SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES July 8, 2020

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

July 8, 2020

Via Google Hangout Meeting

 

Attendees: Nita Settina, Chris Bushman, Amanda Mock, Mary Owens, Christy Bright, Steve McCoy, and Patrick Bright.

COVID-19 OPERATIONS – Nita Settina / Chris Bushman

Discussion about the status of waterfront operations, emphasis on personal responsibility, supplemental vehicles, PPE supplies, the revised Building Access Protocols, contact station operations, and operating procedures for several possible scenarios under Governor Hogan’s Maryland Strong Roadmap to Recovery (Regional Managers to refer to their notes from the separate COVID-19 agenda).

REGIONAL REPORTS

Southeast – Patrick Bright

·         Assateague State Park - Discussion regarding loud generators that disturb others. Park staff are initiating a “three strikes” (education / warning / eviction) approach to enforcing quiet hours and compliance with the generator regulation and policy. Discussion about the importance of ensuring the implementation of consistent enforcement strategies throughout the State, and retaining the Ranger’s discretion to vary from the protocol to address case-specific circumstances. Written direction outlining the steps to be taken – consistent with our generator regulation and policy - will be distributed to managers.

·         Water, electric and pump-out system infrastructure issues at several parks have been demanding significant time and resources. Park staff should ensure that critical infrastructure system upgrades are put on DNR critical maintenance / MES repair lists as far in advance as possible.  Park staff should discuss needs with Wayne Suydam and Mary Owens.

 

Central – Steve McCoy

      

·         Elk Neck State Park – The timber salvage operation related to last year’s tornado will commence on August 3. Camp Hosts have shared concerns about campground quiet hours issues and use of alcohol by visitors.

·         Rocks State Park – Updated / refreshed caution signs will be posted at the King and Queen Seat area in response to recent series of incidents at the site.

·         Gunpowder Falls State Park – Unprecedented litter, enforcement, and overall demand, especially in outlying areas. Belair Road construction area particularly challenging to manage. Discussion about the status of a long-standing encroachment issue and proposed response. Discussion about the status of a right-of-entry at North Point, as well as future agricultural use of the land.

·         North Point State Battlefield – Discussion about potential sale of nearby property of potential interest to the State. Staff are working with Land Acquisition and Planning on this issue.

·         Patapsco Valley State Park – Unprecedented litter, enforcement, and overall demand, especially in outlying areas. Discussion about the lease with the Patapsco Horse Center. Pickall water lines continue to leak and demand significant resources. The contractor currently plans to initiate repairs this weekend. Pickall shelter reservations are being cancelled and refunded on a weekly basis until necessary repairs are completed.

 

Western – Christy Bright

 

·         Deep Creek Lake State Park– Discussion about deferring campground opening to May 2021 to accommodate paving projects to occur throughout the park.

·         Rocky Gap State Park – Discussion about a pending request for a music festival at the amphitheater on August 1.

·         Woodmont – Discussion about follow-up to a recent meeting with the Office of the Secretary.

 

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, with 172 projects to date. Park staff are encouraged to periodically check in with planning staff on the status of project reviews.

·         Patapsco Valley State Park - Discussion about access to the Sorenson property off Marriottsville Road in the McKeldin Area.

·         Belt Woods Restoration Plan – Project moving forward with federal settlement funding.

·         Cypress Branch NRMA – Should hear back from Town of Millington on the status of potential sewer service / sewage treatment plant.

·         Conservation Corps Programs – MCC graduation plan under development. MCC will be fully funded for FY 2021 and recruitment of members is underway. New VCC crew leader is being hired. The Conservation Jobs Corps (CJC) Apprenticeship Program is moving forward in several parks.

·         Trails and Wayfinding – With so many new visitors in State Parks, there is a need to ensure robust trail signage, in accordance with the MPS guide. Dan Hudson is working with MCC staff to improve trail signage at Patapsco Valley, Rosaryville and Cedarville.

·         Energy Efficiency Projects – A preliminary assessment of potential solar projects was conducted at State Park facilities. The MPS is meeting with the Maryland Energy Administration on Friday to discuss potential collaboration on projects.

ADMINISTRATION – Amanda Mock

·         PEPs – Please submit all PEP forms by July 20, in accordance with the Monday June 15 email from Barbara Knisely.

·         Seasonal Hiring – Our seasonal hiring requests are being approved by DBM.

·         Budget – Park staff did an excellent job with controlling expenditures toward the end of FY 2020, in light of uncertainty concerning revenue generation. The FY 2021 budget is undergoing revision. The Board of Public Works approved an approximately $1 million MPS FY 2021 operating budget reduction and additional adjustments are expected over the next one to two months.

·         MRPA Leadership Institute – Discussion about potential MPS candidates to apply for the 2020-2021 session.

·         Chainsaw Operation Guidelines – Senior staff discussed draft guidelines for chain saw operations that were prepared by a team of MPS staff. Senior staff greatly appreciates all the hard work put into developing this collaborative product. The final guidelines will be distributed to MPS staff after a few adjustments are made to the draft document and will be posted on the Training Division website.

 

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE – Nita Settina

·         The Superintendent expressed her great appreciation for everyone’s outstanding work over the Fourth of July weekend, in the midst of record park visitation. Incredible leadership was displayed throughout the State, at all levels of the organization.

·         Virtual 2020 Employee Field Day – Efforts are underway to plan a virtual Employee Field Day this year. The planned September 30 in-person gathering will not be held. More information about this event will be sent in the future.

·         Interpreting Difficult Histories Team - Discussion about how the group will function and potential areas of focus. Senior staff is very supportive of this team, thanks everyone who has agreed to dedicate time to it, and looks forward to the team’s recommendations for improving our interpretive efforts.

 

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE – Chris Bushman

 

·         Monitoring possible tropical storm formation off Atlantic coast in the next few days, with particular focus on Assateague.

·         June 2020 Senior Staff Notes were reviewed and related follow-up items were discussed.

·         Lengthy discussion about general COVID-19 operational issues, consistent with the MPS Operational Response Plan.

·         Policy Issue – Discussion regarding development of DNR / MPS tree replacement / mitigation requirements to enhance / supplement Forest Conservation Act requirements.

·         Policy Issue – Update on review / trial of various sun hats for possible approval as per the MPS Uniform Policy.

·         Policy Issue – Further discussion regarding the MPS generator policy (in Camping Policy), with an emphasis on the Ranger’s discretion to determine the application of the regulation / policy and the proper steps to be taken under any given circumstances.

·         Parking Violations / Issues – General discussion regarding severe parking issues in outlying areas of many parks, and ongoing discussion with the NRP regarding a possible increase in parking fines.

·         Further discussion regarding Park Rangers as public safety officials, specifically with regard to Rangers being dispatched to medical / rescue incidents not requiring a law enforcement officer and for which the Ranger may be the closest first responder.