DPC Minutes 2024-07-18

Final Meeting Minutes
Delta Protection Commission

Thursday, July 18, 2024, 5 p.m.
Big Break Visitor Center
69 Big Break Road, Oakley, CA  94561

 Agenda

1. Call to Order and Flag Salute

Chair Diane Burgis called the meeting to order at 5:07 p.m.

2. Welcome and Roll Call

Commission Clerk Heather McClure called the roll. Present at roll call: Chair Burgis, Vice Chair John Vasquez, Commissioners Oscar Villegas, Pat Hume, Anissa Williams, Jim Paroli, Tom Slater, and Amanda Martin (for Wade Crowfoot). Commissioners Tom Patti, Paul Steele, Alan Nakanishi, Toks Omishakin, Jennifer Lucchesi, and Karen Ross; and ex-officio members Senator Talamantes Eggman, and Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua; were absent with no alternate present. At this time, a quorum was present.

Commissioner Alexandra Borack (for Jennifer Lucchesi) arrived at 5:12 p.m. and was sworn in by Counsel Carlos Mejia. She was not present for the vote on Item 4.

3. Public Comment – an opportunity for members of the public to address the Commission regarding items not on the agenda.

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was one:

Colin Coffey, from the East Bay Regional Parks District, welcomed everyone to Big Break on behalf of the Board of Directors of East Bay Parks.

Consent Agenda

4. Approval of May 16, 2024, meeting minutes

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.

Motion: It was moved by Vice Chair Vasquez and seconded by Commissioner Villegas to approve the May 16, 2024, meeting minutes; in a voice vote, the motion passed 8-0-0, all Commissioners present voting aye.

Regular Agenda

5. Report on Delta Stewardship Council Activities – Chair Diane Burgis

Chair Burgis gave a report on the Delta Stewardship Council’s meetings, a key highlight was a cost analysis presentation on the Conveyance project which leads to speculation on how it will be funded. The Council will be exploring different scientific approaches to this issue as well as consideration of environmental justice, which is anticipated for the October meeting. She also noted a meeting with the Metropolitan Water District and the Delta Conservancy last week where they discussed the Webb Tract project.

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.

6. Report on Delta Protection Advisory Committee (DPAC) Activities – Anna Swenson (DPAC Chair)

DPAC Vice Chair Russ Ryan spoke on two notable presentations from June’s meeting. The first was on the Clarksburg Branch Line Trail Extension Project, proposed as a segment of the Great California Delta Trail, and its successful grant application for $1.9 million. The second presentation was on activities surrounding the National Heritage Area including the America 250 event, and the many opportunities for engagement in the various stages of planning and promotion.

DPAC Chair Swensen then announced the next DPAC meeting to be held August 6 at Tony’s Place in Walnut Grove and invited everyone to the 50^th Pear Fair the last weekend of July in Courtland.

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.

7. Delta as Place Presentation, Status of Recreation in the Delta – Chris Lauritzen, lifelong marina operator of Lauritzen Yacht Harbor in Oakley

This presentation was moved to follow Item 9 to accommodate the arrival of Mr. Lauritzen.

Chris Lauritzen gave an extensive presentation on his family’s beginnings on Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta waterways, highlighting the Delta’s unique lifestyle, the decline and challenges of modern boating, and the importance of preserving this vital part of California’s history.  As a third-generation Delta resident, he shared an in-depth history of the Delta, focusing on the evolution of transportation and boating. He shared historical knowledge of Wood Island in 1870, bridges in the Delta, and the role of various boats and marinas in local commerce. Key points included the transformation from ferry services to bridges, the development of marinas like Discovery Bay and Oxbow Marina, and the impact of recreational boating on the Delta’s economy. The presentation also touched on challenges such as abandoned vessels and the importance of maintaining the Delta’s rich history. The speaker emphasized that being a marina operator is more than a job—it’s a lifestyle deeply connected to the Delta’s heritage.

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was one:

Russ Ryan asked if his grandfather built the Victory 2 ferry. Lauritzen answered that his grandfather did not build it but owned it and in 1959 it was given to a man named Ralph Lermer, who said it was part of maritime history. The engine from that boat was an Atlas diesel engine that is now on display in the Smithsonian Museum.

8. Executive Director’s Report – Bruce Blodgett, Executive Director

Assistant Executive Director Debra Waltman, filling in for Executive Director Blodgett, went over the report starting with the Commission Budget Update. She announced a projected $600,000 surplus for the 2023-24 fiscal year; for 2024-25, she reported plans to reclassify the vacant Program Manager II position to a Senior Environmental Planner position and recruit applicants as well as prepare for the Governor’s 8% budget reduction.

Waltman then highlighted several items including the Delta Heritage Forum event on November 15 at the Antioch Historical Museum, the approved SACOG grant for the Clarksburg Branch Line Trail extension, and the ongoing effort to secure a grant to expand digital equity in the City of Isleton. Assistant Director Waltman then touched on current Land Use team activities including the Contra Costa County General Plan and a possible future item on McDonald Island regarding the Feasibility of Underground Hydrogen Storage study.

Lastly, she pointed out DPC’s social media and newsletters, such as Delta Happenings and the Delta Courier, which received positive feedback and praise on its many original articles and Delta stories.

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.

9. Approval of National Heritage Area Advisory Committee Charter (proposed changes) – Blake Roberts

Program Manager Blake Roberts presented the need for National Heritage Area (NHA) Advisory Committee Charter changes as the committee for the management plan not only sunsets upon the Secretary of the Interior’s approval of the plan, but also as the focus shifts from plan creation to plan implementation. The revisions include a new scope to support ongoing plan implementation, such as overseeing NHA grants and conducting evaluations to improve program effectiveness. They also introduce a new description of member terms, the addition of alternates, new advisory task groups, sections on the Bagley-Keene Act and ethical responsibilities, and a provision stating that the charter does not have a sunset clause.

Roberts discussed the anticipated increase in funding that is expected to occur once the management plan is approved and the necessity of establishing a grant program. The committee will review grant applications and provide guidance, while the Commission will handle formal approvals. He also updated the advisory committee task groups, mentioning the creation of three new groups—communications and marketing, cultural and historical resources, and natural resources—alongside two existing ones: heritage development and tourism, and interpretive planning. Additionally, a special task group will be formed as needed.

Roberts recommended the Commission approve the charter with a strike to terms from the Membership Selection section. The charter states members be selected to ensure geographic, cultural, and multigenerational representation. Roberts said due to potential discriminatory aspects of the terms cultural and multigenerational, they would be removed to leave the focus on geographic factors.

Commissioner Borack asked if there was an established criteria for the grant application process. Roberts replied that there was none at this point.

Chair Burgis requested that two members of the Delta Protection Commission sit on the NHA subcommittee. She also wanted to confirm that anyone serving on the Advisory Committee could not represent any entity asking for grant money. Roberts responded that she was correct, and that staff is working on conflict-of-interest requirements.

A dialog followed between several commissioners and the counsel, regarding the addition of Commission members to the Advisory Committee as well as how they will be selected. During this time, Executive Director Bruce Blodgett was able to join the meeting remotely via phone to provide comments. He clarified that it would be commission members plus their alternates for these seats, and to incorporate them into the fourteen committee seats rather than add more seats.

Counsel Mejia then proposed a charter amendment to address the request. Under Membership Selection in the second paragraph, he suggested placing a semi-colon at the end of the first sentence and then add the language: two members of the Delta Protection Commission shall serve as voting members of the NHA advisory committee as designated by the chair of the Delta Protection Commission.

Roberts brought up the need for the Commission to appoint a subcommittee to review the applications for the Committee.

Chair Burgis volunteered herself and Commissioner Villegas to be the subcommittee members since they were both on the prior NHA subcommittee.

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.

Motion: It was moved by Vice Chair Vasquez and seconded by Commissioner Martin to approve the National Heritage Area Advisory Committee Charter changes; in a voice vote, the motion passed 9-0-0, all Commissioners present voting aye.

Motion: It was moved by Vice Chair Vasquez and seconded by Commissioner Borack to approve the National Heritage Area Advisory Committee subcommittee; in a voice vote, the motion passed 9-0-0, all Commissioners present voting aye.

Chair Burgis had a comment related to the NHA. She announced that it was the start of the Port Chicago commemoration, and Wednesday had marked the 80th anniversary of the tragic explosion of Port Chicago, the deadliest World War II home front disaster, which killed 320 people. This tragedy led to the desegregation of the Navy under President Truman.

Roberts also had a follow up comment regarding the America 250 celebration coming up in 2026, which is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He is looking for ways to celebrate this event locally to incorporate the Delta.  He also mentioned the NHA Passport Program which will be unveiled soon. And, lastly, he promoted the Delta Heritage Forum, our sixth forum coming November 15, at the Antioch Historical Museum—registration will begin September 3.

10. Organizational Assessment Report – Bruce Blodgett, Executive Director

Assistant Executive Director Debra Waltman provided an overview of the Organizational Assessment, a six-month process initiated after a leadership change in 2022. The assessment involved staff and Commissioner interviews and concluded with a 30-page report. It focused on five key areas: leadership, organizational management and agency culture, structure and decision-making, work processes and systems, and human resources. While the report highlighted multiple areas needing change, some issues have already been addressed and are nearing completion, with the remaining items under review for solution development.

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.

11. Commissioner Comments/Announcements

Commissioner Villegas requested a possible future agenda item to have the State Lands Commission give a presentation on its role with Abandoned and Derelict Vessels. Then he commented that DPC waterways cleanup efforts have been less active in recent years due to resource constraints but there is still opportunity to collaborate with social service clubs and nonprofits to focus on cleanup within the Delta.

12. Adjourn

Chair Burgis adjourned the meeting at 6:39 p.m.