Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES COLTON HALL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, July 27, 2015 4:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Evans, Dias, Greenwald, Sovereign, Wojtkowski Ruhnke (4:20 pm) Commissioners Absent: Marohn Ex-Officio and Staff Community Services Director Kim Bui-Burton , Museums & Members Present: Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Dennis Copeland, Recording Secretary Claire Rygg Staff Members Absent: Ex-Officio Commissioners are non-voting members, appointed pursuant to MCC § 2-11. CALL TO ORDER: 4:02 PM 1. Recognize Museum Attendance Donna Da Vigo for 10 Years of Service Manager Copeland said the Division would like staff and the Commission to recognize the Museum Division staff members for their service for five, ten years and beyond. Copeland read the agenda report recognizing Museum Attendant Da Vigo which included “her true love of Monterey history and its people, along with her excellent skills and talents in hospitality and community service.” Chair Evans presented a certificate of appreciation to Museum Attendant Da Vigo for her loyal dedication and service to the City of Monterey from July 18, 2005 to July 18, 2015. CONSENT ITEMS 2. Monday, June 22, 2015 ACTION: Approved. On a motion by Commissioner Wojtkowksi, seconded by Commissioner Sovereign and carried by the following vote, the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission approved the minutes. AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Evans, Dias, Greenwald, Sovereign, Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Marohn, Ruhnke ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS:NONE ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, July 27, 2015 Mayor Roberson gave his personal congratulations and appreciation to Museum Attendant Da Vigo. He thanked the Commission for their service, and provided additional comments that Monterey is a special place to work, live and visit, and he celebrates with the Commission on the Oak Tree Mural on the Recreation Trail. It was too long a wait for the City of Monterey to do public art, the last one was the Grizzly Bears [2000], and he hopes that the Commission continues to work on more good ideas for public art. He said the City was able to help the Golden State Theater with its venue for non-profits, and is looking at a promotion budget for non-profits and their events. Mayor Roberson also recalled some past history of the Monterey Conference Center Mural which was the idea of former Mayor Peter Coniglio and, in the 1980s, the Colton Hall Museum Commission and the Mayor’s Cultural Arts Commission were combined to become the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 3. Receive Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report – June 2015 ACTION: Report received. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions: Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland highlighted elements from the report including: the decreased attendance of visitors at Colton Hall Museum due to fluctuations of scheduled groups and cessation of public events due to access concerns, and the healthy visitation numbers of the Pacific Biological Laboratories; the new owners of the Western Flyer, John and Andrew Gregg’s visit to Pacific Biological Laboratories, and an additional note that the Museums Division received an anonymous donation of funds to help purchase a filing cabinet and safe previously owned by Ricketts and used in the Lab. Museum staff continues to work on obtaining a secure storage site to store the artwork from the Monterey Conference Center. Community Services Director Bui-Burton announced at the June City Council meeting, Council approved the budget which included funding for the continuation of the cell phone tours and heritage tourism brochures for two years. The Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) projects approved were the Lower Presidio Historic Park, the Cannery Row Worker Shacks, and an arts master plan for public art. Bui-Burton will ask NIP Coordinator Jeff Krebs can provide explanation of the projects during the August 24 Commission meeting. Council members Barrett and Smith took tours of some of the recreation areas, the Pacific Biological Laboratories, and the Lower Presidio Historic Park to see the cell phone tour signage and also to see what areas the NIP funds can improve. At the last July 21 City Council meeting, Council approved a special events grant fund and a special events grant program. Staff recognizes that the Council wants to support special events in Monterey and help encourage community based as well as large groups that bring visitors to Monterey. Council approved a $30,000 grant fund for next two years, and a grant program that would have non-profit and neighborhood groups apply for grants to help offset expenses for special events in the City. The program is modeled after the Community Block Program and Director Bui- Burton will ask the Commission Chair to appoint a member from Commission to be on the review group along with a member from the Parks and Recreation Commission and a staff member. Some of the events will be cultural, recreational, or sports-type events. Staff is working on the application process; at the August meeting, she will update the Commission and the Chair can appoint a member to the review group. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, July 27, 2015 2  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, July 27, 2015 The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a new cultural exhibit with a program presented three times a day during the summer which highlights different cultural groups that are part of Monterey Bay’s heritage. Director Bui-Burton noted the Library’s collection of oral histories and information helped build the script. Commissioner Wojtkowski thanked Manager Copeland for checking with the Traffic Engineer for the signage at Lower Presidio Historic Park and Van Buren. He asked if the Van Buren bridge to the Lower Presidio Historic Park is operable, and Manager Copeland said, based on the Traffic Engineer’s comments, yes. Commissioner Wojtkowski asked that the Commission be kept informed on the progress of the signage for the LPHP. Commissioner Dias commended Museums Administrative Assistant Rygg for tracking down 75 additional copies of the scarce book “The Burning of Monterey”. She also followed up with Commissioner Wojtkowski’s comments about the operable bridge and added access to it is dangerous. She asked about signage and suggested a “loop” from the Recreation Trail for visitors to go from the Oak Tree Mural to the Scott Street bridge to view the Celtic Cross where original oak stood at Pacific and 76th Artillery Streets. Manager Copeland said as parts the LPHP master plan are implemented; an interpretive panel could be at the original oak site. The Museum and Cultural Arts Division is working with Parks on the possibility of an interpretive sign at the Recreation Trail mural and could possibly also look at an interpretive sing near where the original oak stood. Commissioner Greenwald said where the Celtic Cross is located is State Parks property. Manager Copeland noted there is also memorial rock for Portola with a plaque near the cross marking probable site of the oak tree. Manager Copeland said the cross represents the Vizcaíno-Serra oak, and the rock is a memorial to Portolá. Commissioner Sovereign said the mural is great, but there is not a lot of explanation on it. Manager Copeland said that the bay side of the Recreation Trail nearest the mural does not provide sufficient ground space for an interpretive panel; and staff will be looking at an area towards the breakwater or towards wharf side for a sign further down the Recreation Trail. Commissioners Evans asked if Bob Enea was involved with the visit of the owners of the Western Flyer, and he and Commissioner Sovereign had questions about the Pacific Biological Laboratories’ interpretive plan and the City’s agreement with the Pacific Biological Laboratory members. Manager Copeland said that Mr. Enea did not visit the Lab at that time; he is involved with the project. The Western Flyer, which is currently located at Fort Townsend, is being rebuilt. The Greggs want the Western Flyer dedicated for educational purposes and to visit harbors and ports along the west coast. The PBL agreement ends in December 2015. Unless a new agreement is devised, Lab members will not be sharing use of the Lab after that date. The City owns, preserves, and maintains the Lab and will implement the interpretive plan, and the City wants to recognize and honor the club members and their contributions to the PBL since it has been in hands of the club longer than Ricketts. Director Bui-Burton said that the City has both exterior and interior interpretive plans for the PBL, and it will require money over time to implement the plans. The interior interpretive plan suggests an opportunity to connect the PBL and the Western Flyer, for example, and it is estimated to take millions of dollars to repair the vessel. Commissioner Greenwald asked concerning ADA: Why is Colton Hall treated differently than the PBL? Director Bui-Burton said that Colton Hall is available for interpretation but not for events. If an individual could not access the Museum upstairs, a museum docent would bring objects downstairs for interpretation and provide a similar visiting experience to that person. As for the music concerts, there is no way to bring an entire concert down to the individual, so staff is working on getting access to Colton Hall. When the PBL is open for tours, a docent can go across the street and Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, July 27, 2015 3  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, July 27, 2015 interpret the PBL. ADA access presents challenges, especially with the PBL because the building is sea and land-locked compared to Colton Hall which has more ground and, as Manager Copeland added, at present, it is more difficult to provide expanded physical access to Lab without disturbing the historic fabric of the building. Commissioner Greenwald asked if the language of the law, as written, did not take into account to provide some flexibility for truly historic buildings. Director Bui- Burton said there is some language that allows for the historicity of a building and the City tries to balance maintaining the building’s historicity and providing access as much as possible. OLD BUSINESS 4. Approve recommendation from Colton Hall Music Series Subcommittee for 2016 Cultural Arts Program ACTION: Report received. On a motion by Commissioner Dias, seconded by Commissioner Sovereign and carried by the following vote, the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission approved the recommendation from the Colton Hall Music Series subcommittee for the 2016 Cultural Arts Program for up to three evening acoustic music concerts to be held in the City Council Chambers (Few Memorial Hall), revive the Call for Music and seek donations to continue the concert series. AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Evans, Dias, Greenwald, Ruhnke, Sovereign, Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Marohn ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE 5. Receive Update Report from Angels Auction Subcommittee on November 2015 Joint Angels Auction Fundraiser with Old Monterey Foundation ACTION: Report received. Commissioner Dias reported that the Angels Auction Subcommittee met and the auction event is on track for Saturday, December 5. The angels will be displayed in businesses through November, and displayed at the Museum of Monterey two days prior to the event. Commissioner Ruhnke added that Jerry Welling has contacted an auctioneer for the event, and she and Melissa Thoeny continue to work on event details. They obtained photos of angels that need to be restored from Cultural Arts Assistant Booker, and Ruhnke and Thoeny will posted these on the OMF website. Donations are also being taken from those who cannot attend the event. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, July 27, 2015 4  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, July 27, 2015 6. Receive a Report on Proposed Bicentennial Celebration of the Battle of Monterey 2018 ACTION: Report received. Commissioner Sovereign reported that he created a proposal for Initial Planning of the Celebration of the 2018 Bicentennial of the Battle of Monterey with the objective to raise awareness of the 80 years of Monterey as capital of a Latin American province and the War of Independence of the Spanish Colonies from Spain. The subcommittee is looking for a non-profit 501 c (3) organization to be involved such as the Friends of the Monterey Public Library (FMPL) and has also had discussions with the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC). The FMPL is interested in a presentation of the demarcation of a timeline of 80 years of Monterey as a Spanish province which could be a good lead-in for 2020, the 250th anniversary of the founding of Monterey. The Commissioners were asked to provide comments on the proposal. Commissioner Questions and Discussion: Commissioner Greenwald asked if there are ballpark estimates on costs to stage a battle of tall ships. Commissioner Sovereign said that tall ship personnel have been contacted though no one has yet signed up. He said he is hoping participants from the hospitality community will support the event so it doesn’t draw a lot of funds from the City. Referring to the proposal, Commissioner Dias did not connect with the goal for career advancement opportunity for the hospitality workers. Commissioner Sovereign explained the hospitality people want better opportunities for advancement for their workers, and if a worker only speaks Spanish, advancement could be difficult. The event could bring in Hispanic visitors and hospitality workers could interact with visitors. Commissioner Greenwald said it could be a bit of a stretch. Chair Evans said it could create an ambassadorship for hospitality industry, and he asked if the Commission would like to see more of the outline of the BOM plans. Director Bui-Burton recommended that the subcommittee activity can be a standing agenda item so the Commission is apprised of the progress made and would be able to determine the points for approval or action. Commissioner Dias recommended the following additional tasks for 2016: be to build a “roadshow”- a speech, PPT, or mini movie and go to the Rotaries and Kiwanis and special interest groups as a way to engage community and for funding and volunteers. Commissioner Sovereign said the Wharf Association asked that the BOM subcommittee make a presentation, and has other recommendations like John Sanders of Naval Postgraduate School who has materials from the past Argentine visit to the memorial for Bouchard. 7. Approve Submission of Community Foundation for Monterey County Grant Request for Old Monterey Jail Historic Structure Report Manager Copeland reviewed the grant request. On a motion by Commissioner Wojtkowski, seconded by Commissioner Ruhnke and carried by the following vote, the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission approved the submission of Community Foundation for Monterey County Grant Request for the Old Monterey Jail Historic Structure Report. AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Evans, Dias, Greenwald, Ruhnke, Sovereign, Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Marohn ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, July 27, 2015 5  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, July 27, 2015 Public Comments: None. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Dias is thrilled with the progress on signage and other things that will support our historic city. Chair Evans said the cell phone tour signage is terrific, and he has been going to each site listening to the program, even met tourists who wondered what the program was about. He asked about bypassing the preliminary introduction that plays every time when dialing into the tour. Manager Copeland stated he would investigate the possibility of bypassing the introduction. Chair Evans asked about the Mayor’s new committee for the grant program. Director Bui-Burton said that the Chair may appoint a Commission member for the Mayor’s new committee. Chair Evans asked if members could be polled now or does it have to be on an agenda? Director Bui-Burton said if there is any interest, Commissioners could indicate now. She noted there will likely be one meeting, where potential grantees will give brief presentations, which will be scored and ranked for projects and then recommended for a decision for funding from Council. NEXT MEETING Monday, August 24, 2015 ADJOURNMENT Chair Evans adjourned the meeting at 5:00 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Dennis Copeland, Manager Robert Evans, Chair Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Commission Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, July 27, 2015 6