not to boat / swim under the piers were developed in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. The signs will be fabricated and erected shortly.

ADMINISTRATION – Amanda Mock

·         Amanda provided an update on FY 2019 expenditures and revenues, as well as the status of the General Assembly’s consideration of the Governor’s proposed FY 2020 budget.

·         Spring Managers Meeting at North Point State Park – The tentative meeting agenda and associated logistics were discussed. The meeting agenda includes presentations on mentoring, creating habitat with native plants, and DNR diversity / inclusion efforts.

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE – Chris Bushman

·         Deputy Superintendent Bushman asked for any policy suggestions and encouraged the solicitation of ideas from field staff.

·         The DNR Hunting Guide review meeting is scheduled for April 17 and representatives from each region will attend.

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE – Nita Settina

·         Reviewed March 2019 Senior Staff Notes and discussed several related follow-up items.

·         Superintendent Settina attended the Northeast State Park Directors conference in Pennsylvania and shared information about other State Park programs, developments, and policies.

·         MPS Bed Bug Protocols – At the May Senior Staff meeting, Ranger Jonas Williams will present a draft of the bed bug protocols that several park staff have developed over the past six months.

·         Superintendent Settina shared her great appreciation for park staff efforts to prepare for the 2019 camping season.

·         Trash-Free Parks Bags – Another order for Trash-Free Parks bags will be submitted after an inventory of existing bags is completed. Mary Owens will share a spreadsheet requesting inventory and order information. Regional Managers will coordinate the completion of the inventory and submit a request for additional bags to Mary Owens.

·         Park Staff should populate the DNR calendar with details on large events hosted by partners in State Parks.