Cumberland Heritage Village Museum Board

Conseil du musée-village du patrimoine de Cumberland

Minutes 1 / ProcÈs-verbal 1

Monday, 26 January 2004 - 7:30 p.m.

Le lundi 26 janvier 2004 - 19 h 30

Councillors’ Boardroom, Orléans Satellite Office

Second Floor, 255 Centrum Boulevard

Salle des conseillers, Bureau satellite d’Orléans

2e étage, 255, boulevard Centrum

Present / Présents : Randall Ash, (Vice-Chair / Vice-président), Councillor Rob Jellett,
Jennifer Hunt-Beauchamp, Dan Brazeau, Walter Cibischino, Jeannie Smith, Malcolm Whittall

Absent / Absents : Fran Stronach (Chair / Présidente)

Others Present / Autres personnes présentes:

Gilles Séguin, Program Manager, Heritage Development,
People Services Department

Monique J. Beauregard, Committee Coordinator,
Corporate Services Department, Secretariat Services

REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES 18 FOR THE 24 NOVEMBER 2003 MEETING

EXAMEN ET RATIFICATION DU PROCÈS-VERBAL 18 DE LA RÉUNION DU 24 NOVEMBRE 2003

The Board requested that Minutes 18 for the meeting of Monday, 24 November 2003 be re-circulated and confirmed at the next regular meeting.

REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA

EXAMEN ET ADOPTION DE L’ORDRE DU JOUR

The following items were added to the Agenda :

1. The Museum’s upcoming programming schedule (Requested by
J. Hunt-Beauchamp)

2. Introduction of New Manager and staff (Requested by R. Ash)

3. Overview of the Manager’s preliminary plan/vision for the Museum (Requested by R. Ash)

4. Volunteer Management (Requested by R. Ash)

5. Museum Audio Tour (Requested by Requested by R. Ash)

6. Status of Dr. Ferguson’s Medicine Wagon (Requested by J. Smith)

7. Friends of the Museum (Requested by W. Cibischino)

8. Access to the Museum (Requested by W. Cibischino)

9. Signage (Requested by W. Cibischino)

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

POINTS À L’ORDRE DU JOUR

1. Cumberland History Book Status

Le point sur le Livre d’histoire de Cumberland

Acting Chair R. Ash indicated that several Board members felt the project was out of control, and were dissatisfied with the delayed target dates. A concern was expressed that the book would not be ready for release at the Navan Fair, scheduled for August 2004. Board members are also seeking a guarantee that they will still be involved in the project.

Mr. Gilles Séguin, Program Manager, Heritage Development, People Services Department, explained that funds approved in 2000 by the former Cumberland Township were impacted by the amalgamation and that the project is now being funded through a Heritage Grant.

Mr. Séguin pointed out that the ultimate goal was not speed but for the book to contain original research. He added it was unlikely that the document would be completed in time for the Navan Fair, but he suggested this event could be used to pre-sell the History Book for Christmas 2004.

Responding to Member M. Whittall, Mr. Séguin indicated that the project had not been assigned to anyone in particular, and that, after amalgamation, the $106,000 grant had to be negotiated. He asked for a little more patience to ensure the final product contains original work.

After further discussion, Acting Chair Ash requested that the Board be kept informed of progress. The Coordinator was directed to list this as an ongoing item on future agendas.

2. CANADA’S DIGITAL COLLECTIONS - REQUEST FOR GRANT

LES COLLECTIONS NUMÉRISÉES DU CANADA - DEMANDE DE SUBVENTION

Acting Chair R. Ash provided additional information about the grant, which enables
Canadian cultural institutions and other organizations to improve access to their collections and promotes creative new business ventures across the country.

Replying to questions from several Board members, Gilles Séguin, Program Manager, Heritage Development, People Services Department, said the City could apply for this grant, however this is a very competitive process: the grant provides $25,000 for four students and for project management. He expressed the view that, while this may be a future consideration, now was not the appropriate time to apply.

The Board agreed with a suggestion from the Acting Chair to maintain the status quo for the coming year.

3. « THE CASE FOR PRESERVING AND ENHANCING CITY SUPPORT
FOR LOCAL HERITAGE” - CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNCIL OF HERITAGE ORGANIZATIONS IN OTTAWA

»SOUTENIR ET ACCROÎTRE L’AIDE MUNICIPALE AU PATRIMOINE LOCAL »-CORRESPONDENCE DU CONSEIL DES ORGANISMES DU PATRIMOINE D’OTTAWA

Cumberland Ward Councillor Rob Jellett informed Board members he had met with Mayor Bob Chiarelli to stress the importance of the Museum and request that funding be increased to the levels provided by the former Cumberland Township. Councillor Jellett added that Mayor Chiarelli said he did not favour across-the-board cuts to heritage funding.

Board Members were reminded that the 2004 budget deliberations for the People Services Department are scheduled for Thursday, March 4th and that presentations from the public need to be scheduled in advance.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS PROPOSED BY BOARD MEMBERS

ARTICLES SUPPLÉMENTAIRES PROPOSÉS PAR LES MEMBRES DU CONSEIL

4. MANAGER'S UPDATE - CUMBERLAND HERITAGE MUSEUM BOARD

MISE À JOUR DU GÉRANT DU MUSÉE VILLAGE DU PATRIMOINE DE CUMBERLAND

The Board agreed to hear a presentation from the Program Manager, Heritage Development, People Services Department, to cover the following additional items requested by Members:

a) Upcoming programming schedule (J. Hunt-Beauchamp)

b) Introduction of New Manager and Staff (R. Ash)

c) Overview of Manager's Preliminary Plan/Vision for the Musuer (R. Ash)

Mr. Gilles Séguin began by detailing his educational background and his professional credentials. He then proceeded to highlight the following points for Board members:

· the scope of responsibilities of the Office of Cultural Affairs (organization chart is on file);

· the current and future staffing of the Museum;

· information about the transfer of the Museum from SERCO to the City of Ottawa;

· programming during the operating season;

· the Museum's Operating and Capital budgets;

· a summary of the overall plan for 2004.

Speaking to the last item, Mr. Séguin detailed the following priorities based on "Plan A" for 2004, to include:

· confirming the 2004 budget for the Museum;

· determining with staff what can be done within the approved budget;

· hiring a new Museum Administrator before the season opens, and extending existing staff;

· mitigating the impacts of the transition from SERCO to the City on operations and programming;

· re-examine, in the fall of 2004, the vision for the site, based on the funding provided by the City and by some external funding.

Mr. Séguin also stated his willingness and preparedness to implement, in cooperation with the Board, any decisions made by Ottawa City Council. Replying to Acting Chair R. Ash, Mr. Séguin said that, even with the potential of lost funding and leadership, staff from his Branch could do a lot and he advised that there would be a larger role for the community to play.

5. VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

Speaking to this item. Acting Chair R. Ash, as well as Members W. Cibischino, M. Whittall, J. Hunt-Beauchamp and J. Smith all stressed the importance of acknowledging the incredible amount of work done by volunteers and of ensuring this is done sooner rather than later.

Mr. Gilles Séguin indicated that he would need to meet with the City of Ottawa's Volunteer Coordinator, Barbara Tiffin, to discuss this issue.

6. MUSEUM AUDIO TOUR

Responding to questions from Acting Chair R. Ash, Mr. Gilles Séguin said his understanding was that Board member M. Whittall is leading this the Project Manager and that the focus should be on replicating last year's programming. Member Ash said the Board was willing to lead and to involve Museum staff as much as possible, while still avoiding conflict. Mr. Séguin indicated that appropriate staff could attend some of the meetings and that the Board could count on the City for some assistance.

The Board agreed that Member Whittall would lead the project, with assistance from Members R. Ash and J. Smith. Councillor Rob Jellett said he was prepared to lend his voice and to help in other ways to be further explored.

7. STATUS OF DR. FERGUSON'S MEDICINE WAGON

Board Member J. Smith provided historical information on Dr. James Ferguson, an ancestor of hers and a medical practitioner in Cumberland Township from 1861 to 1921. His "medicine wagon" was loaned to the Cumberland Historical Society and its restoration has been on hold for the past thirty years. Member Smith informed the Board that a restoration plan is now available, as well as funding in the amount of $1500, and that Mr. Willard McWilliams, a long-time resident of Cumberland, has volunteered to re-build the wagon, or to build a replica of same.

Gilles Séguin suggested it be determined whether to restore the original wagon or to build a replica before proceeding with this project. Member Smith said she would get further information and report back at the next Board meeting. She will also communicate with Mr. Glenn Charron, the museum's Collections Officer for additional information.

8. ACCESS TO THE MUSEUM

Gilles Séguin asked Board Member M. Whittall to communicate with him to discuss site security, adding that departmental staff are currently renewing agreements with all who have access to the site.

9. SIGNAGE

Board Member W. Cibischino noted that the Legacy Fund had identified $15,000 for road/street signs to give the museum more of a village image. He asked whether City staff could provide some services and /or take the lead in this regard. Member Cibischino spoke about having already started the process and wanting to continue it in the spring. Gilles Séguin, Program Manager, Heritage Development, indicated that the Member could take on a project management role, but he should report to Mr. Séguin about the chosen names and how many signs are required. Acting Chair R. Ash stressed the importance of Member Cibischino sharing his vision with the rest of the group, and of the need for the City to be involved in this project.

OTHER BUSINESS

AUTRES QUESTIONS

A) NEXT MEETING OF THE LEGACY GROUP

Member M. Whittall informed those present that the next meeting of the Legacy Group is scheduled for February 10th. Mr. Gilles Séguin indicated that he would have to follow-up on Member Whittall's suggestion, that Legacy Funds be used to do some work on the outside of the Levesque House.

B) HERITAGE DAY IN OTTAWA

Mr. Gilles Séguin informed members about Heritage Day, to be held at Ottawa City Hall on Monday,
16 February 2004, beginning at 12 Noon.

ADJOURNMENT

LEVÉE DE LA SÉANCE

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

_________________________ _________________________

Coordinator Chair