MPS Leadership Notes: October 9, 2024

 Maryland Park Service Leadership Meeting Notes From October 9, 2024

Virtual

Attendees:  Angela Crenshaw, Rachel Temby, Kenneth Miller, Andrew Hangen, Sarah Milbourne, and Dana Paterra

Director Angela Crenshaw opened the meeting at 7:00 am.

Director Update with Angela Crenshaw

●      Hopefully the email I sent on October 1st with the subject “Concerns Regarding Multiple Vacancy Recruitments” was helpful. In the future, please be aware of the following:

○      Park Service staff who are serving on interview panels should not reach out to anyone that is not on the interview panel, Barb Knisely, or Park Service Leadership about open recruitment details. Human Resources Service (HRS) will reach out to interviewees. If this occurs, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will void the recruitment.

○      Do not share the best qualified list or recruitment details. DBM will void the recruitment.

○      Applicants must select the county on the application and the park on the supplemental questionnaire. To find the applicable county or counties please see the job announcement or the park’s website, for example, Susquehanna’s website lists Harford County.

○      Applicants must follow the instructions and directions for each recruitment.

○      Applicants can advocate on their behalf. Park Service staff should not advocate on anyone else’s behalf, this will be seen as giving someone an unfair advantage. If this occurs DBM will void the recruitment.

○      If you become aware of an issue with a recruitment, use your Chain of Command to notify Park Service Leadership who will do their best to resolve the issue.

●      DBM asked me a handful of questions about the Park Service’s reorganization also known as the use of the Great Maryland Outdoors Act PINs. I answered their questions, discussed the State Park Ranger Supervisor vs. Park Services Supervisor issue and am unsure when we will receive a response. This is top of mind for Department Leadership as well.

●      As a reminder, please follow your chain of command for any issues you need to be resolved.

●      The Fall Managers Meeting agenda was discussed and nearly finalized.

●      The Housing Review Committee (HRC) is working diligently to get the next list of operational houses posted. There was a question about the Property Information Sheet, I reached out to the HRC to receive clarification.

●      The Long-Term Contractual and Seasonal contracts are still under review.

●      I will be on leave October 10-20th.

 Deputy Director Update with Rachel Temby

●      Proposed amendments suggested by the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) to State Parks and Forests regulations were discussed. One relates to traffic law and would allow officers to issue citations for violations in open field areas in addition to public roadways and parking lots (reckless driving, donuts, etc. during special events where field parking is used).  Another would serve as a catch-all amendment to better enable NRP to issue citations for incidents of visitors disregarding any posted/published/advertised park rule, policy, regulation or law.

●      Bed bug protocols were discussed.  Several instances of repeat infestations this season resulted in closed mini cabins, and affected parks are pursuing removal of facilities.  Many park mini cabins have reached or surpassed their life expectancy or serviceability.  Proposed removals (and methodology) should be routed through the Internal Review process. There will be an impact on the number of such facilities available to the public and resulting revenue declines.  Current Maryland Park Service (MPS) bed bug protocols remain draft at this time and have not been formally approved, but continue to serve as sound guidance to management teams working through these issues.

●      Park Managers should continue to work with their teams to perform lease inspections as directed by Land Acquisition and Planning (LAP). Please review the Annual Lease Inspection email from 8/31/24 and reach out to Regional Managers if additional direction is needed. MPS Leadership and our LAP colleagues recognize this effort will take time to complete. 

●      Fee schedules for MPS services and the growing need to better align with modern operational costs and improve consistency across the state was discussed. Fiscal and Administrative Services (FAS) has begun a Department wide analysis of the current fees, including those of MPS. MPS Leadership has begun a system-wide analysis of current fees and has discussed these adjustments with Departmental Leadership and will continue to do so.

●      Operational impacts and service reductions that may be sustained by budget reductions should continue to be discussed with regional managers to be brought forward to Departmental Leadership for awareness and consideration.  MPS Leadership is working to identify acceptable areas of reduction and develop appropriate public messaging.

 Program Planning with Rachel Temby and Angela Crenshaw

●      Award Nominations were discussed.

●     Recently several large transmission line proposals have arisen that may significantly impact DNR lands and resources (MARL - Mid Atlantic Resiliency Link, MPRP - MD Piedmont Resiliency Project).  The Department is working collaboratively across units to review and respond to the proposed projects, and meetings to discuss resource impacts are being coordinated.  If staff have reason to attend any public meetings on these projects, either professionally or out of personal interest as private citizens, they should do so in plain clothes and not represent the Department unless directed otherwise. DNR Communications team is working on public messaging.

●     Leadership team is working to identify funds to perform preliminary information technology (IT) surveys in areas of significant internet upgrade needs and developing construction and recurring cost estimates with the Department of Internet Technology (DoIT)/IT. In some cases, sites may be eligible for free upgrades through an alternate provider if existing services are in place and come at a higher cost, and if there are no additional services (phones and wifi) required at the present time. Efforts at New Germany, Sideling Hill, Greenbrier, Tuckahoe, and Pocomoke River are currently moving forward, with approval provided to commence with the $4,100 comprehensive survey work needed at New Germany and Sideling Hill.  Network Service Requests (NSRs) should only be submitted by DNR IT staff/Fiona, not directly by park staff to DoIT.

●      Several Maryland Environmental Service (MES) Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) were discussed and updates provided.  The draft MOU for the Voluntary Clean-up Program (VCP) and site design services for Artmor/Wills Mountain is currently with MES for review and comment with follow up expected next week.  The proposed contract for MES design and construction management services for Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area (NRMA) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) filtration is currently being reviewed by DNR.  The MES Intergovernmental Agreement for operation and maintenance services for water supply and wastewater treatment facilities is being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General and discussed among MPS and Engineering and Construction (E&C) Leadership.

●      A number of historic restoration projects are reaching critical junctures for decision-making: Mt. Airy, Belt Woods, Mt. Aventine, Grinder House, Knocks Folly, Gittings-Baldwin, among others.  Projects are being discussed with Department Leadership and within Capital Workgroup to define intended use and goals prior to determining next steps in design and/or allocation of funds.  Discussions and decisions will take time as many perspectives are considered and competing needs are weighed.

●      Coordination of projects with the Department of General Services (DGS) continues and teams are reminded to work to maintain productive relationships with state partners to effectuate positive results.

 Administration with Kenneth Miller

●      January through September visitation was discussed.  Regional Managers will follow up with parks that have not completely submitted their September visitation.

●      Budget Updates:

○      Due to budgetary constraints related to Program Open Space shortfalls, unfortunately, we will face a significant budget reduction that will impact all of our operations.

○      Effective immediately, we will experience a 17% funding decrease on average across the board from the original FY24 appropriations.  You likely recall that we implemented a 4% reduction mid-cycle in FY24 so if you are using those figures then the decrease is 13% from your adjusted FY24 appropriation. 

○      In order to minimize impacts to park operating budgets, we are not planning for any vehicle or heavy equipment replacements this fiscal year. 

○      We understand that this reduction may result in changes to our current service offerings, including reduced hours, program cancellations, or staffing adjustments.

○      Please be aware that these decreases do not impact classified payroll or projected GMOA hiring.

○      As we navigate these challenges, we are committed to working closely with you to identify and implement effective solutions.

●      Hardship transfer requests were discussed. Please know that this process is no longer in place. Relocating within the Maryland Park Service is possible through open recruitments or when Human Resources notifies employees of transfer opportunities.

●      2024 Employee Viewpoint Survey was discussed.  Miller will work with the Training Division to have the survey developed and shared with employees.

●      The Accident Review Board has requested the Park Service purchase and install Get Out And Look (G.O.A.L.) stickers in State vehicles to remind drivers to get out and check their surroundings before driving away.  Please ensure these are placed on driver side doors where they are visible.  Special thanks to Wayne Suydam for ordering and distributing them to the Regional Managers and Ranger Jeremy Hulse for his guidance as a member of the Accident Review Board.

●      Medical Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Following discussions with colleagues across MPS, OAG, HRS, and OOS, park leadership has decided to pause plans to join MIEMSS at this time. This decision was made in careful consideration of a number of complex factors, including personal and professional liability, training and equipment requirements, consistency across land units, implications for other resource management and emergency response units within DNR, the logistical and budgetary resources needed to develop and implement a full program under the oversight of a Medical Director, and other constraints.  MPS staff will continue to receive routine training as EMRs under the American Red Cross at this time.

Regional Reports

Central Region & Conservation Corps Report with Rachel Temby

●      2025 conservation corps program year updates and implementation were discussed.  Great start to the Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) program year and new crews are settling in well.  It was noted that the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Coordinator responsibilities will need to be transitioned following this year’s fall project; leadership team will work to identify a new point of contact.

●      The Seneca Creek/Patuxent River team worked with our Forestry colleagues to perform trail work in Annapolis Rock Wildlands recently and reopened trails to improve emergency access.  This effort followed a review of Wildlands regulations by OAG regarding the use of mechanized equipment for maintenance and operational needs.  The designation of this particular area as Wildlands was also briefly discussed.

●      Exterior stabilization of the Greenbury Howard House at Freedman’s State Historical Park was successfully re-bid within estimated budget and the contract is now moving forward.

●      Updates were provided on several vacant properties within the region and implications of extended vacancy and renovation needs were discussed.

●      Following a recent visit to Hart-Miller Island, E&C has provided an inspection report of the MES-operated facilities on site, which may be transferred to DNR should the property be reopened for dredge material placement. Several public meetings are being held this week and we are standing by for updates from the State House, Trade Point Atlantic, and local community representatives.

●     The Maryland 5 Star event will take place at Fair Hill NRMA next week and free general admission tickets are available to DNR staff and families via this LINK. A number of challenges have been encountered and overcome by park team in the preparation of the grounds and facilities to host the large international event.

Southern Region Report with Andrew Hangen

●      The Maryland Historical Trust rejected a proposal by the Friends of Chapman State Park to build a structure that would be a replica of quarters for enslaved people. The decision was based on lack of historical evidence to support the project. The Friends Group would like to meet with Park Service representatives.

●      The Greenwell Foundation reviewed the draft lease and sent a rebuttal with significant changes. We will need to determine a path forward to ensure the facility is cared for.

●      The proposal to build a visitor center for Mallows Bay at Smallwood State Park has been a continued topic of conversation.

●      There is a current proposal to plant habitat and trees at Chapel Point State Park. There was a follow up discussion about including the Piscataway-Conoy tribal leader in plans for the area.  We will need to review options for the area.

Eastern Region Report with  Dana Paterra

●      In anticipation of severe budget reductions, parks have been cutting unnecessary expenses and are evaluating the need for nonessential services and contractual personnel. The need to increase fees and generate revenue remains important to park management teams.

●      As progress continues on the Eveland Road restoration site, there is an increase in public presence resulting in occasional interactions between the Caroline County Drug Task Force, who leases an office from Tuckahoe State Park in that area, and visitors.  The future of this location and the need to move forward with improving public access to the property as well as navigating the agreement with Caroline County was discussed.  We need to review the lease before making any impactful decisions. Paterra and Cooper-Hughes will summarize key points and provide photos in an email to leadership. 

●      As a result of recent NRP personnel actions, the transfer of Love Point State Park to NRP is being revisited. 

●      Janes Island State Park is documenting an increase in the general public using shower facilities as well as food trucks using the water supply to fill up their tanks.  Since they are connected to City water/sewage, there is a charge for water usage at the park.  Currently, there is a fee for the public to use the dump station; however, nothing exists to charge for water use.  Potential solutions were discussed. 

●      Planner Chandler and Regional Manager Paterra met with the National Park Service (NPS) Chesapeake Gateways to review the current grant agreement and timeline and the need for an extension.  Once the bids for the cabin renovation project close, we will provide an updated timeline to NPS and request a “no cost extension” to provide more time to refine exhibit designs and spend the match on the cabin project.       

●      Mr. Graham’s latest response was discussed regarding the Long Hill property in Wicomico County.

Western Region Report with Sarah Milbourne

●      The staff at New Germany State Park are planning for the settlement of Savage River Lodge at the end of November, and a public meeting/open house for December 17.  Regional Manager Milbourne and the New Germany Team will meet with the owners on October 30 for the final walkthrough inspection and to speak to seasonal staff about fall recruitment.

●      New Germany, Greenbrier and Sideling Hill Creek State Parks are sorting through Starlink and VOIP upgrades. Budget challenges will sideline some movement but consideration will be given to sites with critical need for safety and training needs.

●      MPS Leadership is working on Lake Management staffing. 

●      The Scales & Tales team is working on updates for the website and training materials.

●      An update was provided on the Engineering & Construction office currently under construction at Fort Frederick. 

●      Parks received commitment from the Office of Outdoor Recreation to fund $20,000 for a climate education position geared towards curriculum development for the TickTalk and Track Your Trails programs.  Focus on outdoor recreation connections to climate action will be a top priority. There is also a $5,000 grant to fund the position.

●      The Gambrills House was discussed.  Regional Manager Milbourne will meet with park staff to gather information for leadership review.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:18 pm.