Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES COLTON HALL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, May 19, 2014 4:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Dias, Evans, Greenwald, Marohn, Ruhnke, Wojtkowski Commissioners Absent: Schneider Ex-Officio and Staff Community Services Director Kim Bui-Burton, Museums, Members Present: 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, April 28, 2014 Action: Approved with correction by Commissioner Wojtkowski (6-0-1, Schneider absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 2. Receive Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report – April 2014 Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reported that Cultural Arts Assistant Booker and volunteers did a great job of moving art around at the Conference Center for the annual EG Conference; an appreciation and award event was held on April 11 for the Monterey History Volunteers with each volunteer receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award and lapel pin. He praised the CSUMB interns for their help with the collections inventorying and the artifact inventory at the Pacific Biological Laboratories. He noted the museums are doing well overall with attendance and the variety of groups visiting, but we still need to work on getting locals to come visit. Community Services Director Bui-Burton recognized the incredible amount of work done by staff, with only two part-time employees, Manager Copeland, and volunteers; it’s amazing how much they get done.  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, May 19, 2014 PUBLIC APPEARANCE New Business 3. Adopt the Commission Recommendation to City Council for the Continued Use of Open Flame Candles in Colton Hall Museum Action: The Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission recommend to City Council the continued use of open flame candles in the Colton Hall Museum during events (6-0-1, Schneider absent). Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland stated that based on the last meeting, the Commission requested a report to recommend approval to City Council to continue the use of open flame candles in Colton Hall Museum. Commissioner Wojtkowski stated we should put in some findings for our recommendation, i.e., there are safety measures in place, we have had no issues in the past, and the candles give authenticity to this historical building. Commissioner Evans noted we also have a permit process from the Fire Marshal. Commissioner Greenwald also noted that a designated staff member is trained and on duty during events and that person is specifically there to look after the candles. On a motion by Commissioner Wojtkowski, seconded by Commissioner Evans, and carried by the following vote, the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission recommend to City Council the continued use of open flame candles in Colton Hall Museum based on the safety measures in place, there have been no issues in the past, and the candles give authenticity to the history of Colton Hall: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Dias, Evans, Greenwald, Marohn, Ruhnke, Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Schneider COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Greenwald said that if you look around the walls in the Council Chambers, you will see a great representation of art specific to this community. He reported the Monterey Museum of Art will have a show focusing on Jules Tavernier beginning on June 6 and encouraged everyone to visit this exhibit. Commissioner Dias inquired if Scott Shields is coming back for the exhibit.. Commissioner Greenwald stated yes and that he will be giving a speech this year. Commissioner Wojtkowski asked for an update on the Colton Hall ADA projects. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated the Colton Hall ADA study proposal will likely not be recommended as a CIP project to Council this year because of a lack of CIP funding for all the projects that have been proposed. Commissioner Wojtkowski asked if we can put this item on the next Commission agenda, and said if it doesn’t go through it won’t be done for another year. Director Bui-Burton stated the next Commission agenda will be after the Council budget hearing. She also noted that ADA issues came up too late for an NIP funding request for this year, and that the staff will be looking for other funding. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, May 19, 2014 2 Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, May 19, 2014 Commissioner Evans said he attended the plein air group’s opening and not as many people were in attendance as expected; the artists were enjoying themselves and gave out awards. Commissioner Dias said Assistant Booker did a great job on the art opening at the Alvarado Gallery. She said she hopes we can do something to help Historic Monterey and asked Commissioner Greenwald what they need help with. She said they needed better publicity for the recent scavenger hunt and noted that they share the same goal of getting people downtown and into our buildings. She said she was at the PBL on Saturday and reported the structural engineer said we had to move some dirt between the garage and Aquarium and noted that people really take pride in the building. Commissioner Ruhnke inquired if the Strategic Plan Subcommittee has met yet. Director Bui- Burton and Manager Copeland said the subcommittee will meet before the next Commission meeting. Commissioner Ruhnke asked if anyone has heard how Elizabeth Schneider is doing. Manager Copeland said she is getting better slowly. NEXT MEETING Monday, June 23, 2014 Chair Ruhnke adjourned the regular portion of the meeting at 4:28 p.m. and the Commission and staff began the field trip to the City’s collection vault. FIELD TRIP Visit to the Collections Vault ADJOURNMENT Chair Ruhnke adjourned the field trip at 5:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Dennis Copeland, Manager Jennifer Ruhnke, Chair Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Commission Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, May 19, 2014 3