2020 April Senior Staff Meeting Notes

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

April 1, 2020

Via Google Hangout Meeting

Attendees: Nita Settina, Chris Bushman, Amanda Mock, Mary Owens, Christy Bright, Steve McCoy, Patrick Bright, [next meeting’s manager-of-the-month – Central Region (pending)].

COVID-19 OPERATIONS – Nita Settina/Chris Bushman

Discussion about the implications of Governor Hogan’s most recent COVID-19 Executive Order on the ability to engage in specific activities in State Parks (e.g. ORVs, horseback riding), Access Protocols, and State Park operational adjustments (e.g. closing areas, hunting, vehicles, signage, hot spots, etc.). Several changes made to the Maryland Park Service “Operational Response to Elevated Level II Status” operations guidance.

REGIONAL REPORTS

Southeast – Patrick Bright

·         Park Opening Times – Discussion about adjusting certain park opening times in order to accommodate the need for enhanced restroom cleaning protocols.

Central – Steve McCoy

      

·         Land and Water Conservation Fund – Discussion about the LWCF requirements associated with establishing leases for the Gittings-Baldwin (Gunpowder Falls) and Lyle (Susquehanna) properties.

·         Sorenson Property – discussion about rescheduling meetings associated with determining potential use of this property. Steve McCoy and Mary Owens will follow-up with their respective contacts to move efforts forward.

Western – Christy Bright

·         No major non-COVID-19 issues to discuss.

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

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS – Mary Owens

·         Project Review - Project review process is moving forward. Approximately 100 projects are in the hopper. DNR E&C staff are moving forward with projects that have received procurement approval.

·         Conservation Programs – At this time, the CJC program will still occur this summer. Efforts are still underway with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) to manage certain functions associated with the CJC program this summer. For the remainder of their term, MCC participants will be completing telework projects and likely select field projects. The VCC program is currently suspended pending conversations with SCA.

·         Strategic Management Plans – Discussion about the status of various SMPs and seeking assistance with the development of additional SMPs from certain staff.

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE – Chris Bushman

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

ADMINISTRATION – Amanda Mock

·         Personnel – Discussion about the status of several recruitments and pursuit of additional recruitment information.

·         Budget – Park staff are encouraged to keep up with monthly updates of their FY 2020 budgets as posted in the projection spreadsheets. Efforts to track expenditures associated with COVID-19 are greatly appreciated. The Governor’s proposed FY 2021 budget was approved by the Maryland General Assembly as proposed. The FY 2021 budget includes deficiency funding for FY 2020.

·         Transition to Wells Fargo and BB&T – The transitions to Wells Fargo and BB&T have been deferred indefinitely.  

·         Headquarters staff are still completing all financial and personnel responsibilities via teleworking and periodic visits to the Tawes State Office Building.

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE – Nita Settina

·         Reviewed March 2020 Senior Staff Notes and discussed several related follow-up items.

·         2020 Spring Managers Meeting – The May 13 meeting will be modified to a web conference. More information will be shared soon.