HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-1978MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
October 10, 1978
The meeting was informally convened at 7:30 A.M. in the Education
Gallery of Bowers Museum. Following breakfast, the meeting was
Chaired by Everett E. Parks, Chairman of the Bowers Museum Board,
who had requested a meeting with the City Council to discuss recent
developments in the opportunities available for higher levels of
excellence at the Museum. Council members present were James E.
Ward, David L. Brandt, Vernon S. Evans, David L. Ortiz and Harry
K. Yamamoto. Councilmen John Garthe and Gordon Bricken were
absent. Staff members present were Acting City Manager/ City
Attorney Keith L. Gow, Deputy City Manager Manuel Rede, Bowers
Museum Director Reilly C. Rhodes and Acting Clerk of the Council
Patricia E. Rice. Also attending were Museum Board members Jean-
ette L. Bean, Manuel Esqueda and Ross E. Crane.
BOWERS MUSEUM EXPANSION Mr. Parks thanked the
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS & PLANS Council for giving the
Board this opportunity
to discuss the Bowers
Museum. He pointed to 144,393 annual Museum visitors, an impres-
sive increase in attendance at the Museum during the past year,
26,000 of whom were school children. He stated that the summer
school attracted 550 participants; 855 attended classes at the
Museum; and 13,000 volunteer and community people used the cen-
ter and conference room. Mr. Parks said that during the past
year there was a 75% increase in the membership of the Museum
Foundation, from 800 to 1,400.
Ross E. Crane gave a brief history of the acquisition of the Museum
and its development to the present 10,000 square foot facility.
He displayed the plans for expansion, which include a two story
30,000 square foot building that is needed to support the increase
in attendance and interest in the Museum. Mr. Crane said that the
Board is very aware of the momentum of interest that has been
generated by the very fine exhibits and programs the Museum has
been able to acquire during the past year.
Jeanette Bean reviewed the exhibits presented by the Museum and
emphasized that the Museum staff had developed the confidence
of the art world and of world renowned museums in order to accom-
plish these acquisitions; that Orange County has the population
and the wealth to support a major metropolitan museum, and that
it can be Santa Ana at Bowers.
Museum Director Reilly Rhodes stated that the Foundation and the
Board recognize that the City of Santa Ana cannot provide funding
for expansion of the Museum, and that they would like to develop
a cooperative effort by both public institutions and private indus-
try. Mr. Rhodes said that he is confident that contributions are
forthcoming from Orange County industrial companies who support
the arts. He continued with a summary of the personnel employed
at the Museum and the need for three additional employees to pro-
vide the clerical support for a fund raising campaign. Mr. Rhodes
emphasized that if the Museum is to grow and flourish that this
is the appropriate time for a promotional campaign.
Councilmen discussed the possibility of obtaining additional CETA
personnel as well as the use of a contract employee for one year.
Mr. Rhodes said that the Fluor Corporation is ready to provide the
Museum with a loaned executive for promotion of the Museum right
now. Councilman Ward said he was impressed with the presentation,
and Mayor Evans encouraged Mr. Rhodes to bring his plan to Council
for action. CA 85
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned
at 8:55 A.M.
PatT~ci-a E. Ri~-~, Acting Clerk
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
423 OCTOBER 10, 1978