Minutes of the Centerville City Whitaker Museum Board meeting held Thursday, April 5, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Whitaker Museum, 168 North Main Street.

MEMBERS PRESENT:
 Rebekah Barton
 Richard E. Henrichsen
 Frank Hirschi
 Paul Thomas Smith
 Priscilla A. Todd

STAFF PRESENT:
 Ronald G. Russell, Mayor
 Melissa Hogan, Museum Director 
 Connie Larson, Recording Secretary

VISITOR:
 Grace Marsden

INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS

Mayor Russell and the new Whitaker Museum Board members introduced themselves. 

REMARKS BY MAYOR RUSSELL

Mayor Russell said this is the first meeting of the Whitaker Museum Board, and a Chairperson has not been named at this time.  He explained when the Whitaker Museum was purchased by the City, the City was much smaller and many great things have been done with the Museum and, hopefully, many great things will continue to be done at the museum.  Mayor Russell said Melissa Hogan has been the Whitaker Museum Director for two years, and the Historic Sites Committee will continue to focus on identifying historic sites in Centerville for the National and Local Historic Register.  He said the Whitaker Museum Board will help give Melissa Hogan direction on what programs should be considered for the museum. 

REVIEW OF ORDINANCE CREATING MUSEUM BOARD:  DISCUSS BOARD’S POWERS AND DUTIES; ROLES OF MUSEUM DIRECTOR, MUSEUM BOARD, CITY MANAGER AND CITY COUNCIL, ETC.

Mayor Russell reviewed the Whitaker Museum Board Ordinance that states: “there will be five regular committee members, with Melissa Hogan as staff.” The Ordinance also states: “it shall be the duty of the Board to act in an advisory and volunteer capacity to the City Council regarding the administration and operation of the Thomas Whitaker Home Museum, including but not limited to preparing and making a long-range plan.” 

Mayor Russell said one of most important items will be to prepare and recommend for approval a long-range plan for the Whitaker Museum and what it should become.  Mayor Russell explained there are structural issues with the museum, and decisions and recommendations need to be made on how to keep it preserved and make it a first class museum.

Mayor Russell said he envisions more resources being devoted to the museum than has been done in the past.  He explained the Museum Board will implement and carry out policies, programs, and make recommendations to the City Council for approval on the amount of money that should be appropriated to keep the museum preserved and make it a first class museum. He said there are grant programs available through the State that need to be tapped into, and he envisions the City Council adopting a budget that has an amount of money to be spent on the Whitaker Museum.  

Priscilla Todd asked Mayor Russell what his definition is of a first class museum.  Mayor Russell said he does not have a preconceived notion of what a first class museum is, but he envisions it as having more resources devoted to it than what has been done in the past.  He said consideration needs to be given on what role the museum should be in the community, and the City Council is open to ideas and suggestions on the role of the museum.  Mrs. Todd asked about the inventory that was done at the museum several years ago. Melissa Hogan explained inventory was done of every artifact, at that time, and the inventory record is in the museum.  A request was made that a copy be kept at City Hall. 

Frank Hirschi asked what the budget for the museum is.  Mayor Russell said that there is a budget, but he does know what it is.  He asked the Museum Board to give budget recommendations to the City Council for the funds that are necessary. Priscilla Todd said that at one time there were reunions, family dinners, and other socializing done at the museum and she asked if this is still taking place.  She asked if these activities have stopped.  Melissa said there are DUP meetings, genealogy and quilting classes, and the gardening club meets at the Whitaker Museum.  She said other groups have stopped meeting at the museum, and she would like to try and get these groups and other visitors to come back.

SELECT BOARD CHAIR OR POSTPONE SELECTION TO LATER MEETING

Frank Hirschi recommended Paul Smith as the Whitaker Museum Board Chairperson. Richard Henrichsen also recommended Rebekah Barton as Chairperson. Rebekah Barton said she would like to have several meetings as a Committee before a Chairperson is elected.

Mayor Russell suggested a work session with the Whitaker Museum Board and the City Council to work on recommendations for the Whitaker Museum.

SELECT REGULAR MEETING DATE AND TIME

The Whitaker Museum Board agreed to meet on the third Thursday of each month.  The next meeting will be held on April 19, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitaker Museum.

SCHEDULE PRESENTATION FROM ARCHITECT ROD MORTENSEN REGARDING FEASIBILITY STUDY OF WHITAKER HOME

Melissa Hogan explained a grant for a feasibility study was obtained and Rod Mortensen, State Historic Preservation Architect, did a feasibility study of the museum to the 1910 time period, but a complete structural analysis was not done because of funds. Melissa Hogan would like to have a more thorough survey done on the structure of the building.  Mayor Russell suggested having Mr. Mortensen give a presentation to the Board regarding the feasibility study he did on the museum. Melissa Hogan will ask Mr. Mortensen to attend the meeting on April 19th.

Grace Marsden talked about the historic home in Draper and how it feels like a warm and inviting home.  She said she would like to see the Whitaker Museum feel like “home.”  Melissa said the Whitaker Museum is on the National Historic Register. Mayor Russell said there is a City Master Plan for the property from the Whitaker Museum north to Founders Park, which the Board should study.  He said the Master Plan can be changed to fit the needs of the museum.
 
OTHER BUSINESS

Priscilla Todd explained she was Mayor when the City purchased the Whitaker Museum.  She said there was minor opposition to the purchase of the museum at that time, and she expressed concern that the City Council will support the plans that will be presented to them.  Priscilla Todd said the bid to open the Whitaker Museum was $310,000, but the work to open it was done by volunteers and professionals.  She said if the project has value and is well organized, people are willing to support and help.

Melissa Hogan said the City Council is behind the Whitaker Museum.  She said two years ago she asked Steve Thacker for permission to do a feasibility study, and she went to the City Council for their support, which they did.  Melissa feels the current City Council will also support what decisions are made by the Museum Board.

TOUR OF WHITAKER MUSEUM

The Whitaker Museum Board toured the museum.

 ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

_______________________________   ________________________
    Marilyn Holje, City Recorder                               Date Approved

_______________________________
 Connie Larson, Recording Secretary