HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 14032 (Supporting Marin History Museum)RESOLUTION NO. 14032
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A PROPOSED COUNTY OF MARIN RESOLUTION
TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
TO PRESERVE THE ASSETS OF THE MARIN HISTORY ]'MUSEUM
WHEREAS, since its formation in 1935, the Marin History Museum (formerly the Marin County
Historical Society) has been collecting, protecting and sharing the stories of Marin County history, amassing a
collection of an estimated 20,000 artifacts, over 200,000 historical photographs and a research library; and
WHEREAS, in recent months, many questions have arisen about the Museum's finances and long-
term solvency, including questions regarding the sale of some artifacts via auction; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, along with the Marin County Board of Supervisors and other
community members has, from the outset, been very concerned about the reports concerning the Marin History
Museum — most importantly regarding preservation of the community assets at stake, and an apparent lack of
full transparency regarding the disposition of the collection; and
WHEREAS, the County of Marin has been on record offering potential funding to store, catalogue
and safeguard the Marin History Museum's assets so that the collection can be maintained for community
benefit; and
WHEREAS, on November 10, 2015, the Board of Supervisors will be considering a proposal by
Supervisor Damon Connolly for the County of Marin to provide temporary support and technical assistance to
the Marin History Museum, on conditions including an agreement by the Museum's current Board to transition
to a new Board of Directors, and that, with assistance from the Marin County Free Library and the Marin
County Cultural Services department, the new governing board would develop a business plan designed to
ensure preservation of the remaining Museum assets; and
WHEREAS, given the uncertainties surrounding the Museum's future, it is in everyone's interest to
immediately begin exploring a solution where the County of Marin would take a proactive role, including
potentially conducting an inventory of the Museum's collection in order to provide greater public
transparency; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is committed to working with the County and other interested parties
to ensure that the Museum's assets are preserved for the benefit of Marin residents and future generations
under mutually agreeable conditions to be determined in cooperation with the Museum History Board.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council endorses Supervisor Connolly's
proposal to provide, as conditioned, temporary support and technical assistance to the Marin History Museum,
and urges the Board of Supervisors to approve that plan.
I, ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the
foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council
of said City held on the 2"d day of November 2015, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk