HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-18-2001White River Valley Historical Society
Board Meeting Minutes
April 18, 2001, 1:30-2:30
Board Members Present: Marissa Armstrong, Earl Averill, Michael Cassella Blackburn, Debbie Maguire,
Maxine Moergeli, Charles Natsuhara, Bill Peloza, Dick Pickett, Mike Stevens, Daryl Thompson, Mae Yamada,
Mike Hamilton, John Meneghim.
Board Members Excused: Libby Dykstra, Hans Torklep, Alan B'Hymer, Earl Hagen, Bud Kuhlman, Doris
Ramstead.
Staff Present: Patricia Cosgrove, Tina-Brewster-Wray, Kristin Bruhan.
Guests: Mel Sinex, Ed Montry, Paul Schorr, Jay Weimern.
1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes
A. President Stevens called the meeting to order and asked for the approval of the minutes. Bill Peloza
moved that they be approved as presented. APPROVED
11. Volunteer of the Month
A. Director Cosgrove introduced Jay Weimern, Ed Montry, Paul Schorr, (and Bud Kuhlman-who was out
of town and could not be honored at this time) as the museum's volunteers of the month. These four are our mighty
construction crew! Jay is the Forman who has been working well and closely with Patricia & Mike Hamilton. Ed &
Paul are Boeing Bluebirds doing what their strong work ethic drives them to do best-volunteer their time &
talents! And where would we be without Bud and his amazing energy?! Thanks to them, we have been able to cut
our costs and stay on schedule. They were all presented with WRVM hats as a small token of our appreciation.
11. Treasury and Committee Reports
A. Treasurer Pickett presented us with several financial reports for March 2001. He provided us with info
about the following items: Temp Exhibits: this $5K item is budget neutral. Meaning that the expenses vs. the
income is the same; Operating-Restricted Funds: we will get two different reports next mtg. about these funds;
Construction Report: we are coming in $19,430 UNDER budget thanks to the $36 KC grant and other cuts (due to
the combination of the two previous items we may actually come out with a $30K surplus). It was noted that the
investments made in Tennessee Valley Authority and Pack Bell were well chosen, and Mel Sinex was thanked for
being a part of that wise choice. It was also mentioned during this discussion that we need to make sure the
museum is earthquake proof. And lastly, the Finance Committee presented us with their responses to the audit
committees' suggestions and how they planned on handling them all. Bill Peloza moved that we accept the
Treasurer's response to the audit checklist findings. Michael Cassella-Blackburn seconded. ACCEPTED
B. Construction Committee Chair Mike Hamilton gave his report. The exterior walls are up; in two more
days the roof will be done-all that is left is the trim & flashings; the Pavilion Area roof had to be cut away from
the main building due to fire codes; masonry work will start this week we will need some volunteers to help
paint the outside veneer of the building); next week the sheet metal, and electrical work will begin; insulation, dry
wall and paint happen next; shooting for 7/4 to have the Muckleshoot Room & Collection area done-not sure on
the date of the rotating exhibit room yet. It was also discussed that Susan Hernday will work with the director on
the outside design to look at going beyond the city allotment for this. The new senior center will not be open by 7/4,
but the road should be by then. Volunteer opportunities were discussed-we will esp. need people to help with
painting and helping Tina with her move probably sometime the last week of May.
C. Bylaws Committee Chair Marissa Armstrong reported that the committee has had two meetings already
to get through the bylaw changes needed and will have one more to get done. She will have a draft copy done soon.
D. Harvest Ball Committee Co-chair Michael Cassella-Blackburn reported that his committee has met and
divided into sub-committees to decide on theme ideas, ticket price (will lower price from $50- $45), etc. Part of
being able to lower the ticket price is that dessert will be an auction item-meaning that if a table wants dessert
they will have to bid for it! Quality items are needed for the raffle. They also plan to make a $15K profit this year
primarily through obtaining more sponsorships.
IV. Staff Report
A. Director Cosgrove reported on the progress of our book Shirakawa. She was thrilled to inform us that
she has obtained a grant for $20K to fund the rest of the project! The Washington Civil Liberties Public Education
Fund wanted the lessons from the internment period never to be repeated again, and that is the main reason for
giving us the whole amount needed to get it finished. Thus, it is back at the designer. It will be modest in design
and contain lots of pictures and less white space.
B. Dr. Brewster-Wray talked to us about a recent acquisition of a Semaphore. These were used by the
railroad many years ago to signal if there was trouble on the tracks. This particular one is being refurbished by a
team of volunteers. It will be placed by the caboose inside the museum. Barb Williams has incorporated teaching
train signals into her work with the kids. Dr. Brewster-Wray also talked to us about the upcoming need to remove a
large Thresher from our collection and Pavilion Area. We are trying to trade it away possibly to Sky Valley
Antique Tractors. There are other items in the Pavilion Area that are ready to go to Olsen's Farm.
C. Patricia talked to us about possibly securing some type of building maintenance contract for some much
needed work around the museum. Things such as: touch up painting, clean & repaired gutters, dripping roof, doors
tightened, outside walls washed, graffiti removal, air conditioning and furnace gone over, etc. These are things that
must be done regularly and it may be more than volunteers can do. It was decided that we would form an ad-hoc
committee that will meet to prepare a proposal for how to take care of this that will report back to the board in
September.
D. Patricia also mentioned that that the Society/City Museum Services Agreement will come due for a
renewal in 2002. The Bylaws and Five Year Plan are important attachments to this document. She recommended
that we consider revising the Museum Services Agreement a bit early, as our Bylaws will be revised this year and
almost all our goals in the Five Year Plan are complete, thus necessitating their early re-write. Earl Averill
recommended that Bill Peloza accompany her to discuss this possibility with Dick Deal and together draft a revised
agreement. This motion was seconded by Daryl Thompson. ACCEPTED
V. New Business
A. Members were invited to stay after the meeting to go on a tour of the building as it is so far.
VI. Adjournment
President Stevens adjourned the meeting at 2:40 p.m. The next meeting will be held at the Library on May
16, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Date: May 10, 2001