Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES COLTON HALL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, October 27, 2014 4:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Dias, Greenwald, Marohn, Ruhnke, Sovereign Commissioners Absent: Evans, Wojtkowski 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 PRESENTATIONS 1. Introduction of New Commissioner Michael Sovereign Action: Introduction made. Community Services Director Bui-Burton welcomed Mike Sovereign to the commission. She said Mike has a diverse background and is a retired Professor of Operations Research at the Naval Postgraduate School, and served at the Pentagon, Pacific Command, and The Hague in the Netherlands. He also volunteers as a board member of the Friends of the Monterey Public Library, is a member of the Monterey Museum of Art and a Kiwanis member. Recently he lectured at the OLLI Institute at CSUMB on the topic “Remembering the Battle of Monterey.” Commissioner Sovereign said this is a great opportunity and he looks forward to working with the commission. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2. Monday, September 22, 2014 Action: Approved as submitted (4-1-2, Sovereign abstained, Evans and Wojtkowski absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None.  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, October 27, 2014 INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 3. Receive Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report - September 2014 Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reported lower numbers on Colton Hall tours due to access issues. He said staff spent a great deal of time planning for History Fest and that the City has one of the largest roles with all our sites. He also reported an opportunity to work with the Monterey Museum of Art to bring in students from the rest of Monterey County to learn about art and history. Community Services Director Bui-Burton thanked Commissioner Greenwald for bringing attention to the David Ligare painting; it has now been restored, moved to new location and hung at a level so no one can touch it. She reported the Colton Hall Museum floors were cleaned and waxed by the City custodial staff; they take great pride in their work and the history of the building. Director Bui-Burton also mentioned that Administrative Assistant Claire Rygg has been trained on using Constant Contact as an email source for public announcements. PUBLIC APPEARANCE New Business 4. Receive Report on History Fest 2014 Activities Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland gave an overview of History Fest stating we had three venues to celebrate our history; we had some challenges and had some opportunities. He said the constitution reenactment at the House of Four Winds worked well and had good attendance; the only negative was that it wasn’t held in Colton Hall. Manager Copeland reported a really good turnout at the Pacific Biological Lab for tours and said our guides and tours get better and better; the Presidio reenactment went like clockwork and that a lot of volunteer hours went into this event; the Upper Presidio tours went well and we worked with the US Army on bus service and established a good relationship this year. He stated this was the most successful History Fest we’ve had. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated that hundreds of hours go into History Fest all year long. There are videos on Facebook and Instagram that captured the event and Media Assistant Eric Palmer also took a lot of video. She said the dates are established for next year and we plan to get marketing going a lot earlier. Manager Copeland stated that social media played a big part in the success of History Fest. Commissioner Sovereign said he attended the reenactment and stated this is a very important activity for us. He inquired if the troupe who performs are paid and what was their reaction of moving to a new location. Manager Copeland said they are paid performers and they were very enthusiastic about the new location. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, October 27, 2014 2  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, October 27, 2014 Commissioner Dias said as the liaison, she did not hear about any of the meetings. Manager Copeland said he thought she was receiving those dates; he will check and get back to her. Commissioner Dias also said that we need to make sure that we follow through, especially with marketing for next year. 5. Receive Report on May 2015 Cultural Arts Program Series on Colton Hall Lawn Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland stated the Colton Hall Music Series has been suspended due to ADA access issues and some research has been done on the idea of holding concerts in front of Colton Hall on the lawn area. He said that staff is researching having a concert during the day and having one in the evening to draw different crowds. He reviewed event dates in May 2015 and noted that staff will continue to research other local events so there are no conflicts with dates we select. He said they are still looking at different types of music to use for this type of venue. He said he will provide dates and possible groups at the December 1 meeting. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated this is a pilot program, and staff will be identifying groups that are willing to be experimental with us. She said there is funding of approximately $3,500 for this pilot program. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Dias inquired what we are doing for Christmas in the Adobes this year. Manager Copeland stated that Colton Hall will be decorated and we will have extended hours to visit the Museum. Director Bui-Burton reported that the Old Monterey Business Association and First Night Monterey are doing the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, December 4, so it will not be on the same night as Christmas In The Adobes this year. Commissioner Ruhnke said we need to create a subcommittee to explore locations for storage and/or display areas for the City’s artwork. Commissioner Marohn said he would be interested, and asked if we have an inventory list that gives us more information on what is needed. Commissioner Sovereign also volunteered to be on the subcommittee. Commissioner Ruhnke said she will check with Commissioner Evans to see if he would also like to be on this subcommittee. NEXT MEETING Monday, November 24, 2014 ADJOURNMENT Chair Ruhnke adjourned the meeting at 4:40 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, October 27, 2014 3