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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Museum Of Science And History Advisory Committee - 11/06/2008 • Vr N RECEIVED DEC 012008 MINUTES CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History Advisory Committee Meeting November 6, 2008 The Museum Advisory Commit-ice met in the Museum's DeDietrich Conference Room at Noon on Thursday,November 6, 2008. Members Present: G G Gasaway, Jonda Halcomb, Robert Hatherill, Tom Kimes, Shannon Madden, Jim Moloney, and Nelida Ortiz. Upon motion by Jim Moloney and seconded by G G Gasaway, the minutes of the October 2, 2008 meeting were approved as presented. Upon motion by Jim Moloney and seconded by Rob Hatherill the absence of G G Gasaway and Tom Kimes from the October meeting was excused. Business: a. Review& discuss first quarter of FY 2008/09 attendance trends and revenue Attendance continues the downward trend from last fiscal year. Attendance dropped-4% last year with paid attendance dropping-2%. Through the first quarter of this fiscal year, attendance and paid attendance is down -14%. With Hurricane Ike September attendance set a new record low for a month of 2,001 visitors. A number of charts were provided which illustrated a downward trend beginning in January 2008. b.Discussion of strategies that might be considered to adapt services to the conditions associated with the economic recession The committee discussed a press release from the Aquarium offering$3.00 discount coupons during November. Even with this coupon, admission to the Aquarium remained higher than the regular admission price to the Museum in all categories. In fact, the Museum offers a$1.00 off coupon on our web site, on the CVB web site, and at the Visitor Centers. And that offer is available year round. Committee members discussed the desirability of promoting the Museum's 15 annual free days. Greater awareness of this policy was viewed as an important way to improve accessibility for all citizens. They recommended that the Museum partner with the Art Museum in promoting this service since the Art Museum's free admission on the first Thursdays of the month coincides with one of the Corpus Christi Museum's free days. Staff reported that the next Sunday, Free Day was St. Nicholas Day,December 7. In addition to the Christmas themed family day and a Friends sponsored feature of local authors, it would coincide with a special exhibit from NASA:Driven to Explore. This portable exhibit will be outdoors on the Plaza. That might make this day more newsworthy than it would otherwise be. SCANNED 11110 101110 c. Review and discuss admission fees and facility/room rental charges The Ordinance establishing the Museum admission fee requires an annual review of that fee. Given the poor economic conditions, the consensus of the Committee was that admission rates should not be increased in 2009. In a review of our admission fee policy the Committee decided to consider two changes: a) Change the free admission policy to a dollar per person admission fee. The theory is that charging a discounted amount will attract more people than providing admission for free which might be perceived as providing something of no value. b)The Committee recommended that the admission policy be amended to prohibit unaccompanied minors being admitted to the Museum. This has become a recent problem in this Museum and other local facilities. There is currently no prohibition to this practice in our admission policy. The Committee discussed the liability to the Museum/City associated with unaccompanied children being admitted to the Museum. The Committee also recommended that staff develop explicit signage for the front admission area of the Museum making this policy clear. Staff was also asked to investigate appropriate actions should this policy be circumvented by children being dropped off at the entrance. A facility rental policy amendment including a catering fee will be brought to the Committee in December for consideration. d. Discussion regarding the development of a new long range plan and the components of that plan. Committee members asked for an update on the effort to find the means to address the deteriorating condition of the Columbus ships. Although no additional news is available, staff continues to follow up on continuing public interest in the problem and pursues a number of ideas that might help address the situation. e. Staff reports 2008/09 Lecture Series The Friends will sponsor an evening lecture on the third Thursday of each month through May. November 20 the topic will be I Remember When with reminiscences by four speakers. Watergarden A/V revisions AV revisions to the Watergarden Room are now complete, funded by the Auxiliary. Voyage exhibit project A revision to the plan for installation will require an additional $10,000 which is yet to be raised. PDF culture and heritage tour of downtown. The Museum has developed a cultural and heritage tour of downtown Corpus Christi which will be accessible as a PDF in downloadable form from the Museum web site. The meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.