DPC Minutes 2025-03-20
Meeting Minutes
Delta Protection Commission
Thursday, March 20, 2025, 5 p.m.
Stockton Hilton
2323 Grand Canal Blvd.
Stockton, CA 95207
Agenda
1. Call to Order and Flag Salute
Chair Diane Burgis called the meeting to order at 5:07 p.m.
Commissioner Tom Slater, attending from an undisclosed remote location, stated for the record that he was participating remotely due to a temporary physical disability related to his recovery from a medical procedure. Counsel Carlos Mejia acknowledged Commissioner Slater’s compliance with Bagley-Keene Act for remote participation.
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, Patrick Hume, Sonny Dhaliwal, Anissa Williams, David Kent, Alan Nakanishi, Tom Slater, Gloria Sandoval (for Wade Crowfoot), and Brian Bugsch (for State Lands Commission). Commissioners Jim Paroli, Toks Omishakin, and Dean Ruiz (for South Delta Reclamation District) were absent with no alternate present. At this time, a quorum was present.
It was noted ex officio Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom joined at 5:11 p.m. just before Item 4. Gary Prost (for ex officio Senator jerry McNerney) and Commissioner Christine Birdsong both joined during the closed session.
3. Public Comment – an opportunity for members of the public to address the Commission regarding items not on the agenda
There were no comments from members of the public.
Closed Session Agenda
4. The Delta Protection Commission will meet in closed session to consider the evaluation of performance of one or more of its employees. This closed session is authorized by Government Code section 11126, subdivision (a)(1).
5. The Delta Protection Commission will meet in closed session to consider the appointment of a permanent Executive Director. This closed session is authorized by Government Code section 11126, subdivision (a)(1).
The Commissioners moved to closed session at 5:13 p.m. Interim Executive Director Dan Ray and Deputy Attorney General Carlos Mejia joined the Commission members for the closed session.
Following the completion of the closed session, Chair Burgis reconvened the meeting in open session at 6:01 p.m. Mejia reported that the Commission had voted unanimously in closed session to create an ad hoc committee on Executive Director Selection, consisting of Chair Burgis, Commissioners Hume, Villegas, Sandoval, and Slater. He then stated that the Commission would consider a motion in open session to approve a scope of work for a recruitment contractor, with additional clauses requiring the contractor to repeat the candidate search at its own expense if the selected candidate leaves within one year, and to be responsible for recruiting and distributing the job announcement via social media.
Chair Burgis asked for public comment on the motion and there was none.
Motion: It was moved by Vice Chair Vasquez and seconded by Commissioner Sandoval to approve the scope of work for a recruitment contractor with amendments; in a voice vote, the motion passed 12-0-0, all Commissioners present voting aye.
Consent Agenda
6. Approval of Draft January 16, 2025, and February 25, 2025, Meeting Minutes
7. Approval of salary and conditions of employment for the Interim Executive Director
Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.
Motion: It was moved by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Bugsch to approve the Consent Agenda; in a voice vote, the motion passed 12-0-0, all Commissioners present voting aye.
Regular Agenda
8. Report on Delta Stewardship Council Activities – Chair Diane Burgis
Chair Burgis stated there was nothing significant to report on the Council. She and Executive Director Ray had met to discuss planning for the upcoming Delta Plan Interagency Implementation Committee (DPIIC) meeting.
Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.
9. Report on Delta Protection Advisory Committee (DPAC) Activities – Anna Swenson (DPAC Chair)
DPAC Vice Chair Russ Ryan gave highlights of the February 11 meeting which included the updates on the Striped Bass Slot Limit Proposal, National Heritage Area, Clarksburg Branch Line Extension, and current levee programs. He noted the Branch Line trail will connect Clarksburg to West Sacramento and will be wide enough to accommodate both bicycle and equestrian activity.
Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.
10. Executive Director’s Report – Dan Ray, Interim Executive Director
Interim Executive Director Ray touched on the budget update, pointing out the satisfactory position through the end of the fiscal year, with enough funds left for a cushion without being an excessive surplus. He encouraged the Commission to think about how they would like to participate on the Delta Conveyance Project when the time is appropriate. He also emphasized the importance of identifying Commission priorities to communicate to the Advisory Committee for their input and thereby having them focus on key issues rather than smaller items. Lastly, he acknowledged the quality work of the Commission Communications staff and noted the value of newsletters and social media in shaping the agency’s message.
Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.
11. Consider Approval of the National Heritage Area Management Plan – Blake Roberts, Program Manager
Program Manager Blake Roberts presented the entirety of the Final Management Plan to the Commission containing a total of 584 pages. Roberts pointed out that following the approval of the Management Plan on January 16, non-substantive revisions were made in coordination with National Park Service. These included the addition of plan goals to the executive summary, updates to the planning process description, inclusion of strategy 2.4.6 in the implementation plan, and other content editing for clarity, grammar, etc.
Vice Chair Vasquez stated, “The Plan speaks to the uniqueness of the Delta as a place, and that’s a story that needs to be told.”
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 National Heritage Area Management Plan; in a voice vote, the motion passed 12-0-0, all Commissioners present voting aye.
12. Consider Approval of the National Heritage Area Partnership Program Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and consider delegation of authority to approve future MOUs to the Executive Director – Blake Roberts, Program Manager
Roberts defined the MOUs as a formal partnership agreement to clearly communicate expectations for both parties. The MOUs include appendices that allow for customization, making it easier to tailor each agreement. The initial MOUs are focused on passport program sites. Current partner organizations include Contra Costa County Public Library, Yolo County Library, RioVision, and the Locke Foundation, with plans to expand partnerships to include libraries in Sacramento and Solano counties. The MOUs will help establish a shared understanding of how the passport sites will operate.
Chair Burgis suggested that libraries include displays directing people to other locations which would facilitate visitor engagement. She also recommended creating a separate appendix focused on volunteer hours and other in-kind contributions. Executive Director Ray agreed and proposed incorporating that element into the model MOU template.
Commissioner Villegas recommended adding language to the motion to ensure the item is brought back to the Commission, allowing the body to formally recognize those contributing or participating in the process. He noted that the list being used was compiled over many years, and now that it is finally moving forward, it is worth memorializing those that participated, which also will generate interest.
Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was one:
Elizabeth Patterson, Chair of the National Heritage Area Advisory Committee, expressed gratitude for the staff work and thanked Roberts for his part and to all who have supported this.
Motion: It was moved by Commissioner Villegas and seconded by Commissioner Williams to approve the NHA Partnership Program MOU and delegate authority to the Executive Director to approve future MOUs with the understanding that it will come back to this body to memorialize the list as it grows; in a voice vote, the motion passed 12-0-0, all Commissioners present voting aye.
13. Socioeconomic Indicators Report – Virginia Gardiner, Program Manager
Program Manager Virginia Gardiner presented the Socioeconomic Indicators Report (SIR) update. Gardiner explained that the purpose of the SIR was rooted in the Economic Sustainability Plan, which identified the need for a “scorecard” to track and understand the effects of the Delta Plan’s implementation, as well as make changes as needed. Indicators were originally selected with input from the Commission and community stakeholders in 2016, with the intent for use by policymakers, local governments, and even researchers. The updated version includes a new Community Resources category to capture broadband access and anchor institutions—important because broadband remains a critical issue for Delta connectivity and public safety. Technical updates were also made, including the translation of data into R script to streamline updates.
She highlighted several key findings from the 2017–2022 period: Delta population grew nearly 20% over the previous period, with one-third of residents now of working age and another third becoming working age in the next decade. Unemployment dropped by five percentage points in the Secondary Zone, and incomes—both individual and household—exceeded state averages. Land in agricultural production grew by 10%, with a shift toward higher-value crops such as almonds. Median household incomes rose in both primary and secondary zones, with the secondary zone higher overall. Housing trends were mixed: values increased, but overcrowding remained an issue, and affordability challenges persist. Despite higher homeownership and lower renter occupancy compared to the state, housing access is still a concern. Road conditions declined by more than 20% and commute times rose. Broadband access remains limited in parts of the Delta, especially the primary zone, where anchor institutions are scarce. She emphasized the need to continue coordination with Caltrans to address infrastructure, and to work with agricultural commissioners on productivity reporting for Delta counties. She also noted the idea of bringing the Delta Residents Survey to the Commission in conjunction with the SIR.
Commissioner Kent thanked Gardiner and then stated that the small cities in the Delta such as Isleton are heritage, and preserving and supporting them benefits all. He went on to express the importance of broadband for education and for business.
Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was one:
Russ Ryan, Reclamation District 756 Board Trustee, commented on the helpfulness of the report, particularly the Roads map showing the pavement conditions in the Delta, which will be useful as he hopes to meet with Caltrans.
14. Delta as Place Presentation, the Delta’s people and scenic landscapes – Rich Turner, founder and publisher of Soundings Magazine
Turner presented a myriad of slides showcasing the Delta’s agrarian landscapes and daily life, some of which depicted the evolution of a single location over time. He stated the name of this upcoming project is Quiet Waters. As Turner narrated his photo story, he recounted experiences of places such as Shirley’s Tavern and Consumnes River Preserve, sharing stories on local history, the changing perception of the Delta, and the importance of always having a camera handy to capture unexpected moments.
Turner stated he wants to protect the Delta, and the best way he knows how is to show people the Delta. He has been photographing the Delta for over fifty years.
Chair Burgis asked for public comment and there was none.
It was noted Assemblymember Ransom left at 7:34 p.m. just before Item 15.
15. Commissioner Comments/Announcements
Executive Director Ray stated the next Commission meeting will be held on May 15.
16. Adjourn
Chair Burgis adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m.