NHA Minutes 2024-12-06
Meeting Minutes
National Heritage Area Advisory Committee
Friday, December 6, 2024, 10 a.m.
Clarksburg Schoolhouse
36397 North Center Street (parking on River Road side)
Clarksburg, CA 95612
Agenda
1. Call to Order – Bruce Blodgett, NHA Advisory Committee Chair
Bruce Blodgett, NHAAC Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. Life Scout and Eagle Scout Candidate Boden Dixon, from Clarksburg Troop 83, led meeting participants in a flag salute.
2. Roll Call
A quorum was present with members Chair Bruce Blodgett, Diane Burgis, Morris Lum, Don Nottoli, Oscar Villegas, Mike Campbell, Colin Coffey, Dwayne Eubanks, David Stuart, Katie Wiley, Stuart Walthall, and alternates Paulette Hennum, Janet Lake, and Douglas Hsia. Ex-officio members present were Chris Lim and Amanda Blosser.
Guests present were Mike Moran, Karen Buhr, Jeff Henderson, Jack Johnson, Bob Lake, Chris Davis, Eric Chiu, and Steve Herringer.
DPC staff present were Blake Roberts, Holly Heyser, Debra Waltman, and Heather McClure.
Member Carol Jensen arrived at 10:17 a.m. during Item 5.
3. Public Comment– An opportunity for members of the public to address the NHA Advisory Committee regarding items not on the agenda
There were no comments from members of the public.
4. Approval of October 31, 2024, Meeting Minutes
Member Walthall motioned to approve the October 31, 2024, meeting minutes. Member Burgis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
5. Update on NHA Activities – Blake Roberts, Delta Protection Commission
Roberts gave an update on the Management Plan which is still under review by the National Park Service and Department of the Interior. After consulting with two tribes in November, the National Park Service will provide its recommendation to the Secretary. He also reported that he will be going to Washington, D.C. in February as part of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas meeting which will allow opportunities to talk to members and staff as well as the Park Service. He touched on the December 4 deadline for the Branding and Tourism Marketing Plan RFPs. Four proposals were received and are currently under review with the Department of General Services. Additionally, there are plans to interview candidates for a limited-term Public Information Officer position for the NHA later this month, with the potential for it to become permanent.
6. Establish 2025 Meeting Calendar – Bruce Blodgett, NHA Advisory Committee Chair
Member Nottoli motioned to approve the 2025 Meeting Calendar. Member Villegas seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
7. NHA Passport Program – Blake Roberts, Delta Protection Commission
Roberts presented the details of the upcoming Passport Program beginning with what the stamping stations look like and showing examples of other NHA’s stamps. This started a discussion of possible ideas for our own stamp design and locations where we plan to have the stations. Initial outreach is focused on sites that are open at least four days per week. To participate, sites must be within NHA boundaries, connect to NHA themes or serve as visitor centers, be publicly accessible, and offer the passport stamp at no charge. The Commission will support partners by providing training, stampers, ink, and promotional materials, while partners will make stamp displays easily available to visitors. Staff have identified 22 potential passport locations, including libraries, historic sites, and visitor centers.
He expects the program to launch in 2025. Leading up to the launch, the Commission will finalize agreements with partners, create a dedicated webpage with an interactive map, purchase supplies, and provide training and educational materials. Additionally, an NHA brochure will be distributed at passport stations to enhance visitor engagement.
8. Match Funding discussion – Blake Roberts, Delta Protection Commission
Roberts gave a comprehensive background on match funding, thoroughly covering the requirements as well as the benefits. He explained that the Commission, as the local coordinating entity for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta NHA, received $157,500 from the National Park Service for Federal Fiscal Year 2024, with an expected increase once the Secretary of the Interior approves the Management Plan. The final amount will depend on the Congressional appropriation for the Heritage Partnership Program in Federal Fiscal Year 2025, though Congress has yet to pass the budget, which runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.
Roberts then explained that as a condition of receiving federal funds per the John Dingell Act of 2019, the Commission must provide a one-to-one match through cash or in-kind contributions from non-federal sources. Roberts provided an overview of match funding, detailing legislative and National Park Service requirements and the role of NHA partners. He explained that match funding supports long-term sustainability beyond federal funding and ensures all stakeholders remain invested in the NHA. He also outlined key requirements, including proper documentation, sourcing of contributions, and alignment with Commission policies and federal regulations, while providing further details on the rules governing cash and in-kind matches.
9. Summary of Delta Heritage Forum – Blake Roberts and Holly Heyser, Delta Protection Commission
Roberts and Heyser gave an overview of the success of the 2024 Delta Heritage Forum, held in November at the Antioch Historical Museum. The all-day event had over 80 people in attendance and included breakfast, lunch, snacks throughout the day, and a happy hour at the end. The main events were storytellers and panel discussions on topics relating to the Delta or the NHA, such as arts and culture, youth involvement with heritage, and building effective partnerships. All comments received were positive and the event location received good reviews as well, with the topic on partnerships receiving the most feedback of all. Heyser commented that people seemed deeply engaged, a good indicator being that most attendees stayed until the end. A full analysis of the feedback will be presented at the next meeting.
10. Introduction to the Clarksburg Schoolhouse and Welcome to the Delta Video – Mike Campbell
Campbell and Stephen Herringer presented on the restoration of the Clarksburg Schoolhouse, a project that began 11 years ago. Abandoned for 50 years, the schoolhouse was originally located about half a mile from its current site. It was moved and elevated above the floodplain due to the area’s decertified levees. The restoration, driven entirely by volunteer efforts, is designed to last at least another 100 years. Campbell attributed the project’s success to contributors such as Oscar Villegas and David Stuart, significant funding from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, and the many hours dedicated by the schoolhouse board, on which both Campbell and Herringer serve. Will Middleton, the schoolhouse board president, was introduced as he walked in to join the meeting during the presentation. Campbell highlighted that the schoolhouse serves as a nonprofit welcome center for the Delta region now that renovations are complete. Campbell ended with a video highlighting the history and unique characteristics of the historic towns along the Sacramento River in the Delta, including Clarksburg, where the schoolhouse is located.
11. Member Announcements and Adjourn
Several upcoming events through January were announced, including the Antioch Historical Society’s 50th anniversary, which will feature a year-long celebration of its founding beginning next month.
Chair Blodgett adjourned the meeting at 11:56 a.m.