HomeMy WebLinkAboutAM Minutes: 01/06/16MUSEUM COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016
CALL TO ORDER — Chair Pro Tempore Carter called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. in the
Museum Education Center.
LLC L : Commissioners Dale Carter, Victor Wu, Donna Lee, Virginia Blitz, Carlos, Reza,
Jr., Director of Library and Museum Services Mary Beth Hayes, Curator Dana
Hicks, Library Services Manager Darlene Bradley
Itall
REPORTS FROM MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS/LIAISONS
Commissioner Blitz reported on the Friends of the Arcadia Museum. Because the Friends
annual fall event is so close to the Foundation fundraising dinner, and that it will be the 15th
Anniversary Celebration for the Museum in October, it was recommended that the Friends fall
event be moved to spring. The Foundation fundraising dinner would then be combined with the
upcoming 15 year Museum anniversary event. The spring event would possibly be a welcome
event for Friends members, including tours and food. Curator Hicks said that the event was
slated for April. Renewal memberships would take place in mid-January for January through
December annual membership. The annual meeting would also be in April. Commissioner Blitz
mentioned that she participated in some of the recent Museum events including the Lunchtime
Talks, the Marionette Show, and visited the temporary exhibit openings. She encouraged other
commissioners to support events and tell friends. Commissioner Lee thanked Curator Hicks for
keeping things going through the holidays. Commissioner Wu reported that the Foundation
donated $10,000 from their recent fundraiser to the Museum. Curator Hicks said that this money
would be used for programming, archival materials, and a digital camera for the collections.
Director Hayes noted that she wrote and presented a staff report to City Council asking them to
accept the donation on behalf of the Museum. This was presented at the December 15, 2015
City Council meeting. Ms. Lauber was on hand to give support of this generous gift. Curator
Hicks reported that the Museum Foundation meets every other month and Commissioner Wu
takes care of the finances. The Museum Foundation would like a Lucky Baldwin figure, similar
to the Anita Baldwin replica.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND APPOINTMENT OF LIAISONS
A motion was made for nominations for Chairperson of the Museum Commission.
Commissioner Lee nominated Chair Pro Tempore Carter and it was seconded by Commissioner
Blitz, Motion was carried on a voice vote.
AYES: Commissioners Carter, Wu, Lee, Blitz, Reza, Jr.
NOES: None
A motion was made for nominations for Chair Pro Tempore of the Museum Commission.
Commissioner Wu nominated Commissioner Blitz and Commissioner Carter seconded it.
Commissioner Blitz nominated Commissioner Lee and Commissioner Reza Jr. seconded it.
Motion to appoint Commissioner Lee as Chair Pro -Tempore carried by a three -two vote.
VOTES FOR COMMISSIONER LEE: Commissioners Blitz, Carter, Reza Jr.
VOTES FOR COMMISSIONER BLITZ: Commissioners Wu and Lee
DIRECTOR REPORTS
A. Reports from the Director: Director Hayes welcomed new commissioner Reza Jr. and
congratulated new Chair Carter and Chair Pro Tempore Lee. She then reported that the
Museum Education Coordinator Sara Hunsucker had resigned and recruitment for the
position will open on January 18, 2016. It will be open through February 15, 2016. The job
announcement will be posted on regular venues including museum sites. This is a thirty
hour a week position with part time benefits and the set work hours will be Tuesday through
Saturday. There will be an outside panel for the first set of interviews of which a ranked list
will be created. Curator Hicks and Director Hayes will conduct the second interview. Director
Hayes updated the commission on the capital improvement projects for the year. One of
these projects includes a fire proof archival safe lateral file, and it has been ordered. The
budget process is beginning for next fiscal year and a request for lighting in the gallery that
uses LED lighting, which is not as hot as what is in use now, will be requested. The Museum
Education Center now has a new rental fee schedule. Because the Museum Education
Center was new, there were no rental fees in place when it opened. All city fines and fees
are approved by City Council. Outside groups will be charged $25.00 per hour which is a
little less than the cost recovery of the rental. City Council has approved this fee.
B. Reports from the Curator: The current exhibit is Blinkers and Winkers which features
photographs from the Museum's permanent collection of movie stars at the Santa Anita
Race Track. This exhibit will come down on January 16, 2016. The next exhibit will feature
Chinese Brush Painting. On Saturday, January 16, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. there will be an
opening reception for Tony Antista. He owned a music store on Huntington Drive in Arcadia
and wrote the Arcadia High School Fight Song. His granddaughter donated a number of
items for the exhibit including an original vinyl record of the fight song and his accordion.
The 2016 Museum Calendar is complete and will be out shortly. The next Lunchtime Talk
will be presented by Kathy Brown, a member of the Old Mill Foundation. There will be a
Curator's workshop on February 6, 2016 on how to date old postcards; an Up Close and
Messy program on February 27, 2016 featuring Indigo Dyeing. Scout Day is also coming up
and several school visits are scheduled. The Curator, Commissioner Carter, and volunteer
Mr. McCrea visited the Rail Giant Museum and made some good connections.
Chair Carter asked if Commissioner Wu would continue on as the liaison for the Foundation
and if Commissioner Blitz would continue as the liaison for the Friends. Both agreed to do
so.
C. Updates on Gil b use 1 5th Anniversary, October 2016: Curator Hicks reiterated that
much of this was discussed earlier this evening. There will be a 15 Year Museum
Anniversary celebration on Sunday, October 16, 2016 and it will be held outside.
D. Commission photograph: The commission photograph was taken this eveninj
CONSENT CALENDAR:
a. Approve the Req lar Meeting. Minutes of November 4, 2015
Recommended action: Approve
A motion was made by Commissioner Blitz, and seconded by Commissioner Lee to approve th
Consent Calendar. Motion carried on a voice vote. I
AYES: Chair Carter, Commissioners Wu, Blitz, and Lee
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Reza Jr.
Adjournment:
Chair adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m. to March 2, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. in the Museum
Education Center at 382 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia CA 91006.
MarBeth ayes. Director of ibrary and Museum Services
Minutes prepared by: Darlene Bradley, Library Services Manager