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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Museum Of Science And History Advisory Committee - 03/06/2008 11110 .1 1-a ; 2425262 • MINUTES Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History ;, CJ' S'041ro CU Advisory Committee Meeting `.n� y March 6, 2008 \ tOt68tt9 The Museum Advisory Committee met in the Museum's DeDietrich Conference Room at Noon on Thursday, March 6, 2008. Members Present: Jonda Halcomb, Kimberly Harris, Robert Hatherill, Kathy Juneau, Tom Kimes, and Nelida Ortiz. Upon motion by Tom Kimes and seconded by Kathy Juneau, the minutes of the February 7, 2008 meeting were approved as presented. Upon motion by Tom Kimes and seconded by Nelida Ortiz the absences of Kimberly Harris,Jim Moloney, and Robert Hatherill were excused. New member Georgeanne Gasaway was introduced. Business: a. At the request of City Council Member Michael McCutchon the recommendations of Ralph Appelbaum and Associates were placed on the list of items for consideration in the Bond 2008 package. "The Corpus Christi Museum is part of a new cultural neighborhood called SeaTown, a concentration of many tourist destinations. These include the Watergarden, the Art Museum of South Texas, and the American Bank Arena and Convention Center. Farther down, there is Heritage Park, the Harbor Playhouse and the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures. On the other side of the Harbor Bridge there is Whataburger Field,which has brought many more visitors to this neighborhood. And in the near future, a hotel adjacent to the Ortiz Center will be built on the edge of the ship channel. The city of Corpus Christi is currently developing a plan [presented to Council in October 2006 by Sasaki/Gignac] that will pull this concentration of impressive sites into a coherent cultural neighborhood that's easy to get to and convenient to move around from place to place. Streets, traffic routing, parking and zones for retail and housing will be strategically integrate to create a dynamic new center for urban life and activity and a beloved cultural community. New signage will identify Chaparral Street as a direct route into SeaTown. This will connect with Port Avenue, which will lead directly into a Roundabout, an elegant circle on which the front entrances of the Corpus Christi Museum and the Art Museum of South Texas will be located. To take full advantage of this urban vision, a new building will be designed and constructed for the Corpus Christi Museum. Sited directly on the water's edge with a stunning view across the Bay,the new museum will be a prime destination and visual signature for SeaTown." SCANNED The implementation of the Sasaki/Gignac urban vision is the necessary precondition for investment in the development of a new building for the Museum. The Engineering Department has received the information they need to include this on the list of items to be considered for inclusion in the Bond 2008 package. b. Collection Manager Joe Ettle recommended deaccession of a variety of objects that are part of the Sam Frank Museum accession to the Museum collection. The Committee went into the history collection work room to view the objects which were being recommended for deaccession based on their poor condition and/or due to the fact that they duplicated other collection holdings that were in better condition. Upon motion by Tom Kimes and seconded by Georgeanne Gasaway the Committee unanimously approved the deaccession. c. Museum Educator Sandra Linderman proposed a new program partnership with the Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas. An overnight program(6 p.m. to 10 a.m.) with associated fees was presented which anticipated 80 participants. The Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas are responsible for developing and presenting the associated programs. Upon motion by Kimberly Harris and seconded by Kathy Juneau the proposed partnership was adopted unanimously. It will now go to the City Manager for approval. d. A proposal to develop a recognition program for museum leaders and donors was introduced for future consideration. This would target individuals who made especially significant contributions to the growth and development of the Museum. e. Staff Reports • Siteline, a publication of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit Service featured the Children's Wharf exhibit and the opening of the From Sea to Shining Sea exhibit. • Lecture: March 13 —Anita Eisenhauer on Old Irishtown • On his recent visit to Weslaco on behalf of the Texas Tropical Trail, Rick Stryker learned of the plan to privatize the City owned and operated Weslaco Museum • Rick reported on the City's budget process and upcoming budget issues The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.