Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingMonterey, CA · June 29, 2020
Minutes
MINUTES
MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
6/29/2020
4:00 PM
TELECONFERENCE
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Commissioners present: Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Peake, Sovereign, Wall, Wojtkowski
Commissioner Absent:
Staff Present: Library & Museums Director Waite, Administrative Assistant Garibaldi
CALL TO ORDER
Chair O’Neil called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm.
ROLL CALL
Commissioner Wall stepped away and returned at 4:03 pm.
CONSENT ITEMS
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:
AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Peake, Sovereign, Wall,
Wojtkowski
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
Approval of Minutes
1. June 8, 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
2. Receive Museums and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report – June 2020 (Not a project under
CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Received and discussed
Waite reviewed the activity report. Evans asked if the Serra Monument had been removed.
Waite responded that it had not been and shared that Carmel removed their Serra monument.
Peake inquired about items that had been temporarily removed from Colton Hall to the City
Clerk’s Office before the protest.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
3. Receive Lower Presidio Annual Report (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20, Section
15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Received report and discussed
Waite provided an overview of the report and highlighted the partnership with the Old Monterey
Foundation. Evans asked for an update on the stables. Waite reported that the Army approved
the removal of the stables, however the City does not have the monies – an estimated cost of
$100,000 - to fund the removal. Commissioners discussed if there might be grant opportunities.
Waite responded that most funds are available for restoration versus deconstruction and
removal. Evans suggested some grants can be used for environmental purposes.
4. Receive Update on Budget Reductions and Staffing (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20,
Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Received report, discussed, and approved motion to return part-time museum
staffing and to reopen museums
Waite reported that the City is being extremely cautious in reopening. While monies are
available from the Fergusson Fund to cover a part-time Artifacts Specialist it has been
discouraged to bring back staff at this time due to future uncertainties. Wojtkowski asked if any
of the museums can be operated by volunteers. Waite responded that the lower Presidio
Museum was staffed by volunteers, however an employee is needed as a supervisor. She
commented that there is no timeline for the return of a museums position. One part-time staff
member will be needed at minimum to assist with reopening museums and a multitude of
related tasks. Peake asked for clarification about use of the Fergusson Fund in what seemed to
be a lack of certainty in bringing back a part-time employee. Waite responded there is
approximately $75,000 in the Fergusson Fund. The City is exercising caution in expending
funds too soon. Wojtkowski suggested that both the Presidio and Colton Hall Museums could be
reopened for summer for a nominal amount. Waite reminded Commissioners that the City is
being very cautious in reopening because of the current spike in COVID19 cases. O’Neil asked
which entity makes the final decision in terms of reopening. Waite said that it is ultimately up to
the City Council. O’Neil stated he deemed it more important for a part-time employee to return
to assist the library & museums director than to immediately reopen the museums. Wojtkowski
commented that he would combine the two requests in a motion.
On a motion by Commissioner Wojtkowski, seconded by Commissioner Castagna and carried
by the following vote, the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission requested that the City
Council provide part-time museum staffing to assist with reopening the museums and to provide
support to the library & museums director, and to reopen the Presidio of Monterey Museum and
Colton Hall as soon as feasible:
AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Peake, Sovereign, Wall,
Wojtkowski
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Castagna commented that gyms are allowed to reopen on June 12 and inquired
if this applied to the Monterey Sports Center.
Commissioner Evans will present a virtual tour at the July MCAC meeting.
Commissioner Peake thanked the Director for the many small details she’s handling including
refreshing the interpretive signs.
Commissioner Wojtkowski requested that the next agenda look at volunteers for the Path of
History Masterplan subcommittee if there is no history subcommittee and asked to include a
hard copy of the Lower Presidio brochure with the next MCAC packet.
Chair O’Neil commented that tomorrow is Claire’s official last day and that she would be missed.
He thanked Waite and Garibaldi for support of the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission.
NEXT MEETING
5. Monday, July 27, 2020
ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to come before the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission, Chair
O’Neil adjourned the meeting at 4:54 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Francesca Garibaldi John O’Neil, Chair
Administrative Assistant Museums and Cultural Arts Commission
Agenda
Commissioners
Museums and Cultural Arts John O’Neil, Chair
Commission Agenda Bill Wojtkowski, Vice Chair
John Castagna
Museums and Cultural Arts Robert Evans
Commission Special Meeting Kimberley Peake
Mike Sovereign
Monday, June 29, 2020 Kathleen Wall
Teleconference
4:00 PM
Monterey, California Ex-Officio Commissioners
Robert Reese
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Pursuant to Governor Newsom's Executive Orders N-29-20 and N-33-20, and to do all we can
to help slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus):
Meetings of the Monterey City Council and its Boards and Commissions will be
conducted with virtual (electronic) participation only. Members of the public may watch
the live stream of the City Council and Boards and Commission meetings at
https://www.youtube.com/cityofmonterey (up to 10 second delay) or on television on
Channel 25 (up to 90 second delay). The YouTube live stream has the shortest delay
and is recommended for anyone wishing to provide public comment (see details below).
BEFORE EACH MEETING, members of the public may participate by submitting
comment(s) to museums@monterey.org from an email account or a cell phone's texting
app until ½ hour before the start of the meeting. These emails and text messages will be
shared with the Council or relevant Board or Commission prior to the start of the
meeting, but will not be read aloud during the meeting. All comments received will
become part of the record.
DURING EACH MEETING, members of the public may participate by calling and
speaking live during the designated time(s), subject to time limits that may be imposed
pursuant to the Brown Act. To provide public comment:
o Please follow along with the meeting on the YouTube live stream, as it has the
shortest delay, and only call when the public comment period is announced.
o When the public comment period is announced, call the telephone number that
will be provided on-screen and announced by the Mayor. Enter the conference
room number, then #.
o You will be muted upon joining the call.
o Enter *5 to "raise your hand." When it is your turn to speak, you will be unmuted.
Please remember to turn the sound off on your television or computer when it is
your turn to talk (or as soon as you call in). Leaving your television or computer
on will cause interference with the broadcast and the audience will not be able to
hear you.
o Between comment periods, please hang up the phone. If you wish to comment
on another item, please call back when the public comment period is announced.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
CONSENT ITEMS
CONSENT ITEMS allow for a review of those items recommended for approval on
consent or recommended to be continued, tabled or withdrawn, etc. Consent items
consist of those items which are routine and for which a staff recommendation has been
prepared. A member of the public or a Commissioner may request that an item
recommended for approval on consent be heard on the regular agenda for further
discussion.
Approval of Minutes
1 Monday, June 8, 2020 (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378
and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
***End of Consent Agenda***
PUBLIC COMMENTS
PUBLIC COMMENTS allows you, the public, to speak for a maximum of three minutes
on any subject, which is not on the agenda. Any person or group desiring to bring an item
to the attention of the Commission may do so during Public Comments or by addressing
a letter of explanation to: Library & Museums Director, 625 Pacific Street, Monterey CA
93940. The appropriate staff person will contact the sender concerning the details.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS supply the Commission with
written or oral information that they may wish to discuss or take action by placing the item
on a future agenda.
2 Receive Museums and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report – June 2020 (Not a
project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article
5, Section 15061)
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
PUBLIC APPEARANCE items are reports on action or informational issues that might
stimulate public discussion, but that do not require formal noticing as public hearings.
You are welcome to offer your comments after being recognized by the Chair. The Chair
may limit the time allocated to each speaker.
3 Receive Lower Presidio Annual Report (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20,
Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
4 Receive Update on Budget Reductions and Staffing (Not a project under CEQA per
Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
COMMISSIONERS may ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement or
make a brief report on his or her activities. In addition, a Commissioner may provide a
referral to staff or other resources for factual information, request staff to report back to
the body at a subsequent meeting concerning any City matter, or direct staff to place a
request to agendize a matter of business on a future agenda. (G.C. 54954.2)
NEXT MEETING
The next scheduled meeting is July 27, 2020
Museums and Cultural Arts Commission
6/29/2020 4:00:00 PM
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ADJOURNMENT
Information distributed to the Commission becomes part of the public record. A copy
of written material, pictures, etc., should be provided for this purpose. For more
agenda information, call 646-5648.
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Voicemail: (831) 646-3799
FAX: (831) 646-3793
Email: suggest@monterey.org
WebPage: http://www.monterey.org
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services, programs and activities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the
City Clerk’s Office at (831) 646-3935. Notification 30 hours prior to the meeting will
enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this
meeting [28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II]. Later requests will be accommodated
to the extent feasible. For communication-related assistance, dial 711 to use the
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week.
MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE BY CALLING 646-5669
Museums and Cultural Arts Commission
6/29/2020 4:00:00 PM
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