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Home My WebLink About03-09-16 JHC Minutes 1 San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Administration Office 1341 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo Wednesday, March 9th, 2016 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kathi Settle called meeting to order at 5:33 PM ROLL CALL: Chair Kathi Settle, Vice-Chair Toni Kincaid, Committee Members Chuck Crotser, Bryant Mills, Eva Ulz, Exofficio Committee member James Papp ABSENT: Committee member Bob Gordon STAFF: Melissa Mudgett- Recreation Manager, Liz Jacobs- Recreation Specialist GUESTS: Marilyn Darnell- Docent PUBLIC COMMENT Introductions- Marilyn Darnell, Jack House Docent 1. CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES (SETTLE)  Page 1-2, James Papp recommended striking “phone cord purchase” as the expenditures were for the Jack Ranch photo exhibit.  Item 5 on page 1-3, edit to reflect the Committee suggestion to have Suzanne Watkins submit a proposal to re-stage the bedroom.  Page 1-4, it was suggested by James Papp that his docent report should be included in the minutes instead of the Jack House Committee meeting minutes.  Page 1-3, 4, Chair Settle clarified that the root stalk cost is $220, not the cost of the entirety of the project.  Under item 5 on the same page, Katchy should be credited for leading the discussion.  1-3, number 4, clarification that Joe Sabol took pieces of the tree and they are currently in the fridge.  1-5, number 10, second bullet, “jack house” should be capitalized.  1-3, “cost of exterior and interior…” would not be reviewed this month due to Dave Setterlund’ s absence.  1-5, item 10, Clarify that Chair Settle reported on behalf of Darnell that Darnell wanted to talk about the room. MOTION: (Ulz/Crotser) Approve Meeting Minutes of January 13th as amended. Approved: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent Jack House Committee FINAL - MINUTES 2 2. CONSIDERATION OF FINANCIAL REPORT (SETTLE) MOTION: (Kincaid/Crotser) Approve Financial Report for February 2016. Approved: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent 3. DISCUSSION OF THE CHANGE IN PRESENTATION OF THE NANNY’S ROOM TO A LUGGAGE “TRUNK” ROOM (DARNELL) Marilyn Darnell, Jack House Docent, recommended a change in presentation of the Nanny’s room to a Luggage Room. Her research has revealed that many Victorian houses had rooms that were used as trunk rooms. Generally, the trunk room is located on the second floor between two chambers, too small to be a bedroom and too large to be a closet. She observed the Jack family was wealthy enough to travel and had other lifestyle attributes that would enable this room to be a trunk room. She proposed that the Jack House Nanny’s room be temporarily converted and that travel and travel accessories (trunks, leather travel clock, etc.) be placed into the room on display for a period of two- years. Committee Comments: Committee Member Ulz added an amendment to move the start date of the “room transition” from December to another time where the focus of the house would be the room. She added that December would put it in competition with Christmas tours. It was suggested at the end of the discussion to move today without a starting date and continue considerations to the house and collection as a whole. There will need to be further research. Committee Member Gordon added that December could be a wonderful time to add the exhibit “Jack’s Holiday Traveling”. MOTION: (Crotser/Kincaid) Conceptually approved the temporary changes in presentation of the Nanny’s Room to a Luggage Room with further discussion of conversion details. Approved: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent 4. CONSIDERATION OF CHANGES IN PRESENTATION OF MASTER BEDROOM AND DINING ROOM (PAPP) Papp noted he was at the house when Jeff Cole arrived (wallpaper surveyor). There are three sections of the bedroom in question that need new wallpaper. In the master bedroom, an entire wall of wallpaper is gone. The original wallpaper is saved, although it is not salvageable; there is not enough wallpaper left and it is no longer in production. Committee Comments: Chair Member Ulz suggested that for consistency, a review of the entire house presentation would be beneficial as opposed to one room at a time . At this time, there is no funding available for an interpretive planning for the collection and she recommended consulting the original decorators to regarding the current interpretation and whether or not to continue with the current style of the 3 house. The master bedroom is the most “problematic”, and Suzanne Wilkinson has offered her decorating services again. Committee Member Crotser added that a painted solution would be cost and time-efficient. Member Ulz added again it is a perfect time to consider the implications of designer historic houses in their entirety. This is an opportunity to have a dialogue with the public about the house as an art piece. Exofficio Member Papp suggested that the Committee seek a proposal from Suzanne Watkins for the Committee’s review and approval. MOTION: (Settle/Kincaid) Seek a proposal from Suzanne Watkins to develop a plan for the Master Bedroom and Dining Room change in presentation for the Committee’s consideration. Approved: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent 5. CONSIDERATION OF ACCESSION OF DONATIONS FROM HEARST CORPORATION AND JEAN MARTIN (PAPP)  Skull: A cow skull was offered by Hearst corporation for the temporary exhibition and has offered its donation to the Jack House collection.  Signage: The “Welcome Sign” made of barbed wire has also been dated to the Howard Jack era. Higgins offered the sign to the exhibition and gifted it to the collection permanently. It ties in with Howard Jack’s reputation as a host. It was noted that is unknown where it was originally mounted, as there are no photographs or literature.  Letter: The last item presented was a small note from Phyllis Jack Sinton to Wilkinson, dated April 3rd. On the front is a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge. The significance of the note is the proof of social correspondence as well as the Jack House being referred to as “536 Marsh”. The pieces are excellent options for interpretation. Papp questioned where the note should be placed for storage. It should not remain on permanent display as it is paper. MOTION: (Papp/Kincaid) Accession of the three presented items donated by the Hearst Corporation into the Jack House historical collection. Approved: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent 6. STAFF REPORT (MUDGETT)  There is an Egg Hunt at the Laguna Lake Golf Course on Saturday, March 26th  Youth Services has Spring Break Camp during Spring Break (the week after Cal Poly’s spring break) and they are busy planning  Tuesday, March 22nd is the City Advisory Body Recognition dinner, RSVP by Friday 4 7. DOCENT ACTIVITIES UPDATES (PAPP) The updating of the Docent Handbook is in progress. There is no formal opening date for the Jack House. Papp hopes there will be Art After Dark in April. The docents are recommending opening the house early in April for tours. 8. FRIENDS OF THE JACK HOUSE UPDATES (PAPP) Papp brought examples of images to display. It was discussed how they use images to create a narrative of the house. Papp suggested displays of the images in the gardens in appropriate places to further public discussion and interpretation. This was agreed by the rest of the Committee as a valuable asset to the Jack House and Gardens. 9. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS (SETTLE) – 20 minutes a. Strategic Planning (Crotser, Settle, Ulz) Friday, June 3rd is the Strategic Planning date at the Ludwick Community Center from 9:30am to 4:30pm. b. Carriage House Accessibility (Crotser, Papp) The sub-committee is still waiting for Pacific Builders. Crotser hopes to have a proposal to share with the Committee at the next meeting.. c. Collections, Use & Handling Policy (Settle, Ulz, Darnell) The sub-committee has no updates. c.i Considerations of Collections Policy for Photographs and Paper Ephemera (Papp) The most pressing assessment are photographs and other paper ephemera (prints, booklets, etc.) that have been on permanent display. It is recommended that they are only displayed temporarily, for their integrity may be compromised due to their delicate nature . It was suggested to make a motion to take the photographs and other at-risk items that were packed away from construction and find someone to do a copy for permanent display, when funding is available. MOTION:(Ulz/Kincaid) Remove from display all works on paper that are considered in danger and authorize the expenditure of $200 to seek a proposal from Gail Johnson to assess of the works on paper, with the exception of the books, and user her assessment to guide the planning for the preservation of the collection. Approved: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent 10. MEMBER COMMENTS/ COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS (ALL) Vice Chair Kincaid said that Jim Stockton made ornaments that she brought for display. She suggested ornamenting the trees before selling them. She also added that Laguna Lake with the current rainfall is 4ft deep and enough to kayak. 5 Papp added that there has been discussion with the Central Coast Railroad Festival about doing a shared event- Art After Dark event with their exhibited artist at the Jack house. There is a possibility for a poetry reading. Papp suggested a concert instead. Chair Settle mentioned she was at Art After Dark and even with rain there was still a good turnout and they enjoyed the evening. Meeting adjourned at 6:59p.m. to the next Regular Meeting on April 13th, 2016 at 5:30 pm. Approved by the Jack House Committee on: Wednesday, April 13, 2016. ________________________________________________ Dave Setterlund, Parks and Recreation Department Supervisor