May Senior Staff Meeting Notes

 Senior Staff Meeting Notes from May 3, 2023

Attendees: Ken Miller, Daryl Anthony, Dana Paterra, Sarah Milbourne, Andrew Hangen,

Patrick Bright, Mary Owens, Angela Crenshaw

Acting Superintendent/Director Angela Crenshaw opened the meeting.

● Secretary Kurtz is on paternity leave. Assistant Secretary Dave Goshorn is the point of

contact. Please follow the chain of command.

● Lateral policy is under review.

● The plans for the upcoming Power Week and the Spring Managers Meeting were

discussed.

Acting Deputy Director Daryl Anthony

● Policy vs Regulation

○  Policy is facing inward and directs how our parks and staff operate

○ Regulations face outward. They direct what the public can do in parks and are

enforceable.

● CAMIS Reservation System Max Stay: We will work with CAMIS to better track

maximums stays

● Wireless Radios: We need to determine a funding source for radio batteries and

maintenance.

● Public Information Act (PIA): Anything that is put into writing is a public document that

can be requested. This includes notebooks, emails, text messages, etc.

● Apprenticeship Program: The report is due October 1st in accordance with the Great

Maryland Outdoors Act.

Acting Director of Administration Ken Miller

● The 2024 Maryland State Park Passport image and format was discussed, and we agreed

to focus on a historic resource.

● We collectively agreed that we will plan a Ranger School for 2024 at NorthBay

Adventure Camp.

● We are continuing to move vacant positions through the hiring process.

Director of Planning and Conservation Projects Mary Owens

● So far, 127 projects have gone through reviews for 2023. A friendly reminder that any

land disturbing projects need to go through review.

● New leases need to go through project review. This way any potential issues are vetted.

● Interpretation

○ Junior Rangers is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Melissa Acuti is working on

plans.

○ Scales and Tales was discussed and how to maintain a healthy program.

● Preservation Maryland’s initiative to lease certain houses was discussed.

● EV Charging stations for park use are being installed. We are seeking clarification from

DNR Leadership on the future of public charging stations in parks and other public lands.

Regional Updates from the Regional Managers

● Western Region - Sarah Milbourne, Acting Western Region Manager

○ Rocky Gap’s 50th Anniversary is in July 2024.

○ Maryland Park Service Policy Group was re-established. Items to be discussed

include chainsaws and uniforms.

● Central Region - Patrick Bright, Acting Central Region Manager

○ Visitation statistics were discussed.

○ Concerns with Webfocus were discussed.

○ Conservation Corps

■ New partnership with the Federal Government’s SkillBridge that hires

veterans was highlighted.

■ Interpreting Difficult Histories

● Partnership with St. Mary’s College

● Land Acknowledgements

● Southern Region - Andrew Hangen, Acting Southern Region Manager

○ An update on Governor’s Pier at Point Lookout State Park was given.

○ Mount Airy Mansion Partnership

○ Beltwoods maintenance

○ The Janitorial Contract for Sandy Point State Park goes to the Board of Public

Works today (5/3)

○ Hangen will attend the Friends of Tawes Garden meeting

○ Deer Management Plan was discussed

● Eastern Region - Dana Paterra, Acting Eastern Region Manager

○ Setting up site visits

○ Consistent issues among parks that include:

■ Golf carts vs. Slow Moving Vehicles

■ The Great Maryland Outdoors Act (GMOA) was discussed

■ A list of headquarters staff responsibilities and contact information was

requested.

○ Pool renovations at Pocomoke River State Park were discussed.

○ Assateague State Park

■ Cleaning Janitorial Contract status was discussed.

■ It should be noted that they will have a full crew of lifeguards to start the

season!

○ Martinak State Park boat ramp is open.

○ Janes Island State Park Paddlefest planning is underway for June 3, 2023.

Department of Legislative Services (DLS) Study

● This study is required by the GMOA and required to be completed by DLS

● The contractor is Agency Landscaping and Planning

● The schedule for Power Week was reviewed.

Next steps and follow-up items were signed.

Meeting adjourned at 1:00 pm.