DPC Minutes 2025-09-18

Meeting Minutes
Delta Protection Commission

Thursday, September 18, 2025, 5-7 p.m. (end time is approximate)
West Sacramento Community Center
1075 West Capitol Ave, West Sacramento, CA 95691

Agenda

1. Call to Order and Flag Salute

Chair Diane Burgis called the meeting to order at 5:08 p.m.

2. Welcome and Roll Call

Commission Clerk Heather McClure called the roll. Present at roll call: Chair Burgis, Vice Chair John Vasquez, Pat Hume, Anissa Williams, David Kent, Tom Slater, Gloria Sandoval (for Wade Crowfoot), Brian Bugsch (for State Lands Commission), and Gary Prost (for Ex Officio Member Senator Jerry McNerney). At this time, a quorum was present. Commissioner Christine Birdsong (for Karen Ross) arrived at 5:12 p.m., prior to closed session.

Also present were staff members Interim Executive Director Dan Ray, Commission Clerk/Finance and Administration Manager Heather McClure, Program Manager Blake Roberts, and Information Officer Holly Heyser.

Oscar Villegas, Sonny Dhaliwal, Cameron Bregman, Dean Ruiz, Jim Paroli, Toks Omishakin, and Ex Officio Member Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom were absent with no alternates present.

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

There was none.

Closed Session Agenda

4. The Commission will meet in closed session to interview candidates for the Executive Director position and to consider and take possible action on the appointment of an Executive Director. This closed session is authorized by Government Code section 11126, subdivision (a)(1).

5. If necessary, the Commission may meet in closed session to consider and take possible action on the appointment of an Interim Executive Director. This closed session is authorized by Government Code section 11126, subdivision (a)(1).

The Commission adjourned to closed session at 5:12 p.m. and returned from closed session at 7:36 p.m. Counsel Nicole Rinke reported that on Item 4, the Commission, by a roll call vote, selected a candidate for the Executive Director role, pending background checks and other administrative processes that will now begin. When negotiations have been finalized, there will be a public announcement.

Rinke reported that on Item 5, the Commission, by a roll call vote, unanimously agreed to appoint Holly Heyser as the Interim Executive Director starting at the end of the month when Interim Executive Director Dan Ray’s service concludes until the new Executive Director is in place.

It was noted that Commissioner Bugsch left the meeting before the vote on Item 6.

Consent Agenda

6. Approval of Draft Commission Meeting Minutes for July 17, 2025, August 6, 2025, and September 4, 2025; and Draft Executive Director Selection Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes for July 23, 2025, and July 29, 2025.

7. Consider Appointments to the National Heritage Area Advisory Committee

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.

Motion: It was moved by Vice Chair Vasquez and seconded by Commissioner Hume to approve the consent agenda; in a voice vote, the motion passed 8-0-0, all Commissioners present voting aye.

Regular Agenda

8. Discussion and possible action regarding appointment and salary for the Executive Director and subsequent steps in the hiring process.

Nicole Rinke noted that the salary ranges come from the state and recommended delegating authority to the Chair to engage on behalf of the Commission in any salary discussions that need to occur with the candidate and the approving entity.

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.

Motion: It was moved by Vice Chair Vasquez and seconded by Commissioner Williams to approve the state’s salary range for the candidate and to delegate authority for negotiating specifics about salary to the Chair. In a voice vote, the motion passed 8-0-0, all Commissioners present voting aye.

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

Chair Burgis reported that she did not attend the August Delta Stewardship Council meeting, but noted that the Council was being briefed in preparation for the Department of Water Resources’s anticipated filing of its Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan for the Delta Conveyance Project, and that the hearings would be in January.

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.

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

DPAC Chair Anna Swenson reported that DPAC met on Staten Island, hosted by new DPAC member Jerred Dixon, and welcomed a new agricultural seat member, Jeff Iniguez from Wilson Farms.

She said Jay Ziegler presented on Open ET and surface water reporting, and member Russ Ryan reported on South Delta Sediment Remediation.

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.

11. Executive Director’s Report – Dan Ray, Interim Executive Director

Interim Executive Director Dan Ray noted that Commission members had his written report, and added that the staff is working hard to wrap up the next edition of its report on farmland conversions. He said while there have been many questions about the data staff used, getting data to answer those questions isn’t so simple. It may be November before staff receive all the information they have requested.

Commissioner Slater said he thinks it’s good to wait until the staff can get it right.

Ray also stated how much he’s appreciated the opportunity to do this job over the past months. He told the Commission it has a great staff, and that with a little bit of direction, they have really shown what they can do. He highlighted some of the contributions of each staff member:

He said Information Officer Holly Heyser has done a great job of getting the DPC’s name and work out there, as well as bringing forward good ideas for engagement.

He said Program Manager Virginia Gardiner, whom he’s known since 1982, has so much knowledge about what the Commission has done, and brings skill as a planner and environmental analyst.

On the Heritage Area team, Ray noted that Program Manager Blake Roberts has a firm handle on the program and a good vision for it, and Information Officer Kira O’Donnell has brightened up the program with her sense about how to market it, and her enjoyment learning new things about it.

He said Commission Clerk and Finance and Administration Manager Heather McClure has been a phenomenal guide to him as he learned to navigate new state online systems, and he was happy to have been able to promote her.

Senior Environmental Planner Rachel Vanderwerff, he said, has a great understanding of GIS systems and other analytical skills, and she really gets agriculture, with her Iowa background.

Chair Burgis told Ray he has been the glue for the Commission, and that she had heard from most of the staff how very happy they are with what he’s done for the Delta Protection Commission.

Commissioner Gloria Sandoval noted that Ray had been very open to meeting with California Natural Resources Agency leadership, which was appreciated by all.

Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there were none.

10. Commissioner Comments/Announcements

There were none.

11. Adjourn

Chair Burgis adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.