Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES COLTON HALL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, November 28, 2011 4:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Rodriguez, Greenwald, Dias, Han, Messenger, Schneider, Present: Wojtkowski Commissioners None Absent: Ex-Officio and Staff Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton, Members Present: Cultural Arts Assistant Catlin, Administrative Assistant Rygg Staff Absent: Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Dennis Copeland CALL TO ORDER 4:05 PM ROLL CALL CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. October 24, 2011 Motion made by Messenger to approve the minutes; seconded by Dias. Motion approved. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Bui-Burton added that, in October, she attended a "California Preservation Program" Steering Committee meeting (of which she is a member) in Sacramento, which provides assistance to archival institutions in case of a disaster; provides information for improved maintenance and care of collections and archives.  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, November 28, 2011 The Community Foundation of the Monterey Peninsula awarded the Doud Fund Grant of $18,000.00 to the City of Monterey to create a historic structures report for Colton Hall. Commission Chair Rodriguez suggested a change in "Community Relations" under October 23 for the tour of the historic Monterey cemeteries for the American Association of University Women, Monterey Peninsula, delete "Commissioner Rodriguez" and change to "Commissioner Dias participated in the tour." 2. Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report - October 1-31, 2011 PUBLIC APPEARANCE Old Business 3. Approval of Music Selection Subcommittee's recommendation for Colton Hall Evening Music Series Concerts Motion made by Wojtkowski to have three concerts, provided there is money, and Commission to direct staff to negotiate a price for the Bolero Brothers. Seconded by Greenwald. Motion carried. Public Comments: Representative from the Economics Class, Monterey High School recommended the Bolero Brothers, and felt that the public will have a greater appreciation for acoustic music than electronic (music), and something more classical. Greenwald encouraged the Monterey High School students to attend the concerts. 4. Receive Report on Art in the Adobes Bui-Burton added that the Art in the Adobes (AIA) event may be scheduled in mid-September 2012 so it is not close to History Fest (which is in the second week of October). Commissioner Messenger asked where was the information on the economic impact and attendance of AIA. Bui-Burton said since AIA was not a City of Monterey project that information was not provided, but the Old Monterey Business Association may have that information. There was a comment to schedule AIA and History Fest at the same time; however it was noted that this would severely impact limited staff time. Commission Chair Rodriguez mentioned that the public can view the artwork in the city offices. Bui-Burton suggested to Commission to think about a brochure of existing artwork in the future. Public Comments: Councilmember Selfridge commented that approximately 700 people went through the AIA event. The venue was kept small for security Colton Hall Museum Cultural A2rt Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, November 28, 2011 2  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, November 28, 2011 purposes. Local Businesses were pleased with the number of people in the downtown area. The Old Monterey Foundation (OMF), a 501 c (3) organization, was set-up to bring events downtown, and it hopes to have one event per quarter. Next year the OMF will have a better tracking of attendance and who attends. New Business 5. Approval of Fundraising Subcommittee's recommendation for fundraising solicitation letter for Colton Hall Evening Music Series Concerts The Fundraising Subcommittee has recommended a fundraising solicitation letter be sent out now for the Colton Hall Evening Music Series Concerts. The last time a letter was sent out, it contained four parts: acknowledging how long the series had gone on (22 years); the City's revenues are declining, and the help of private individuals to help sustain the series: a suggested donation of $50 is tax deductible to the full extent of the law, and the fourth part which is for discussion with the Commission, with a $100 contribution, two seats any where in first two rows would be available. Motion made by Dias for a fundraising solicitation letter for the Colton Hall Evening Music Series based on what has been done in the past, including adjustments to the letter to communicate that: 1) the series is in its 22nd year, 2) with a contribution of $100, the donor may have two seats in the first two rows for 2012, and 3) include a quote from the 2011 music series be included. Second by Wojtkowski. Motion carried. 6. Discussion of Topics for Commission December Report to Council and Direction to Staff Commissioner Wojtkowski suggested that the Commission provide copies of the strategic plan to the City Council. Commissioner Dias asked that information on History Fest and Christmas in the Adobes be included in the report to Council. 7. Receive Report on Planning for January 2012 Pacific Biological Laboratories Tour Program Commissioner Wojtkowski asked that the City keep community partners the Cannery Row Foundation (CRF) informed on the event. Bui-Burton said that the CRF will be having their own tours at the end of January in honor of Kalisa Moore. Commission Chair Rodriguez reminded Commissioners to look for an email for volunteer opportunities at the PBL. Public Comments: A lot of people would love to see Ed Ricketts' Lab (Pacific Biological Laboratories). 8. Discussion of Commission Participation in 2012 4th of July Events The Commission discussed the idea of having a table (booth) during the Fourth of July event to promote what the Commission does within the community, the City's Colton Hall Museum Cultural A3rt Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, November 28, 2011 3  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, November 28, 2011 resources that the public may not know that exists, for example the Presidio of Monterey Museum. Salinas' model of community involvement with their parade is a good idea, and bringing the City of Monterey parade back is important. Commission Chair Rodriguez said the Commission will look at possibilities, have the fundraising subcommittee be involved on what items may be sold during the event, and will report back to the Commission. It was suggested that peninsula communities could collaborate and have the fireworks at the Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA). Bui-Burton said that the fireworks display cost the City $250,000.00. Public Comments: There has been some (public) discontent that the fireworks display has been discontinued. 9. Discussion of Commission Participation in possible 2012 Community Christmas Tree Lighting Effort The informal Christimas Tree Lighting will be at 5:15 pm, Friday, December 2. Commission Chair Rodriguez provided suggestions that the CHMCAC be a lead sponsor for the event with help of community groups. Commissioner Greenwald suggested that a subcommittee be created to explore costs, receive proposals, and vote later in the year. Commission requested that the item be placed on the January 2012 agenda. Public comments: Possibly Monterey High School Choir would be interested in participating. Councilmember Selfridge said that Ellen Collard, a music instructor, will lead community sing-a-long at the December 2 event. 10. Approval of Call for Art Guidelines and Timelines 2012 Motion made by Greenwald to approve the Call for Art Guidelines and Timelines for 2012. Second by Messenger. Motion carried. 11. Receive Report on Occupy Monterey Bui-Burton reported that the nation-wide "Occupy" movement has some very broad-reaching goals which have to do with economic equity, how public space is being used, a broad dissatisfaction with the bank bailouts, and a desire to see change. City staff and representatives are taking a reasoned approach as to how Occupy Monterey can express their freedom of speech and freedom of assembly in a way that allows the City, under its legal rights and responsibilities, to control the time, manner and duration of such speech. The City does not have a desire to impose any conditions on the content of the speech, but the City wants to work with the Occupy Movement so it can protect Occupy Monterey's right to speak and assemble, and not lead the City into the conditions experienced in Oakland, New York and Los Angeles. From mid-October, members of Occupy Monterey were in discussion with City staff, and it was agreed that there would be two separate assembly areas: 1) Colton Hall Museum Cultural A4rt Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, November 28, 2011 4 Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, November 28, 2011 outside Few Memorial for assembly with opportunities for 24-hour vigils to express their speech, and 2) at the Veteran's Memorial Park to create community and have a place for respite. Occupy Monterey wanted to have an encampment in the City complex, but it was not in keeping with the historic environment at the complex. In early November, a 30-day permit was issued, and a 30-day encampment for 100 participants was allowed at the Veteran's Memorial Park. Fees were waived, and a donation was received by the City to offset costs. There has been little negative police interaction with the group. The City recognizes that Occupy Monterey will occupy the grounds for a long period of time, and will negotiate for another 30-day permit to use the City complex and campgrounds. Public comments: Occupy Monterey has gotten out of hand and should redefine their goals. Do not understand what Occupy Monterey is trying to accomplish. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Staff Comment: Bui-Burton announced that the dedication for the Jim Conway Memorial Bench will be on Sunday, December, 11 at 1:30 pm in front of Colton Hall. Messenger: Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. During the last year, the Commission had made great progress, though I have been very peripheral, I am very proud of everyone (the Commission). Han: Happy that the Monterey High School students have participated (in the meeting). Schneider: Also glad that Monterey High School was here (at the meeting). Rodriguez: I will turn everything over to John (Greenwald) in January, and Tandy (Messenger), welcome back! NEXT MEETING - January 23, 2012 ADJOURNMENT - 5:40 PM Colton Hall Museum Cultural A5rt Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, November 28, 2011 5 Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, November 28, 2011 Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Chair Community Services and Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Library Director Commission Colton Hall Museum Cultural A6rt Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, November 28, 2011 6