Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES COLTON HALL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, September 23, 2013 4:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Dias, Evans, Greenwald, Marohn, Ruhnke, Schneider, Wojtkowski 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 CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Monday, August 26, 2013 Action: Approved as submitted (7-0). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 2. Receive Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report - August 2013 Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reported the Colton Hall Museum attendance continues to increase year after year. The Pacific Biological Lab (PBL) City tours have turned out to be very popular with a strong docent program. The PBL will be open Sunday, October 13, during History Fest, for docent-led tours. Manager Copeland thanked the Commission for their participation in Art in the Adobes. 309 visitors attended the lectures and Colton Hall had an increase with 350 Art in the Adobes attendees; over 600 people visited Colton Hall for the two days of the event. Commissioner Wojtkowski said he heard they sold 700 tickets. He noted that Rick Johnson, Old Town Business Association, would like to get a younger group involved and suggested the Young Professionals. Commissioner Dias said two groups approached her and thought the docents needed a lot more training to be able to answer more questions about the art; and that the volunteer docents felt they did not get enough training. She noted the Stevenson House has their own docents and they are well trained.  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, September 23, 2013 Commissioner Ruhnke said it was helpful to have the Few Memorial Hall art sheets describing all the artwork in the City Council Chamber. Commissioner Dias said there was no advanced material on the artists’ work and stated more young people need to get involved. She said using Orientations as the venue was a brilliant idea. She also said that her marketing group said they didn’t think there was enough advertising for the event. Commissioner Greenwald said a PBL docent came and was so excited about visiting Casa Serrano and other adobes; he asked if the docent was sure they were open. He said he wondered if people come to Art in the Adobes and expect more buildings to be open. Commissioner Dias said she was so sorry there were many in attendance for the speaker on Sunday, Victoria Kastner, who spoke on architect Julia Morgan; she was so good and very charming. She was very knowledgeable and knew Monterey well. Commissioner Wojtkowski asked if the lectures were taped to be shown on our local channel. Commissioner Dias stated they will be shown on AMP. PUBLIC APPEARANCE New Business 3. Receive Report on Colton Hall in the ADA Transition Plan (Continued from 08/26/13 meeting) Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland said staff have been eagerly awaiting this report and appreciate ADA Coordinator John Kuehl’s report today on the ADA Transition Plan as it affects Colton Hall. He introduced Chief of Inspection Services/Building Official John Kuehl and thanked him for his extensive work in developing the plan for the entire City. Building Official Kuehl stated the City Council made it a priority to adopt an ADA Transition Plan and gave an overview of the plan and a review of the City’s responsibility for ADA access. He said it’s not just about having access to all City buildings, but also access for all programs. He said one of the challenges is that Colton Hall and its programs are located on the second floor and we need to find a way to provide access so everyone can enjoy the museum atmosphere. Commissioner Wojtkowski said the discussion on having a smaller version of the museum downstairs presents its own problems; the Music Concerts only occur upstairs, along with several other events. Building Official Kuehl stated that when you provide an activity on City property it has to be accessible to everybody; each disability and person is different. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton reported that staff has started thinking about the level of our activities and how to provide more access. She suggested broadcasting the music series in another venue; which does not replicate the experience but provides some level of access. She noted that the historic integrity of the building also needs to be maintained. Building Official Kuehl stated the law is intended to protect historic structures and we will have to be mindful of that in City planning. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, September 23, 2013 2  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, September 23, 2013 4. Approve Call for Art Schedule for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Action: The Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission approved the Call for Art Schedule for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 (7-0). Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reviewed the guidelines and schedule for the Call for Art program for 2013-2014. He said the series of rotating art exhibits helps promote the cultural arts in Monterey, and a portion of any sale of the artwork benefits the City’s Art Acquisition Fund. Commissioner Wojtkowski stated the entire commission reviews the art submissions and select up to four art exhibits in the Alvarado Gallery. On a motion by Commissioner Greenwald, seconded by Commissioner Dias, and carried by the following vote, the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission approved the 2013-2014 schedule for the Call for Art program: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Dias, Evans, Greenwald, Marohn, Ruhnke, Schneider, Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 5. Approve Call for Music Schedule for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Action: The Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission approved the Call for Music Schedule for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 (7-0). Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reviewed the schedule for the Call for Music program for 2013-2014 which will result in three acoustic concerts in Colton Hall. The Commission’s subcommittee members are Bob Evans, John Greenwald and Elizabeth Schneider. Commissioner Wojtkowski said in the past the cost for each concert varied greatly, but we can also negotiate with them on their cost. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton said the Commission selected three performances last year with a fourth on hold if funding became available. Commissioner Marohn inquired what the fixed cost is. Director Bui-Burton stated the indirect cost is staff time and the direct cost for chairs and other supplies is between $1,200-$1,500. Commissioner Marohn asked what number we are trying to reach with fundraising. Director Bui-Burton stated about $2,500 would be the goal. Commissioner Wojtkowski reported that we send out a letter requesting donations and received about $2,000. Manager Copeland stated the cost of the last concert was a bit higher, and the commission decided to go ahead because of the quality of the performer. On a motion by Commissioner Greenwald, seconded by Commissioner Evans, and carried by the following vote, the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission approved the 2013- 2014 schedule for the Call for Music program: Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, September 23, 2013 3  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, September 23, 2013 AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Dias, Evans, Greenwald, Marohn, Ruhnke, Schneider, Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 6. Receive Update Report on Colton Hall Museum Interpretive Plan Project Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reported that Erin McClelland of Erin McClelland Museum and History Services was hired as the project consultant to create the Colton Hall Museum Interpretive Plan. He said a community stakeholders meeting will be held on October 24. He stated Commissioners Ruhnke and Dias are members of the plan subcommittee and there is an opening on the subcommittee with Chuck Kimzey leaving the commission. He noted that Chair Wojtkowski may appoint another subcommittee member. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Wojtkowski said he received the Mayor’s invitation to attend a workshop called “For the Love for Monterey” and encouraged all to attend. He said the City Council will hold subcommittee workshops on the Golden State Theater to take input on the City possibly purchasing it. Commissioner Dias reported they will be reviving the Three Historians with Tim Thomas, Dennis Copeland, and Cameron Binkley during History Fest and that Dennis Copeland will also be answering questions and providing information. Chair Wojtkowski adjourned the regular meeting at 5:12 p.m. and reconvened for a tour of the Colton Hall Museum. FIELD TRIP 7. Tour of Colton Hall Museum Action: The Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission toured the Colton Hall Museum. The Commission toured Colton Hall Museum and the Old Monterey Jail. NEXT MEETING Monday, October 28, 2013 ADJOURNMENT The field trip was adjourned at 5:50 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, September 23, 2013 4