2020 January Senior Staff Meeting Notes

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

January 8, 2020

NRP Broadneck Office, Annapolis, MD

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

REGIONAL REPORTS

Southeast – Patrick Bright

·         Sandy Point – The Corcoran Tract hunting program has been successful and continues to be popular, and discussions are underway about an expansion of the hunting area for the 2020-2021 season.

·         St. Mary’s River – Parking lot construction is ready to award, but timing is potentially an issue. Will explore options to accommodate both the project and continued public access.

·         Janes Island – Cabins have been reopened and will be available for public use in the spring.

·         Pocomoke River – Three new primitive campsites located in the adjoining State Forest are ready for camping reservations.

·         Bill Burton Fishing Pier – Repairs / replacement may be part of larger regional planning effort associated with the Cambridge Waterfront.

Central – Steve McCoy

      

·         Managed Hunts – Managed deer hunts in the Central Region start next week. Some new volunteers have been identified to help with evisceration / processing.

·         Bohemia River – The pre-bid meeting for the park entrance was held and construction may start in May. The park house requires significant renovation before it is inhabitable.

·         Elk Neck – As a result of tornado damage, headquarters staff have been relocated. There are lingering problems with the park phone system. Plan to work with E&C on a project to gut and refinish the headquarters office.

·         Days Cove Installment Payments / Park Improvement Projects – Discussion about recent submittal of a required payment by Days Cove Reclamation for development of a Ranger residence and other infrastructure at the site.

·         Patapsco Valley – Interpretive panels received and plans underway for a grand opening and dedication of the William Offutt Johnson Visitor Center.

Western – Christy Bright

·         Wolf Den Run – Discussion about acquisition of additional property near the Huckleberry Rocks area of the park that may be a good area for permitting camping. The Potomac River parcel assessment is pending final approval from Wildlife and Heritage. Several encroachments are being investigated / addressed, in collaboration with the OAG if necessary.

·         Dans Mountain – Discussion about local support for a proposed Georges Creek Rail Trail and potential State ownership.

·         Cunningham Falls – Hunting Creek Lake Algae Bloom – Discussion about accessing State Lakes funding for monitoring algae blooms and identifying low-cost strategies for managing the potential impact of blooms on the park water system.

The attendance reporting and customer satisfaction survey results were discussed and reviewed. Regional Managers will work with Park Managers to ensure that all 2019 attendance data trends are thoroughly noted in the spreadsheets and complete by January 10.

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS – Mary Owens

·         Project Review – There was a record total of 396 projects submitted in 2019.

·         Utility Company Tree Trimming – Park staff should not hesitate to reach out to Forest Service employees or NRP if tree work conducted on State lands appears inappropriate.

·         Conservation Programs – Discussions underway with the Student Conservation Association on the potential management of certain administrative functions associated with the MCC / CJC program.

·         Strategic Management Plans – A revised schedule for completion was distributed. Nine draft plans require significant edits and/or discussions about proposed policy recommendations. More resources were posted on the Training Division website under “Resources.”

ADMINISTRATION – Amanda Mock

·         Personnel – Discussion about the status of several recruitments and pursuit of additional recruitment information. Seasonal job announcements were posted and the seasonal employee hiring document template has been submitted to Human Resource Services for review and approval.

·         Budget – FY 2020 park and program budgets are posted in the projection spreadsheets saved in the Google Drive. Kudos to Park Managers for inputting monthly budget data. We are required to develop monthly projections for FAS, so please continue to update park projections every month after the 15^th. The Governor’s proposed FY 2021 budget will be released Wednesday, January 15^th.

·         Transition to New State Banking Service Providers – The State Treasurer’s Office is leading the transition to new credit card service provider BB&T and new depository services provider Wells Fargo. DNR is currently working with BB&T to evaluate State Park pin pad equipment and procedures with the goal of transitioning this winter. DNR was advised on 1/7 that the transition to Wells Fargo may occur in February; DNR has requested a meeting to discuss deposit locations and acceptable procedures to help ensure staff safety and efficiency.

·         Procurements – Several large service and project procurements underway. Staff are strongly encouraged to contact Dana St. Clair to discuss any pending needs for new and/or renewed procurements.

·         2019 Employee Viewpoint Survey – We received 138 responses. Lengthy and detailed discussion about the various comments and recommendations, and potential responses to recommendations, concerns, questions and data trends.

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE – Nita Settina

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

·         State Park Leases – Managers should be reviewing all leases associated with their park and completing the required form previously provided by DNR Property Management. The form should be amended with a separate checklist of lease provisions for all leases with unique / complicated provisions. Every year, Park Managers should document in writing and via photos the status of all leases and compliance with the lease terms.

·         Energy Efficiency Projects – Kick-off meeting held with the Maryland Energy Administration in late December. Park staff are encouraged to reach out to their energy provider and explore participation in the Empower Maryland program. MDOT has a master solar contract that DNR could use for park solar procurements.

·         Park Advisory Commission – There are several vacancies on the PAC and efforts are underway to identify a new Chair.

·         2020 Goals and Objectives – Superintendent Settina discussed a number of priorities for 2020, including: development of natural resources best management practices for leased agriculture land; programs and projects to recognize the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day; open new State Parks (Wolf Den Run, Bohemia River); develop a vision for the mini-cabin of the future; implement Year of the Woman programs; celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Cunningham Falls Maple Syrup Festival; and complete SMPs.

·         Senior staff wants to express its gratitude and appreciation to all State Park staff for hosting an outstanding 2020 First Day Hike program.

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE – Chris Bushman

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

·         Pet Policy – Parks should submit any suggested amendments for the 2020 Pet Policy to their Regional Manager for consideration / implementation.

·         2020 Hot Spots – Regional Managers are confirming hot spot locations and large scheduled events at State Parks, to be shared with the Natural Resources Police.

·         2020 Legislative Session – The session began today. Please be responsive to requests for information associated with proposed legislation.

·         Draft Management Concepts / Hunting Regulations – There was a WHS internal stakeholders meeting on December 18 to discuss proposed changes to hunting rules and regulations. The request for information for the 2020-2021 Guide to Hunting and Trapping is expected soon, so all proposed changes to the MPS hunting program need to be submitted for consideration in the very near future.

·         Generator Use – Follow-up to previous discussion: As per Use of State Parks COMAR regulation and MPS policy, the overall rule that applies at all times is that generators may not be operated “at a sound level annoying to other park users,” which is enforced at the sole discretion of the Ranger. In addition, by authority of that same regulation, the use of a generator is prohibited after posted hours of permissible operation.” MPS policy identifies those hours of permissible operation as only those times not included in campground quiet hours (2200 – 0700). Therefore, generators may not be operated during quiet hours, and may not be operated at any time if excessively noisy. Parks are encouraged to purchase efficient and quiet generators and make them available for camper rental or use when authorized as per the Park Manager’s discretion, e.g. medical necessity.