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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Museum Of Science And History Advisory Committee - 10/02/2003 V J MINUTES . Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History Advisory Committee Meeting October 2, 2003 The Museum Advisory Committee met in the Museum at Noon on Thursday, October 2, 2003. Members Present: Grady Price Blount, Henry Brennecke, Tony Diaz, Margaret Bolick, Angie Flores, Joe Martinez, Anna Peterson, and Phyllis Riddle. Upon motion by Tony Diaz and seconded by Grady Price Blount the minutes of the September 2, 2003 meeting were unanimously approved. Upon motion by Grady Price Blount and seconded by Tony Diaz the absence of Joe Martinez was excused for good cause. Both Anna Peterson and Sharon Brower were appointed to serve another term on the Committee. Appointed to replace Lynda Falconer is Margaret Bolick who was welcomed to the Committee. Business: a. Phyllis Riddle was elected to serve as chair and Grady Price Blount was elected to serve as vice chair. b. Upon motion by Tony Diaz and seconded by Angie Flores the concept design for the parking lot and traffic improvements proposed by the Port in the Water Taxi Parking Plan were approved so long as the design development addressed three issues important to the Museum. 1) Removal of the traffic circle will inhibit the ability of school buses to drop off students as is presently done along Chaparral Street at the Xeriscape Garden. Buses need to be able to turn back on Mesquite Street, a very sharp turning angle that will be difficult to achieve without the traffic circle. The design will have to incorporate a solution to this problem. 2) Bus parking was removed from the east side of the traffic circle as part of the development of the street approaching the entrance to the Ortiz Center. Since removal of those parking spaces, adequate parking for school buses no longer exists near the Museum. The Advisory Committee recommends that a solution to this issue be incorporated into the design development phase of the project. 3)As the Museum parking lot is developed, the removal of the remnants of the former driveway should be part of the project. The only remaining portion of this driveway runs between the parking lot and the Museum entrance. The front steps to the Museum are very steep due to the sharp rise in elevation between the driveway and the Museum doorway. These steps should be removed and replaced with a safer and more attractive entrance approach. c. Upon motion by Grady Price Blount and seconded by Joe Martinez golf trophies and associated memorabilia were deaccessioned from the collection. d. Review and adoption of fee changes for birthday parties and piano recitals was postponed to a later meeting. e. An IP phone system is being installed in the Museum replacing the antiquated analog system with which all calls are answered by a"switch board". All telephone numbers SCANNED Advisory Committee Meeting October 2,2003 Page 2 will change except the FAX number. Staff members will have individual numbers with voice mail. A recording will inform callers that the Museum's old phone number is no longer in service and will refer calls to the new Administration/Operator number. This number will be listed along with a number for: - information which will be answered by a recorded message followed by a menu - school tours which will be answered by Sandra Linderman - facility rentals which will be answered by Bonnie Lisowski - Group Tours which will be answered by Bonnie Lisowski Input from the Committee included the recommendation that callers be told that they can dial the operator at any time during calls answered by the recorded message. f. Rick Stryker explained the process used and the results obtained from a SWOT analysis done by the staff The City Manager asked each department to do this in preparation for a review of the City's mission statement at the Department Head retreat in January. There was general agreement that the strengths and weaknesses identified by the staff, while redundant, were on target. It was observed that the staff was remarkably negative and clearly discouraged by the downturn in attendance. There was general consensus that marketing the Museum ought to be made a priority on the agenda of the CVB and a permanent plan to seize the opportunity afforded by the Columbus ships should be developed and implemented. A consensus of those present expressed the desire to proceed with the development of a long range plan for the Museum and the Columbus ships. It was agreed that the next meeting agenda would be devoted to taking up where the staff fell short in identifying opportunities for the Museum. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.