MINUTES

MUSEUM BOARD

Tuesday July 17th, 2007

 

 

In Attendance: Gunter Langhorst, Ardy Reid, Jim Wicks, Councillor Carolina Moretti, Randy Barber, Monica Peel, Anna Rose, Susan Smitko, Lorne Smith, John Ryerson, Linda Irvine, Joe Ferrara, Alan Wolfe, Doug Ward, Chris Ward, Councillor John Webster, Genny Landis, Bob Baird, and Kristen Hambelton.

 

Regrets: John Buie & John Bayfield

 

 

ITEM#       ITEM                   DESCRIPTION                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

1.

Call to Order

Meeting called to order at 7:02 p.m.

2.

Additions

·          Changes to the order of the agenda were made but no additions.

3.

Master Site Plan Presentation – Linda Irvine

·          Goal of the site plan is to make all 25 acres a part of the museum experience and therefore 3 concepts were present to the board.

·          Preferred site for new Ward Building is at the front of 48 with possible connections to reception center and school house.

·          All 3 concepts focus on the front of the museum and create a street presence.

·          Option C (biggest idea) – move buildings to around a green that would fit 6,000 people.

·          Option B – a tighter village concept, pavilion stays in the same spot and would fit 5,000 people.

·          Option A - closest to what we have now and works with existing facilities.

·          Many of the board members initial reaction were that they preferred B but concerns were raised about cost and if this was realistic to make this many alterations.

·          With regards to future plans for the museum the issue of “land banking” was discussed at length and the majority agree that they do not want to see the museum stuck between two malls.

·          Lorne Smith handed out 20 point memo to the board of the museum master plan which was then reviewed and key points were discussed such as the geology of the site.

·          Linda Irvine would like to walk around the site with Lorne Smith and Jim Wicks to identify trees donated by family members.

4.

Ward Building – Alan Wolfe

·          A Ward Building report was given to council in June where 6 options were provided to council.  Three of which stayed within the existing budget and the other three increased the budget so that it was adequate.  

·          The 6th option, which is to maintain the original Ward Building (fixing up what needs to be fixed up) and building the new Ward Building at the Front of the property but requiring an additional $2.675 Million is the option that would most fit the museums needs and the grant stipulations.

·          Council approved the renovations to the existing Ward Building for $300,000.00 which is to be completed in the Fall/Winter of this year.

5.

Minutes

·          Minutes were approved by Randy Barber, all were in favor.

6.

Book Committee – Monica Peel

·          Monica Peel stated that they have met with Trillium and got suggestions for the grant and that the grant was submitted at the beginning of July.

7.

Foundation Committee

·          No new information.

8.

Wine Tasting Committee – Randy Barber

·         Draft minutes were distributed to all board members.  Randy Barber moved on draft minutes, Jim Wicks seconded, all were in favor.

·         130 letters have been sent out to restaurants and wineries.

·         Harry James has agreed to donate $6,000.00

·         The finance department will be involved with the collection of the money from the silent auction.

·         Hoping to bring walk-in number back up to 100 people.

·         Susan Smitko suggested that the committee contact Deb Weller of North Magazine as a potential sponsor of the event.

·         Jim Wicks is to look into getting an auctioneer for the live action element of the event.

·         The committee is asking for the support of all board members to supply at least one silent auction item.  Please contact Anna or Randy about your item.

9.

Managers Report – Anna Rose

·         A proposal for the little train area was passed around to all board members to review.

·         A windmill the Wayne Family is interested in donating was viewed this week and is in great condition and could fit well into future plans.

·         A meeting was held with the fire department and they have three trucks with a great deal of history.

·         Allen Seabrooke is the new acting commissioner.

·         George Phillip’s tree has been planted and Monica Peel has been asking all board members to donate $25 towards a plaque. 

10.

New Business

·         Jim Wicks mentioned that the completed version of the recognition board is still going to take some time due to the designers.

·         Jim Wicks suggested that in order to get some of the buildings up and running, such as the Houser Workshop, that we contact various services groups like the Lion’s Club to volunteer to clean-up and set up these buildings. 

·         Councilor Carolina Moretti welcomed Bob Baird and Genny Landis to the Museum Board.

·         John Ryerson informed the board of the substantial amount of media interest the cultural venues in Markham have received which provided many opportunities to promote the museum.

·         Monica Peel Motioned to adjourn meeting, all were in favor at 9:15pm.

·         Next meeting August 29th at 7pm.