January 2023 Meeting Minutes

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2023-02-21)

View PDF Meeting page

Extracted text (via pymupdf) 11890 characters
MINUTES OF THE 
   CHANDLER MUSEUM FOUNDATION BOARD 
CHANDLER MUSEUM, SAGUARO ROOM, 300 S. CHANDLER VILLAGE DRIVE, 
CHANDLER, AZ, OR VIRTUALLY VIA WEBEX 
PHONE # 1-602-666-0783, MEETING #2596 452 1837 
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023, AT 5:30 P.M. 
 
PRESENT: Barbara Meyerson, Brenda Abney, Calvenea Malloy, Jacki Ryan, Joshua 
Askey, Martin Sepulveda, and Tom Escobedo 
 
ABSENT: Joan Clark and Michelle Reid 
 
STAFF: Jody Crago 
 
GUESTS: None 
 
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Barbara Meyerson 
at the Chandler Museum, Saguaro Room, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive in Chandler, 
AZ, and virtually via WebEx, Phone #1-602-666-0783, Meeting #2596 452 1837.  
 
SCHEDULE/UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES/CALL TO THE PUBLIC:  
None 
 
CONSENT AGENDA 
a. Approve meeting minutes of October 17, 2022 
 Calvenea Malloy made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from 
October 17, 2022. 
 Tom Escobedo seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously 
approved. The minutes were approved as written.  
 
ACTION AGENDA 
a. Approve Spending $12,000.00 for Maureen K. Robinson to Facilitate the Board 
Retreat and Create a Strategic Plan, and Travel Accommodations Not to Exceed 
$1,500.00.

 Brenda Abney made the motion to approve spending $12,000.00 for 
Maureen K. Robinson to facilitate the board retreat and create a 
strategic plan, and travel accommodations not to exceed $1,500.00. 
 Calvenea Malloy seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously 
approved.  
 Brenda Abney inquired if other facilitator applicants’ fees were explored 
and how did this board facilitator’s fee compare to those.  
o Jody Crago answered that fees were not explored with the other 
applicants, but the Chandler Cultural Foundation (CCF) recently 
went through the same process at their board retreat. This cost 
is much less than what the CCF paid. 
o The cost includes the board facilitator’s two visits to Chandler and 
approximately 12 days of work with staff and interviews with 
several board members. Also included is the delivery of a final 
report. 
o A copy of the facilitator’s scope of work was shared with the 
board members.   
 
b. Approve Spending $14,636.00 for Mila Walls and Connectors to Improve the 
Traveling Exhibition Program.  
 Brenda Abney made a motion to approve spending $14,636.00 for Mila 
walls and connectors to improve the traveling exhibition program.  
 Jacki Ryan seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously 
approved. 
 Jody Crago reminded the board that the board inquired what they can 
assist with to enhance traveling exhibitions. City staff requested 
different sized Mila walls and wall connectors.  
 Mila walls are specialized and manufactured in Germany. They are used 
frequently in museums.  
 Jody Crago and Brenda Abney will discuss separately the possibility of 
combining an order for both the Chandler Museum and the Tempe 
Museum since these are shipped from Europe.  
 
c. Approve Moving $250,000.00 of Museum Endowment Funds into an 
Investment Account according to the Museum Foundation Investment Policy. 
 Jacki Ryan made a motion Approve Moving $250,000.00 of Museum 
Endowment Funds into an Investment Account according to the 
Museum Foundation Investment Policy.

 Joshua Askey seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously 
approved. 
 Jody Crago reminded the board that the investment policy is a slow-
growth policy. It is the same policy the Chandler Cultural Foundation 
uses. Both foundation investment policies mirror the City of Chandler’s 
Investment Policy.  
 Brenda Abney mentioned that in the future, another option might be to 
invest with the Arizona Community Foundation. Jody Crago stated that 
is a good recommendation and it would need to be reviewed by the 
City’s Law Department to ensure this would be something which could 
be done based on the City’s Investment Policy. 
 There are other benefits when investing with Arizona Community 
Foundation, such as lower fees, membership opportunities, and more.  
 Discussion ensued amongst the board members to possibly invite the 
Arizona Community Foundation to present at future board meeting. 
 
d. Appoint New Treasurer 
 Upon Maris Thomas’s resignation from the Museum Foundation Board, 
the need for a Treasurer was created.   
 Barbara Meyerson made a motion to appoint Tom Escobedo as the new 
Treasurer. 
 Joshua Askey seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously 
approved. 
 The Treasurer is the second signature on Foundation checks and 
provides the financial update at the monthly board meetings.  
 City staff will add Tom Escobedo to the Executive Subcommittee 
Meeting invitations.  
 
e. Approve Board Retreat Date Options for March 2023 
 Martin Sepulveda made a motion to approve board retreat date options 
for March 2023.  
 Brenda Abney seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously 
approved. 
 A poll was taken by the board members and several staff members. Two 
date options were provided.  
 Based on the results of the poll and the discussion at this board 
meeting, the date chosen is Monday, March 6, 2023.

BRIEFING 
a. Discuss Chandler Historical Society Recognition Event 
 The Museum Foundation Board and its Executive Subcommittee have 
discussed this topic on several occasions.  
 After all the discussions, Barbara Meyerson brought forward an idea 
discussed by the executive subcommittee.  
 Have a press release and a public recognition of the “handing off” from 
the Chandler Historical Society (CHS) to the Chandler Museum 
Foundation (CMF) at a City Council Study Session.  
o City staff will contact the Mayor’s Office to get on the Council’s 
calendar and request a Proclamation from the Mayor. 
 Jody Crago also shared with the board the plan to hold a fundraising 
event later in the year. The Chandler Historical Society will be invited 
and recognition for the CHS could be part of this event.   
 After further discussion, it was decided to proceed with the public 
recognition at the City Council’s Study Session and continue discussions 
recognition at the future fundraising event.  
 
b. Museum Foundation Audit Report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2022 
 The first Museum Foundation Audit has been completed.  
 It was an extensive process. Staff answered several questions from the 
auditors.  
 Discussion ensued on the differences between a private foundation and 
a public foundation.  
 If any board members are interested in reading the complete audit 
report, contact Jody Crago. 
 
c. Executive Subcommittee Update  
 The Executive Subcommittee met on January 3, 2023.  
 All items from the executive subcommittee meeting have already been 
addressed in tonight’s board meeting.  
 
d. Financial Update 
 Jody Crago provided a summary on the current financial status.  
 There are a few items to be added to the liability amount: merchandise 
purchased for the Museum Store for the holiday season and an audit 
fee.

e. City Update 
 Jody Crago provided several City updates. 
 Museum Store Sunday is similar to Small Business Saturday. It is held 
the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  
o The Chandler Museum Store had less people attend this year, but 
more money was spent. Just over $300 was made on Museum 
Store Sunday. 
 The Wayfinding signage is starting to be placed in the building and 
around the campus.  
 Restoration of the McCroskey and Edwards Houses at Tumbleweed 
Ranch have begun. This was approved as part of last year’s budget 
where the City approved funding to perform some restorations of the 
houses to help maintain them in the short-term as the Tumbleweed 
Ranch Master Plan continues to move forward.  
o Some of the restoration includes repairing shingles, replacing 
some windows, sealing various windows.  
 An update on the Tumbleweed Ranch Master Plan will be provided to 
the board at a future board meeting.  
 The City has recently completed a Class & Compensation Study for City 
of Chandler employees. This was done to ensure the City of Chandler is 
equitable when compared to other cities.  
o There will be changes in some job titles and most positions 
received an increase, which is being funded by the City, not by the 
departments/divisions.  
  The City of Chandler recognized a Winter Break again for a week 
between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.  
o The Museum remains opens for much of this time and City 
temporary workers staff it during this period, allowing others to 
have the week off.  
 In response to Tom Escobedo’s inquiry regarding the cleaning of the 
downtown exhibits, Jody Crago responded that a Downtown 
Redevelopment Specialist has been hired to oversee the operations for 
Downtown Chandler. Some of the duties performed by this person 
include the cleaning of the History Spot in the Downtown Chandler; 
steam cleaning of the sidewalks; confirming the trash bins have been 
emptied; etc.  
 The City has a kiosk program, which are kiosks placed in various City 
parks to tell the story of the families, businesses, and cultures that were 
established in the area around the park.

o Homestead Park was dedicated this past Fall. It is a small 
neighborhood park near Pecos and Cooper roads. A kiosk will be 
placed in the park this Spring.  
 
MEMBERS COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS 
Barbara Meyerson and Jody Crago announced the Celebration at Celebration Plaza 
will be on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. This year’s celebration is a little 
different as it is inducting three inductees instead of the usual two inductees. This 
year, the inductees are Father Joseph Patterson, Major General Jackson and Barbara 
Bogle, and the eight students who were responsible for the integration of Chandler 
High School: Willie Arbuckle, Robert Turner, Artie Mae Turner, Joella Arbuckle, 
Ernestine Jackson, Willie Ruth Payne, J.L. Payne, and Nina Loftan.  
 
Joshua Askey recently toured the Sign of the Times: The Great Political Poster 
Exhibition. Joshua Askey stated that he did not recall seeing any artwork from Roy 
Lichtenstein, who was one of the artists featured in this exhibit. Jody Crago 
mentioned that exhibition is a traveling exhibit, and they arrive and are displayed as 
they have been packaged. Jody Crago said he would ask the Museum Curator, Jillian 
Nakornthap, about this as she was the lead on setting up the exhibit.   
 
Jody Crago shared with the board that the Museum will be hosting a Volunteer 
Recognition Event on Monday, January 23, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. This event 
is to thank all those who volunteer their time to contribute to the Chandler Museum’s 
success. This includes board members, docents, volunteers, and members of the 
Chandler Historical Society and Chandler Sports Hall of Fame. For any board member 
who would like to attend and has not yet submitted their R.S.V.P., inform Jody Crago 
of your attendance.  
 
Tom Escobedo mentioned the Chandler Cultural Foundation is hosting an event at 
the Center for the Arts to unveil the renaming of the Main Stage to the Steena Murray 
Main Stage. This recognition event is being held on Monday, January 30, 2023 
 
Jody Crago communicated that the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame Induction 
Ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Hamilton High School. The 
ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. Five athletes will be inducted.

CALENDAR 
a. The board retreat will be Monday, March 6, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. The retreat 
will be held at the Chandler Museum, Saguaro Room, 300 S. Chandler 
Village Drive.  
b. The next board meeting will be Monday, March 20, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. 
Meeting format will be hybrid (in-person at the Museum or virtually/calling 
in via WebEx).  
 
 
ADJOURN 
With no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. 
 
 
 
          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Barbara Meyerson, Chair  
 
 
Jody Crago, Staff Liaison