CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

Committee Meeting Minutes - Final

Fish and Wildlife Committee

3:00 PM

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

40 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553

Construction Conference Room

ZOOM LINK

https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/83497196908

| Dial: 888 278 0254 |

Access code: 198675

The public may attend the Fish and Wildlife Committee meeting in person and remotely via call-in or

Zoom.

Persons who wish to address the Fish and Wildlife Committee during public comment or with respect to

an item that is on the agenda may comment in person, via Zoom, or via call-in. Those participating in

person should offer comments when invited by the Committee Chair. Those participating via Zoom

should indicate they wish to speak by using the “raise your hand” feature in the Zoom app. Those calling

in should indicate they wish to speak by pushing *9 on their phones.

3:00 P.M. Convene Meeting.

INTRODUCTIONS AND STATEMENT OF CONFLICT

A member who has a conflict should, prior to consideration of the decision: (1) publicly identify

in detail the financial interest that causes the conflict; (2) recuse himself/herself from discussing

and voting on the matter; and (3) leave the room until after the decision has been made.

Nicole Balbas, Tim Fares, Roni Gehlke, Susan Heckly, Kathleen Jennings, Brett Morris,

Olivia Ortega and Danny Pellegrini attended the meeting. Jamin Pursell provided advance

notice that he would be absent. Courtney Coon provided advance notice that she would not

be able to attend the meeting in person, so she attended remotely as a member of the public.

Tony Holland (California Department of Fish and Wildlife), Tim Jensen (CCC Flood

Control), Peter Mangarella (John Muir Chapter of Trout Unlimited), Hilario Mata (City of

Pittsburg, Public Works), Bob Peoples, Jill Ray (Office of District 2 Supervisor), Paul Seger

(Diablo Water District and Sierra Club Delta Group) and Roger Wachtler (John Muir

Chapter of Trout Unlimited) attended the meeting. Maureen Parkes (CCC Department of

Conservation and Development) attended as staff.

Tim Fares, the new District 3 FWC member, introduced himself and was welcomed by the

Committee.

REVIEW and CONSIDER APPROVING the minutes for the May 21, 2025

meeting.

25-2847

05-21-25 Draft Minutes

Attachments:

The meeting minutes were approved as written. (Vote: 8-0: Balbas, Fares, Gehlke,

Jennings, Heckly, Morris, Ortega and Pellegrini: Absent: Pursell)

PUBLIC COMMENT

Includes public comment on topics on the agenda and items not listed on the agenda. The FWC

shall also accept public comment on agenda items at the time they are discussed.

There were no public comments.

UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS (Presented by Staff and FWC Members)

Includes discussion of implementation of actions authorized previously, correspondence

received, and upcoming meetings of interest to the FWC.

Brett Morris informed the Committee that he attended the 2025 Martinez Beaver Festival and

was very impressed by the event.

Maureen Parkes provided the following updates to the Committee:

Courtney Coon and Jamin Pursell provided advance notice that they would not be

able to attend the meeting today. Courtney Coon will attend remotely as a member of

the public.

Committee members were reminded that completing the Advisory Body trainings

every two years is a new requirement.

2026 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grant applications are due Friday, August 1,

2025, by 5:00 p.m.

Correspondence forwarded to Committee members:

Emails from Supervisor Candace Andersen regarding an EBRPD survey, the

availability of the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grants, and EBRPD Trail

Network Expansion at Sycamore Valley Open Space Regional Preserve.

Emails from Supervisor Diane Burgis regarding the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

National Heritage Area Management Plan winning a planning award, the availability

of the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grants, Delta National Heritage Area

Advisory Committee openings, an announcement regarding the Delta Adapts:

Climate Adaptation Plan and an EBRPD survey.

Emails from Supervisor Ken Carlson regarding the Urban Limit Line comment period

closing and the availability of the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grants.

Emails from Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston regarding the availability of the Fish

and Wildlife Propagation Fund grants, meeting with Contra Costa Conservation

District on water infrastructure, green projects, and community resilience; and an

EBRPD survey.

Email from Roni Gehlke regarding an article entitled: A Ramble Around Pacheco

Marsh Near Martinez.

Email from Susan Heckly regarding the University of California having a series of

webinars highlighting invasive species.

Emails from Abby Fateman regarding a webinar on Mount Diablo controlled burns

and a Bay Nature article about grounds squirrels.

Emails from Maureen Parkes regarding the updated advisory body requirements and

an updated roster.

Email from Elizabeth Dougherty regarding grants and overhead fees.

Email from Gordon Frankie with a brief update on his work with native bees and

beavers.

Newsletters and Announcements forwarded to Committee members:

Bringing Back the Natives - 3

California Fish and Game Commission - 13

CCRCD - 1

East Bay Regional Park District - 1

Golden Gate Bird Alliance - 4

John Muir Land Trust - 2

IPM agenda - 2

Kids for the Bay - 5

Lindsay Wildlife Hospital -1

Save Mount Diablo - 5

Sustainability in Contra Costa County -1

The Watershed Project -1

Urban Tilth - 2

Worth a Dam -1

Presentation on the Wildcat Creek Water Quality and Fish Habitat Monitoring Study (Peter

Mangarella and Roger Unger, John Muir Chapter of Trout Unlimited)

Peter Mangarella and Roger Wachtler provided a comprehensive presentation on the Wildcat

Creek Water Quality and Fish Habitat Monitoring Study. For more information click here:

Trout Unlimited Presentation

DISCUSS the 2025 Fall Forum.

The Committee discussed the Fall Forum.

CONTINUE discussion to develop an informational brochure on invasive species.

The Committee discussed the brochure on invasive species.