HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Museum Of Science And History Advisory Committee - 04/07/1994 •
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MINUTES
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
Advisory Committee Meeting
April 7 , 1994
The Museum Advisory Committee met in the Museum at 12 : 00 Noon,
Thursday, April 7 , 1994 . Members Present: Alicia Perez, Alda
Klett, Sharon Brower, Ruth O'Brien, Deborah Kobelan, Gwen Henzi,
Gene Pennebaker, Delbert Hooper, Dr. Linda Mora and Cindy Gamez .
Members Absent: Susie Sedwick and Dwayne Dean.
Chair Alicia Perez called the meeting to order . The minutes of
the March 3 , 1994 meeting were unanimously approved as written.
The absence of Cindy Gamez from the last meeting was approved for
good cause .
4a . Gwen Henzi moved that the Advisory Committee make an offi-
cial recommendation to the City Council that the Gateway Project
be approved. The Committee unanimously approved this motion.
4b. Mr . Stryker advised the Committee that, in 1993 , only
106, 000 visitors came to the Museum. This is the lowest atten-
dance in recent history. The lowest attendance areas, by zip
code, are 78405, 78407, and 78417 . He wanted to make the Commit-
tee aware of this and consider whether the Museum is underserving
part of the community. If so, how might this be addressed? The
consensus of opinion was that an attempt should be made to
enhance attendance from these three zip codes . Suggestions
included (a) RTA be encouraged to provide free transportation
from Weed 'N Seed Program target areas to the Museum, (b) the
Museum work with community groups (schools, churches) to reach
more people, (c) Museum brochures be left with George Hodge, Weed
'N Seed coordinator, (d) brochures be distributed through the
Housing Project Office, grocery stores, and the Boys & Girls
Club.
4c . The Water Taxi ' s route, as it stands now, will be from the
People' s Street T-Head to the Aquarium and back. It will go to
the Columbus Fleet only if the passenger requests it . The
Columbus Fleet personnel will radio the Water Taxi for pick-up .
The Committee feels that parking on the T-Head is inadequate and
that the number of people who stay in hotels and visit the
Aquarium, the Columbus Fleet, and the Lexington is relatively
small . It was felt that these people should be served by the
Scenic Trail trolley. Gwen Henzi stated she felt a formal
meeting with the RTA Board should be arranged to make them aware
of the problem. Mr. Stryker advised that he has spoken with the
staff of the RTA but felt that , if a meeting with the representa-
tives of the RTA Board is wanted, it should be the Advisory
Committee that requests this meeting. It was agreed that Gwen
Henzi, Linda Mora and Alicia Perez will set up a meeting with the
RTA Board.
4d. Patty Murphy, Museum Librarian, advised that the new direc-
tor of the Fulton Mansion in Rockport had come to our museum for
information on the Mansion. It was recommended that most of the
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Advisory Committee Meeting
April 7, 1994
Page 2
items we have (photographs and cash books donated by Mrs . Henry
Fulton and Frank Wagner) could greatly enhance the Fulton Man-
sion . The Advisory Committee voted unanimously to deaccession
the items shown them and give them to the Fulton Mansion.
4e . Participants of piano recitals, etc . have been allowed a
limited amount of time (usually 2 hours) and charged $25 (this
charge includes 50 free passes and 50 programs) . Mr. Stryker
requested that the Advisory Committee consider whether or not
piano recitals should continue at the Museum and, if so, a formal
policy be put into effect . It was agreed that piano recitals
should be continued but that the fee should be increased to $50 .
This fee would include two free admissions for each performer
(the participant plus two) , but any number above two would pay
the regular Museum admission fee. The $50 fee would also include
50 free programs . Any tuning of the piano requested by the
teacher (over the once a year tuning for which the Museum bud-
gets) will be paid by the teacher. Linda Mora moved that the
Advisory Committee approve these suggestions and put them into
policy form. Gwen Henzi seconded this motion, and the Advisory
Committee unanimously approved it .
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at
1 : 15 p .m.
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