Senior Staff Notes: August 9, 2023

 Senior Staff Meeting Notes from August 9, 2023

Attendees: Angela Crenshaw, Daryl Anthony, Mary Owens, Patrick Bright, Andrew Hangen, Sarah Milbourne, Dana Paterra

Acting Director Angela Crenshaw opened the meeting at 9:00 am

Program Planning with Mary Owens

● The Department of Legislative Services study is progressing. Thanks to Field staff for hosting the consultants in July. The draft report is forthcoming.

● The REI agreement was produced efficiently, thanks to all that assisted.

● 278 reviews have been completed thus far. The new review portal is working well.

● Expiring leases are being addressed and reviewed. Please be sure to read through leases, so that we can address issues in a timely manner.

● Preservation Maryland partnership has begun their historic site inventory for the Maryland Park Service.

● North Point Trail project is going to the Critical Area Commission for review.

● Work on Capital Skeet lead remediation continues.

● The Swallow Falls Bridge Replacement was discussed.

● Es Mi Parque is progressing with some upcoming events.

● State Fair planning is underway.

● Merkle Monarchs and Milkweed will be on Sept. 30.

● Certified Interpretive Guide Training will be September 12-15 at New Germany State Park’s Lake House, spots are still available for statewide involvement. Interested parties should reach out to Alyssa Myers.

● Electric Vehicle charging station installation is progressing.

● The Solar Panel project with Maryland Environmental Service is targeted to begin this fall.

● Thanks to parks for assisting in completing Strategic Management Plans.

● Please submit nominations for Employee Field Day Awards by Friday, August 25th, please use this website: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHZ99AGUkO85qOcjsoc4mM4aaRopmmrS28ApWvJ_M_krkqtA/viewform

Regional Reports

Central Region & Conservation Corps Report with Patrick Bright

● Thank you to the field for great State Duty Officer communications in July, it was another very challenging month. Your hard work was indispensable to visitor safety, information sharing, and incident coordination.

● Central Region parks were seriously impacted by storms in recent weeks.

● Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League statewide Use-Agreement is complete. Field staff reviews and revisons were greatly apreciated. Rosaryville, Patapsco, Fair Hill, Deep Creek will host upcoming events.

● The Maryland Natural Resources Police enacted the two new Standard Operating Procedures:

○ When a park calls the Communication Center, Police Communications Officers should ask if an Natural Resources Police response is needed

○ Police Communications Officers will assign an officer to respond when there is a medical transport. The caller can specify that Emergency Medical Services responded but there was or was not transport.

● We truly appreciate assistance and support provided to the Maryland Conservation Corps throughout the last year. This year our Maryland Conservation Corps program made its greatest impact ever with the large number of projects completed.

● The Conservation Jobs Corps and Veterans Conservation Corps management model is being evaluated.

● The SkillBridge initiative is flourishing. Thanks to host parks for making it such a success.

Southern Region Report with Andrew Hangen

● Sandy Point is working to plan the upcoming Bay Grass Festival on September 30th and October 1st . They are looking into incorporating a grass or tree planting into the event.

● Preston Property at Severn Run is being evaluated.

● The Monarch Festival will be held at Merkle on September 30th.

● The Smallwood State Park campground is open. Kudos to Chris Todd and his team for working with Engineering and Construction to make this happen.

● There was an encroachment issue at St. Mary's Lake State Park. Dawn Letts and her team worked with the Maryland Natural Resources Police and Land Acquisition and Planning and the landowner to resolve the issue. Maintaining professional relationships with internal partners, neighbors and special interest groups is a primary role for our park staff.

● The Governor's Pier at Point Lookout State Park was removed by a contractor.

Western Region Report with Sarah Milbourne

● South Mountain and Rocky Gap plan to do Veteran’s events leading up to November’s bigger event on Veteran’s Day.

● A meeting regarding Sang Run State Park was held with Engineering and Construction to review locations and plans for the replacement shop building after a fire destroyed the previous structure.

● Sideling Hill Creek State Park’s buildings are being refurbished.

● Thayerville/Diamond Tower discussions are ongoing with the Rock Lodge Trust.

● Regional Managers met with the Maryland Natural Resources Police regarding radios and tower management.

● The Apprenticeship Program at Fort Frederick for Washington County students was discussed.

Eastern Region Report with Dana Paterra

● Assateague hosted the Maryland Park Service Lifeguard Competition. A special thanks to Pat Marshall and his team for their efforts in organizing the successful event. Congratulations to Assateague’s Lifeguards for their performance. They secured the trophy until next year!

● Leading up to Veteran’s Day in November, Janes Island and Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Parks are hosting events for veterans and their families. At Janes Island Saturday, September 30th there is a Veterans fishing/crabbing event. They are also hosting a Veterans paddle, campfire and cookout. Wednesday, November 8th, Janes Island is hosting the Veteran Appreciation History and Culture pontoon boat tour and dutch oven cooking demo/meal. At Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park on September 17th the Secretary of the Navy will be making an important announcement to honor the achievements and service of Ms. Harriet Tubman. Dignitaries and family members have been invited to participate in the ceremony.

● Work continues on the pool at Pocomoke River.

● There is a meeting scheduled for next week at Sassafras Natural Resources Management Area with Parks, Planning, and Volunteers.

● Campground hosts were discussed.

Administration with Ken Miller via Crenshaw

● FY24 budget is under review. Regional budget meetings will take place in September.

● Filling vacant classified PINs is a priority. Classified and fall seasonal recruitments are moving forward.

Acting Deputy Director Update with Daryl Anthony

● The impact of the Recreational Cannabis policy was discussed.

● Vehicle safety recalls, including the one for the Chevrolet Traverse was discussed. Thank you for removing them from your fleets and negating the danger in a timely manner.

● Surveillance camera usage was discussed. Consider how tech can help your operations and coordination with allied units and agencies.

● Contract services were discussed. Staff are encouraged to initiate procurement for contracts as soon as possible, knowing that there can be significant lead time and hurdles to the processes.

● Personal use of state equipment is not allowed.

● National Interscholastic Cycling Association - Eastern Regional Celebration and Championship (bike race) at Fair Hill is a great opportunity to showcase Maryland recreational opportunities. The event will draw thousands of participants and spectators.

● The importance of Incident Response Training was discussed. Please ensure that all staff on duty are informed and aware of response resources, areas and features of the park, and communication processes. Emergency responders and allied agencies have an expectation that park staff can provide information and assistance for handling emergencies in a safe, effective manner. Training is essential.

● Civilians should only respond to incidents that they are trained to respond to and should follow appropriate procedures.

Acting Director Update with Angela Crenshaw

● Lateral transfer and operational housing policies are in process.

● Long Term Contractual conversions are being prioritized and are occurring.

● Disqualifying history matters and background check processes are being discussed and addressed by the Department’s Leadership and Human Resources Services.

● Planning for hiring Great Maryland Outdoors Act PINs is progressing. PINs are in Workday but will be reorganized. Please ensure your current organizational charts are up to date as well as your desired future organizational charts to aid in decision making.

● New PINs are to meet our existing needs.

● The Division of Rehabilitation Services accessibility funding is progressing and proposed projects will be submitted soon. Be sure to complete the associated spreadsheet.

● The Acting Director will visit western region parks in the coming weeks.

● Veterans Day events should be sent to Maryland Park Service Leadership next week. Please include location, date, time, description and contact person for each event leading up to Veterans Day so that we have established, cohesive relationships with the participants.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:54 pm.