Minutes of the Centerville City Whitaker Museum Board meeting held Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitaker Museum, 168 North Main Street, Centerville, Utah.

MEMBERS PRESENT:
 Rebekah Barton, Chair
 Richard Henrichsen
 Frank Hirschi
 Paul Smith (was excused at 8:30 p.m.)
 Priscilla Todd
  
STAFF PRESENT:
 Melissa Hogan, Museum Director
 Connie Larson, Recording Secretary

VISITORS:
 MarNell Knight

MINUTES REVIEW AND APPROVAL

Rebekah Barton explained the guidelines for the $6,000 grant have changed since this item was discussed at the May 3, 2007 meeting. She said this is a wonderful grant, but because the due date is tomorrow, it should be pursued next year.  Priscilla Todd explained this grant must be used exclusively for the carriage house, and the Board can apply for this grant next year when the Museum will have a larger budget to match the grant. Frank Hirschi expressed concern that if grants are not applied for, they may not be available again. Rebekah Barton said it is premature to apply for this grant, as more time is needed to prepare for it.  She said there needs to be programs developed first to get the Museum off the ground and to get people interested in the Museum. 

Frank Hirschi explained that minutes should not have been taken at the May 17, 2007 Whitaker Museum Board meeting because there was not a quorum present.  Rebekah Barton and Priscilla Todd said the meeting was held because Rick Bangerter, Jr. from Bangerter Roofing came to discuss the roof of the Museum.  Priscilla Todd said that no action was taken at the meeting because a quorum was not present.  The minutes were taken so that there was a record of the proceedings, but no action was taken. 

Paul Smith and Frank Hirschi said they did not receive the agenda for the May 17th meeting. Rebekah Barton said she will talk with Marilyn Holje about having copies of the agenda mailed to Board members.

Minutes of the May 3, 2007 Whitaker Museum Board meeting minutes were reviewed.  Richard Henrichsen made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Frank Hirschi seconded the motion, which was passed by unanimous vote (4-0).  Priscilla Todd abstained from voting, as she was not present at the meeting.

UPDATE ON SAFETY ISSUES AT THE MUSEUM

Rebekah Barton reported that Police Chief Neal Worsley will attend the July 5, 2007 Whitaker Museum Board meeting to discuss safety issues at the Museum.

HISTORY OF PURCHASE AND ORIGINAL INTENT OF MUSEUM – GIVEN BY PRISCILLA TODD

Priscilla Todd explained that she was raised in Towaoc, Colorado on the Ute Mountain Indian reservation. She has no pioneer ancestry or historical ties to the LDS Church or to Centerville. Priscilla Todd said her husband’s ancestry settled Greenwich, Connecticut in the 1600s, and her family has no personal interest as far as family history, or trying to preserve a family name in Centerville or with the Whitaker Museum.  She said when she ran for Mayor in 1993, she met with the Centerville Historical Society to better understand their needs, and they expressed a desire to have a place to display artifacts they had collected to tell Centerville’s story.  Priscilla Todd expressed a desire to have the Whitaker home as the place to do this. When she took office in 1994, she contacted Helen Wright, who owned the Whitaker home, and told her that the City might be interested in purchasing the home.  Mrs. Wright’s husband passed away, and shortly thereafter she contacted the City about purchasing the home.  Priscilla Todd said an appraisal was done, which came back at $250,000, which was for the 1.29 acres, and the home was not given any value.  She said $50,000 was taken from the sale of property on Center Street.  This property was owned by the Lion’s Club for preservation purposes, and it was with their approval.  She said it was given to the City with the proceeds to be used for preservation purposes, and they gave their approval for the property to be used for the Whitaker Museum property.  Priscilla said money from the Water and Sanitation Fund was borrowed at five percent interest, and the home was purchased at $4.00 per square foot, with the loan being repaid with interest.
 
Priscilla Todd read a true story dated March 9, 1862 from the book, The City In-Between, about John and Elizabeth Jones Rigby who built a home next to Rick’s Creek in l863. Their son became ill in February 1864, and John went to Salt Lake City to sell wood in order to buy medicine. On returning home, he rounded Point of the Mountain, and was met with a severe east wind. The drifts were so bad that by the time he got to Heber C. Kimball’s Grist Mill, he had to unhitch the horses and leave the wagon.  He made it on foot to the William Corbidge home in Bountiful, where he stayed the night, and the next morning he found his team frozen to death.  Ruben Blaizdell had been over to play with the Corbidge children, so he took Ruben and started for home on foot.  The boy kept going to sleep, and John had to whip him to keep moving so he wouldn’t freeze to death. When he arrived at the Centerville Store, two miles south of his home, he met William Ford going to order Brother Harris to make a coffin for Elizabeth and her son, John Rigby.  This is how John found out they had frozen to death. Elizabeth became frightened of the storm and she had taken her baby John, and started to go to a neighbor’s house when she was blown into a wire fence where she froze to death. In this storm, John also lost 200 hundred head of sheep and all of his cows and horses.  All John had left was a yearling colt, a calf, his dog, and two sheep. 

Priscilla Todd said these are the stories that need to be preserved, especially when it seems that integrity, courage, honesty, right and wrong are blurred in current societal trend to acceptance of all things.  She said it is wise to preserve history, courage, and faith that might instill in another person that they can too can conquer their own problems.  She said the Whitaker home was not purchased as a tribute to the Whitaker’s, but as a tribute to the courage, faith, honesty, and characteristics that make Centerville a place to settle. Priscilla said this is not an ideal place to live with the high winds, floods, high water table, and earthquake fault lines, but the settlers persevered. She said she went to the community to solicit donated help, and many people provided donated labor, and businesses donated appliances, cabinets, etc.  She said by going out to the community, hundreds of people helped renovate the home without spending the $300,000 that was quoted to renovate it. Priscilla said the continued effort of the public will help to keep the stories of Centerville history viable, and continue the legacy for future generations. She said Bill Nelson had obtained many of the histories of the elderly citizens that live in Centerville. 

Rebekah Barton, Chair, said the original rock building is the most aesthetically pleasing feature of the building.  She said there are many new residents in Centerville, who may not be aware of what is offered at the Museum.  Rebekah suggested a harvest festival in the fall, and during the winter have children build snowmen on the Museum grounds.  She would like to see people come to the Museum to be educated about the past while at the same time, having fun. 

Priscilla Todd said when she was Mayor, there was a massive volunteer effort, and she never had anyone tell her “no” when asked to do something.  She said a $500,000 FEMA Grant was given to Centerville because of the massive volunteer effort of the people in Centerville. Priscilla said the youth are always looking for ways to serve and be involved, and she feels if the geographic stakes in Centerville are contacted, volunteers will be willing to help with projects at the Museum.

Rebekah Barton stated she would like to see the Whitaker Museum become more visual to the community with more volunteer hours, and having people come to the Museum more than just once. She would like to see the collections displayed and rotated through different programs, so that there is always something different to see.  Paul Smith discussed a TV show from England entitled connections” that aired during the 1970s, and this same role playing can be done on the early Centerville residents, and how they affect our lives today. Rebekah said the Humanities are losing touch in our current culture, and the Museum is a way of providing a cultural center where people want to be. 

Priscilla Todd suggested itemizing and prioritizing what needs to be done to the Museum, and at the same time, get community involvement.  She suggested the Whitaker Museum Board function similar to the City Council, where members are assigned specific assignments.  She said although the community is predominately LDS, all faiths and individuals will be invited to participate in volunteer efforts at the Museum within the physical boundaries that identify Centerville.             

COMMUNITY HARVEST FESTIVAL 

The Board discussed a harvest festival at the Museum in October.  This festival will include pumpkin carving and displaying the lighted pumpkins on Main Street, and providing refreshments at the Museum.

Richard Henrichsen made a motion to have a Community Harvest Festival in the fall at the Whitaker Museum. Priscilla Todd seconded the motion. Priscilla Todd amended the motion to add having carved, lighted pumpkins placed along the east side of Main Street from Pages Lane north to end at the Whitaker Museum, where refreshments would be offered. MarNell Knight expressed concern about having children participating in this activity on Main Street, where the speed limit is 40 mph.  Priscilla Todd said there would be safety cones placed along the street, and the police would be involved. Paul Smith suggested asking the merchants along Main Street to participate in this festival somehow. MarNell Knight said many people have extra pumpkins, and she believes people would donate their extra pumpkins for carving.  The Board suggested a banner advertising this activity and sending flyers home with school children in the fall.  Volunteer fiddlers will be asked to play at the festival. 

Assignments:

• Police/safety – includes hay bales to sit on -  Priscilla Todd
• Advertising/flyers/donation of pumpkins – Frank Hirschi
• Pumpkin carving contest and judging – Paul Smith
• History Reenactments – Richard Henrichsen
• Activities at Museum – Rebekah Barton

The amended motion was passed by unanimous vote (5-0).

DISCUSS UTAH CULTURAL HERITAGE TOURISM GRANT

Priscilla Todd made a motion that the Whitaker Museum Board not pursue the Utah Cultural Heritage Grant at this time for the following reasons:

1. The criteria for the money is that the Museum must be able to show hours, matching 25 percent funds, show sufficient advertising, show sufficient documentation that the money was used exactly for what it was given for. 
2. The carriage house is a wonderful idea, but the Board is not ready to document to the State doing a renovation of the carriage room, when the Board cannot yet address the upstairs bathroom facility, raising the ceiling, taking out the bathroom, and completing it as a renovation project.  This was advised by the consultant, Rod Mortensen.
3. If there was more time, and had the Whitaker Museum Board known of the changes earlier, the Board would have aggressively pursued the grant.
4. The Board will continue to pursue grant money in a timely manner.
5. As the Board continues working together, specific projects will be identified, then take the grant from a list of what money is available, and identify projects with specific grants.
6. Specific projects need to be identified ahead of time before pursuing a grant.

Rebekah Barton seconded the motion.  Frank Hirschi stated that application of a grant is 90 percent of the success. Priscilla Todd said the grant application is due tomorrow, and the Board is not ready to submit it.

The motion was passed by unanimous roll-call vote (5-0).

FEASIBILITY STUDY GRANT MONEY

Melissa Hogan explained there is $560 left in the Feasibility Study Grant Fund, and if the money is not used, it will be returned to the National Trust.  She said half of the money would be returned to the Centerville Historic Sites Committee, and the other half will return to the National Trust.  Melissa Hogan said if the Board chooses to use the money, there is a proposal to have a Thomas and Elizabeth Whitaker Home Summit to gather information on the preservation of the Whitaker Museum.  Melissa Hogan asked if the Board decides not to use the money, would it be appropriate for the Historic Sites Committee to use the money to pursue this summit.  The Committee referenced again the motion made and approved to not use the money for a retreat or meeting regarding the Museum.

Priscilla Todd said she understood the Whitaker Museum Board is to be an advisory body directly to the City Council, and the City Council represents the City who owns the Museum.  She said the Whitaker Museum Board makes recommendations for changes to the City Council, which they would then take to the Historic Sites Committee to see how the change fits with what the State criteria is for an historic site.  Priscilla said since the directive has been given to the Whitaker Museum Board by the governing body to make the recommendations to the Historic Sites Committee, then they can review the changes as the governing body makes the final decision. Rebekah Barton, Chair, said she met with Steve Thacker, City Manager, and permission does not need to come from the Historic Sites Committee for the Whitaker Museum Board to make decisions for the Whitaker Museum.  She explained the Whitaker Museum Board is an advisory board to the City Council, and the City will decide as the owner of the Museum what funds are approved for restoration work.  Rebekah said once the City Council makes a decision, they work with the Whitaker Museum Board and the Historic Sites Committee.  She said the purpose of the Historic Sites Committee is to keep the Museum on the Historic Sites Register.

VICE CHAIR NOMINATION

Rebekah Barton, Chair, made a motion to nominate Priscilla Todd as Vice Chair of the Whitaker Museum Board. Frank Hirschi proposed to nominate Priscilla Todd by acclamation.  Richard Henrichsen seconded the motion, which was passed by unanimous vote (5-0).

Paul Smith was excused from the meeting. 
 
FEASIBILITY STUDY GRANT MONEY - CONTINUED

Priscilla Todd asked how the $280 grant money would be used for a summit. Melissa Hogan, Museum Director, explained that Don Hartley, State Architect from the State Historic Preservation Department, would facilitate a discussion, and it would be a public meeting for the community.  She said the money would be used for the recording secretary, and whatever else the Board decides to use it for.  Rebekah Barton, Chair, expressed concern that this is not the time and place for a summit.  Priscilla Todd said there needs to be more specific discussion among the Board on what will take place at this summit, as it will not take all of the $280.  Melissa Hogan stated it is very important that the summit take place. She said the Whitaker Museum has been here for 12 years, and she believes there are issues that need to be discussed, and the community needs to be involved in the Museum. She said in order to get the community involved in the summit, Don Hartley would come to talk about all of the topics the Board has discussed at this meeting, and Mr. Hartley would not be paid to attend the summit.

Rebekah Barton said refreshments would be offered to get the community to the summit, which has been approved, but she stated she believes grant money should be used for programs and not refreshments.  Melissa Hogan stated the National Trust has authorized this use.  Rebekah Barton said she does not like the idea of using grant money, even though it has been approved, to entertain or bribe people to come to a summit. Melissa Hogan said the $280 will not be offered again, as this is a one time offer.  Priscilla Todd said she believes a meeting can be done in three hours if everything is organized, as most people will not attend an all day meeting.  She said as the Board starts getting people in the community involved, it will identify what is working and what is not. Rebekah Barton explained the Whitaker Museum is an emotional issue to some people who want it restored to its original condition without looking at the whole picture, and this is the purpose of focus groups, to bring knowledge to an emotional issue.

Priscilla Todd said the study has been done on the physical part of the Museum, and now the community factor needs to be addressed to get the community involved in the Museum.  She said the physical structure is going to be driven by money, which is inclusive of the governing body, as the Board is only an advisory body. Priscilla said the City Council has directed the Whitaker Museum Board to come to them with a plan with ideas for them to choose from.  She said at some point, the Board must look to the community and determine what the Museum means to them.  Priscilla said it is not known yet what sections of the home are the most important, as it is not known how the home is going to be used. Richard Henrichsen stated most people in the community don’t know about the Museum. Priscilla said it must be determined what the impact of the Museum is on the community, and the impact of the community on the Museum.

Rebekah Barton, Chair, made a motion to allow the remainder of the $560 Feasibility Study Grant money be divided in half ($280) to the Historic Sites Committee, and the other half ($280) to the National Trust. Priscilla Todd seconded the motion, which was passed by unanimous vote (4-0).

Melissa Hogan asked if the Whitaker Museum Board is in approval of the Historic Sites Committee using the $280 for a Whitaker Museum summit.  Priscilla Todd said the Museum Board will not direct the Historic Sites Committee on what they can do with their money. 
  
DISCUSS ROOFING BID

Rebekah Barton, Chair, said a preliminary bid was received from Rick Bangerter Roofing on the roofing of the Museum. She will email the bid information to each Board member, and two more roofing bids will be obtained. This item will be discussed at the next meeting.

DISCUSS UTAH CULTURAL HERITAGE TOURISM GRANT

Rebekah Barton, Chair, said the Utah Cultural Heritage Tourism Grant is due July 31, 2007, and it is a local one-to-one cash match for up to $10,000.  She said this grant can be used for programs that increase knowledge and participation in the community.  Rebekah Barton asked board members to read the application and be prepared to discuss it at the next meeting. 

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Rebekah Barton, Chair, explained there is an Eagle Scout project that is taking place this Saturday.  She said the Boy Scout, who is 13 years old, is planning to restore the pioneer wagon at the Museum.  Rebekah said the boy is planning to sand the wagon and paint a coat of polyurethane on it.  Priscilla Todd said she received a call from the Boy Scout’s mother, and after a lengthy discussion, Priscilla and her husband are now heavily involved in this project, which was not their intention.  She said there are concerns because this boy, and the other boys with him, will be working with chemicals, even though it is required to have adult supervision.

In the future, the Whitaker Museum Board will have a list of projects identified that can be done for Eagle Scout awards, but the Board will not help with Eagle Scout projects. 

Rebekah Barton made a motion to allow the Eagle Scout project that was discussed to proceed. Frank Hirschi suggested a legal document eliminating the City from any liability to be signed by the parents of the Boy Scout, which Priscilla Todd will follow up on.  Priscilla Todd seconded the motion. Rebekah Barton amended her motion to include that specific Eagle Projects be identified, and an identified person must approve Eagle Projects before they can begin working on the project.  Priscilla Todd seconded the amended motion, which was passed by unanimous vote (4-0).

NEXT MEETING

The next Whitaker Museum Board meeting will be on Thursday, July 5, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitaker Museum.

At 9:30 p.m., Priscilla Todd made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Richard Henrichsen seconded the motion, which was passed by unanimous vote (4-0).

__________________________________    __________________
          Rebekah Barton, Chairperson                            Date Approved

__________________________________
   Connie Larson, Recording Secretary