Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES COLTON HALL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, February 27, 2017 4:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Castagna, Wall, 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 4:00 PM ROLL CALL CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Monday, January 23, 2017 ACTION: Approved. On a motion by Commissioner Wojtkowski, seconded by Commissioner Castagna and carried by the following vote, the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission approved the minutes with minor corrections for January 23, 2017. AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Castagna, Wall, Ruhnke, Sovereign, Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Evans ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 2. Receive Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report - January 2017 (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) ACTION: Report received. Manager Copeland highlighted items on the staff report including Colton Hall Museum’s attendance remains steady and increasing with the art and history collaborative program with Monterey Museum of Art for 3rd – 5th grade classes to visit Colton Hall. The Monterey Mural tiles  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, February 27, 2017 were delivered to the Monterey Conference Center, and the Serra statue head has been reinstalled. The security system has not yet been installed but Monterey and Presidio Army police will patrol the area. January rains overtook the East Parking Garage drainage system and there was an issue with the pump. The Museum’s materials were not affected, just some dirt-soaked chandeliers. Manager Copeland explained to the Commission that the Grand Jury conducted a study of historical records and materials. The restoration of the angels by Christine Crozier has been completed, and Manager Copeland will provide photos of the restored angels for the Commission to view. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3. Receive a Report on the Colton Hall Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility and NIP Sloat Monument and Cannery Row Worker Shacks Projects (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) ACTION: Report received. Manager Copeland introduced Principal Engineer and NIP Coordinator Jeff Krebs who reviewed the projects. Architectural Resources Group (ARG) is working on the Colton Hall lift, walkway, the bathroom remodel and parking reconstruction for ADA compliance, and an upgrade to an electrical panel. ARG also went to the Sloat Monument and Cannery Row Worker Shacks. Krebs anticipates the Colton Hall design work to be completed in May 2017, and its work will be completed first and prior to Sloat and Worker Shacks. The Commission asked about completion dates for the projects. Director Bui-Burton said that the two grants [Community Foundation for Monterey County ($40,000) and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation ($100,000)] are due near the end of 2017, so the bulk of the work at Colton Hall will need to be underway if not completed. If the lift is to be constructed and installed at the front of the back wing of Colton Hall, the stone mortar restoration work behind the wing needs to be completed prior to the lift going in. Another constraint is Colton Hall is busy in the spring and summer, so the work could start early in the fall and still accommodate visitors and school groups. Engineer Krebs said the pathway to the Sloat and Serra Monuments have been designed and will go out to bid, and construction will begin in the summer due to the amount of earthwork. Anticipated completion of construction may be at the end of September to beginning of October. A Native American representative and archaeologist will be on site during the earthwork construction and there will not be any site excavation. The Commission asked if the Federal government put in an infrastructure program of some size, will the City look for “shovel-ready” projects? Engineer Krebs said he is trying for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to obtain some joint funding for mostly park projects, e.g., Montecito and Sholtz Parks. Director Bui-Burton will carry forward the question to Capital Improvement Projects Program or someone else in the City. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art 2 Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, February 27, 2017 2  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, February 27, 2017 4. Receive a Report on Neighborhood Improvement Program Public Art and Path of History Master Plans Project (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) Report received. Manager Copeland highlighted report information: that the inventory is completed with corrections of current path of history and public art; a draft inventory of prospective historic locations to recommend for adding to the Path of History, plus recommendations for public art and to link them in an art walk or path so that we can engage and inform the public with our history and public art using modern technology.. The original Path of History focused on historic adobes and new recommendations include notable Victorian buildings and other sites, or a site without a building but of historical significance. Director Bui-Burton said a draft of the Public Art and Path of History Master Plans will be brought forward to the Commission. The Commission asked if a subcommittee can work on the project, and Chair Castagna appointed Commissioners Castagna and Sovereign to the Path of History/Public Art Plans subcommittee for the purpose of working with staff to bring the planning documents to the full Commission for preview. The Parks and Recreation approved Master Plan is online for reference. 5. Review Submitted Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Projects and NIP Schedule (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) Manager Copeland reviewed the report and he and NIP Coordinator/Principal Engineer Krebs clarified the NIP meeting schedule with the Commission, and Krebs also added that he is trying to have all the meetings televised. Chair Castagna reiterated that it is important to have public representatives during the meetings. The Commission asked about the Van Buren pathway to Lower Presidio Historic Park for ADA accessibility, and though it has not been scoped out, Engineer Krebs is working on obtaining estimates. The Pacific Street sidewalk route from the California First Theater to the LPHP may be a better route. Krebs will look if it is feasible to have an ADA accessible pathway from the Recreation Trail through the lower Heritage Harbor park complex and pedestrian bridge to the LPHP. 6. Receive an Update Report from Bouchard–Battle of Monterey Bicentennial Subcommittee (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) ACTION: Report received. EVENT Description from OMF proposal for city funding This event follows last November’s initial event of the re-enactment of the 1818 invasion of Monterey by the Argentine revolutionary Bouchard at the Spanish fort, El Castillo site, which engaged in the only land-sea battle in California. This year expands the venues from last year’s Lower Presidio Historic Park site to the Custom House Plaza and to the location of the Royal Presidio, the area in front on the San Carlos Cathedral. This year’s one-day event will be a Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art 3 Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, February 27, 2017 3 Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, February 27, 2017 prototype for the 2018 Bicentennial Celebration of the Battle of Monterey as proclaimed by the City Council on January 27, 2016 (see attachment 2). The re-enactment of the battle begins with a cannon duel between local forces versus tall ships followed by the landing of Bouchard’s sailors near the Custom House. Later the sailors will occupy the Royal Presidio grounds after the Royal Governor has addressed his troops there and then retreated. A sound and light show is planned to recapitulate the events between the founding of Monterey in 1770 and the Independence of Mexico from Spain in 1822. Thus the 2018 event will serve as a lead-in to the 250th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of Monterey to be held in 2020. PROGRESS against Five Steps for Fall 2017 Proto-Celebration (page 4 of today’s packet) Step 1 VENUES Met with Michael Green of State Parks re Custom House Plaza availability: October 21, 28 and November 4 currently open. Need to coordinate with San Carlos and Tall ships re best date. Step 2 RE-ENACTORS Email sent to Lady Washington organization upon recommendation of John Haynes of Harbormaster’s office. No reply after about a week. No other progress. Step 3 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE No progress Step 4 FUNDING Grant submitted by OMF to City, Permission to submit to others? Step 5 PUBLICITY Talk by Mike Sovereign & Mike Carbaugh to San Carlos docents being arranged by Craig Noke. No other progress. Director Bui-Burton will check the master calendars of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) and the school districts. The Commission suggested contacting The Cannery Row Company for grants. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Wojtkowski asked Director Bui-Burton and Manager Copeland to confirm that California State Parks representatives will provide a short presentation on Monterey State Historic Park plans, and Manager Copeland stated that District Superintendent Brent Marshall and District Cultural Resources Manager/ Historian Matt Bischoff will give a presentation at the March 27 meeting. Commission Wojtkowski recommended to the Commission to visit Benicia, one of the state capitols of California before the capitol relocated to Sacramento. Volunteers at Benicia would like Manager Copeland to talk about California constitutional process. Staff will provide a short outline about the capitols in California. Commissioner Chair Castagna attended the unveiling of the new LPHP sign on February 3. He also noticed the cavalry stables look like they may fall down, and is there was any thought of restoring them? Manager Copeland said the assessment of the historic stables is an NIP project and a conditions assessment report with recommendations on various options for the stables is in draft form; the report should be finalized soon. Bui-Burton said the report has been in draft Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art 4 Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, February 27, 2017 4  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, February 27, 2017 form for several years and staff is waiting for the consultant to submit the report to the Museums Division for its response to the report, then bring it to the Commission. Chair Castagna asked if there a trust fund for Colton Hall? Bui-Burton said there is a City Museum Trust Fund which was set up when the Colton Hall Museum was established and proceeds from museum sales and donations are deposited in the trust fund. Staff will bring back a report about the different funds the Museum Division has as part of the orientation when a full commission is on board. Commissioner Wall said an orientation for new commissioners would be good. About the special events grant, who is it for? Director Bui-Burton explained that, for the past two years, the City Council has provided a special events grants fund [now in its third year], and different groups applied for the grants for their events in the city. The Commission does not have a separate budget, and it is best that the Commission go through a non-profit as the Battle of Monterey subcommittee went through the Old Monterey Foundation for funding for its event last fall. The Cultural Arts grants were eliminated by Council during budget cuts over 10 years ago. In 2014 in response to many groups requesting fee waivers for events held at Recreation facilities (Window on the Bay volleyball tournaments, Christmas Tree Lighting, etc.) Council approved a Special Events Grants program administered by Recreation. Staff is happy to present a report on the City’s budget process and the museums’ funds. Wall asked: Does the Commission know how much funds there are to be requested for the Battle of Monterey events? Bui-Burton stated that there is no money currently budgeted by the City, and in the past, grants have ranged from $500 to $50,000. The typical grant is between $5,000 and $10,000 depending on the event. Wall asked how is the Commission officially engaged in this? Commissioner Wojtkowski said the Battle of Monterey subcommittee will request OMF, as fiscal agent for the Battle of Monterey event, to submit an event grant request to the City. NEXT MEETING 7. March 27, 2017 ADJOURNMENT Chair Castagna adjourned the meeting at 4:55 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Dennis Copeland John Castagna Museums, Cultural Arts & Archives Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Commission Manager Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art 5 Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, February 27, 2017 5