HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Museum Of Science And History Advisory Committee - 02/03/2000 oy52728?g30
MINUTES , � ice. �\
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and Histo ry '� 2000 N
Meeting CI RECEIVED a
AdvisoryCommittee N
February 3, 2000 c9 ri SECREIARVS m
OFFICEtPe 41v
The Museum Advisory Committee met in the Museum at Noon on Thursda ,Ce4ruary 3, 20900
Members Present: Henry Brennecke,Art Howerton, Gwen Henzi, C.W. C. •- �.. t + . ,
Pat Bacak-Clements, Mary Longoria, and Woody Riley.
Upon motion by C.W. Carpenter and seconded by Woody Riley the minutes of the January 6,
2000 meeting were unanimously approved.
Upon motion by Art Howerton and seconded by C.W. Carpenter the absence of Pat Bacak-
Clements was excused for good cause. Upon motion by Pat Bacak-Clements and seconded by
Woody Riley the absence of Tony Diaz was excused for good cause.
Business:
a. Head Curator Don Zuris recommended that a number of artifacts from the history
collection that are in very poor condition be deaccessioned. After viewing the artifacts,
Pat Bacak-Clements moved that the deareession be approved. Mary Longoria seconded
the motion and it was unanimously approved.
b. The bids were received for Discovery Hall. The low bid from B.E. Beecroft Construction
Co. is above estimates. The Friends Building Committee will meet to determine whether
there are sufficient funds available and to consider where there might be potential for
reducing the costs of the building. Funds for the construction of the building ($1 million)
came from Janet and Ed. Harte.
c. Rick Stryker shared with the Committee the five year forecast for the General Fund that
the City Manager presented to the City Council. The increase in operating costs of the
Museum and the other departments in the General Fund are projected to outstrip growth
in revenue. It is anticipated that program reductions will have to be made and in
anticipation of that the City Manager has imposed a hiring freeze. The preparation of the
2000-01 budget will be particularly challenging.
d. Mr. Stryker reported to the Committee on a draft list of capital projects that the City
Council will consider for a proposed bond election in November. Two Museum projects-
installation of a fire suppression system and a pneumatic HVA/C control system are
included in the proposed package. Upon motion by Art Howerton and seconded by Pat
Bacak-Clements the Committee unanimously charged that Chair Gwen Henzi
communicate to the Mayor and Council the Committee's strong recommendation that:
- the two items already included remain in the package because of their critical
importance to the Museum and,
- that funds for replacing the four badly deteriorated air handlers on the roof of the
North Building be added to the list.
E. Mr. Stryker reported a real commitment on the part of the sponsors of the Children of
Children exhibit, especially CCISD, which is bringing all eighth grade students to the
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Advisory Committee Meeting
February 3, 2000
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exhibit and encouraging all program leaders to use the exhibit by holding a series of
administrative meetings at the Museum to familiarize them with the opportunity afforded
by the exhibit. Visitors to the exhibit are often moved by the experience which is reflected
in comments that they write in a book placed in the exhibit for that purpose. School
attendance was up in January compared to a year ago, which is partially due to the draw
of this exhibit from the High School and Middle School audience.
f. Mr. Stryker recommended a number of changes in the fee structure of the Museum:
- an increase in commercial photo reproduction rates to reflect market increases,
- an increase in summer program fees to reflect the change from a half day program to a full day
program,
- and that a new premium fee be established to accommodate facility rentals for which there is no
educational purpose.
Since the admission fees were so recently changed, he recommended no change.
Upon motion by Art Howerton and seconded by Pat Bacak-Clements the Committee unanimously
approved the fee changes.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.