HomeMy WebLinkAboutAM Minutes: 01/24/2023MUSEUM COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2023
CALL TO ORDER — Chairperson Pro Tempore Marilyn Daleo called the meeting to order at 5:02
p.m. in the Museum Education Center.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Chairperson Pro Tempore Daleo
ROLL CALL: Chairperson Pro Tempore Marilyn Daleo, Commissioners Ginny Blitz, Janalee
Shimmin, Angela Yang -Ayala; Councilmember April Verlato (City Council Liaison);
Director of Library and Museum Services Darlene Bradley, Library Services
Managers Samantha Alba, Pat Smith; Museum Curator Stevy Acevedo
ABSENT: Chairperson Billie Tone
MOTION TO EXCUSE ABSENCE: Commissioner Blitz moved to excuse Chairperson Tone's
absence. Commissioner Shimmin seconded the motion, which was passed on a
voice vote.
AYES: Chairperson Pro Tempore Daleo, Commissioners Blitz, Shimmin, Yang -Ayala
NOES: None
ABSENT: Chairperson Tone
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
REPORTS FROM MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS / LIAISONS: Councilmember Verlato
reported that there are three new City Councilmembers—Sharon Kwan (District 2), Eileen Wang
(District 3), and Michael Cao (District 5). The final lawsuit pertaining to the recent election was
dismissed. The cost of the three lawsuits was approximately $167,000. Chairperson Pro Tempore
Daleo reported that Chairperson Tone gave a presentation on an elephant sanctuary in
Tennessee to the Woman's Club.
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR: Director Bradley reported Kathy Meacham retired from the
Library after 48 years. Margaret Lindstrom is the new Principal Librarian for the Cataloging and
Acquisitions Department. Jamie Belcher, a full-time Technician in Account Services, left this week
for a new position at Pomona College. Samantha Alba was introduced as the new Library Services
Manager. Brittani Alberto has resigned her position as Museum Education Coordinator. Her last
day is January 12. The process of replacing her has started and three interviews are scheduled
for next week for substitute help. Rebecca Anderson has been filling in for her and has been very
helpful.
REPORT FROM THE CURATOR: Curator Acevedo reported that the Museum was very busy
during November and December, highlighted by December's Snow Festival, The Museum's snow
globe craft was enjoyed by 525 visitors. Volunteers, including Commissioner Blitz, members of
the Friends of the Museum Board, and teen volunteers —a total of 18 to 20 people —helped. They
gave out 200 activity kits as well. The Friends of the Museum staffed a booth at the Snow Festival.
Museum and Library staff attended the Downtown Arcadia Holiday Festival and gave out 300
gingerbread men. As part of a three-year grant, a new intern will be working on the Gilb collection.
The California Revealed newsletter highlighted the Museum's work on the Wilkinson collection.
David Wilson, a former member of Arcadia's Fire Department donated, among other items, a
booklet on Anokia school, possibly from the 1940s or 1950s. Museum staff have been working on
exhibits at City Hall and City Council Chambers. Staff are also working on the Red Envelope
exhibit. The John Martin exhibit ends this week. The Museum received Getty grants for two paid
interns and a California Revealed grant. The Curator met with Pete Siberell to discuss preserving
some of the horse barns at Santa Anita Racetrack because of their historical significance.
Educational kits are being prepared. The Museum's volunteers have contributed over 5,000
hours. Four new unpaid volunteers were interviewed. The Curator reviewed the flyers for
upcoming programs, including an upcoming History Talk on Arcadia's participation in the Rose
Parade, a preservation workshop in early February, the Red Envelope program, and the annual
photo contest exhibit.
Consent Calendar
a. Approve the Regular Meetinq Minutes of November 2, 2022
Recommended action: Approve
Commissioner Yang -Ayala moved to approve Consent Calendar Item "a", which was seconded
by Commissioner Shimmin, and carried on a voice vote.
AYES: Chairperson Pro Tempore Daleo, Commissioners Blitz, Shimmin, Yang -Ayala
NOES: None
ABSENT: Chairperson Tone
Adjournment
Chairperson Pro Tempore Daleo adjourned the meeting at 5:32 p.m. to Wednesday, March 1,
2023, at 5 p.m., in the Museum Education Center at 382 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia.
Approved:
Darlene Bradley, Director of Library and Museum Services
Prepared by: Pat Smith, Library Services Manager