Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES COLTON HALL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, March 25, 2013 4:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Dias, Evans, Greenwald, Kimzey, Ruhnke, Schneider, Wojtkowski Commissioners Absent: None Ex-Officio and Staff Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Dennis Members Present: Copeland, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash Ex-Officio Commissioners are non-voting members, appointed pursuant to MCC § 2-11. CALL TO ORDER 1. Introduction of New Commissioner Charles Kimzey (continued from February 25, 2013) Action: Introduction made. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland introduced Charles (Chuck) Kimzey to the Commission and noted that Chuck has a diverse range of volunteer activities and an in- depth background in research design technology. He comes from Virginia and has a keen interest in history and is eager to learn about Monterey history. Commissioner Kimzey said it’s a pleasure to be associated with Commission and that he’s been a lifelong history and Civil War buff. He and his family owned a 100 year old home in Virginia and looked for an older home when they moved to Monterey. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2. Monday, February 25, 2013 Action: Approved with corrections (6-0-1, Kimzey abstained). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 3. Receive Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report - February 2013 Action: Report received. Commissioner Wojtkowski said staff worked on replacing damaged windows in the Cannery Row Worker Shacks on Bruce Ariss Way and suggested having audio available in the language for each cabin and also in English. Manager Copeland reported that window replacement  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, March 25, 2013 project was just completed. He said the glass that was originally installed for these shacks turned opaque due to sea air and exposure so that visitors could not see the exhibits inside. He said staff will explore possibilities for a future Cannery Worker Shacks audio tour project; he noted that the current cell phone tours include the Cannery Row Worker Shacks. Commissioner Wojtkowski said we need to think about long term planning for parking and redeveloping the whole area of Bruce Ariss Way and the Workers Shacks with the Monterey Bay Aquarium parking lot, installing the blue bus and creating a historic park. Commissioner Wojtkowski reported a manager has been hired to look at heritage tourism in collaboration with Community Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and the Packard Foundation to work with various museums and share information as an outreach to visitors. He said there will be links from motels, the Aquarium, and the convention bureau to expand tourism and make it more interesting to visitors and residents. Manager Copeland noted that the project is entitled “the Monterey Experience.” PUBLIC APPEARANCE New Business 4. Receive Colton Hall Museum Interpretive Planning Subcommittee Report Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reported the subcommittee met last week. Commissioner Dias reported that the Community Foundation Doud Fund awarded $18,000 for Colton Hall Museum Interpretive Plan; $20,000 had been originally requested. Manager Copeland stated he will contact consultants and hoped to have them on board after the Request for Proposal time period of 60 days. Commissioner Dias noted that the consultant can also help identify what groups we survey and what to ask and we may be able to piggyback on the next City survey. She also said the subcommittee reviewed the partial results from the current survey of Colton Hall Museum visitors providing information on where people come from, time spent at the museum, etc. Commissioner Dias also noted the subcommittee brainstormed about a museum membership program called “Friends of Colton Hall,” and talked about creating an e-news letter to be sent to other organizations that have interest in our local history. Commissioner Kimzey said $20,000 for a grant is not much money for a consulting firm; Monterey is surrounded by universities and colleges and suggested having students and faculty take on some of the work for their Masters thesis for no cost. Commissioner Dias said we need to develop relationships with CSUMB and other area schools. She said this is a very specialized project and we want some expertise and suggested retirees with some background in this type of work. Manager Copeland reported we have established a relationship with CSUMB; and recently started an internship program for students to learn about museums practices. He said we may be able to have students work on some parts of a survey. He also reported that CSUMB students are currently working on an educational interactive history game about Monterey in the 1840’s-1850’s. Commissioner Wojtkowski said Rose Marie Ansel owns the building next to the Vasquez Adobe and that her son would be a good source since the family lived here next to Colton Hall. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, March 25, 2013 2  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, March 25, 2013 Chair Wojtkowski appointed Commissioner Kimzey to the Colton Hall Museum Interpretive Planning Subcommittee. He reported at the last meeting that we reviewed ADA access and what is the best way to provide access to the museum upstairs. Commissioner Schneider stated the back stairs work best for her. Manager Copeland stated that part of what we do will be based on the City’s overall ADA Transition Plan, the recommendations made in the interpretive plan, and in the updated historic structure report. Commissioner Evans inquired if we have a list of stakeholders. Commissioner Dias said the subcommittee will come back to the Commission to create a list of stakeholders after the consultant works with us on determining what type of information to gather. 5. Review Commission Strategic Plan Goals 2012-2014 Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reviewed the background and history of the Commission’s strategic plan and its objectives. Chair Wojtkowski appointed Commissioner Evans to the Music subcommittee. Commissioner Wojtkowski suggested creating an Art Subcommittee similar to the Music Subcommittee so the review process moves faster and the Commission would approve artists with the subcommittee recommendations. Commissioner Greenwald inquired if we want to take the art selection away from the complete Commission. Commissioner Schneider said there are advantages of doing it both ways. Commissioner Dias said she is very happy to have the recommendations for music, but really likes doing the art selection. Commissioner Wojtkowski suggested keeping the process as is for one year so the new Commissioners can be involved and go through the process. Commissioner Kimzey asked for a description of the kinds of art submitted and exhibited for the Call for Art. Manager Copeland said various art medias are used and submitted by local Monterey area artists, depending on space and security requirements at the Monterey Conference Center but the usual submissions are paintings and sculptural works. Commissioner Greenwald said it’s a public space at the Monterey Conference Center and open all the time so the issue of art security is important. Commissioner Dias added that the staff and Commission conduct a Call for Art submissions and sometimes we can mix different artists’ work into one show depending on the size and layout. Commissioner Wojtkowski stated there are two more shows coming up and we have been approved to serve wine and asked to have Commissioners serve the wine during the art show openings. Commissioner Dias reported the Lower Presidio Historic Park Subcommittee may need to come back. Commissioner Wojtkowski said we should do Colton Hall Interpretive Planning first and then move to a plan for the Pacific Biological Lab (PBL). Manager Copeland stated we may want to look for future grant opportunities for a PBL interpretative project. Also, he noted that we are continually seeking volunteers, such as the Commissioners, to be stewards of the Lab assisting during City tours and user group tours. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, March 25, 2013 3  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, March 25, 2013 Commissioner Wojtkowski reported there are only 2-3 people left in the PBL Club and they are agreeable with City improvements. Commissioner Ruhnke reminded the Commissioners that these events are a good opportunity for the Commissioners to volunteer. Manager Copeland reported the new Commissioners have begun their orientation and training and just completed a tour of the Museums and Cultural Arts facilities and sites. Since they ran out of time to visit the Monterey Conference Center, he will plan a tour of the City art displayed at the Conference Center with Commissioner Kimzey. Commissioner Wojtkowski noted that Cannery Row Company wants to be a bigger part of Monterey history. 6. Receive Fundraising Subcommittee Report Action: Report received. Commissioner Wojtkowski reported they are fundraising for donations and sponsors to fund four candlelight concerts in Colton Hall. Manager Copeland said we just completed a fundraising campaign and received $2,017 to date from respondents to the fundraising sponsor letters and from concert attendees. Commissioner Greenwald inquired how this relates to what we spent on the talent. Manager Copeland stated both the staff and the Commission need to be aware of the amount of the performer’s fees, equipment and other costs per concert season and the funds available within the trust budget. Commissioner Wojtkowski asked staff to agendize the expenses for the concerts over the last three years. Commissioner Greenwald said we need to know how much money we have when selecting talent. Commissioner Kimzey inquired on the maximum seating for the concerts. Manager Copeland stated that the capacity is 121 people and between 90 and 100 people attended our recent concerts. Commissioner Kimzey complimented the last concert performance of the Juan Sanchez Ensemble. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Ruhnke mentioned the Historic Monterey volunteer program. Manager Copeland stated the Museum of Monterey is holding the first session tomorrow, an overview of Monterey early history, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and is open to the Commissioners and the public. Commissioner Dias reported there will be a Quilt Show at Chautauqua Hall in Pacific Grove during Good Old Days in April. Commissioner Schneider welcomed Chuck Kimzey to the Commission. Commissioner Kimzey said he is looking forward to learning more and thanked Manager Copeland for the tour and is looking forward to receiving his bibliography. Commissioner Evans said he is already using Dennis’ knowledge and shared it with his grandson who was here visiting from Cal Poly. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, March 25, 2013 4 Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, March 25, 2013 Commissioner Wojtkowski said he will be in Spain for the April 8 Mayor’s Meeting and asked Vice Chair Schneider to attend. He said it’s been great to have the pianos around town for everyone to use. NEXT MEETING Monday, April 22, 2013 ADJOURNMENT Chair Wojtkowski adjourned the meeting at 5:19 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Dennis Copeland, Manager Bill Wojtkowski, Chair Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Commission Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, March 25, 2013 5