NHA Minutes 2025-04-23
Meeting Minutes (DRAFT)
National Heritage Area Advisory Committee
Wednesday, April 23,2025, 1 p.m.
Big Break Visitor Center
69 Big Break Road, Oakley, CA 94561
1. Call to Order – Dan Ray, NHA Advisory Committee Chair
Chair Ray called the meeting to order at 1:07 p.m.
2. Roll Call
A quorum was present with members Chair Dan Ray, Vice Chair Elizabeth Patterson, Carol Jensen, Michael Campbell, Dwayne Eubanks, Morris Lum, Dan Whaley, and Alternates Paulette Hennum and Douglas Hsia. Ex officio members present were Chris Lim, Julie Lee, Amanda Blosser, Mike Moran, and Trevor Rice.
Guests present were Lucille Meinhardt, Tom Suhr, Jack Johnson, Estrella Sainburg, and Maggie Northcut.
DPC Staff present were Blake Roberts, Heather McClure, Rachel Vanderwerff, and Kira O’Donnell.
3. Public Comment – An opportunity for members of the public to address the NHA Advisory Committee regarding items not on the agenda
There were the following comments from members of the public:
Tom Surh announced the River Front Arts Fest in Rio Vista on May 31st.
4. Approval of February 26, 2025, Meeting Minutes
Vice Chair Patterson motioned to approve the February 26, 2025, meeting minutes. Member Jensen seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
5. Update on NHA Activities – Blake Roberts
Roberts shared that following National Park Service approval on January 16, the Commission approved the NHA Management Plan at its March 20 meeting, and it is now available on the DPC website. As a result of the approval, funding for the NHA is expected to increase, pending Congressional appropriations through the Heritage Partnership Program. He also noted that the Commission will consider approval of a contract with Honey Agency for the Tourism Branding and Marketing Plan at its May 15 meeting. Additionally, staff have begun assessing the VisitCADelta.com website to identify substantial updates needed to ensure it is current and relevant.
Roberts provided other updates on program activities and internal operations. He reported that the 2025 Delta Leadership Program began in January with 19 participants and will conclude with a closing reception on April 25 at Bogle Winery. Team project presentations are scheduled for the May 15 Commission meeting. He noted ongoing efforts to establish the Tribal Advisory Council in accordance with the Management Plan. Roberts also announced that Senior Environmental Planner Rachel Vanderwerff began on April 1 and will divide her time between NHA and other Commission responsibilities. The Commission is taking steps to add two additional staff positions to support the NHA.
6. Consider Establishment of Water Tour Ad Hoc Task Group – Blake Roberts
Roberts stated that at the February 26 meeting, the NHA Advisory Committee discussed the value of expanding water tours within the National Heritage Area. Members requested the formation of an ad hoc task group to explore potential options for increasing such tours. He brought attention to the resolution, No. 25-01, which stated the task group shall expire in August 2025, but noted this date can be extended.
Four members were appointed to the task group:
- Carol Jensen
- Dwayne Eubanks
- Elizabth Patterson
- Ex officio: Mike Moran
Vice Chair Patterson motioned to approve the Water Tour Ad Hoc Task Group. Member Whaley seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.
7. Partnership and Passport Program Update – Rachel Vanderwerff
Roberts gave an update for current developments on the Partnership Program, designed to foster collaboration among public and private entities and clarify roles, responsibilities, and mutual benefits. At the March 20 meeting, the Commission approved Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Contra Costa County Library, Locke Foundation, RioVision, and Yolo County Library, and delegated authority to the Executive Director to execute future MOUs. He stated the MOUs are based on a flexible template that can be tailored to individual partnerships and include benefits aligned with the plan’s partnership strategies. The MOU will also be a living document that evolves as partnerships change.
Roberts noted that the initial focus of the program is participation in the Passport to Your National Parks program. Agreements with these first four partners will allow for passport cancellation stations in multiple Delta locations. Additional MOUs are anticipated with several organizations, including Benicia Historical Society, East Bay Regional Park District, Sacramento Public Library, and others. He stated the priority is on organizations with potential passport locations which are open for more than two days a week or at least on a consistent basis. He also touched on the website which will provide information on the passport sites and will include nearby points of interest. Other ideas under development are brochures that will provide general information about the NHA and a Delta reading list.
8. Discuss America 250/California 175/Anza 250 Commemoration and Consider Establishment of Delta 250 Ad Hoc Task Group – Blake Roberts
Roberts provided an overview of the upcoming America 250 commemoration, a national initiative to honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In California, this also coincides with the state’s 175th anniversary of statehood and the 250th anniversary of the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition. It was noted that Management Plan Strategy 1.2.1 calls for the promotion of Delta-wide themed events like these to highlight the Delta and raise awareness of the National Heritage Area. While the Interpretive Planning Task Group is named in the Management Plan to lead themed events, the scope and scale of America 250, California 175, and Anza 250 will require additional capacity. He recommended forming a Delta 250 Ad Hoc Task Group to support planning and coordination efforts. A presentation and discussion followed on the commemoration events planned for the Juan Batista de Anza National Historic Trail, based on the Anza expedition of 1776, led by Estrella Sainburg of the National Park Service.
Four members were then appointed to the task group:
- Douglas Hsia
- Amanda Blosser
- Morris Lum
- Paulette Hennum
Vice Chair Patterson motioned to approve the Delta 250 Ad Hoc Task Group. Member Eubanks seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0-0.
9. Discuss Next Steps for Delta Heritage Forum – Kira O’Donnell
O’Donnell, the Information Officer for the National Heritage Area, emphasized the importance of using the upcoming Forum as a key opportunity to support the development of the Tourism and Branding Marketing Plan. She shared her observations from recent visits to Delta communities and noted that public awareness of the NHA remains limited. She stressed the need for communities to be “visitor-ready” and prepared to speak confidently about the National Heritage Area.
O’Donnell explained that the idea for this year’s Forum would focus on educating the community about the purpose and potential of an NHA, with the goal of inspiring and moving the tourism marketing initiative forward. She shared her idea of a one-day themed conference featuring guest speakers from thriving NHAs across the country to share success stories related to education, agriculture, tourism, small business, and cultural institutions. These examples would serve as a blueprint for advancing the NHA.
Member Campbell suggested an information center or short video to educate people on the NHA. O’Donnell responded that a fact sheet was currently being developed, as well as other materials that define what a National Heritage Area is, and then mentioned she thought a video would be a good idea as well.
Member Jensen stated she was conflicted over reframing the forum to an NHA education opportunity. She stated she didn’t see any draw for the traditional participants who were already versed on the NHA. She didn’t believe the forum was the appropriate avenue for getting the region tourist ready. Vice Chair Patterson agreed with Jensen stating last year’s forum was hugely successful and they should build on that success rather than changing the content.
Ex officio Rice pointed out that training for passport stations will be ongoing due to the seasonal staff at many locations. He also stressed that it would be more valuable to educate on what our NHA is rather than what an NHA is in general.
Ex officio Lee requested that the Chair and Vice Chair meet with staff and then bring their recommendations back to the committee.
10. Member Announcements and Adjourn
Chair Ray adjourned the meeting at 3:09 p.m.