The Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation Board

Meeting No. 4

Mount Joy School, Markham Museum

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 – 5 p.m.

 

 

In Attendance:                                                         Regrets:

John Buie, Chair                                                     Randy Barber

Councillor Carolina Moretti                                                Vince Tortorici

Bob Baird                                                                  Glenn Schick

Gunter Langhorst

Martha Mingay

Ardy Reid

Genny Landis

 

Staff:

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner                            John Ryerson, Director

   Community & Fire Services                                    Culture

Cathy Molloy,

Director, Markham Museum

Pam Cook (Recording Secretary)

 

 

1.    CALL TO ORDER & OPENING REMARKS

 

The Meeting of the Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation Board was called to order at 5:10 p.m.

 

The Chair welcomed and introduced Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community and Fire Services for the Town of Markham and indicated that the Commissioner’s presentation will be the main focus for discussion for this meeting.

 

John Buie thanked Cathy Molloy, Director of the Markham Museum for arranging the hard hat tour on April 30th of the new Collections building currently under construction.  The Chair expressed pleasure about the way Museum staff showed such pride of ownership of their respective areas during the tour.  It is anticipated that this building will be substantially completed around the end of July of this year.

 

2.    BOARD EDUCATION – Brenda Librecz

 

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner, Community and Fire Services for the Town of Markham made a presentation on the Town of Markham / Markham Public Library Integrated Leisure Master Plan.  The Commissioner explained that it is called an Integrated Master Plan because it includes parks, recreation, library and culture and deals with facilities and programs, how the Town deals with people and policies.  It is a ten year plan, with a major review after five years and an annual ‘report card’ to determine successes and failures.  This Plan, described as a ‘quality of life ‘maker’ for Markham, was approved by Council, with minor revisions, on April 13th, 2010. 

 

In response to a query, it was commented that the new Collections building for the Museum did not qualify for infrastructure funding because construction had already commenced, and there was some federal funding provided already.  The Director, Markham Museum advised that the Museum landscaping project was submitted for infrastructure funding but this was not chosen. 

 

The Chair thanked the Commissioner for her presentation and commented that it will certainly help the Foundation Board with their strategic planning knowing that there is integrated plan in place.

 

3.    REGRETS

 

Regrets were received from Glenn Schick, Randy Barber and Vince Tortorici.

 

4.    ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF MEETING

 

Moved by Genny Landis,

Seconded by Ardy Reid

 

THAT the draft minutes of the Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation Board, dated Thursday, April 15, 2010 be approved as amended.

 

CARRIED

5.    ADDITIONS / CHANGES TO THE AGENDA

 

The Chair indicated that the following items would be added to the agenda

a.    Invitation from the Historical Society

b.    Community Tree Planting

c.    Summer Meeting Schedule

 

6.    DECLARATIONS

 

There were no declarations for this meeting.

 

7.    BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

There was no business arising from the minutes.

 

8.    DIRECTOR’S REPORT

 

Cathy Molloy, Director Markham Museum tabled a brief report for the Foundation Board.  Construction for the Collections Building is about two weeks behind, but should have a substantial completion by the end of July.  The main driveway entrance will remain closed for approximately two months more.

 

John Ryerson, Director of Culture has asked that a member of the Foundation Board commit to sit on a new committee to assist the development of a cultural plan for Markham – Building Creative Markham.  The Chair asked interested members from the Foundation to speak to him directly about this.  The Director further suggested that this new advisory committee is only expected to meet five times over the next year, with the first meeting planned for late June, 2010.  Funding has been provided from the Ministry of Culture for this endeavour.  Dave Tsubouchi will sit on this new committee.

 

The Rotary Club presented a cheque for $1,000.00 to the Museum, which has been forwarded to Finance for allotment to the Foundation.  The Executive Committee will discuss a proper thank you procedure for this donation at their next meeting.

 

The new office furniture for the Museum will be delivered in the next couple of weeks.

 

9.    SECRETARY’S REPORT

 

Martha Mingay, Secretary, Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation Board indicated there was nothing to report at this time.

 

10. TREASURER’S REPORT

 

The Treasurer, Ardy Reid, indicated that there is nothing to report at this time.

 

11. COMMITTEE REPORTS

a.    Executive Committee – nothing to report at this time

 

b.    Museum Collection Committee – nothing to report at this time

 

c.       Development Committee – Martha Mingay

 

Martha tabled the notes for the April 13th meeting and an update report for April for receipt by the Foundation.  February 3rd, 2010 has been booked for the gala opening of the Collections Building and it was requested that Museum staff and Town of Markham elected officials report back on their availability.

 

The next meeting of the Development Committee is May 20th at 4:30 p.m. at Martha’s office.

 

d.    Volunteer Committee – nothing to report at this time.

 

12. OTHER BUSINESS

 

a.    Historical Society Invitation

John Buie, Chair announced that the Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation, Councillors and the Mayor were invited to attend the meeting of the Historical Society on Monday, June 14th at 6:00 p.m. for their potluck dinner.  At 8:00 p.m. there will be a re-dedication of the sundial in it’s new location at the Museum.

 

b.    Community Tree Planting

Councillor Moretti extended an invitation to the Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation and staff to attend a Community Tree Planting – a Markham Trees for Tomorrow Event on Saturday, May 8th, 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Milne Dam Conservation Park – Camp Chimo Site.  In response to a query, Councillor Moretti explained that this event is the Mayor’s initiative.

 

c.    Summer Hours

Because of the ongoing construction and activities at the Markham Museum, there was discussion about whether to hold meetings of the Friends of Markham Museum Foundation Board over the summer.  It was agreed that the Committees would continue to meet and that if required, a meeting on August 4th would be scheduled.  The September meeting will be held on September 8th, not September 1st as the pre-determined scheduling would dictate.

 

13. NEXT MEETING

 

The next scheduled meeting of the Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation Board will be held on Wednesday, June 2nd at 5 p.m. at the Mount Joy School.

 

14. ADJOURNMENT

 

Moved by Councillor Moretti

Seconded by Bob Baird,

 

THAT the May 5th meeting of the Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation Board be adjourned, the time being 6:34 p.m.

 

CARRIED