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   Discussion on Natural History Museum

   discussed

   The Cultural Affairs Committee and representatives of the proposed Museum of Archeology, Paleontology, and Science (MAPS) presented a concept for a natural history museum in New Port Richey. Mr. Zeidar discussed a 14,000 sq ft facility with a $5 million collection of over 10,000 objects, requested the city provide a building (such as the health building or church on River Road) for $1/year for two years, and described programming, school tie-ins, and economic benefits. The item was a discussion only with no formal action.

   📍church on River Road📍the health building🏢American Alliance for Museums (AAM)🏢Gray Preserve🏢Kaiser University🏢Museum of Archeology, Paleontology, and Science (MAPS)🏢North Carolina Museum of Natural Science🏢South Florida Museum of Natural Science🏢Tampa Bay Times👤Donna👤Rich Melton👤Terry👤Zeidar#Cultural Affairs Committee#Main Street program#Paleo Pathfinders#Pasco County#STEM program#School of Source#heads in beds tourism

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   [00:00:14] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. [00:00:17] As you know, the purpose of this meeting tonight [00:00:21] is to discuss the concept of a natural history museum, which [00:00:28] emanates for us from the Cultural Affairs Committee. [00:00:31] And Mr. Rich Melton is in attendance, [00:00:35] as well as Mr. Zeidar, who's representing the Natural [00:00:39] History Museum. [00:00:40] I think they may have some additional folks [00:00:42] in attendance this evening. [00:00:45] This is not the first time that they have had discussion [00:00:49] with you about this. [00:00:52] And so we're hopeful that we can hone in today [00:00:57] on details. [00:00:59] And in order to structure the discussion, [00:01:02] I've proposed some questions. [00:01:05] The first of which would be, how do we [00:01:07] gauge the public support for such a project? [00:01:11] And what types of exhibits do the public want? [00:01:16] In addition, we need to talk about how [00:01:19] to secure funding for the operation, preservation, [00:01:22] and collection management, if the city is [00:01:25] to go forward with a museum. [00:01:29] Space analysis needs to be conducted [00:01:32] to determine the square footage required to support [00:01:36] the operation of a museum. [00:01:39] There needs to be some discussion [00:01:40] about an organizational model so that we [00:01:43] know about the governance of it, whether it's [00:01:46] private or publicly administered, [00:01:49] and the composition and qualifications of those [00:01:52] serving in a board capacity. [00:01:54] And then we need to talk about staff and volunteers [00:01:57] and whether or not there would be paid staff [00:02:01] or it would be volunteer run. [00:02:04] And those are some of the facts that I [00:02:06] hope will come out as part of the discussion [00:02:10] that we're due to have this evening. [00:02:12] I was told that we have a PowerPoint presentation, [00:02:16] and I hope that's loaded. [00:02:18] And I believe, if I'm not mistaken, [00:02:22] that Mr. Zeidar is going to lead off with that presentation. [00:02:26] Thank you. [00:02:27] I appreciate the opportunity to be here. [00:02:29] We also have a couple of board members. [00:02:31] Terry and Donna are on our board for the museum, [00:02:34] and I appreciate their coming as well. [00:02:38] So if there's any other questions, [00:02:40] they may be able to help answer some questions [00:02:43] that you may have. [00:02:45] This presentation, you might have seen parts of it, [00:02:49] but I just wanted to quickly, for those [00:02:50] that have not, to run through this. [00:02:52] I've added some other detailed information [00:02:56] on what museums do for a community. [00:03:00] Financially, primarily, there's some data [00:03:03] that we've been able to pull from both the Secretary [00:03:06] of State, specific to Florida, and from the AAM, which [00:03:10] is the American Alliance for Museums, which kind of manages [00:03:13] or kind of helps museums across the country. [00:03:17] But the museum, we've had a nonprofit [00:03:21] in place for a few years. [00:03:24] This conversation was prompted from an article that [00:03:30] came out in the Tampa Bay Times about a collection [00:03:32] that we acquired that's over 10,000 objects with a value [00:03:37] of about $5 million. [00:03:38] And so we were looking for a permanent home [00:03:41] for the collection. [00:03:43] And Rich had reached out to us after that article appeared [00:03:48] in the paper and was excited about it. [00:03:51] And actually, we received about five phone calls [00:03:54] from that article. [00:03:57] But the collection is pretty exciting. [00:03:59] We're going to talk. [00:04:00] I'll just cover briefly what the collection entails. [00:04:04] So we're looking for a building to be [00:04:07] able to start this project. [00:04:10] And we just really fell in love with the Main Street program [00:04:15] here and just love the fact that it's already [00:04:19] kind of vibrant with the restaurants and shops [00:04:22] and things we really want to do to be [00:04:24] a cultural component of that. [00:04:27] And we appreciate everybody's support thus far. [00:04:29] So let me just go through this quickly. [00:04:32] The museum is called the Museum of Archeology, Paleontology, [00:04:35] and Science. [00:04:36] MAPS is the acronym. [00:04:39] Basically, great discoveries begin with maps, [00:04:41] like the physical map. [00:04:42] And it would begin with your adventure [00:04:45] into the building to discover these collections. [00:04:47] And the museum is proposed to be set up [00:04:50] like basically getting both visitors, tourists, and kids [00:04:56] especially excited about discovery. [00:04:59] And we have a lot of programs that already tie in [00:05:01] with the STEM program. [00:05:03] And so the basis of the museum is really [00:05:06] tying in with the curriculum that's already [00:05:07] developed in the area and trying to tie in. [00:05:11] Because we know at one point, many of us [00:05:14] go back to the original museum, which was in South Florida. [00:05:19] So these connections to this collection [00:05:22] and the kind of the bonds that formed are over 30 years old. [00:05:27] And so we're very intimate with this collection [00:05:29] because we've actually worked to accumulate this material. [00:05:34] I was in my 20s when that occurred. [00:05:36] And so we know the collection inside and out. [00:05:39] We know how museums are run because my whole career [00:05:43] has been in museums. [00:05:46] I've spent a lot of time excavating dinosaurs [00:05:48] with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science in Raleigh. [00:05:52] We also had a dinosaur dig in the Western US [00:05:55] when we were at the South Florida Museum [00:05:57] of Natural Science. [00:06:01] But my background is both as a landscape architect [00:06:05] and archeologist. [00:06:06] I used to excavate in Greek and Roman excavations for years. [00:06:10] And then I gravitated to the Maya in Central America. [00:06:13] So my advanced degrees are in on the Maya. [00:06:17] So we have a lot of museum experience [00:06:19] and we know how the museum is supported. [00:06:24] And the basis of that support is through kids. [00:06:29] Tourists would be a strong component of it, [00:06:32] but the kids, the school tours, the birthday parties, [00:06:36] all these things are the sources of income [00:06:38] that help these museums run. [00:06:43] So basically I'll just share with you the mission statement [00:06:46] is to exhibit, educate and research in the scientific areas [00:06:49] of archeology, paleontology, science and technology [00:06:52] and related fields. [00:06:53] And like I said, the science and technology [00:06:55] is a major component of this. [00:06:57] We really want to tie in to what the schools are doing [00:07:01] and to the STEM program and really strengthen [00:07:04] the science-based education in this area. [00:07:09] So basically who we are, like I said, [00:07:12] we're a board, non-profit board already. [00:07:15] We have people kind of anxious. [00:07:18] We're anxious to locate somewhere [00:07:19] because we have a lot of volunteers [00:07:21] that are anxious to start assisting. [00:07:23] And we have various donors and things [00:07:27] that are kind of ready and willing to assist, [00:07:31] but they want to kind of know where we're going to be. [00:07:33] And so we hope that we can accomplish that tonight [00:07:37] or at subsequent meetings. [00:07:40] So some of the project highlights are the exhibits, [00:07:43] of course, and I'll share with you some photos. [00:07:45] The Dig Pit, Maya Village, [00:07:47] I actually have a gentleman who's an accomplished [00:07:53] archeologist who will actually be in town [00:07:56] and he wants to donate and assist. [00:07:59] And he's coming from Guatemala, [00:08:01] but he's credited with excavating [00:08:03] the richest tomb in Tikal. [00:08:06] So he wants to assist as well. [00:08:07] Good friend of mine is an underwater archeologist [00:08:09] on the Titanic. [00:08:10] He wants to assist. [00:08:11] So there's just a lot of professional folks [00:08:13] in this realm that want to be a part of this museum. [00:08:17] We also have the paleo garden prep labs. [00:08:21] We do a lot of conservation work [00:08:23] on material from shipwrecks. [00:08:25] And so we want to continue that. [00:08:27] It's also a revenue source for the museum. [00:08:29] And we would like to be able to continue that. [00:08:31] And this new facility. [00:08:33] And then there'll be a focus on what tourists want to see. [00:08:36] And that would be kind of Florida fossils [00:08:40] and those kinds of things. [00:08:42] So that would be one of the focus of the museum. [00:08:47] So the interior, and I can give you a breakdown [00:08:50] because one of your questions was kind of space allocation. [00:08:53] And so I did produce a list [00:08:55] and this is based on kind of some of the buildings [00:08:58] we know are in this area. [00:09:00] But basically it's based on a 14,000 square foot facility. [00:09:04] And of course the half of that is exhibit space [00:09:07] but there's a lot of other components to the facility [00:09:11] that we would need and need square footage. [00:09:14] One in particular is the archival storage. [00:09:18] This is a huge collection. [00:09:19] That's probably one of the largest collections [00:09:22] in the country that's available at this moment. [00:09:26] So it requires quite a bit of square footage [00:09:29] just to curate the collection. [00:09:31] And so that's, I mean, it's a good thing. [00:09:34] And it's something we're wrestling with too [00:09:37] to be able to find a facility that can basically be secure [00:09:41] and climate controlled to house the collection. [00:09:44] Because at any one point, I would say when it's on display [00:09:49] you're only talking about 20% of the collection [00:09:51] would be displayed at any one time. [00:09:53] We're also talking about a mobile museum that would produce [00:09:56] that would go out to schools that can't come to us. [00:10:00] And there's been some funding sources [00:10:01] that are interested in that component of it. [00:10:04] And so some of the artifacts would go out. [00:10:06] We have, in the past, part of this collection [00:10:09] is a very large pre-Columbian collection [00:10:12] and a very large African collection. [00:10:14] And these collections have toured, [00:10:16] have been developed into traveling shows [00:10:18] and have toured other countries. [00:10:20] And so that's another revenue source [00:10:22] that we'd like to continue with that. [00:10:23] So just because it's not on display here [00:10:25] doesn't mean that the collections can't be revenue producing [00:10:28] and be going to other locations. [00:10:31] So that's part of what the museum would do. [00:10:34] So this is kind of the, I touched upon some of this [00:10:38] and we'll see some of the pictures that relate to it [00:10:40] but this is just how the interior would be broken up. [00:10:45] We also have an outdoor component, [00:10:47] which I know given the locations that we've discussed [00:10:50] it might be difficult. [00:10:51] But that, and that could be kind of a back burner item [00:10:55] but we may be able to tie into the park. [00:10:58] I'm not sure the name of it. [00:11:01] Gray Preserve. [00:11:02] Okay, yeah, at the preserve, [00:11:04] be able to expand some of the programs areas that we have [00:11:07] because we have an outdoor collection of plants that relate [00:11:11] which include a Mediterranean garden, a Maya garden, [00:11:14] plants that were around at the time of dinosaurs [00:11:17] and a collection of plants that are tropical edible [00:11:22] that might be interesting to tourists. [00:11:24] So our program could expand [00:11:26] beyond just the physical building. [00:11:31] So we're talking here in Pasco County again through, [00:11:36] you know, and I'm actually interested [00:11:38] if all goes well to donate my collection. [00:11:40] It's about $100,000 collection to the greater good. [00:11:45] If things, if we can get things going here in the city. [00:11:48] So I'd be willing to donate my collection as well. [00:11:51] Mostly ethnographic material from the various countries [00:11:53] that I've visited. [00:11:56] And then we have various programs that are already developed. [00:11:58] Donna actually has produced a book on all the programs [00:12:01] that the museum has developed. [00:12:03] And those we would like to continue [00:12:06] but she's done a great job of, [00:12:09] her background is in education for various gardens and zoos. [00:12:13] And so she wants to, or she's been contributing [00:12:17] to the different programs that are being developed. [00:12:19] Yeah, we have just a couple copies but- [00:12:21] We can make copies and distribute them. [00:12:23] And then there's some things [00:12:24] I can give you too to distribute. [00:12:27] So the community benefits, you know, [00:12:29] just short term would be anywhere from five to, [00:12:33] and I have a list of the different positions [00:12:36] that are required for this kind of, [00:12:37] and it's a combination of both paid positions and volunteers [00:12:40] it'd be a huge volunteer core. [00:12:42] And we have a program now that's in place [00:12:45] that's called the Paleo Pathfinders. [00:12:47] And it's basically a group of retired lifelong learners [00:12:53] that would want to be part of this. [00:12:55] And they would be an integral part [00:12:57] of everything that goes on, [00:12:58] curating the collection, giving tours, that kind of thing. [00:13:02] So it's a huge volunteer force that would be developed. [00:13:06] Then the long-term job creation is 15 plus jobs. [00:13:10] But basically we want to be a cultural destination, [00:13:12] an educational venue. [00:13:15] We want to give, we would give, of course, [00:13:17] the city a regional recognition [00:13:22] because there's no museum in the Tampa Bay area [00:13:25] that is a natural history focused. [00:13:27] So despite all the efforts [00:13:28] and everything that's going on in St. Pete, [00:13:30] nothing like this exists in Tampa Bay. [00:13:32] So, and so we're really excited [00:13:35] to be able to offer this component. [00:13:38] And then we want to, we were kind of discussing [00:13:41] at one point we thought we'd have a cafe in the museum, [00:13:44] but we want to defer that, [00:13:46] not only because of the space required, [00:13:48] but we want to be able to get people [00:13:50] to go to the restaurants downtown. [00:13:52] There's so many great restaurants. [00:13:53] And so we want to be able to say, [00:13:55] you know, when people come, well, where can we eat? [00:13:57] Well, let me recommend a few places downtown. [00:13:59] So we want to be able to really build on that [00:14:03] and also tie in with the Main Street program. [00:14:05] We have a lot of interesting programs [00:14:07] that we've already fleshed out [00:14:10] that would be tie into the Main Street program here [00:14:12] and be able to get people out into the community [00:14:16] on like scavenger hunts and that kind of thing [00:14:18] and be able to tie back into the museum. [00:14:21] So like, we have a passport book [00:14:24] that we've come up with to where [00:14:25] if they went to the various shops and restaurants [00:14:27] and they get a passport stamp, [00:14:29] and then if they got a certain number of stamps [00:14:31] in their passport, they would get an object, [00:14:35] they'd be able to select something [00:14:36] from our gift shop at the museum. [00:14:40] So that they would push people out into the community [00:14:42] and get them involved in beyond what we're trying to do. [00:14:48] Also, just the tax revenue. [00:14:51] One thing that this, what we're trying to do [00:14:54] is we'll tie into is the heads in beds, [00:14:58] get people to come. [00:15:00] and really stay overnight to be able to do [00:15:02] that one extra thing, and we hope to be [00:15:04] that one extra thing for the city. [00:15:08] So these, and I don't wanna get into all the details, [00:15:11] because I think most of you realize the value [00:15:13] that museums bring to the community, [00:15:16] but in this, I can make this PowerPoint available [00:15:20] to everyone, and you can read. [00:15:21] I think Rich, too, had also. [00:15:23] Everybody's given a sheet right here. [00:15:24] Yeah, and that'll give you the specifics [00:15:26] of kind of what museums do for community, [00:15:30] and arts and culture bring in billions of dollars [00:15:34] to the state of Florida, and there's so many. [00:15:38] You can see here, just in the state alone, [00:15:40] 70 million people that visit cultural venues, [00:15:44] and employs 132,000 people, and just the revenue [00:15:48] to local governments is over 200 million. [00:15:51] So there's so much that museums do for the community. [00:15:57] Just look at what's happening in St. Pete, [00:15:59] and you realize that it's a huge force. [00:16:03] And then there's some other, just some other stats [00:16:05] that you can read in that handout, [00:16:08] or when you get the PowerPoint, but basically, [00:16:11] I just wanna impress upon you that this is, [00:16:16] would be a huge revenue-producing thing for, [00:16:20] not only for us as an institution, [00:16:22] but for the city as a whole. [00:16:26] So this is just a little bit of a stat [00:16:28] on kind of the spillover. [00:16:31] So this is the consumer spending on, [00:16:35] after they go to the museum, [00:16:36] and say it's $10, $15 admission charge, [00:16:40] the other things that they're spending money on. [00:16:42] And so they're spending, you know, [00:16:44] they're spending money on the gift shop, [00:16:46] they would go downtown and grab something to eat, [00:16:50] local transportation, overnight stay, and other items. [00:16:54] So this is just to show you [00:16:56] that they're not just paying to get into the museum, [00:16:59] but they're spending a lot more money in town [00:17:00] and at the museum itself. [00:17:03] So again, this almost 70 million [00:17:05] is spent at cultural venues each year. [00:17:10] And so this is from the AAM, [00:17:12] which is American Alliance for Museums, [00:17:14] and basically museums employ 400,000 Americans. [00:17:18] Museums contribute 21 billion to the US economy each year. [00:17:23] 78% of the travelers visit, [00:17:27] you know, kind of go out of their way, [00:17:28] in other words, to visit museums and heritage sites. [00:17:31] And arts and culture is 3.2% of the US economy, [00:17:36] which is equals over $500 billion industry. [00:17:42] So, and then finally, the arts and culture [00:17:44] generate 135 billion in economic activity, [00:17:47] support four point, or over four million jobs, [00:17:52] and return 22 billion in tax revenue. [00:17:55] So, and this was a kind of an interesting stat [00:17:57] that we were able to track down too, [00:17:59] is that for every $7 that is invest, [00:18:05] or the return is $7 for every $1 invested. [00:18:08] So that was a pretty outstanding stat to me. [00:18:11] And then, like I said, we're gonna tie into, [00:18:14] and I've already spoken to a lot of the schools in the area, [00:18:20] and basically we're, museums spend [00:18:22] over two billion a year on education, [00:18:26] which is three quarters, and this is about right [00:18:29] from what we've learned from doing this in the past. [00:18:31] About three quarters of their education budget [00:18:33] goes to the local schools. [00:18:36] We had, down at the bottom, we had, [00:18:38] at the first museum, we had what was called School of Source [00:18:42] and that was a state program that was funded [00:18:46] and actually expanded by the state. [00:18:48] And it was the first museum, [00:18:50] or first school museum combo. [00:18:53] So these fifth graders would actually come [00:18:55] to the museum daily, it wasn't just a field trip, [00:18:58] that they were taught each day at the museum. [00:19:01] And they would have access to the curators, [00:19:04] have access to the collections, [00:19:05] the teachers would work with our curators [00:19:07] and develop a special curriculum [00:19:09] that, before the school year started. [00:19:11] And so it was a huge, great program. [00:19:14] And it really was successful. [00:19:15] We wanna tie into, when I talked [00:19:17] to the president of the University for Kaiser, [00:19:21] we have a lot of interns that come in from these programs [00:19:26] and we would like to be able to expand [00:19:28] what Kaiser is offering with museum studies programs. [00:19:32] We're a venue for art history majors, geography, [00:19:37] and there's so many majors that tie in [00:19:39] to the subject matter of the museum. [00:19:40] And so we think that tying in with Kaiser [00:19:42] would be a good fit. [00:19:44] And that, as you can see, with the younger kids, [00:19:48] our programs are already developed, [00:19:50] and Donna can attest that our programs [00:19:53] are already developed to tie into their curriculum. [00:19:55] And so it's very easy for the schools [00:19:58] to come to us for their field trips, [00:20:00] and that's what we're geared up for. [00:20:03] And then our teachers, typically museum teachers, [00:20:06] spend 18 million instructional hours [00:20:11] for giving tours and outreach to kids. [00:20:12] So it's a huge tie-in for the schools. [00:20:16] And so basically, I mean, [00:20:17] I'll show you the collection here in a minute, [00:20:18] but basically what we're looking to do [00:20:20] is to try to find a location that the city can offer us [00:20:24] for at least two years, a dollar a year, [00:20:27] and either the health building or the church on River Road, [00:20:31] some building that can kind of give us a leg up [00:20:35] to get this started. [00:20:37] We're also, in discussion, [00:20:38] would have to be the renovation costs, [00:20:40] and we would love to see, [00:20:42] because I know many of us will be tied up [00:20:46] just getting exhibits ready, getting the school system, [00:20:50] getting the tours ready. [00:20:52] So we're looking also to tie in maybe with the library [00:20:55] for some grant assistance, [00:20:57] because there's so many grants out there, [00:20:59] and part of what I think you received [00:21:01] was all the different available grants. [00:21:04] And we've already started to reach out [00:21:05] to a lot of these granting agencies, [00:21:07] and so they're interested in what we're doing, [00:21:09] but it would be helpful [00:21:10] to have some grant assistance as well. [00:21:15] So the collections, just to touch on these quickly, [00:21:19] the collections, and I won't go through these individually, [00:21:21] it's too much to discuss, [00:21:23] but you can see the breadth of the collections [00:21:26] and what it covers. [00:21:28] We're talking Egypt, Pre-Columbian, Greek, Roman, [00:21:32] pretty much most ancient cultures of the world, [00:21:36] including geology, minerals and crystals, dinosaur bones. [00:21:46] Florida prehistory, which would be a big component [00:21:49] for both the tourists and the school system. [00:21:53] And then here's some of the collections. [00:21:55] We also have access to a half million dollar, [00:21:58] which is part of a company that I'm a partner in. [00:22:03] We have sitting available immediately [00:22:06] is a half million dollar animatronic dinosaur show, [00:22:09] which with about 40 different species in it, [00:22:11] including, they're all life size, [00:22:13] including the T-Rex and a long neck dinosaur [00:22:15] that's the size of a school bus. [00:22:16] So all that could be available [00:22:17] as part of this whole museum component. [00:22:21] Then here's just some of the collections, [00:22:23] again, the Greek and Roman, [00:22:25] historic stuff, Native American, [00:22:30] because my area of research is on the Maya, [00:22:32] there's a heavy Maya focus as well to the collection. [00:22:37] The science behind it, [00:22:38] I think the part of the article that came out [00:22:39] was on a dinosaur egg, [00:22:41] and this is part of the science [00:22:43] that we're trying to embrace [00:22:44] is the dinosaur egg that was in my possession [00:22:47] was x-rayed by my dentist, [00:22:48] and there was a baby dinosaur inside, [00:22:50] which would be, it's a huge, huge thing. [00:22:53] Dinosaur eggs are rare enough, [00:22:54] but to find a baby inside is a major thing. [00:22:57] And that would be like a major component [00:22:59] to the, where I think that people would come [00:23:01] from all over just to see that. [00:23:04] And so you can see the MRIs and CAT scans [00:23:06] and things that we do, [00:23:07] the laboratories that would be set up [00:23:09] to do conservation work on shipwrecks. [00:23:12] And there's a major shipwreck component [00:23:14] to the collection as well, [00:23:16] which I think tourists would be interested in. [00:23:18] And then the dinosaur bones. [00:23:20] We also have ties to lots of excavations around the world, [00:23:24] dinosaur excavations, [00:23:25] excavations in the Maya, primarily in Belize, [00:23:29] also underwater off the coast of Florida. [00:23:33] And here's the actual, [00:23:34] the rest of these slides are the actual pieces [00:23:37] that would be in the museum, [00:23:38] including a replica and actual material [00:23:42] from ancient Egypt and a replica of King Tut's tomb. [00:23:47] Some of the geology with a heavy focus on Florida geology. [00:23:52] Marine archeology, which is the shipwreck material [00:23:54] that I was discussing. [00:23:58] More shipwreck. [00:24:00] North American, Native American [00:24:01] with a focus on Florida Native Americans. [00:24:05] Paleontology. [00:24:07] Africa. [00:24:08] There's a huge, very strong African collection. [00:24:11] Again, part of it was touring Central and South America [00:24:15] last time we were able to access the collection. [00:24:19] Pre-Columbian is probably the largest component [00:24:21] of the collection. [00:24:22] And when I say pre-Columbian, [00:24:22] I'm talking that Central and South America [00:24:25] before the time of Christopher Columbus. [00:24:28] And so many of these things go back, [00:24:30] on average, 1,000 to 2,000 years old. [00:24:36] And then this is a Kambaya tomb, [00:24:38] which is part of the collection, [00:24:39] which is, again, South American. [00:24:41] Greek and Roman. [00:24:42] You can see some of the Greek, [00:24:44] black figure and red figure vases on the top left. [00:24:49] And so, we're actually, [00:24:51] because this was a museum already, [00:24:54] and it was kind of, in a sense, plucked out of existence, [00:24:56] it's not just the collection. [00:24:58] It's the curatorial supplies. [00:25:00] It's exhibit cases. [00:25:01] It's everything needed to reconstitute a museum [00:25:04] within months. [00:25:05] So this could open, [00:25:07] realistically could open at the end of this year. [00:25:10] And that's it for that. [00:25:17] Questions? [00:25:22] I'll go first. [00:25:23] Thank you for your presentation. [00:25:25] When I met with you and Mr. Melton privately, [00:25:27] I'll be honest with you, [00:25:29] I left the meeting a bit confused. [00:25:32] And here we are months later, [00:25:33] I'm still a bit confused. [00:25:34] I don't think anyone up here is questioning [00:25:36] that you have an awesome collection, [00:25:38] but you have to have a plan. [00:25:42] With this presentation you just gave us, [00:25:44] I see no projected cost [00:25:48] of what a build-out would run. [00:25:50] Do you know, let me finish, please. [00:25:52] Do you know the square footage of the health department? [00:25:54] 14,000 square feet. [00:25:55] 14,000, okay. [00:25:56] So it just happens to exactly fit [00:25:58] what you're looking for. [00:25:59] Well, no, it's, yeah, we were kind of anticipating that. [00:26:03] You know, that size of building. [00:26:05] And like I indicated when we met privately, [00:26:07] you realize, like you're asking us for use [00:26:09] of a building that we don't own. [00:26:12] We don't own the building. [00:26:13] So what's the square footage of the River Road Church? [00:26:16] I'm sorry, I don't know that off the top of my head. [00:26:18] 14,000, is it close to there? [00:26:20] Nowhere near. [00:26:21] Nowhere near, right? [00:26:22] So, Mr. Dar, I'm not trying to sound negative, [00:26:24] and I don't think anyone would doubt [00:26:26] that museums are a huge culture asset to any city. [00:26:30] But I guess what I'm still trying to figure out [00:26:33] is exactly what you're asking from the city of New Porichy. [00:26:36] What are you asking from us? [00:26:38] Are you asking for funding? [00:26:39] Are you asking for, I mean, [00:26:41] if we had a big 14,000 square foot building [00:26:43] that's been sitting vacant that we haven't used in a while, [00:26:45] maybe an example of the old incubator building [00:26:49] on Orange Lake, if that was sitting open [00:26:51] and we owned the building, I mean, [00:26:54] I think at that point, it'd be much more, [00:26:58] for me, an easier conversation to hold with you [00:27:01] because we have a building [00:27:03] that we could possibly help you with. [00:27:06] But I don't think the city owns the building. [00:27:09] I'm just really baffled by the fact [00:27:11] that with this presentation, [00:27:12] there's no projected financials as to, [00:27:14] once again, what the build out is, [00:27:15] what it's gonna cost to run this thing [00:27:17] for two to three years, [00:27:19] what the plan is after two to three years. [00:27:21] I would love, please, I'm not trying to sound negative, [00:27:23] I would love, love, love that museum downtown in Porichy. [00:27:26] It sounds like your collection is amazing. [00:27:28] I would love to see, [00:27:29] if you're talking about dinosaur animatronics, [00:27:31] I'm trying to figure out, [00:27:32] where is that gonna go in the health department [00:27:33] or the church building? [00:27:34] Honestly, I'm not trying to be negative. [00:27:36] I love, love, love the idea. [00:27:38] I'm just not sure, once again, [00:27:41] what exactly you're asking for the city [00:27:43] because anything I can do to make this happen, [00:27:45] and it's something that logistically, [00:27:47] I think we can help you with, [00:27:49] I'm more than happy to be a part of that. [00:27:51] I would love to be a part of it. [00:27:52] I just still am unclear as to what exactly [00:27:54] you're asking from us is where I'm at. [00:27:57] Yeah, at one point we had discussed, [00:27:59] and I know there's various, [00:28:01] there's reasoning behind why they were peeled away, [00:28:04] but at one point there was about five buildings [00:28:07] that was on the table, [00:28:08] but there's been, there's some, like you said, [00:28:11] some aren't owned, some are under, [00:28:13] there's just different reality. [00:28:15] One was the Kaiser, the building, [00:28:19] Walgreens that Kaiser's gonna take over. [00:28:23] So they've, over a short period of time, [00:28:26] these buildings have been kind of peeled away [00:28:27] for different reasons. [00:28:29] We do have, I do have financials on how income [00:28:33] and revenue and income and expenses, basically, [00:28:37] that I can share with you. [00:28:38] So it's, and we've, because we've been, [00:28:41] we've been kind of talking about this internally [00:28:45] for a while, and so we kind of know [00:28:48] kind of what it's gonna take to make it work, [00:28:50] but so we're basically hoping [00:28:52] that there would be a building available [00:28:54] for this kind of project, [00:28:56] or that could be made available in the near future. [00:28:59] So if there, and it could be the church as a, [00:29:02] you know, as a way to get started, [00:29:05] because right now we want to, you know, [00:29:07] we basically want to get, start somewhere. [00:29:10] And so the, starting in that location [00:29:13] and planning for something bigger and better [00:29:15] within the city is something we'd be, [00:29:17] we'd consider doing. [00:29:18] So if that's, if that's something that the city owns, [00:29:20] which I believe the city does, [00:29:23] I know it's kind of been sitting a while [00:29:25] and needs a little bit of renovation, [00:29:26] and it was, it wasn't slated to stay. [00:29:28] And so we understand that. [00:29:29] But if we, if that's something that, [00:29:32] that, you know, we could look at as a trial basis [00:29:36] for us to get started. [00:29:37] So I think that I, we're confident [00:29:39] that if we could get that assistance up front, [00:29:43] that we'd be able to kind of prove ourselves [00:29:46] and be able to say, this is, [00:29:47] this is something that the city will embrace [00:29:51] and people will come and enjoy, [00:29:54] and you'd see it grow. [00:29:55] So that's what we're looking, that's our request. [00:29:58] Once again, I. [00:30:00] I am sure that the residents of our city and surrounding area would absolutely love to [00:30:06] have such an awesome museum here. [00:30:08] I don't, like when you mentioned the Walgreens building during our meeting, I'm thinking [00:30:11] we're really going to put such an unbelievable exhibit in an old Walgreens building on the [00:30:15] corner of 19th and the place we're trying to renovate. [00:30:17] I don't want to just shove it in a building to see if it's going to work. [00:30:21] Like when I tackle any challenge, I set high standards and high goals to make sure it's [00:30:27] done properly. [00:30:28] I understand that you might need a temporary location for the first couple of years. [00:30:33] But once again, I don't think the church property would be large enough if we, you know, I've [00:30:39] been brainstorming in my mind since we met, even buildings that we don't own that we could [00:30:43] maybe work with the owner on. [00:30:47] An area that comes to mind for me is areas around the old community hospital building. [00:30:53] There's a lot of vacant office space there. [00:30:55] When Applicant Insight moved in and renovated a building, I kind of toured that area and [00:30:59] I was not really aware that there was so much vacant space there, but the city doesn't own [00:31:04] it. [00:31:05] So I'm endorsing the fact that it's a great idea to have a museum here, but from just [00:31:12] one council member's point of view, I just need a little more clarity as to exactly what [00:31:16] you want from the city. [00:31:17] I think he's looking for a commitment from us. [00:31:20] What commitment to do what? [00:31:21] A commitment to assist in growing this museum and having the opportunity to do this. [00:31:27] Right. [00:31:28] And how so? [00:31:29] Where's it going to start at? [00:31:30] Well, with a building. [00:31:31] That would be a commitment. [00:31:32] Well, if you keep talking between us, if we can, Mr. Mayor, are you open for another line [00:31:39] of discussion here? [00:31:40] Absolutely. [00:31:41] The first thing I want to say is, you know, there was a time way back, Chopper, when I [00:31:46] was on the tourism board and that was in the 80s and 90s, I think, and so I know that [00:31:57] when it came to the brick and mortar funds that are available through our county's collection [00:32:02] of the hotel and motel taxes, that back in the day, not that far back before the Trinity [00:32:12] and particularly the Wesley Chapel growth has really exploded with a lot of hotels. [00:32:17] For a long period of time, it was the West Pasco and, in fact, the New Port Richey Zip [00:32:22] Code that generated up to 50% of the revenue coming in. [00:32:28] So it was always frustrating, this started out, and bear with me for a moment just to [00:32:32] kind of give talk, again, history of the tourism money, but, you know, Saddlebrook was going [00:32:38] to do a tennis stadium, Commissioner Wells, Sr. was looking with Commissioner Hildebrand [00:32:45] to have a Yankees sports stadium, and we had a little group that was trying to build a [00:32:51] plan for the hands-on science museum, which, ironically, I think was, well, it's actually [00:32:58] in the Bifo Brady's was one of the locations that that was looking at. [00:33:04] And St. Petersburg had a hands-on science museum, and it was a conference and discussion. [00:33:09] So the tourist tax construction dollars, at least initially, and I think they've changed [00:33:16] them now to allow for, like, recreation trails or some beach improvements or something that [00:33:22] capital money is available for now, but back originally, it was museums and sports competitive [00:33:30] and visitor and convention space for conventions, all headed towards something that would bring [00:33:39] the heads in beds and generate hotel traffic. [00:33:44] So as the Kaiser University, just to say, as that name has been mentioned, you know, [00:33:50] and the interest they told us, a potential hotel, you know, museums, activities like [00:33:56] that draw overnight stays and hotel drawings. [00:34:01] So that's why it was available. [00:34:03] But the point that I recall was that either the government had to operate it or a non-profit [00:34:10] entity had to operate these facilities, and I think that has probably been the cause why [00:34:15] some of the, maybe the ice skating program, some of those other units did not try to avail [00:34:21] themselves of the tourism money because they had to be operated by a non-profit entity, [00:34:27] and a lot of folks kind of get around for that. [00:34:30] But bottom line is, they increased the tax collection, there are sports, the sports stadium [00:34:38] concept has turned to youth sports, which is not spectator sports particularly. [00:34:43] I don't know the total number of heads in beds, but I know when there are sports programs, [00:34:48] there are hotels fill up. [00:34:51] Museums are certainly a part of it. [00:34:53] So I think for us not to at least raise the question at this meeting, that the County [00:35:01] Tourism Board, A, the people of West Pasco County deserve a share of the capital funds [00:35:12] that have been collected for 35 or more years now to be used to promote tourism on the west [00:35:21] side, and particularly when the economic funds, which are 10 percent of the Penny for [00:35:27] Pasco money, which is supposed to be used to help support economic growth, are primarily [00:35:32] being, I don't want to say diverted, but invested in the Suncoast Parkway, the 54 corridor, [00:35:40] and Wesley Chapel, and we've had that discussion on the transportation issues in the county [00:35:48] as well as the tourism issues. [00:35:50] So when it said, how can the city be a partner, telling us right away, provide you a building, [00:36:01] to me, a show of community support is important, and I think I've mentioned that to you all [00:36:09] before, developing not only the good fortune of having some of your board members who aren't [00:36:15] from New Port Richey here to say, we like this thing, we want it to find a home, and [00:36:20] we think your city's a good place for it, is we have to get our own local community [00:36:25] to say, yes, we want this for kids and others. [00:36:29] And secondly, the temporary location can be handled through the rental of space. [00:36:35] It doesn't have to be city-owned space. [00:36:39] The place I'm thinking of is across from Southgate, where they had that cheap supply [00:36:46] thing next to that Mercedes shop there, huge warehouse-style building, tall ceilings, empty [00:36:53] right now. [00:36:54] If you recall, that used to have, you'd go in there and find like big lots for construction [00:37:01] materials or whatever, I'm not sure what it was, but there are buildings that are around [00:37:06] here. [00:37:07] There are going to be places that have the square footage you require. [00:37:11] And there may be able to be had for a rental that, if you want support from the city, would [00:37:17] be a lot cheaper than us buying a $2 million or a $3 million building. [00:37:21] But it will take some local support, and I think it also has to take a bit of a green [00:37:27] light from the tourism board that this is the kind of thing that they would like. [00:37:31] And I know they apparently, you've been to them, and they didn't show the excitement [00:37:35] for it. [00:37:37] And I don't know what project our city council wants to really get behind, but certainly [00:37:44] your collection and your professionalism and all that you've brought to us is something [00:37:48] that does merit us paying attention to. [00:37:53] A city of 16,000 people, that really represents 80,000 people who think they live in our city, [00:38:01] and another 50,000 who feel like they're our neighbors, deserves the support of our [00:38:07] county and the city in order to make what you have successful. [00:38:13] I heard the first thing you needed was a place that you were running out of a place for storage [00:38:17] and you needed a place to move the stuff to so you could keep the collection together. [00:38:21] So to me, asking for a place to open up a museum, as your own planning says, it's going [00:38:28] to take you until September, October to get to that point with your three-year budget [00:38:32] and your plan, as mentioned. [00:38:35] If there's an immediate need and there's a way that we can entice you to stay in this [00:38:40] area, then I would ask for us to consider taking a step that starts us shaking hands [00:38:48] with each other and saying, let's pursue this and see if we can go on. [00:38:51] So I'm kind of in the let's pursue it, let's develop some local support, and let's see [00:38:56] if we can't generate it. [00:38:58] Chopper is our representative on the tourism board, so I don't know, he may have a better [00:39:02] feel for why or what they are looking to do with all their money. [00:39:07] I'm anxious to see how they're going to spend it on the West Pasco in some way. [00:39:14] Thank you. [00:39:15] I had just a couple of, I guess, logistical questions more for staff than the museum reps. [00:39:25] It's my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, that potentially the church on [00:39:34] South River may be in place sooner rather than later as part of that whole redevelopment [00:39:41] that's going on with Kaiser and SunTrust and everything else that's happening on that corner. [00:39:47] In response to the question, Mr. Mayor, I do expect that a development proposal will [00:39:51] be submitted for your consideration. [00:39:55] Not too distant? [00:39:56] I would say less than six months away. [00:39:59] So that's not a real good place to even temporarily park a museum because in six months they might [00:40:06] be moving? [00:40:07] No, and the building's in disrepair, significant. [00:40:11] Do we have any time frame for the health department moving out of the old bank building? [00:40:16] In my most recent discussion with the county administrator, I was advised it would likely [00:40:20] be about a year and a half. [00:40:22] That was just a couple of weeks ago. [00:40:25] So as much as that would be a nice place to put it, it's probably not realistic on the [00:40:32] time frame that these folks are looking at. [00:40:36] I was not aware of that empty building. [00:40:38] I suspect our economic development director probably has a pretty good idea where the [00:40:43] empties are, and it might be worth taking a look at that and some of the others. [00:40:49] If we decide to move forward, yeah, doing a lease to get them up and running, I would [00:40:58] at least entertain a chopper. [00:41:01] Thoughts? [00:41:02] Well, I've been at the Tourist Development Board for six years now, and I'm finding more [00:41:14] and more that it's become a county entity and not a city entity. [00:41:20] So it doesn't look at...it separates out the cities versus the county. [00:41:25] They're going to spend all the money in the county. [00:41:27] So that's why you see a big concentration over in Wesley Chapel, because that's county. [00:41:34] Mike Moore, of course, he's on the board, and he's also making sure the money goes to [00:41:38] his area, brick and mortar money. [00:41:42] I'm finding this more and more that I think that we're not a team, but we're the stepchild [00:41:49] or something like that, as far as getting funding and people looking to it. [00:41:55] So there's my opinion about the money there. [00:41:58] Not that it's not available, I just don't see them readily, hey, yeah, it's a great [00:42:01] idea, let's do it. [00:42:05] I think it's a team effort. [00:42:07] I think the state, culture affairs, the county, and the city have got to sit down, not just [00:42:15] us here, say let's go. [00:42:19] But my thought when I met with these people individually was that if there was...to put [00:42:26] in a building and run around town and look for the building, first of all, if you're [00:42:30] going to have a, in my opinion, a dinosaur, you're going to have to have some 14, 16 foot [00:42:35] ceilings to be able to put a dinosaur in there. [00:42:38] Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it's 12 feet, but anyhow, whatever the number is. [00:42:43] So I thought if we were going to get some help, brick and mortar help from the county, [00:42:49] get some culture affairs money from the state, some kind of matching funds in here, and he's [00:42:55] got some philanthropists online, put all these together that it might be some square footage [00:43:01] put into that garage that we're going to build behind Kaiser. [00:43:06] You could put some square footage there for it, maybe not 14,000 when I think I talked [00:43:13] to you it was more around 10, but that was more of my...so you build something that's [00:43:18] more what they need instead of trying to renovate it and end up spending the same...$150 a square [00:43:28] foot instead of $100 a square foot trying to renovate something. [00:43:31] So that's kind of where I'm at, it's going to be a team effort and I think if we're going [00:43:37] to do it, it's going to be some kind of space that we set aside for it, not renovating. [00:43:44] I don't think the county's building, health building is broken up into too many offices [00:43:51] and things of that sort, so that's kind of where I'm at. [00:43:57] I think no matter what we go, I think a partnership is definitely the best route with the county [00:44:04] and state and whoever else we can find to get involved, but it's going to be a longer [00:44:08] process. [00:44:09] I don't think we're going to find anything short term to get going and get everybody [00:44:13] on the same page. [00:44:14] I kind of think the first thing probably we should do is the city knows what they have [00:44:20] available, look at that as anything that might be viable, if not, go outside of that. [00:44:27] Start knocking on doors and asking people, hey, this is what we're thinking about, we'd [00:44:32] like your place, what's the best you could do for us, and have some numbers, so that [00:44:37] way we can come back and say, hey, we need $2,000 a month for this space, we think it'll [00:44:43] work. [00:44:44] Then we can go to the county, go to other entities and try to help with that, renovations, [00:44:50] all that, but I think we have to start with a space, and if we're thinking about building [00:44:56] something specific, it's definitely not going to be... [00:45:00] within a year to, you know, a year and a half or something. [00:45:03] It's gonna be, it's definitely gonna be far out [00:45:05] for something, a project like that, I think. [00:45:08] So I mean, I kind of start now with, you know, [00:45:10] knocking the doors, find out what you can get and how much. [00:45:14] You know, bring it back. [00:45:15] Let's say, hey, this is what we need. [00:45:17] We actually have some solid numbers [00:45:19] and then see what we can do. [00:45:20] And then we can start reaching out to other, [00:45:22] other people or help and that kind of thing. [00:45:25] But I think that's kind of where it starts. [00:45:26] We had to find a place and got to know how much. [00:45:30] Mayor, if I may? [00:45:31] Yes. [00:45:32] Great points by everybody. [00:45:32] Once again, like the building, no offense. [00:45:35] Bill, you brought up the warehouse style building [00:45:37] next to the auto repair shop off of 19. [00:45:40] To me, no. [00:45:40] I mean, why would we even consider something like that? [00:45:42] This is a museum. [00:45:43] It needs to be done first class, top shelf. [00:45:46] But when we first met, it was kind of like, [00:45:48] we need somewhere to put this quick. [00:45:50] We need a building. [00:45:51] I think if we are gonna make this work, [00:45:53] and I am definitely in favor of partnering with the city [00:45:56] and any entity that we can to move this forward, [00:46:00] but it's not gonna happen in six months. [00:46:00] It's not gonna happen in a year. [00:46:01] It could be something where we come up with a plan [00:46:04] to maybe, I love the idea of possibly building [00:46:08] on the backside of, if there's space there, [00:46:10] of the new college university behind the parking garage. [00:46:13] But we need a projected plan, projected cost, [00:46:16] where maybe we can make that our legislative, [00:46:18] number one legislative ask for next year [00:46:20] or the following year. [00:46:21] Go to the state, like we got a million, [00:46:23] what, 1.5 million so far for the Hacienda? [00:46:26] I mean, the state's gonna look, [00:46:28] I'm sure they're gonna look at this as a huge cultural asset [00:46:31] to this area of Tampa Bay, for sure, 100%. [00:46:34] And I didn't mean to sound too negative. [00:46:35] I'm just saying that I don't see how we can fast track this. [00:46:39] I love the idea, but I'm spot on [00:46:43] with what Councilman Murphy said. [00:46:45] It needs to be a collective effort. [00:46:47] We need to come up with a plan. [00:46:48] How are we gonna build a building [00:46:49] that has this amazing collection that we have? [00:46:52] We don't want this to go to another city or another area. [00:46:56] We'd love to keep it here. [00:46:58] But we need to sit down, [00:46:59] maybe with people from the Tourism Board, [00:47:01] maybe with Adam, the head of Pasco County Tourism, [00:47:04] a county commissioner, get all these people at the table, [00:47:07] maybe one of our state legislators, [00:47:09] say, listen, we have this great, great collection here. [00:47:13] They wanna be here. [00:47:14] We don't wanna miss out on this opportunity. [00:47:16] At that point, how do we move forward? [00:47:18] What do y'all think? [00:47:19] What's the Tourism Board think? [00:47:20] What's the County Commission think? [00:47:22] What does our state legislator, what do they think? [00:47:24] And try to get everybody on board and come, [00:47:26] because I'll tell you what, if we bring, [00:47:28] if we just go to them and say, [00:47:29] we wanna open a museum and have no projected costs [00:47:32] of operation for the first two, three years, [00:47:33] or what it's gonna cost for a build-out [00:47:35] if we do find a building, [00:47:36] or to create a building, two houses, [00:47:39] they're gonna kind of have this, [00:47:40] I would imagine, the same attitude that I had starting off. [00:47:44] Great idea. [00:47:45] I'm not sure what you're asking for. [00:47:47] Does that make sense? [00:47:48] So I've kind of taken all the comments from my colleagues [00:47:52] and put them all together, [00:47:53] and I think it's a great plan, [00:47:54] but it has to be a broader plan [00:47:57] with a lot more entities involved, [00:47:59] and I think we, if, at that point, [00:48:01] hopefully with the board from the museum, [00:48:04] if they see the interest from these entities [00:48:06] and legitimately feel like this area [00:48:09] wants to make this happen, [00:48:11] then hopefully we can buy us some more time to do it right. [00:48:15] That's kind of where I'm at. [00:48:18] Quick follow-up to what you said, and the... [00:48:21] A quick follow-up? [00:48:22] Yeah, yeah, it would be. [00:48:24] Believe it or not, yeah. [00:48:26] No, no. [00:48:29] Gravy. [00:48:29] Yeah, you're a great straight man in my comedy act. [00:48:36] I'm in agreement with you. [00:48:37] When you do something, you want it to be first class. [00:48:38] You don't want to have a kick, [00:48:40] start something off and it not be where it belongs. [00:48:43] But the point that I want to underline again [00:48:46] is that if the immediate discussion [00:48:49] is you have a limited time to warehouse and to locate this, [00:48:54] and we have multi-million dollars [00:48:55] worth of potential product, [00:48:58] a warehouse, something like that, [00:49:00] even if it wasn't open to the public, [00:49:03] if we want to start with some expression [00:49:05] of partnership or support, [00:49:07] we could just say, let us help you to secure this [00:49:10] so that you can keep this collection together. [00:49:13] And then if nothing else, we can have, [00:49:16] I think even in Main Street Landing or other places, [00:49:19] we have storefronts. [00:49:20] They could have little pop-up things [00:49:22] and little fundraisers like we did [00:49:24] with the Brainstorms Museum, [00:49:28] which is as much as we say, wait, [00:49:32] it might take some time to get where you want to get, [00:49:34] there's no time but now to begin to have the conversation, [00:49:39] to build the public support. [00:49:41] And again, to the thought that, [00:49:44] oh, I said quick, I'll say that special, [00:49:47] no, what the heck, I'll say it. [00:49:49] 80,000 people who think they live in the city, [00:49:52] there's gonna come a point when people [00:49:55] are gonna have to say, [00:49:56] we have to pay attention to the west side. [00:49:58] They got an award for planning for this economic development [00:50:03] and I'm not opposed to being the one to call, [00:50:07] to go up and call their bluff [00:50:09] and let them know that this part of the county [00:50:12] deserves some support. [00:50:14] I think, Councilman, you may be dating yourself, [00:50:18] the real number is probably closer [00:50:20] to a quarter of a million. [00:50:22] There's a lot of people on the west side of this county. [00:50:26] And I understand, Deputy Mayor, where you're coming from [00:50:30] on making sure we do it right, [00:50:34] but if we had even a temporary warehousing place, [00:50:41] that would at least lock the thing in [00:50:44] while we work on getting a permanent location. [00:50:47] That's a lot different, a storage facility [00:50:50] to house the collection to me is much different [00:50:53] than just trying to throw it in a building [00:50:55] that probably isn't the best option [00:50:58] and open it and see if we get some feedback [00:51:00] from the public, you know what I mean? [00:51:01] I'm all, yeah, if we can assist with finding storage, [00:51:06] secure, obviously, storage facility to help [00:51:09] retain the idea for this region, this area, [00:51:13] yeah, why not? [00:51:13] I'm totally on board with that. [00:51:15] I just think it's important that, you know, [00:51:18] they need to see this level of commitment from our city [00:51:20] to be able to move forward, [00:51:21] because if you don't have a building, [00:51:23] you don't have a commitment. [00:51:25] Or if you don't have an agreement to at least store it, [00:51:27] you don't have that commitment. [00:51:28] And I don't know anybody that's come to the board ever [00:51:31] and offered to let you guys use [00:51:33] $5 million worth of artifacts. [00:51:37] Mayor, can I mention one thing too? [00:51:39] I mean, I appreciate your comments, Councilman Starkey, [00:51:43] because there's really, the way we've looked at it, [00:51:46] we've had this discussion at our board meetings, [00:51:48] is the two approaches. [00:51:51] And one is, and Terri will attest to her approach, [00:51:55] is like, let's start out big, let's do it right. [00:51:58] But there's another approach, [00:51:59] and this is actually the approach we took [00:52:01] when we first started the museum in South Florida. [00:52:03] We had a small location in downtown Fort Lauderdale. [00:52:06] It was very modest. [00:52:08] It was just kind of building up. [00:52:11] And then people realized, wow, there's something here. [00:52:16] There's something to be said [00:52:17] about this place and the collections. [00:52:19] I mean, if they saw the collections now, [00:52:20] they would say that. [00:52:21] But they started with that small location. [00:52:24] Then eventually, after two or three years, [00:52:26] they moved to a major location of 50,000 square feet [00:52:31] and were able to do it right and do all those things. [00:52:34] So this was like, so you can go kind of either way, [00:52:37] take the slower approach and do it right from the beginning, [00:52:40] or take a faster approach and start with something [00:52:44] and build up to something more significant. [00:52:47] So it's really kind of what we have the ability to do, [00:52:53] because we are looking for a home for the collection. [00:52:56] A storage facility until you get the grandioso facility. [00:53:00] But in the meantime, if you had a big enough facility [00:53:03] that you could go take some of those items [00:53:06] and put them on a tour to keep generating money [00:53:09] for that bigger building [00:53:11] and monetize what you have available to you, [00:53:14] I would strongly recommend you do that. [00:53:15] What about, for something like that, [00:53:18] because you were talking about tying this [00:53:20] into the STEM curriculum with the schools. [00:53:24] With some of these schools closing and whatnot, [00:53:26] like Crenn Technical Institute, [00:53:29] which is not far from here, it's outside the city limits, [00:53:31] but I'm pretty sure they have a gymnasium number [00:53:34] they're not even using. [00:53:35] As far as like putting some of the artifacts [00:53:38] to start with maybe school age children, K through 12 even, [00:53:41] to come visit, maybe we could look into [00:53:44] if there's any space through the school board. [00:53:47] Maybe like I said, Ridgewood, the old Ridgewood High School, [00:53:49] the Crenn Technical, because I know they're [00:53:52] way, way, way under capacity as far as student count goes [00:53:55] for what the building will hold. [00:53:56] When is Swetman moving? [00:53:58] What's that? [00:54:00] Is Swetman moving? [00:54:01] Well, it's an active school, though. [00:54:03] I know, but it's moving. [00:54:05] It is due to move in over a year. [00:54:08] The original Gulf High Building on Boulevard. [00:54:11] It's over a year away. [00:54:12] What's the square footage there? [00:54:14] I'm sorry, I don't know. [00:54:15] And who owns that? [00:54:16] The school board owns the building? [00:54:17] The school board owns the property. [00:54:18] That might be something we could explore. [00:54:20] That's a historic building in itself. [00:54:21] It's an original Gulf High School built in the 20s, [00:54:25] right here on Boulevard in our downtown. [00:54:27] And they have a huge, you know where Swetman is, [00:54:31] a huge field out back as well. [00:54:33] That's a, as far as to get something started, [00:54:37] that to me would be pretty cool. [00:54:40] If we could, if a build out would allow for, [00:54:44] just to get it going, to get the interest going. [00:54:47] And it's in our downtown. [00:54:48] It's in one of our historic buildings. [00:54:51] I didn't realize Swetman was moving out so quickly. [00:54:53] So, if you'd like, I'm sure we all know members [00:54:57] of the school board, but there's two that are, [00:55:00] that I speak to on a regular basis [00:55:02] that are very, very focused on West Pasco [00:55:04] and what's going on here with our educators. [00:55:07] They're all focused, but there's two I talk to regularly [00:55:09] about our West Pasco schools. [00:55:11] I'd be happy to reach out to them. [00:55:13] We could, you could as well, I'm sure. [00:55:15] And maybe set up a meeting and at least tour it, [00:55:19] see what you all think. [00:55:20] I think that's great. [00:55:20] I mean, we're just looking to start the discussion. [00:55:22] And you know, we knew that this workshop [00:55:25] was one way to kind of get all on the same page [00:55:28] and start. [00:55:28] And I feel like now we're kind of getting somewhere [00:55:30] with the open discussion and some ideas. [00:55:33] I would think that we want to get the public involved [00:55:37] in the discussion as well. [00:55:39] Certainly, we've got several people that are here tonight. [00:55:43] We've hopefully got more that are watching this on TV. [00:55:48] I would encourage them to reach out [00:55:51] and give us their opinions. [00:55:53] I mean. [00:55:55] Speaking of the word public, [00:55:56] the Florida Public Archeology Network [00:56:01] is going to be at the Chasco Fiesta [00:56:04] on the Thursday and Friday of the last weekend [00:56:08] with some of their pre-early Native American stuff. [00:56:14] And if any of you all are able to come and visit with them, [00:56:18] they are again affiliated with the university system. [00:56:21] And I think it would be great for you [00:56:24] to maybe meet them in our little city [00:56:27] and maybe encourage them. [00:56:32] Because when you start going for money from the state, [00:56:35] they look to, however they put their grading committees [00:56:39] together, they look for folks from within those areas. [00:56:43] Well, I mentioned doing it as a team [00:56:46] with the county and the state. [00:56:50] But adding a school board would be a great idea too. [00:56:54] That's primarily where this all needs to come. [00:56:56] I mean, that's who's gonna see the real benefit [00:56:59] from what we're doing here is the kids. [00:57:02] Yeah, and there's a precedent too for in Clearwater, [00:57:07] the museum there, the Clearwater Historical Society [00:57:10] received a building for use for their museum [00:57:14] from one of the school board in Pinellas. [00:57:15] So, you know, and they're making that work. [00:57:19] So I think it's a great suggestion. [00:57:21] Thank you. [00:57:22] Any other closing comments, thoughts? [00:57:26] Deputy Mayor? [00:57:27] Just, I'll get your number, or Richard can call me. [00:57:31] I think just to kind of come up with ideas [00:57:34] like we're doing tonight, maybe we can, [00:57:36] the three of us, or whoever else, we can't. [00:57:38] We have to be careful of the sun coming up. [00:57:40] Tour the building, Schwetman, see what you think, [00:57:42] what your initial reactions are. [00:57:44] Because a year's time frame, and that is in our downtown, [00:57:48] and I think it could be a viable option. [00:57:51] Let me know when you guys would like to do so, [00:57:52] and I'll reach out to them. [00:57:53] Tomorrow would be great. [00:57:55] I used to be very close to the principal. [00:57:59] Conesville, Cainesville, but he retired. [00:58:01] I'm not even sure the principal is there now, [00:58:02] but I'll pop in tomorrow and see if we can [00:58:06] take a tour of the school. [00:58:07] Mr. Murphy? [00:58:07] Yeah, I think that's an awesome place to start, [00:58:09] and if that works out, that was easy. [00:58:13] But yeah, I've been willing to talk to some [00:58:16] of the school board members too, and see what's going on, [00:58:18] and hopefully there might be an option. [00:58:22] It seemed like the state was much more receptive [00:58:24] to try to help us with the Hacienda, [00:58:26] because it's the age of it, and I think they'd probably [00:58:28] be a lot more receptive to helping us with that. [00:58:34] That is an interesting thought. [00:58:37] Mr. Ullman, any other final thoughts? [00:58:39] Thank you, I think everybody had good feedback, [00:58:41] and I appreciate, and I'm still curious about [00:58:44] the potential for us when we look at master planning, [00:58:49] that whole 19, and main, and that block [00:58:52] that incorporates the property. [00:58:56] Who knows, that parking garage could be [00:58:57] wrapped with museum windows. [00:59:01] I will add the different entities, organizations, [00:59:04] and entities that we mentioned, school board members, [00:59:07] county commissioners, state legislators. [00:59:09] We're talking about people with very, very, [00:59:11] very busy schedules, so logistically to get reps [00:59:15] from all of those boards in the same room together, [00:59:17] we need to ask now for a date down the road, [00:59:20] and we have problems just getting everyone [00:59:21] at the NPO meetings, because of double-scheduled meetings [00:59:24] and whatnot, so talking to some people that are real busy, [00:59:27] doing different things, but I'm sure they would all [00:59:29] like to at least hear the discussion and be involved. [00:59:33] Robert, anything else? [00:59:36] I might like a couple minutes out of the people [00:59:38] that showed tonight. [00:59:38] Yeah, was anybody in the audience that had thoughts? [00:59:45] Except for Bill. [00:59:48] I'm excluded, I'm sure. [00:59:50] He's archeology. [00:59:51] Yeah, yeah, I'm the river guy. [00:59:57] Thanks for opening the table, Mr. Mary, I'm sure. [01:00:00] We all have input because we've all been around for a long time and you touched on a number of them [01:00:05] First of all, but I really do think that if you're if you want to do something that you are to show commitment [01:00:12] At least a little bit that you need to get a resolution that says that you want to take the next step forward [01:00:19] So that they can go to people and have that as a viable [01:00:25] Tool [01:00:27] Whatever, you know because up till now it's all hey [01:00:32] Sounds good make sound good [01:00:34] and then all of a sudden you're dancing and you leave them on the dance floor and [01:00:39] They they're still dancing and you're not there [01:00:42] So just something because I think you've all got around the whole subject tonight about what it is and the viability [01:00:50] Number two is well, I'm not disappointed, but I would like to have understood that [01:00:57] as a city and as an economic side and as a [01:01:03] Somebody that's been here for a long time that there would have been possibly the ability to talk about five or six [01:01:11] Temporary places that they could use in an interim now [01:01:17] We know that the church on River Road has been beat up by everything [01:01:21] You'd have to put a lot of money [01:01:22] But you mentioned the place on across from South Gate South Gates got two openings in there [01:01:28] you can go to Bismarck or Bismarck and say hey, how about if we paid you in conjunction with the with the [01:01:37] Museum for a six-month temporary lease. How about the space next to? [01:01:44] Wings and things or whatever it is across from 19 [01:01:48] You got where the old [01:01:50] Workout place used to be and there's a big space next to it where the laser tag place used to be [01:01:55] So there's a number of those things and that's exactly where you were kind of going to [01:02:00] But the ability is for them to begin to tout that the city is then you could go and wrap your arms around all these [01:02:07] other people that right now don't pay attention to the west side of Pasco County and [01:02:12] We could all go back over and over the last 30 years of what they've done and not done and where the money's gone [01:02:19] That's ancient history. It's about going forward [01:02:22] Obviously Schwetman would be an admirable place for this to be to be the first linchpin to tie [01:02:30] South to the side of the boulevard since we didn't get the VA and they went all the way out there [01:02:35] And you still got the medical there, but Swetman would be great. You're going to get some immediate [01:02:42] interest from the PAL because of the football field because I really think in the long run the school's probably going to look at a [01:02:49] way to [01:02:50] Make some money off of that property because it's always been valuable being on it [01:02:54] but if you're talking about and can get agreement that it's incremental steps to get them to a [01:03:01] bigger place [01:03:02] Then use that philosophy in that theory so they can go and Rob we already know if you put the information out [01:03:10] Show the public what you have give them an idea what you're going to do [01:03:14] They'll show up [01:03:17] 400 strong to clean up something that they already owned back on January 13th [01:03:23] 2013 known as the Hacienda Hotel [01:03:25] and they came over a couple of months later and cleaned the [01:03:29] The other building that we had the old church building that we have so to me those are some some modest steps [01:03:37] But you know be realistic so that these folks can go out and market themselves and know and I know that's where you're at [01:03:43] It's just about getting [01:03:45] You don't want to over promise and under promise [01:03:48] You don't want to owe, but you would like to over deliver now and at the end so those are my suggestions [01:03:53] And your point about some sort of resolution that they could [01:03:57] then use [01:03:58] going forward to [01:04:00] To raise the capital necessary to do what they're doing [01:04:03] Make some sense to so good good ideas. Thank you very much bill anyone else [01:04:11] In that case I would entertain a motion we adjourn [01:04:19] She did have to leave yes [01:04:23] Can I ask a question real quick, so what are the next action steps I? [01:04:28] I think we'll ask our economic development director to identify the empty spots [01:04:35] around town that might be [01:04:38] appropriate either for storage and or a [01:04:40] temporary location [01:04:44] Look and put a put a resolution together a sense of the council [01:04:48] I personally would do a resolution first [01:04:50] I would reach out to what at least one member of the school board with the sunshine law it to be careful [01:04:54] I would recommend Allison crumbly be the person we reach out to from the school board. I would reach out to [01:05:02] Either Commissioner Wells Commissioner Starkey or Commissioner Mariano from [01:05:08] The Commission I would reach out to Adam Thomas from [01:05:15] We've we've talked to about this collection in the past, so she's we know each other well [01:05:20] I think Adam if you're talking about tourism dollars. He should be at the table and [01:05:24] at that point because of the sunshine law you can't really invite Commissioner more over even though he's the chair of the [01:05:29] tourism board and [01:05:31] But Abby reach out to Judy Parker and see if she can attend on behalf of Senator Simpson, or maybe he himself could attend or [01:05:38] Mr.. Hooper, I'll call well. That's what I would recommend and try to set up a meeting [01:05:48] What's the resolution when would that come out? [01:05:51] Probably middle of month it would probably be the first meeting in April [01:05:58] Now the maps name that they've got on that [01:06:01] I don't know how solid that is, but I was thinking about it [01:06:04] You could also call it the spam museum which would be the science paleontology and archaeology museum

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3. 4Adjournment▶ 1:06:13
4. 3Communications