Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES COLTON HALL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, January 28, 2013 4:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Dias, Greenwald, Wojtkowski, Schneider, Ruhnke Commissioners Absent: None Ex-Officio and Staff Community Services and Library Director Kim Bui-Burton, Members Present: Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Dennis Copeland, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash Ex-Officio Commissioners are non-voting members, appointed pursuant to MCC § 2-11. CALL TO ORDER Chair Wojtkowski called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. 1. Appointment of Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Chair and Vice Chair Action: Commissioner Bill Wojtkowski was appointed as Chair and Commissioner Elizabeth Schneider was appointed as Vice Chair for 2013 2. Introduction of New Commissioner Jennifer Ruhnke Action: Introduction made. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland introduced Jennifer Ruhnke. He noted that Jennifer was raised in Monterey and her family history traces back to the Anza Expedition and she has a keen interest in the preservation of Monterey history. Commissioner Ruhnke said she is delighted to be here and is looking forward to learning more and making quality decisions for the City. She said she is very interested in Monterey history because of her family and also noted that her mother and grandmother are both artists. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 3. Monday, November 26, 2012 Action: Approved as submitted (4-0-1, Ruhnke abstained) ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Barbara Furbush, Monterey resident and volunteer in the California History Room at the Monterey Public Library, said she would like to donate a Peace Pole to the City and have it placed in Friendly Plaza or another prominent location in Monterey. She said there are thousands of Peace Poles in almost 200 countries all over the world dedicated as monuments to peace and they serve as constant reminders for us to promote world peace. She inquired if this would be something the Commission would be interested in pursuing and if so, what the next step would be.  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, January 28, 2013 Commissioner Wojtkowski said this is a very interesting proposal and that staff will discuss the proposal and possibly put this item on a future agenda. Barbara Furbush thanked the Commission for their time and looks forward to hearing back from staff regarding her proposal. City Councilmember Downey said she’s glad to be in attendance today and stated the Commission is doing a good job. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 4. Receive Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report - November and December 2012 Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland said the holiday season, in particular, Christmas in the Adobes, is very busy for Colton Hall and they had the highest number of visitors for Christmas in the Adobes ever. He reported that State Parks did some more marketing outside the Monterey Region and there were many visitors from out of town; many diverse groups visiting Colton Hall; and that the Presidio is doing a lot of tours. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton reported that the City Council granted the Museum additional funding for giclee reproduction and that selected images will be for sale and will be promoted during the next Art in the Adobes. Commissioner Wojtkowski asked for an update on the first concert in January held at Colton Hall. Manager Copeland said the group was the Tree Top Trio. Commissioner Greenwald said it was a fun show and they received a lot of positive feedback. PUBLIC APPEARANCE New Business 5. Adopt Colton Hall Conditions Update and Comprehensive Preservation Maintenance Program, 2012 Action: Continued to February 25, 2013 meeting. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland stated this is an update to the 1991 report. One very important component is the preservation maintenance program and recommendations. It addresses safety issues with the stairs, access, and will bring Colton Hall into compliance with the ADA regulations. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton stated this is an incredibly important document and will guide all work done in Colton Hall in the future. She stated that without this document, we cannot do more than minor maintenance to the Colton Hall building. She said this will also go to the Historic Preservation Commission for their review and approval, too. Commissioner Wojtkowski inquired how this document fits in with the overall study being done by the City for ADA access. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton stated this is a more detailed document which includes a lot more than the ADA access. Commissioner Wojtkowski inquired if there is a specific recommendation to provide access to the upstairs of Colton Hall. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager said one recommendation would be Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 28, 2013 2  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, January 28, 2013 to install a ramp where the Planning Office is located or possibly an automatic chair ramp chair in the back of the building. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland stated this document provides important recommendations and is our guidebook to preservation and care of Colton Hall for the future. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton said that staff received an email from Colin Gallagher and one comment he made is that this report only addresses the museum. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland stated the jail has different kinds of requirements and a different history. Commissioner Greenwald said one issue is the ADA access and this document gives us choices because we will have to make choices based on cost. He said that originally the entrance was from the rear and inquired if it is historically significant as it stands today. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland said the original stairs were flush with the back of the hall without the present landing and that the front stairs were added in approximately 1856. Commissioner Wojtkowski suggested that when this item goes to the Historic Preservation Commission, it might be helpful to have the architect firm who prepared the document, Architectural Resources Group, Inc., in attendance. Commissioner Greenwald said he did not have an opportunity to read the document in detail because he had problems opening the document in Sire. The other Commissioners stated they also had difficulty viewing the entire document. Commissioner Wojtkowski suggested bringing this item back for the Commissioners to review at their next meeting and then take action. On a motion by Commissioner Greenwald, seconded by Commissioner Schneider, and carried by the following vote, the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission unanimously agreed to continue this item to their Monday, February 25, 2013 meeting: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Dias, Greenwald, Schneider, Ruhnke, Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Commissioner Wojtkowski asked that staff make copies of this document available for the Commissioner and the public to review in the Museum. 6. Review Commission Strategic Plan Goals 2012-2014 Action: Report received. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton reviewed the Commission’s Goals for 2012-2014. She noted that in Goal #1, the Fundraising Subcommittee is recommending to review and send out a donation request letter to potential donors. Commissioner Wojtkowski stated that for Goal #1 a consultant will be hired to look at the upstairs displays and look for new exhibits with a focus on youth. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 28, 2013 3  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, January 28, 2013 Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton noted that, in reference to Goal #3, the Commission Handbook was updated by Council and is available online. She said in reference to Goal #4, the Commissioners would serve as liaisons for marketing and public relations. Commissioner Greenwald said that in Goal #3, there is no due date listed for an annual review of the impact of the programs. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton stated a proposed date would be brought back on a future agenda for the Commission’s review and approval. As Chair, Commissioner Wojtkowski appointed Commissioners Greenwald and Schneider to the Music Subcommittee; Commissioner Wojtkowski to the Fundraising Subcommittee; and Commissioners Dias and Ruhnke to the Colton Hall Interpretive Plan Subcommittee; Commissioner Dias to be the liaison to the Historic Monterey collaborative; and Commissioner Greenwald to be the liaison to the Arts Council for Monterey County. 7. Report on 2013 Schedules of Commission Meetings, Commission Volunteer Opportunities and Museums & Cultural Arts Division Events Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reported that the next Commission meeting will be held at the Monterey Conference Center to view the artwork there and in the Alvarado Gallery; and that the April Commission meeting will be held in the Library to view the art on display and to also visit the California History Room. A volunteer signup sheet will be sent to the Commissioners. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Dias reported that nominations are open for the Community Service Awards for anyone who works at a non-profit organization. Commissioner Schneider stated the Commission has been very active lately. Commissioner Greenwald wished everyone a Happy New Year and looks forward to the upcoming year. Commissioner Wojtkowski noted that young people need to be encouraged to join the Commission. NEXT MEETING Monday, February 25, 2013 ADJOURNMENT Chair Wojtkowski adjourned the meeting at 5:11 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Dennis Copeland Bill Wojtkowski, Chair Museums, Cultural Arts & Archives Manager Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Commission Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 28, 2013 4