HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Museum Of Science And History Advisory Committee - 01/05/2012MINUTES FEB 2 4 2012
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
Advisory Committee Meeting CITY ECREfARY'S OF�TC�
January 5, 2012
The Museum Advisory Committee met in the Museum's DeDietrich Conference Room at Noon
on Thursday, January 5, 2012. Members Present: Pablo Garza, Jonda Halcomb, Robert
Hatherill, Kathy Juneau, Tom Kimes, Jim Moloney, Luci Sosa, and Linda Torno.
- The minutes of the December 1, 2011 regular meeting were approved as presented.
- Upon motion by Tom Kimes and seconded by Pablo Garza the absences of Scott
Sutherland and Linda Torno were excused for good cause.
Business:
a. A review of calendar 2011 attendance shows no significant change. It is hoped that planned
SEADistrict improvements in street signage outlined by City Traffic Engineer Charlie Cardenas
will have a positive impact on attendance, but there is no timeline for when that plan will be
implemented. It is also hoped that the opening of Hurricane Alley in April will have a positive
impact on attendance. But, with no funding available for marketing or advertising the Museum,
the only avenue open is to find strategies to sell discounted tickets in association with the
waterpark, taking advantage of their marketing efforts to bring people to the area. It is not
possible to project paid attendance increases on the promise of these two positive events. So,
paid attendance (25,307 in FY 10 and 24,824 in FY 11) is projected to be about the same this
fiscal year and again next fiscal year. Revenue projections based on this data have already been
submitted to the Management and Budget Department in an accelerated process initiated by the
new City Manager.
b. Staff is exploring the necessity of controlling access to the Museum parking lot located at
Chaparral and Port. Since it is adjacent to the waterpark, and there will be a charge for
waterpark parking, unless access is controlled, the Museum lot will fill with waterpark customers
seeking a free option. There is no funding available to the Museum or SMG which manages
public parking lots in the area. But if funding were available the Committee was asked on what
basis access to the parking should be permitted.
The plan discussed by the Committee assumed a similar parking arrangement to that of the
Aquarium. Visitors receive a ticket at an automatic turnstile when they enter the lot. To depart
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free parking, committee members proposed the sale of a $1 token at the admission desk for those
buying tickets. Those attending scheduled meetings would be given a token at no charge. Those
wishing to park without a Museum visit would pay $5. After hours the turnstile could be left
open or parking could be controlled by SMG. It was noted that signage would have to be
significantly improved to inform visitors of this policy. It was thought that perhaps the cost for
striping the lot and purchasing the turnstiles might be offset by the funds collected. Upon motion
by Pablo Garza and seconded by Tom Kimes, the proposed parking fee was unanimously
adopted.
c. Committee members considered the proposal from Hurricane Simulator.com to install a
simulator that would provide up to four people with a one minute hurricane experience for a fee
of $2. Wind speeds reach 78 mph and there is integrated audio /visual media included in the
experience. The cost for installing this exhibit would be sharing revenue from ticket sales. Upon
motion by Scott Sutherland and seconded by Tom Kimes the Committee unanimously approved
the installation of this exhibit.
c. Staff Reports
- One of two exhibit staff vacancies is filled and the second should be filled soon.
- The Mayor and the City Manager will commend the Museum on January 17th.
Members of the Advisory Committee are invited to participate at 11 :15 a.m. on that date
in City Council chambers.
- The calendar of events for the Museum through the spring was provided.
- The Nueces Watershed Information Kiosk from Nueces River Authority was just
installed in the Museum and will be on display for about 6 months.
The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.