Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES COLTON HALL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, January 26, 2015 4:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Dias, Greenwald, Marohn, Ruhnke, Sovereign, Wojtkowski Commissioners Absent: Evans Ex-Officio and Staff Community Services Director Kim Bui-Burton, Museums, Members Present: Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Dennis Copeland, Recording Secretary Claire Rygg Ex-Officio Commissioners are non-voting members, appointed pursuant to MCC § 2-11. CALL TO ORDER: 4:01 PM PRESENTATIONS 1. Selection of Chair and Vice Chair for 2015 Action: Selection of Chair and Vice Chair confirmed. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2. Monday, December 1, 2014 Action: Approved with corrections. (6) ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS A representative from the Monterey Civic Club, Jerilynn Crivello, announced that the Club will have its ball on February 14, “Cascaron Fiestas: Honoring our Historical Valentines”. Crivello passed out invitations and information flyers to the Commissioners and Staff. None. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 3. Receive Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report - December 2014 Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reported visitation numbers for City’s museums are good and in keeping with past years. The Monterey Museum and Art’s program “Sustainable Art & History” continues to welcome diverse student classes to Colton Hall. Under “Planning and Projects”, Manager Copeland also reported Colton Hall has a new roof and the spring music series will host Monterey Brass Youth Ensemble perform on May 2, VOCI a cappella on May 10, and Early California Music on May 30.  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, January 26, 2015 Community Services Director Bui-Burton added that Museum Staff worked during the reroofing of Colton Hall. The Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) awarded a grant of $20K for the Colton Hall ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Assessment Study. A Request for Proposal (RFP) will contain cost recommendations. Commissioner Marohn said that 116 people attended the opening of the exhibit “The Language of Flowers” at the Alvarado Gallery, and many thanks to Cultural Arts Assistant Chalet Booker for her hard work. PUBLIC APPEARANCE New Business 4. Receive the Pacific Biological Laboratories Museum Interpretive Plan Action: Report received. Director Bui-Burton explained that when the City deals with historic buildings and artifacts as in the case of the PBL, it applies for grants through the CFMC. These grants funded the restoration of the specimen tanks, the creation of an exterior interpretive plan, and exterior signage, contributing to the interpretive framework, and draws out main themes for the PBL. The interpretive plan is a guidebook for staff for several reasons: it defines the story of the PBL, it provides ideas of the facility and may enhance interpretation, and acts as a workplan to set priorities. Outside groups have ideas to form a separate 501c 3 for the PBL, and the City would not take on to do. Manager Copeland said that the Pacific Biological Laboratories (PBL) stakeholders, a wide group of individuals from historical and cultural institutions, provided their input which is built into the interpretive plan. He stated that the interpretive plan provides a guidebook for interpreting the Lab now and in the future; it doesn’t provide all facts or specific exhibit and furnishing design which is separate task based on the plan. Commissioner Wojtkowski asked about the plan’s suggestions on accessibility to the PBL. Manager Copeland said several options were reviewed. There were issues with the coastal access path which is on private property and with an elevator tower bridged to the back garage door entrance. For access to that lift, the front garage door cannot be used as an entry because of the 20% steep incline and height limitations. Commissioner Wojtkowski commented that there is not enough room for a car in the garage. Commissioner Greenwald said that treating access to the PBL is different from Colton Hall. Manager Copeland noted that the PBL, a small building, has limited access in comparison to Colton Hall which has two entrances. A lift is more a possibility for Colton Hall than for the PBL. Commissioner Sovereign asked did the Aquarium and Clement attend the stakeholders’ meeting? Director Bui-Burton and Manager Copeland both responded yes. Public Comments: Jacqueline Tomulonis, Senior Exhibition Developer/Writer asked if there is a historic preservation plan for the PBL. Manager Copeland said there is a historic preservation report. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 26, 2015 2  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, January 26, 2015 Gerry Low-Sabato, Community Heritage Preservationist, said that her family knew Ricketts and she had been invited to the PBL meetings during the time of the renovation of the holding (specimen) tanks. Low-Sabato said there is a need to connect the story with Ricketts and the Chinese fishermenand include the Chinese as collaborators of history and in the story of Ricketts. Michael Hemp, President of the Cannery Row Foundation (CRF), introduced Jim Levitt, a member of CRF’s Board of Directors and who installed the digital sound system at the PBL. Hemp explained that the CRF was founded in 1983, and its main mission is education. The CRF has had a long and constant relationship with the PBL as stewards and operators, and has tours of the PBL four times a year. Hemp said that there is not enough room for a car in the garage and it is non-essential. The CRF has looked into installing an elevator at one time, and there is no place inside the PBL. The CRF wants to be included as a primary stakeholder in future discussions. Don Hughes, Vice President Exhibits and Programs, Monterey Bay Aquarium, said that the Aquarium is an interested neighbor and will help out any way it can. Manager Copeland noted that on packet page 41 (page 26 of interpretive plan) is a discussion of collection resources, and that Chinese Americans are part of those resources and the interpretive experience; staff is looking forward to working with the Cannery Row Foundation and Monterey Bay Aquarium to develop more stories about the Pacific Biological Laboratories, Ed Ricketts, and the Pacific Biological Laboratory club. Commissioner Greenwald commented on the issue of the elevator to the second floor and asked if there were alternatives to changing the structure of the PBL by using movable mobile devices for access. Manager Copeland said the City has a virtual tour of the PBL, and will work with consultants, as recommended in the plan, in developing mobile applications and other electronic devices for virtual tours. Director Bui-Burton said Staff will need to go over any ideas for the ADA requirements with the City’s Building Official/Chief Building of Inspection Services, ADA Coordinator John Kuehl. Manager Copeland said historic architectural consultants, as part of the interpretive planning process, conducted a review of ADA accessibility and their conclusions were incorporated into the plan. Hughes suggested expanding access to the PBL by partnering with the Aquarium property across the street. 5. Review Commission Strategic Plan 2014-2016 Action: Report received. Under Goal # 1 Resource Development, Objective E, Commissioner Ruhnke asked if there was a place to display art after the renovation of the Monterey Conference Center. Director Bui- Burton said places for the art are currently being explored. Commissioner Marohn said that the angel fundraising objective should be added to the plan. Under Goal # 2, Programs, Commissioner Sovereign mentioned the upcoming centennial Battle of Monterey in 1818. Under Goal # 3, Marketing/Public Relations, Objective A, add Commissioner Evans as liaison with Access Monterey Peninsula. Commissioner Marohn said the influx of marketing and social media can be a subject to discuss at the February 23 meeting. A tour of the City’s website was also mentioned. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 26, 2015 3  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, January 26, 2015 6. Review Orientation and Training Program 2015 for Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commissioners. Action: The orientation and training program was received. Commissioner Wojtkowski asked about the signs for the cell phone tour stops. Manager Copeland said the cell phone tours provider made signs for each site. Monterey State Historic Park cell phone signs of the same kind are already installed. The next step is to present the proposed City signs to the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) or Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) for review and approval. Director Bui-Burton said once approved by the HRC, a site map needs to be developed for sign locations. Director Bui-Burton and Manager Copeland said the Parks Division may assist to obtain wood for sign posts. Commissioners Marohn, Sovereign and Wojtkowski volunteered to form a Cell Phone History Tour Signage Subcommittee. The Chair appointed the new subcommittee. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Greenwald said that the Museum of Monterey at the Pacific Street location has been “reimagined”. The second floor is devoted to community groups like the Youth Arts Collective, and the first floor is for the museum’s permanent collections. There will be an exhibit of Armin Hansen on October 29, 2015. Commissioner Dias asked if the spring music series would replace the Colton Hall “Talking History” series during May. Manager Copeland said during May, National Museum Month, an historical introduction will be presented tying the performance to Colton Hall history but there will not be separate lectures for the pilot program this May. Commissioner Dias suggested having people interpret during event, develop information from the point of view of youth, and incorporate these types of things to event with level of authenticity. She expressed appreciation for an upcoming tour of online social media. Commissioner Ruhnke said the Angel Auction Subcommittee is working with the Old Monterey Foundation (OMF) and she will have more details at the February meeting. OMF Treasurer Toy Bryant will have a draft agreement listing who is in charge of specific areas and how the proceeds from the auction will be split. Commissioner Marohn said there are 1,000 postcards publicizing the Angel Auction in November. Commissioner Wojtkowski suggested some of the postcards may be placed in the foyer of the Monterey Public Library. Commissioner Dias asked if there is an electronic version of the postcard that can be posted online. Commissioner Wojtkowski requested that the Old Monterey Foundation be invited to the Commission’s March meeting to give an oral report on their projects and activities. NEXT MEETING Monday, February 23, 2015 ADJOURNMENT Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 26, 2015 4 Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, January 26, 2015 Vice Chair Marohn adjourned the meeting at 5:21 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Dennis Copeland, Manager Chris Marohn, Vice-Chair Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Commission Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 26, 2015 5