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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Museum Of Science And History Advisory Committee - 12/03/2009 N RECEIVED DEC 3 12009 CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE MINUTES Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History Advisory Committee Meeting December 3, 2009 The Museum Advisory Committee met in the Museum's DeDietrich Conference Room at Noon on Thursday, December 3,2009. Members Present: Pablo Garza, Kimberly Harris-Ward, Kathy Juneau,Tom Kimes, Shannon Madden, Luci Sosa, and Linda Tomo. Upon motion by Kimberly Harris-Ward and seconded by Pablo Garza, the minutes of the November 5, 2009 regular meeting were approved as presented. Upon motion by Kimberly Harris-Ward and seconded by Kathy Juneau the absences of Luci Sosa and Linda Tomo were excused. Business: a. The Advisory Committee reviewed the Museum's Strategic Plan that was revised at the November meeting. When the revisions were approved it was with the understanding that they would be reviewed at this meeting. There were no alterations made to the revised Strategic Plan. b. A budget amendment will be considered by the City Council at a meeting in January that will reduce the General Fund Budget by $4.6 or more to accommodate the significant reduction in income from sales taxes. • There will be a freeze on filling position vacancies impacting the recently vacated Maintenance Mechanic Foreman position. Two other vacant positions, Preparator and Tour Guide are already not funded this year. Activity 13490 (Museum) has 15 full time filled positions and three part time filled positions. Of these positions, the cost for 1.67 FTE's are reimbursed by the Museum Auxiliary. Activity 13493 (Ships) has two full time and two part time filled positions. Revenue from admission ticket sales and rentals offsets the cost of the Ships positions. • All part time employees will be reduced to 19 hours per week or less. This reduces the cost of part time employees directly, and also makes them ineligible for the retirement City retirement benefit program. Five part time employees of the Museum will be affected. This reduces the number of hours currently worked by part time staff by 21 hours per week, or the equivalent of an additional part time position. • A reduction in discretionary expenditures which will also impact the Museum. Most of what is considered discretionary spending by the City(e.g. travel) is already funded by the Friends of the Museum or the Museum Auxiliary. • A process to target non-core functions of the City will identify further reductions. Zero based budgeting principles are expected to be used in the development of next fiscal year's budget to eliminate services for which funding is no longer available. SCANNED 411110 c. There was a discussion regarding new revenue sources for the Museum. A compendium of Museum fees and charges was provided. Budget development for next fiscal year will include adjustment of user fees to recover of a greater proportion of program and service costs. The Advisory Committee will begin consideration of fee increases in January. d. There was a consensus of those present that it would not be appropriate for the Museum to manage the Journey through the Universe programming. Every attempt should be made to encourage schools or the Education Service Center to do that work, even though funding for it is through the Friends of the Museum. e.Staff Reports - A new temporary position will be filled in January to conduct an inventory of the La Belle collection. Funding for this position comes through the Texas Historical Commission. - St. Nicholas Day will be Sunday, December 6'h. Admission will be free and there will a variety of live musical performances and craft activities. f. In December the City Council will approve a contract for the capital improvement projects at the Museum funded by the 2008 bond issue. This work will include replacement of major components of the HVA/C system. An agreement with the Columbus Sailing Association for their proposed repair of Nina is expected by the end of January. g. It was requested that there be the opportunity to discuss Native American programming and the public relations/marketing efforts done by the Museum on some future agenda. The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.