Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES COLTON HALL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, March 27, 2017 4:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Castagna, Evans, Ruhnke, Sovereign Commissioners Absent: Wojtkowski Wall – 4:02 pm Ex-Officio and Staff Community Services Director Bui-Burton, Museums, Cultural Members Present: Arts & Archives Manager Dennis Copeland, Recording Secretary Claire Rygg Ex-Officio Commissioners are non voting members, appointed pursuant to MCC § 2-11. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PRESENTATIONS 1. Receive Presentation from California State Parks Monterey District Superintendent (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) Monterey District Superintendent Brent Marshall and State Historian III/Cultural Resources Manager Matt Bischoff provided updates on the Monterey State Historic Park’s (MSHP) historic structures, and answered the Commission’s questions on funding sources. Under a consent decree, MSHP must make all of its historic buildings accessible as possible. MSHP has invested time and staff to develop professionally prepared documents for the buildings in order to seek partnerships with other entities for funding for historic building restoration. Manager Bischoff reported that the California First Theater received a seismic retrofit, its two chimneys have been stabilized, and a full design for the next phases for the building has been developed.. The building may be open for small groups but not for a full assembly (theatrical performances) because the building must meet a variety of codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for accessibility. In addition to accessibility, the building needs a new roof, mechanical and electrical work, and a fire suppression system, all at the estimated cost of $1.3 million dollars. MSHP buildings which are currently open are:  Custom House, Sunday - Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm  Pacific House, Thursday – Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm  Stevenson House, Saturdays, 1-4 pm Buildings open by special visit arrangement are the Larkin House, Casa Soberanes, Casa Gutierrez, and the Whaling Station. The First Brick House is closed for restoration until further notice.  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, March 27, 2017 Superintendent Marshall reported that parks funding is entirely from the state, and it is determined on bond availability, different funds from the general fund, funds approved by the Governor, and donations. MSHP receives hardly any federal funds unless it is through a special grant. The Commission asked if MSHP has looked to the State’s cultural arts commission for funding assistance through its grant programs and also asked if the Commission could submit a project, such as the First Theater through the City’s Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP). Director Bui-Burton explained the NIP program requirements and the opportunities and challenges of submitting a project like the First Theater because the NIP’s primary focus is to fund neighborhood projects. A partnership would have to be in place with MSHP and the City, and the project would need a constituency to stand up and speak in support for the project. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2. February 27, 2017 ACTION: Approved. On a motion by Commissioner Evans, seconded by Commissioner Ruhnke and carried by the following vote, the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission approved the minutes for February 27, 2017. AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Castagna, Wall, Evans, Ruhnke, Sovereign NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Wojtkowski ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 3. Receive Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report – February 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 the increased attendance at the Pacific Biological Laboratories due to more educational groups visiting the Lab. He also mentioned Assistant Rygg’s involvement with the Monterey Open Book Project, and the ceremony for the unveiling of the Lower Presidio Historic Park sign which took place earlier in the month. Attendees included Chair Castagna, Commissioners Wojtkowski, Director Bui-Burton, Manager Copeland, Mayor Roberson, representatives for the U.S. Army, the Old Monterey Foundation, the Rotary Club and other community members. Also, the Serra statue head has been restored and reinstalled, and staff is happy with the installation and the great conservation work.. Commissioners Evans and Wall attended the Evening Music Concert Series at the City Council Chambers with performer Kenny Stahl. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art 2 Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, March 27, 2017 2  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, March 27, 2017 Director Bui-Burton announced that the City Council appointed Kimberley Peake as the new Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commissioner, and her first meeting will be on April 24. The Council also made a referral to the Commission for a mural and utility box art program for the future. A representative from the Dali 17 Museum would like to make a presentation to the Commission, and they are looking at potentially attend the May 22 meeting. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 4. Receive a Final Report on the Angels Restoration Project (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) Manager Copeland said the completely restored angels were received and reviewed in October 2016. The collaborative work of the Commission and the Old Monterey Foundation (OMF) resulting in the December 2016 fundraising auction was successful. The Commission asked if the restored angels may be displayed again, and Manager Copeland said staff will be selective in displaying them at protected sites. 5. 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. Commissioner Sovereign described some of the ideas for the 2017 event which may include a morning boat landing at the southwest beach by Fisherman’s Wharf (by the Santa Rosalia statue), the Spaniards and Argentines fire [pretend] volleys on the lawn area behind the Custom House Plaza, and the Argentine flag raised at the end of the Plaza. In the afternoon, the event would continue at the Royal Presidio Chapel, however progress has not yet been made for that venue. The Commission asked if the light show could be converted to an audio-visual component at the Custom House Plaza. Public Comments: Harriet Lynn, a Bouchard-Battle of Monterey volunteer, said there are wonderful ideas coming out from the planning group, and 2018 is the actual major anniversary of the event. There could be a possibility of going one step further in the 2017 event, and the logistics would involve keeping the event within the location of the Custom House. In 2018, it could be a more major program and include San Carlos Cathedral. Ms. Lynn cautioned if we overreach this year, then the event will not be as exciting as the anniversary. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Chair Castagna asked who installed the Path of History? Manager Copeland said the City of Monterey installed the medallions, and the Monterey History and Art Association helped with a signage program. Chair Castagna asked how many medallions are there and where can the list of them be found? Manager Copeland said there are 54 medallions, and he will look for the sources of information. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art 3 Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, March 27, 2017 3  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, March 27, 2017 Commmissioner Sovereign mentioned a DVD from Social Studies School Services, “1818: Year of the Insurgents”. Manager Copeland will check on the source. NEXT MEETING 6. Monday, April 24, 2017 ADJOURNMENT Chair Castagna adjourned the meeting at 4:58 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Dennis Copeland John Castagna, Chair Museums, Cultural Arts & Archives Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Commission Manager Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art 4 Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, March 27, 2017 4