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STAFF REPORT
Office of the City Manager
DATE: July 19, 2011
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Don Penman, City Manager
SUBJECT: REPORT AND DISCUSSION REGARDING COMPOSITION
OF ARCADIA HISTORICAL MUSEUM COMMISSION
Recommendation: Provide Direction
SUMMARY
The City Council at your meeting of June 7 directed staff to bring back a report
regarding possible changes to the composition of the Arcadia Historical Museum
Commission. This was prompted by a change in direction by the Arcadia Historical
Society as they have determined to broaden their mission and will be focusing on a
number of historical matters, and while the Museum may be one of them it apparently
will not be their primary focus. This matter of composition of the Museum Commission
becomes relevant because as originally constituted the Society suggests four (4)
persons to the City Council to serve on the seven (7) member Commission.
BACKGROUND
The Arcadia Historical Museum Commission was established by Ordinance 2151 on
November 6, 2001 for the purpose of advising the City Council on matters relating to the
Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum. The Museum Commission as
created consists of seven members. Originally the concept was for the Museum to be
staffed by volunteers of the Arcadia Historical Society, however it became apparent that
the Society did not have the capacity as a volunteer organization to manage the
Museum and maintain regular operating hours. Therefore a decision was made by the
City Council that the City would operate the Museum though the Society would maintain
an active role in the operation of the facility, and the Museum Commission was created.
By Ordinance 2151 the Society has the opportunity to suggest four (4) of the seven (7)
Commission members for City Council consideration. The other three (3) members
would include one from the Library Board of Trustees and two (2) selected by the City
Council.
Mayor & City Council
July 19, 2011
Page 2
DISCUSSION
In Tight of the Historical Society's decision to broaden their mission and not focus the
same level of attention to the Museum, the City Council directed staff to bring back a
report to consider changing the composition and process of selecting members to the
Commission including the option of reducing the number of Society nominees. The
Council has a number of alternatives you may wish to consider including:
1. All appointments made by the City Council without any recommendations, either
with five or seven members
2. Reduce the size of the Commission and have two (2) members recommended by
the Historical Society, two (2) by the City Council and one (1) suggested by the
Library Board.
3. Maintain the current process.
4. Some version of the above.
In the early years of the Museum having designated nominees had merit as the
procedures, roles and responsibilities for the operation of the facility between Museum
staff, the Historical Society and the Library needed to be established. However, after
ten years of operation much has been accomplished and having designated
appointments may no longer be necessary. If the City Council would like to make
changes to the Historical Museum Commission membership, staff should be directed to
bring back those changes to the ordinance at a future meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction
Attachment: Commission Membership
Historical Museum Commission Members
As of June, 2011
Name Term Expires Recommended By
Marsha Burkhalter 6 -30 -12 Library Board
Ruth Dunlop 6 -30 -14 Historical Society
Vince Foley 6 -30 -12 Historical Society
Ruth Gilb 6 -30 -14 Council
Lee Segal 6 -30 -14 Historical Society
Alice Wang 6 -30 -12 Historical Society
Victor Wu 6 -30 -14 Council