06-17-2009
1 Board Members Present: Bill Terrell Linda Chapman Stuart Ball Ann Griffith John Haley Dean Gattone Lowell Soucie Jonathan Barfield, Jr. Dawn McKernan Absent: Bob Jones, Jack Mills
Staff Present: Ruth Haas, CFM Director The Cape Fear Museum Advisory Board held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 in the Williston Auditorium at the Cape Fear Museum.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bill Terrell at 4:05 PM. Approval of Minutes: John Haley A motion to accept the May 20, 2009, minutes was made by Jonathan Barfield, Jr.,
seconded by Bill Terrell, and approved unanimously. Consideration of Absences: John Haley Bob Jones and Jack Mills are excused. ll
Bill Terrell reported that he had sent a memo to the New Hanover County Commissioners; Bruce Shell, County Manager; and Chris Coudriet, Assistant County Manager expressing the concerns
of the Museum Advisory Board over the proposal offered by the Cameron Art Museum. He has received one written response. Bob Jones has informed us that he will be submitting a formal
letter of resignation because his health problems continue and he recognizes the importance of having active members serving on the Board. Ruth Haas provided an update on the board appointments.
John Haley has requested reappointment for another term. Two applications will be considered by the Commissioners. Ruth has made appeals to two additional individuals to apply and encouraged
Board members to do likewise�
�22 or at the following scheduled meeting. Bill prepared and distributed a wallet enclosure card
mission so that Board members would have easy access to our purpose statement when in the community. MINUTES MUSEUM ADVISORY BOARD MEETING June 17, 17, 2009 2008 Board B.Terrell-Chrmn
D.Gattone-V.C. J.Haley-Sec Long Range Planning John Haley* Stuart Ball Bill Terrell Facilities Jack Mills* Ann Griffith Dawn McKernan Jonathan Barfield, Jr. Collections Lowell Soucie*
Linda Chapman Jonathan Barfield, Jr. Museum Programs /Accreditation Bob Jones* Vacant Dean Gattone Ex-officio: Chris Reid
2 Long Range Planning Committee Report: John Haley The slate of officers for the new fiscal year 09-10: o Chairman Dean Gattone o Vice Chair Stuart Ball o Secretary Lowell Soucie
With no additional nominees, Bill Terrell requested that the slate be accepted by acclamation. The slate was accepted by acclamation. Facilities Committee: Ruth Haas for Jack Mills Property
Management is working with the Museum to schedule the boiler replacement, a 2-3 day job, during which there is no air conditioning. This could occur on a Friday-Monday before the end
of June. It is expected that the generator hook-up will be complete next week. The Museum has approval from County Finance to use up to $2,000 of the remaining $4,000 in the operating
budget to purchase an ice machine for the staff lounge to replace the unit that is not repairable. Property Management will check to see why the bird alarm in the Maritime Pavilion seems
not to be working. After a surprise, maintenance-related fire drill this past week, the Museum and Property Management are reviewing procedures and providing additional training for
staff. Directors Update Report: Ruth Haas Exhibit sketches for the new Cape Fear Stories gallery were passed, and Ruth -�
� The Grassroots Science legislation has moved to conference committee. The latest word was that the House version cut funding by only 4% and
eliminated a section calling for a this funding to become a competitive grant program. Plans are progressing nicely for the November 7, 2009, wine-centered fundraising event at the Museum.
It will be called Message in a Bottle, referencing the history and science behind the wines we enjoy. Committee members are still needed. Since the last Board meeting, Scott Sullivan,
Chairman of the Cameron Family Foundation, presented the concept to the Chamber of Commerce. The concept is that the two museums would combine resources on Cameron property. This would
involve Cape Fear Museum relocating. Ruth met with Debra Velders, Director of the art museum for purposes of clarifying their concept and sharing the goals of Cape Fear Museum as outlined
in the Facilities Master Plan. Three things that Ruth attempted to communicate: o Collaboration is better served when the key players are brought into the discussion before plans go
public; o The County is not in a position to build anytime soon, and based on the s feasibility study, we would fail on a capital campaign without first having a successful
bond issue; o The Museum has identified more needs in our planning than safe storage. In fact, shared exhibit space with 12,000 sq. ft. to share is a non-starter; CFM currently has 12,000
square feet for long term exhibits that are the core of how we deliver on our mission to most of our visitors. If discussions proceed they should be with these understandings accepted.
The
3 concept for a cultural campus /destination for the community is a positive vision. If it is to have life, it needs to be endorsed by a diverse community planning initiative, informed
by serious analysis by objective consultant services; and embraced by the sources of community funding. The Museum Advisory Board did not discourage further discussions. There being
no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:10 PM. The next board meeting will be on Wednesday, July 17, 2009 at 4:00 PM in the Williston Auditorium, Cape Fear Museum.