Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingMonterey, CA · March 22, 2021
Minutes
MINUTES
MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
3/22/2021
4:00 PM
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER
Chair O’Neil called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Peake, Sovereign, Wall, Wojtkowski
Commissioner Absent: None
Staff Present: Library & Museums Director, Assistant City Manager, Artifacts Specialist
PRESENTATIONS
1. Receive Presentation from Nancy Selfridge and Sherna Stewart on Public Art Proposal. (Not a
project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section
15061.)
Action: Received
Selfridge and Stewart gave a presentation on a project which will feature public art at five
entrance points to Monterey. The pieces will incorporate the text “Welcome to History” to let
tourists and residents know that there is more to explore in Monterey besides the typical tourist
attractions. The first two pieces will feature a bear sculpture designed by Kris Swanson who
sculpted the grizzly bears in front of Colton Hall. The initiative is part of a much larger NCIP
project that was approved by City Council but then defunded due to the economic impact of
Covid-19. They have applied for a grant from the Community Foundation. They have sought
input from the City Manager, the Parks Manager, a City Traffic Engineer, Todd Bennett of the
Planning Commission, and the Public Art Committee of the Museums & Cultural Arts
Commission. There was mention that there does not appear to be enough signage directing
visitors to historic downtown. Waite mentioned that the City has a Wayfinding Program. She will
bring back information about the program as it pertains to signage for historic sites at a future
meeting.
Chair O’Neil opened public comment. There was no public comment.
2. Receive Presentation from Tim Thomas on the Second Annual History Slam on April 10 and the
first Student History Slam on April 24. (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section
15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.)
Action: Received
Fisheries Historian Tim Thomas provided Commissioners with a summary of the upcoming
History Slams to be held in April. Both events will be virtual, and will feature contestants who
are providing 10-15 minute presentations on Monterey County history topics. About 19 different
presenters have signed up for each of the events. We are pleased to see so many students
interested in participating. The programs are being coordinated by the same group that planned
Cannery Row Days in the fall. Prizes are funded by the Cannery Row Company. The Western
Flyer Foundation is also a sponsor. Dennis Copeland will be one of the judges. The Monterey
Public Library and Museums is hosting the programs on Zoom.
Chair O’Neil opened public comment. There was no public comment.
Approval of Minutes
3. Monday, February 22, 2021 (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and
under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Approved as corrected
On a motion by Commissioner Wojtkowski, seconded by Commissioner Evans and carried by
the following vote, the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission approved the minutes as
corrected:
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
Chair O’Neil opened public comment. There was no public comment.
***End of Consent Agenda***
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chair O’Neil opened public comments: no public comments.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS
4. Receive Museums and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report December 2020 (Not a project
under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Received and discussed
Artifacts Specialist Leininger shared highlights of the report including his review with Waite of
what is needed to implement the Colton Hall reopening plan. Commissioners encourage the
City Manager and the City Council to consider reopening Colton Hall as soon as possible. It is a
historic attraction that helps bring tourists to the downtown area. Rojanasathira shared that the
City is juggling a number of competing priorities to reopen services, that the TOT figures for the
first two months of the year do not look great, and that the City Council will hold a Study Session
at the end of April to look more carefully at the budget situation.
Chair O’Neil opened public comment. There was no public comment.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
5. Receive Update from the Monterey 250 Subcommittee (Not a project under CEQA, per
Article20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.)
Action: Received
Chair O’Neil opened public comment. There was no public comment.
6. Approve the Gift to the City of Monterey of the Mike Marotta Sr. Sculptural Tribute as Described
to the Commission on January 25, 2021 (Exempt from CEQA Requirements Per Article 19,
Section 15303, Class 3
Action: Approved
On a motion by Commissioner Castagna, seconded by Commissioner Wojtkowski and carried
by the following vote, the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission approved the
recommendation of the gift to the City of the Mike Marotta Sr. Sculptural Tribute:
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
Chair O’Neil opened public comment. There was no public comment.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Chair O’Neil asked Waite to remind Commissioners about the Brown Act training on
Wednesday, March 24.
Commissioner Wojtkowski inquired if the Monterey Museum of Art has a reopening date for their
Pacific Street location. Waite will inquire with Interim Director Corey Madden.
Chair O’Neil thanked staff for their work.
NEXT MEETING
Monday, April 26, 2021
ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to come before the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission, Chair
O’Neil adjourned the meeting at 5:03 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Inga Waite John O’Neil, Chair
Library & Museums Director 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 Kimberley Peake
Mike Sovereign
Monday, March 22, 2021 Kathleen Wall
4:00 PM
Monterey, California Ex-Officio Commissioners
Robert Reese
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CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
PRESENTATIONS
1. Receive Presentation from Nancy Selfridge and Sherna Stewart on Public Art
Proposal. (Not a project under CEQA, per Article 20, Section 15378 and under
General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.)
2. Receive Presentation Tim Thomas on the Second Annual History Slam on April 10
and the first Student History Slam on April 24. (Not a project under CEQA, per
Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.)
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
3. February 22, 2021 (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: Museums, Cultural Arts & Archives Manager, 526 Pierce 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.
4. Receive Museums and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report – February 2021 (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.
5. Receive Update from the Monterey 250 Subcommittee (Not a project under CEQA,
per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061.)
6. Approve the Gift to the City of Monterey of the Mike Marotta Sr. Sculptural Tribute
as Described to the Commission on January 25, 2021 (Exempt from CEQA
Requirements Per Article 19, Section 15303, Class 3)
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 Monday, April 26, 2021.
Museums and Cultural Arts Commission
3/22/2021 5:10:14 PM
2
ADJOURNMENT
The Museums and Cultural Arts Commission meeting packet may be reviewed by the
public at the Monterey Public Library. Information distributed to the Commission
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Museums and Cultural Arts Commission
3/22/2021 5:10:14 PM
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