MARYLAND PARK SERVICE
SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES
July 13, 2022
Via Google Meet
Attendees: Nita Settina, Amanda Mock, Mary Owens, Christy Bright, Steve McCoy, Andrew Hangen and Patrick Bright. (Next Visiting Manager of the Month – Southern Region).
July 4th Holiday - Senior staff commends and appreciates the excellent work by all the state parks over one of our largest holiday weekends of the year.
PLANNING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS – Mary Owens
To date, 250 projects have been submitted for project review in 2022 and the project review team has been pulled into reviewing additional proposals.
Scales and Tales – Some programs have reopened, in accordance with feedback from the State Veterinarian and with enhanced biosecurity protocol in place.
Solar Panel Projects – While first procurement failed to secure bidders, a new procurement is under development that should address project schedule timing concerns.
EV Charging Stations – Numerous in-house stations in the South have been installed.
Restoration Projects – A comprehensive list of proposed restoration projects with estimates of forest acreage has been developed. Staff are encouraged to maintain meadow areas to avoid the need for more aggressive maintenance strategies in the future. A template for landscape services agreements is available.
Park Entrance Signs – Entrance signs should be replaced every ten years. Parks are strongly encouraged to evaluate sign conditions and seek replacements as needed.
Strategic Management Plans (SMPs) – The Janes Island SMP is complete, and the Superintendent is reviewing the draft Cunningham Falls SMP. The Rocky Gap and Deep Creek Lake SMPs are close to complete.
REGIONAL REPORTS
Central – Steve McCoy
Gunpowder Falls – Park staff hosted the Lt Governor and his team at Hart Miller Island.
Freedman State Park – Meeting on July 25 to discuss park development efforts and assembling the required advisory committee.
East – Andrew Hangen
Assateague – Discussion about recent shark fishing policies and practices and working with DNR Fisheries to communicate allowable fishing practices at the park.
Pocomoke River – The Corcoran Creek project is still pending due to ongoing efforts to address Maryland Department of the Environment permit issues.
Martinak – Discussion about responding to storm damage from the previous evening.
Bill Burton Fishing Pier – Work has begun to stabilize and gate a portion of the pier.
2022 Employee Field Day – A “save the date’ will be sent soon for the September 28th event at Tuckahoe State Park.
South and Conservation Programs – Patrick Bright
Conservation Crews - MCC crew leader hiring interviews are underway. Conservation crews deployed today to help address storm damage at Elk Neck State Park. MCC graduation is at 11am on August 3rd at Wye Island. CJC graduation is at 10am on August 2nd at Sandy Point State Park.
Point Lookout State Park – Discussion about directional boring as part of the construction project and the possibility of a significant portion of the park being closed in summer 2023.
Chapman State Park – Discussion about strengthening historical interpretation efforts at this park, with an initial focus on the website.
West – Christy Bright
South Mountain Inn – Acquisition of this property is still being pursued, but there is a potential need for additional appraisal work.
Western Maryland Parks - Discussion about the status of renovations at several parks.
Youghiogheny – Discussion about a Youghiogheny River Trail proposal and work with the OAG to determine next steps.
Maryland Park Service Policy Manual – A meeting is scheduled for next week to finalize “public” sections of the policy manual and continue to work on “internal” staff sections of the manual.
All Regions
The June 2022 customer service survey results were reviewed.
Park Inspection Reports – The Regional Managers are working with Park Managers to complete updated Park Inspection Reports.
ADMINISTRATION – Amanda Mock
Finance – The FY 2022 budget projection spreadsheets should be updated to reflect year-end. Discussion about proposed fiscal 2023 special projects and park budget needs.
Personnel – Discussion about the status of various recruitments, internal transfer requests, new PINs in fiscal 2023, and the development of a list of 90 new PINs. A seasonal hiring guide is being developed for review by DNR Human Resource Services.
Great Maryland Outdoors Act – Senior staff reviewed the status of implementing provisions of the new law and identified a few next steps.
MPS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice (DEIJ) Workgroup – Amanda Mock and Steve McCoy will work with a new team of staff to develop a MPS DEIJ action plan.
SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE
The DNR Office of the Attorney General reviewed the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, regarding the right to carry a concealed firearm, and determined that it did not invalidate current regulations prohibiting firearm possession in Maryland's State Parks.
Discussion about the Fall 2022 Managers meeting agenda, speakers, and associated logistics.
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