HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Museum Of Science And History Advisory Committee - 08/03/2000 IMO
MINUTES
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
Advisory Committee Meeting
August 3,2000
The Museum Advisory Committee met in the Museum at Noon on Thursday,August 3,2000.
Members Present: Henry Brennecke, Art Howerton,Donna Flynn, Gwen Henzi,Tony Diaz,
Mary Longoria, and Woody Riley.
Upon motion by Tony Diaz and seconded by Woody Riley the minutes of the June 1,2000
meeting were unanimously approved.
Upon motion by Art Howerton and seconded by Woody Riley the absences of Gwen Henzi and
Hank Brennecke were excused for good cause.
The terms of Donna Flynn,Frank Veltri,Evelyn Farias-Gonzales and C.W. Carpenter expire in
September. Frank Veltri has resigned from the Advisory Committee. Donna Flynn is eligible
for reappointment.
Business:
a. Upon motion by Art Howerton and seconded by Woody Riley,the Committee
unanimously approved the deaccession of butterfly specimens and specimens of flint,
slate, celestite ore,strontium ore,basalt,and talc.
b. The "Y Files"summer class program was successful. 81 children participated in the four
week program. It was supported by contributions from the Friends.
The San Patricio Field School was also successful. It extended over six weeks. It
included five students taking part in a six credit hour course and public participation by
59 high school students,youth group members,teachers,and interested adults. The
research design was to investigate prehistoric settlement patterns by surveying and test
excavating within a 25 square kilometer area along the lower Nueces River. Although a
preliminary report has been produced,it will be some time before the findings can be
fully studied and reported.
c. There was a report on the July 13 planning meeting with Deputy City Manager Skip Noe
and Assistant City Manager Tom Utter including members of the Advisory Committee,
Friends Board,and Auxiliary Board. As was decided at the meeting, four representatives
from the Advisory Committee were appointed by Gwen Henzi to a joint task force: Art
Howerton,Mary Longoria,Tony Diaz,and Kathy Heymann.
d. Reports on various issues:
• Attendance continues below previous levels. For the period November through July
(after the Columbus Fleet closed)total attendance was down 26%compared to the
previous year and paid attendance was down 38%. Because of the increase in admission
fees, revenue was down only 8%. For three out of the past four months, revenue was
actually up over the previous year. Attendance by school students was down 12% from
last year. SCANNED
6+
Advisory Committee Meeting
August 3,2000
Page 2
• Discovery Hall steel work should start soon.
• Three Shoop's Grill murals will be loaned to the Port for the new conference center and
a fourth will go to the conservator. With support from the Friends and the Port, all four
Shoop's Grill Murals will be restored. They will be rotated off display at the new
Conference Center until all are restored.
• The Museum is operating under the new schedule beginning this week and will remain
closed on Mondays. The second floor gallery is closed except for guided tours.
• A formal proposal that the Museum be named repository for the La Belle collection has
been submitted. The decision by the Historical Commission should be made before the
end of the year.
• The six counties participating in the La Salle Odyssey project have agreed to hire a
consultant to develop the concept design of the exhibit. The exhibit will have six
components-one in each county's museum.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.