Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingMonterey, CA · September 2, 2021
Minutes
MINUTES
MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
09/02/2021
4:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC STREET, AND ZOOM TELECONFERENCE
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Commissioners present: Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Peake, Sovereign, Wojtkowski
Commissioner Absent: None
Staff Present: Library & Museums Director, Administrative Assistant, Artifacts Specialist,
Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Wojtkowski called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chair Wojtkowski requested a moment of silence for ex-officio commissioner Robert Reese.
CONSENT ITEMS
On a motion by Commissioner Evans, seconded by Commissioner O’Neil and carried by the
following vote, the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission approved the Consent Item:
AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Peake, Sovereign, Wojtkowski
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
Approval of Minutes
1. August 5, 2021 (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
The administrative assistant explained to the public how to participate in the virtual meeting and
provide public comment. Chair Wojtkowski opened public comments: no public comments.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS
2. Receive Museums and Cultural Arts Division Monthly Activity Report (Not a project under
CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Received
Artifacts Specialist Leininger reported highlights from the monthly activity report. He expressed
appreciation to Cardinale Moving & Storage for safely moving important artifacts from San
Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes 9/2/2021 4:00 PM
Xavier Cannery Warehouse. Staff are currently planning for Christmas in the Adobes. There is
no History Week scheduled this year.
Library & Museums Director Waite reported that all metal items have been removed from the
San Xavier Cannery Warehouse at Ft. Ord. She worked with A&S Recycling to remove items
with the aim to reduce the $20,000 fee that the Museum’s division was slated to be charged for
the removal of any items left in the warehouse.
Waite reported that City Council will be asked to allocate $75,000 from the Museums & Art
Acquisitions Fund in September to repay the Cannery Row Company for their donation for the
abalone sculpture, originally planned to be unveiled as part of the Monterey 250 Celebration in
June 2020. The project experienced delays due to COVID and disrupted supply chains.
Wojtkowski presented the question of whether the funds should be expended from the Reserve
for Art Acquisitions Fund. Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira reported that the artist has not
complied with the current contract for producing the abalone sculpture. The City of Monterey is
legally obligated to refund the donated monies to the Cannery Row Company. The allocated
funds from the reserve is to be a temporary measure. The Commission discussed holding a
special meeting for further discussion and requested additional information.
On a motion by Commissioner Evans, seconded by Commissioner Castagna and carried by the
following vote, the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission approved holding a special meeting
next week to consider this problem:
AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Castagna, Evans, O’Neil, Peake, Sovereign, Wojtkowski
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: NONE
Waite concluded by highlighting positive public comments from people using the cell phone tour.
A Commissioner suggested the tour also include the history of people who worked in the shacks
and agreed with a public comment that there is not adequate signage in Cannery Row to direct
foot traffic to Bruce Ariss Way. Waite responded that the Planning Department completed a
wayfinding project and may have a recommendation about where to place a sign that would
direct people from the main part of Cannery Row to the worker shacks.
There were no public comments heard on the matter.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
3. Review the Commission’s Strategic Plan for FY 2020-2024 and Provide Direction to Staff (Not a
project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section
15061)
Action: Received, appointed ad hoc committee
Waite brought the Strategic Plan to the Commission to review the goals for this coming year.
She recommended appointing an ad hoc committee to review the Plan. Castagna, O’Neil, and
Evans were appointed to the ad hoc Strategic Plan committee.
Waite will convene a meeting for the ad hoc Path of History committee—Castagna, O’Neil,
Wojtkowski—to review the report and discuss next steps.
There were no public comments heard on the matter.
Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes
9/2/2021 4:00 PM
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Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes 9/2/2021 4:00 PM
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Peake thanked Commissioners.
Evans commented about an email he received regarding local ethics training opportunities.
Sovereign complimented staff and volunteers for reopening Colton Hall and Pacific Biological
Laboratories. He commented that he would like to see the Presidio of Monterey Museum also
reopen.
O’Neil congratulated Waite, Leininger, and staff for their work coordinating the removal of the
items inside the San Xavier Cannery Warehouse. He commented that the Monterey Visitor
Center is closed and is concerned about the lack of an information kiosk for tourists.
Wojtkowski commented that the Old Monterey Foundation had planned to host a Colton Hall
lawn concert on October 3 with the Monterey 250 Committee, however it has been cancelled
due to the rise in COVID numbers. They hope the concert might take place in late October.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be October 7, 2021.
ADJOURNMENT
Seeing no further business to come before the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission, Chair
Wojtkowski adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Francesca Garibaldi Bill Wojtkowski, Chair
Administrative Assistant Museums and Cultural Arts Commission
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Agenda
Commissioners
Bill Wojtkowski, Chair
Museums and Cultural Arts Robert Evans, Vice Chair
Commission John Castagna
Agenda John O’Neil
Kimberley Peake
Thursday, September 2, 2021 Mike Sovereign
Council Chamber 4:00 PM
580 Pacific Street, Monterey Ex-Officio Commissioners
and Zoom Teleconference Robert Reese
Monterey, California
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The City of Monterey is committed to the safe public attendance of its
public meetings and seeks to continue to offer virtual methods for public participation
options. Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-29-20 remains in effect, providing greater
flexibility for agencies holding public meetings during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Details for public participation in this meeting:
BEFORE THIS MEETING, members of the public may submit comment(s)
to museums@monterey.org until ½ hour before the start of the meeting. These
messages will not be read aloud during the meeting but are made available to the
Commission and public at monterey.org/submitted-comments. All comments received
become part of the record.
DURING THIS MEETING, members of the public may attend and participate:
o In-person (location listed above), with masks required for all, regardless of
vaccination status, except those who are younger than two years old or have a
medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a
mask.
o Online via ZoomGov Webinar live (no time delay):
Join on a computer or smartphone: https://monterey-
org.zoomgov.com/j/1616222299
Or join by telephone: Dial 833-568-8864 (Toll Free), 669-254-5252
(Campbell, Calif.) or 646-828-7666 (New York, NY). If one number
doesn’t work, please try another.
Enter Webinar ID: 161 622 2299 #
If prompted to enter a participant ID, press #
To “raise your hand” dial *9. Once called upon, dial *6 to unmute.
Need more help or seeking guidance on making public comments? Read our
ZoomGov Meeting Instructions.
This meeting will also stream live for viewing only on youtube.com/cityofmonterey (10
second delay) and on Comcast Channel 25 (up to 90 second delay).
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. August 5, 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: 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 Monthly Activity Report (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. Review the Commission’s Strategic Plan for FY 2020-2024 and Provide Direction to
Staff (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 October 7, 2021.
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
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.
CITY OF MONTEREY'S 24-HOUR SUGGESTION HOTLINES:
Museums and Cultural Arts Commission
9/2/2021 4:00:00 PM
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Voicemail: (831) 646-3799
FAX: (831) 646-3793
Email: suggest@monterey.org
WebPage: http://www.monterey.org
The City of Monterey is committed to including the disabled in all of its
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
California Relay Service (CRS) to speak to City offices. CRS offers free text-to-
speech, speech-to-speech, and Spanish-language services 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. If you require a hearing amplification device to attend a meeting, dial 711 to
use CRS to talk to the City Clerk's Office at (831) 646-3935 to coordinate use of a
device.
MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE BY CALLING 646-5669
Museums and Cultural Arts Commission
9/2/2021 4:00:00 PM
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