Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, January 22, 2018 4:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Castagna, Wall, Evans, O’Neil, Peake, Sovereign, Wojtkowski Commissioners Absent: Ex-Officio and Staff Acting Community Services Director Dennis Copeland, Members Present: Recording Secretary Claire Rygg Ex-Officio Commissioners are non voting members, appointed pursuant to MCC § 2-11. CALL TO ORDER 1. Receive Appointment for Chair and Vice Chair in 2018 (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) Commissioner Sovereign said that the City Code states the Commission shall elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson at the first of the year, not on an accumulated tradition of rotation. Acting Director Copeland said there is an annual appointment by rotation in January for the Chair and Vice-Chair, and it is in the code [Article 4, Sec. 2.17] and policy. Commissioner Wojtkowski recalled his time as a City staff person when the appointment policy went into effect because some Board and Commission Chairs maintained their positions for years until the City Council made a change to the policy. On a motion by Commissioner Wojtkowski, seconded by Commissioner Evans and carried by the following vote, the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission approved the appointment for Chair Kathleen Wall and Vice-Chair Kimberley Peake for 2018. AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Wall, Peake, Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Sovereign Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ROLL CALL CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2. Monday December 4, 2017  Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, January 22, 2018 On a motion by Commissioner Evans, seconded by Commissioner Wojtkowski and carried by the following vote, the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission approved the minutes for December 4, 2017. AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Wall, Peake, Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Sovereign Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE Commissioner Wojtkowski made a motion that the PBL subcommittee would respond to the PBL letter which was distributed to the Commission on 12/4/17. Commissioner Evans moved for approval, Commissioner Wojtkowski seconded the motion. The Commission voted unanimously for approval. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 3. Receive Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report - December 2017 (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) Museums and Cultural Arts 2 Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 22, 2018 2  Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, January 22, 2018 Acting Director Copeland highlighted the major city art reinstallation at the renovated Monterey Conference Center, and saluted Cultural Arts Assistant Booker for her efforts and coordination for the project. Staff will review and assess the proposed Pacific Street wall location and other potential locations for the Monterey Mural. The MCC grand opening is January 31. The visitor attendance during Christmas in the Adobes was the highest number in 16 years. Copeland noted changes in City administration. Hans Uslar is the Interim City Manager, Bonnie Gawf Assistant City Manager, and there will be an active recruitment for a City Manager. On December 30, Copeland became the Acting Community Services Director after Kim Bui-Burton retired. On January 29, Pamela Sloan will be Special Advisor to Community Services, working on organizational changes. The Planning Department returned to its former name, Community Development. Concerning the City’s cell phone tours, Commissioner Wojtkowski asked if there was an issue with the Chinese dialect because the calls were down 80%. Acting Director Copeland will be talking with the Visitor Center about this issue. Acting Director Copeland said the Museums and Cultural Arts Division has not had an artifacts specialist since 2011. The Council approved the authorization for the use of Presidio Museum trust funds to support the position. The part-time position will focus on the Presidio of Monterey Museum’s collections, exhibits, processing a backlog of items, and relieve Assistant Booker of those duties since she assumed collection duties when the position became vacant. Commissioner Sovereign mentioned the Monterey Herald January 20 newspaper article about an art piece that went to the Last Chance Mercantile. Acting Director Copeland said the art piece was placed on the deaccession list because of its size and preservation issues, following Collection Policy criteria. Deaccessioned items were offered to other cultural and educational institutions, and others were sold by online public auction. He added that he discussed the art piece with the Interim City Manager, and the City Council was notified. He personally thanked both the subcommittee and the Commission for their work and allowing the Museums and Cultural Arts Division to move forward with the City Art project for the new Monterey Conference Center and removed art that does not fit with the City’s collection policy. Overall, he’s proud of what staff and Commission has accomplished, and he thinks the Herald reporter handled the subject of the art piece in a positive fashion. Commissioner Evans asked about the item that staff is exploring changes to the credit card, and Assistant Rygg explained that the Division’s past practices of credit card processing were not in compliance with the Finance Department’s policies, and Museums and Cultural Arts now accepts cash or checks. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 4. Receive Monterey Presidio Historic Park Stables Conditions Assessment and Re- purposing Options Report , November 2017 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Museums and Cultural Arts 3 Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 22, 2018 3  Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, January 22, 2018 Acting Director Copeland provided background information about the Park stables, and the three options for reuse: 1) open-air, 2) partially enclosed, or 3) maximum-enclosed spaces for interpretive exhibits, activities, community gatherings, special events, and/or storage as identified in the 2002 Master Plan for the Lower Presidio Historic Park. Principal Engineer and Neighborhood Improvement Program Coordinator Krebs explained that staff and members of the Architectural Resources Group (ARG) conducted an assessment of the stables. The Commission asked if there was a cost estimate on any of the three options, if most of the historic fabric could be retained, and could it submit another NIP request for a cost analysis for the three options. Engineer Krebs said he is working with ARG on ballpark figures for the options. The Commission also asked that a copy of the report be sent to the Old Monterey Foundation. 5. Approve Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Project Submittal to NIP for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) On a motion by Commissioner Wojtkowski, seconded by Commissioner Castagna and carried by the following vote, the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission approved the Colton Hall Wall Preservation Repointing Project. AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Wall, Peake, Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Sovereign Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE On a motion by Commissioner Evans, seconded by Commissioner O’Neil and carried by the following vote, the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission file a Neighborhood Improvement Program to fund the next phase of the Presidio Historic Park Stables project for a cost estimate for the three options outlined in the Monterey Presidio Historic Park Stables Conditions Assessment and Re-purposing Options Report, November 2017. AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Wall, Peake, Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Sovereign Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE 6. Approve Call for Art Schedule for 2018 (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) Museums and Cultural Arts 4 Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 22, 2018 4  Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, January 22, 2018 On a motion by Commissioner Evans, seconded by Commissioner Wojtkowski and carried by the following vote, the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission approved the Call for Art Schedule for 2018. AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Wall, Peake, Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Sovereign Wojtkowski NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE 7. Receive a Report from the Public Art and History Subcommittee (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) Acting Director Copeland said that the subcommittee reviewed the three components: the selection criteria, the process and the plaques, and they will be presenting a recommendation to the Commission once it has completed their work. Commissioner Evans added that the subcommittee is close to meeting with the Path of Fame committee and the subcommittee is making good progress. Acting Director Copeland is working with City staff to set up a meeting with the subcommittee and the Path of Fame committee. Commissioner Wojtkowski asked for an action item if the Commission could request of the City Council to refer remaining $31K to public art, and that the MCAC make a recommendation to the Council for the best use the funds. 8. 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.) Acting Director Copeland said there has been some ongoing planning for the event. Commissioner Sovereign passed out copies of the proclamation declaring November 2018 as Bicentennial of the Battle of Monterey. He reported he is attempting to find funds for the event, and he will ask the Old Monterey Foundation in February for a assistance with a grant request from the Community Foundation for Monterey County. The event will be promoted on January 27 and 28 during Whalefest. Acting Director Copeland said staff will work with the subcommittee to draft thank you letters to Chris Shake and Bella LaFoso for their contributions to the event. Commissioner Sovereign also said he is working on having the Lady Washington return to Monterey for the event. In 1978, the Argentines sent a training ship to Monterey, and this year the ship will be in Vera Cruz Mexico and maybe the crew can participate. Commissioner Evans said there is a group talking about the 250th anniversary of the founding of Monterey. 9. Receive Report on 2018 Schedules of Commission Meetings, Volunteer Opportunities and Events (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.) Museums and Cultural Arts 5 Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 22, 2018 5  Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, January 22, 2018 Acting Director Copeland reviewed the report and Assistant Rygg distributed a sign-up sheet for the Commissioners to volunteer during some of the events. Commissioner Evans asked about the art gallery openings which will be placed on the schedule once they are known. Diagrams from the public art survey were also distributed to the Commission. Commissioner Sovereign said that volunteering at the Pacific Biological Laboratories does not require too much time, and that the Commission has a huge task to take care of the PBL which needs preservation and interpretation. Acting Director Copeland said that the City has reports on preservation, restoration of the tanks, exterior and interior interpretive plans, and is currently working on implementing some of those. He will make sure the Commissioners will get a copy of the interpretive plan. Commissioner Evans asked about the letter which suggested restoring the front room to the time when Ricketts lived at the lab, and Acting Director Copeland said he explained to Mike Guardino, the author of the letter and also a volunteer docent at the PBL that there is an interpretive plan and a PBL subcommittee will be meeting and reviewing the plan. He introduced public guest Greg Cailliet, President of the Cannery Row Foundation. Public Comments: Greg Cailliet, an Ichthyologist, retired marine biologist and President of the Cannery Row Foundation said he appreciates the Commission’s and the City’s staff’s work to make things happen. Mike Guardino is a good friend, and the Cannery Row Foundation would definitely like to be involved as much as possible with restoring the PBL and help with the tours. He will give a proposal to the Commission in the future. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner O’Neil said that given the discussion on the mural, he pointed out the lack of fishing history displayed in the City of Monterey. He understands the Visitors Bureau has changed its hours and asked will it have an adverse effect? Acting Director Copeland will check with the Visitors Bureau. NEXT MEETING 10. Monday, February 26, 2018 ADJOURNMENT - 5:50 PM Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Dennis Copeland Kathleen Wall, Chair Museums, Cultural Arts & Archives Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Manager Museums and Cultural Arts 6 Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 22, 2018 6