Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, June 8, 2020 4:00 PM TELECONFERENCE MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners present: Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Peake, Sovereign, Wall, Wojtkowski Commissioner Absent: None Staff Present: Library & Museums Director, Administrative Assistant CALL TO ORDER Chair O’Neil called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm. ROLL CALL PRESENTATIONS 1. Recognize Museums & Cultural Arts Staff Members Upon Their Retirement (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Recognized retirements of Museums, Cultural Arts, & Archives Manager Dennis Copeland and Museums Administrative Assistant Claire Rygg Library & Museums Director Waite highlighted and thanked Museums Administrative Assistant Claire Rygg for her 13 years of incredible service. Commissioners all expressed appreciation, gratitude, applause, and praise noting how much she would be missed and the concern of losing her institutional memory. Dennis Copeland thanked Claire for her ongoing and consistent support as well as coordination of volunteers. On behalf of the City Manager’s Office, Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira expressed appreciation for her service and leadership. Waite recognized Museums & Cultural Arts Manager Dennis Copeland who served the City of Monterey for 21 years. She praised him for the array of work he handled from grants to NCIP to the Lower Presidio and the many partnerships he established. She stated her hope that he will soon return to work on history projects he deeply cares about. Commissioners thanked Copeland profusely and shared accolades and admiration for his dedication, knowledge, and commitment. Commissioners expressed concern of the resulting loss and gap that would occur due to his retirement and noted the risk and urgency in rebuilding museums, history, and cultural arts. Rojanasathira said that it had been a privilege to work with Copeland and his inspiring ability to connect history to today. Copeland thanked Commissioners for their contributions over the years and recognized how much they had accomplished. Rygg thanked Commissioners and commented that it had been a pleasure to work together. Ron Wagner left a comment in the YouTube chat: Congratulations to Dennis on his retirement. We appreciate all he did to get the Granizo Monterey Mural up again. Thank you for all your efforts! With much appreciation. Ron Wagner / Granizo Harriet Lynn left a comment in the YouTube chat: Dennis. Sorry I did not get to say goodbye. But wishing you the best in whatever you do as your move forward. You will very much missed! My best to you Claire. Very sorry that you are leaving too.  CONSENT ITEMS On a motion by Commissioner Castagna, seconded by Commissioner Evans and carried by the following vote, the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission approved the minutes: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Sovereign, Wall NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSTAIN: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Peake, Wojtkowski RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE Approval of Minutes 2. February 24, 2020 (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Approved ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Chair O’Neil opened public comments: no public comments. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 3. Receive Museums and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report – February through May 2020 (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received and discussed Waite provided an overview of the activity report. Wojtkowski asked if the Path of History master plan would still proceed forward and if it was possible to obtain a copy of the draft plan. Waite responded that a part-time seasonal staff member had been leading the project and that it should be possible to provide a copy. He asked that the Lower Presidio Park Monument pamphlet be sent to Commissioners. O’Neil asked to have the Path of History added to a future meeting agenda to be discussed in more detail. He recommended that all commissions who may be involved in the Path of History are informed of the project. Sovereign asked about the status of removing the collapsed stables. Waite will provide an update at a later meeting. He commented the necessity of regularly checking the museum buildings and exhibits. Waite confirmed that she received a thorough list from Museums staff and had already begun the work. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 4. Receive Report on Proposed Budget Reductions and Staffing for the Museums & Cultural Arts Division for Fiscal Year 2020-21 (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received report Rojanasathira introduced the report and provided an overview of the devastating impact of COVID19. Waite provided additional details pertaining to the budget and staffing. The budget includes part-time seasonal staff hours while the Ferguson Fund provides funding for the artifact specialist. Staff who were furloughed will first be offered the opportunity to return to work. Waite addressed that the City Code notes that Colton Hall will only be closed 3 days per year. It may be necessary to reduce the open hours and days with the understanding operating hours will return with a more robust budget and staff. Pacific Biological Laboratories (PBL) would remain closed. Museums staff recommended that Alvarado Gallery display city art and postpone any gallery openings until staff return. Wojtkowski encouraged that museums open as quickly as possible and in coordination with other museums. O’Neil agreed of the importance of coordinating with other museums and highlighted the importance of Colton Hall. Evans commented to also try and open the Lower Presidio Museum. Wojtkowski noted that the Monterey Museum of Art on Pacific Street is moving to La Mirada. The vacated building is owned by the City of Monterey. Waite reviewed the priority of reopening Museums beginning with Colton Hall as the flagship followed by the Lower Presidio, PBL (to be evaluated), and Alvarado Gallery if staffing levels improve. Castagna commented the difficulty of providing adequate distancing, especially in PBL and the Lower Presidio Museum. Wojtkowksi informed that Cooper Molera is scheduled to be open 7 days a week and suggested marketing collaboration. He encouraged that Colton Hall be open more days and less hours if feasible since it’s the one museum in the City that has been regularly open nearly every day. Evans asked if the Commission needed to review and reevaluate the list of priorities and goals. O’Neil stated that he and Castagna had discussed the strategic plan at the last meeting and had planned to meet, however closures delayed this meeting. Waite, Castagna, and O’Neil will meet together to discuss the strategic plan. Waite reviewed the midterm staffing plan to restore the regular part-time cultural arts assistant who has 18 years of experience followed by bringing back retirees for assistance. She commented on the importance of seeking private funding and external partnerships. Sovereign suggested that the Aquarium manage PBL. Wojtkowski agreed. Waite informed Commissioners that Rojansathira will meet with the Western Flyer Foundation who might have interest in the Lab as well. The Western Flyer was the vessel Steinbeck and Ricketts chartered in their trip to Baja. Rojanasathira will provide an update at a later time and supported exploring the partnership with the Aquarium as well. O’Neil asked to agendize the hours of Colton Hall for discussion. Waite will learn the times State Historic Parks are planning to re-open their facilities and obtain hours for Cooper Molera. Wojtkowski commented that it was important to send a message to City Council about the importance of museums for locals and the importance of heritage tourism. Waite noted that City Council is interested in using one time monies of 1.3 million dollars to assist with Museums, Recreation, and the Library and asked if there was a recommendation in how to strengthen Museums. Commissioner Evans responded it was important to bring back a dedicated staff member. Commissioners all agreed the importance of bringing back the cultural arts assistant to assist. Chair O’Neil opened public comments: Historian Cameron Binkley concurred with the Commission’s first priority of bringing back Cultural Arts Assistant Chalet Booker and stated the Commission is doing a great job.  COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Castagna commented that gyms are allowed to reopen on June 12 and asked if this applied to the Monterey Sports Center. Commissioner Sovereign thanked staff for their assistance in coordinating the meeting. Commissioner Evans agreed with Sovereign and expressed his delight in having a MCAC meeting. Commissioner Peake commented that she’s looking forward to returning to the Council Chambers for MCAC meetings. Commissioner Walls commented that it was good to see everyone. Commissioner Wojtkowski commented that it was good to see everyone and expressed thanks to staff. Chair O’Neil thanked Rojanasathira, AMP, and staff. NEXT MEETING 5. Monday, June 29, 2020 ADJOURNMENT Seeing no further business to come before the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission, Chair O’Neil adjourned the meeting at 5:38 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Francesca Garibaldi John O’Neil, Chair Administrative Assistant Museums and Cultural Arts Commission