08-08-83 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 8, 1983 7) There is no promotional plan. The number of people going through the museum is only a fraction of what is needed to make this a viable museum. In short, it is time for an open discussion of how to create a viable museum that can be a tourist attraction for the community. A few years ago the opration of Discovery Hall Museum was put under the control of the Century Center Board of Managers. That budget has been submitted tonight. Frankly, I acknowledge that Discovery Hall has not met my expectations nor has it been successful in terms of admissions. We have suffered over the last two years with overlapping control between the Board and the Mayor's office with a resulting lack of leadership. The staff should be praised for what they have accomplished without community support. I don't feel comfortable submitting the budget to you if this lack of accountability is to continue. I propose that in your deliberation of the Discovery Hall budget in which the staff will also serve the Studebaker Museum that you hold a public hearing to determine the proper operational plan for 1984 for both museums. Obviously it would be easier for our Board and the council to simply say that this is the Mayor's problem and ignore the issue. However, the Mayor is not solving the problems and I feel a responsibility to the community as I hope you do that we should take the lead to propose solutions. To end these remarks on a more positive note and show that I have consistently striven to resolve the problem, I want to again propose Central High School as the ultimate museum. 1) Central is immediately available. 2) Central is available for $1 per year. 3) Central has a tenant that pays rent which can support utility and basic needs in the building. 4) Central is in the Historic District and is a number one rated building. 5) Central has community support and will help build citizen involvement. 6) The initial cost of $300,000 to set up the museum would result in a quality exhibit and be less than the $600,000 needed at Freeman- Spicer. I respectfully ask that you give this issue your immediate concern and that we work together to solve this problem that has been neglected for so long. Ron Radecki, 123 S. St. Peter, indicated he supported Terry Miller's statements. He indicated the heat and humidity are destroying wooden artifacts in the collection and that valuable records are being stored unprotected. Joseph Kernan, City Controller, indicated that the Administration was willing to sit down and discuss any problems with the Century Center Board of Managers. There being no further business to come before the Council, unfinished or new, Council Member Serge made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Taylor. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m. ATTEST: City Clerk ATTEST: s e .s'/ o