HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - January 6, 2009 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL
SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2009
A. Roll call by City Clerk
A Special Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was
held Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at the World of Wonders Science Museum, 2 North Sacramento
Street, Lodi, commencing at 7:05 a.m.
Present: Council Member Hitchcock, Council Member Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore Katzakian,
and Mayor Hansen
Absent: Council Member Mounce
Also Present: City Manager King, City Attorney Schwabauer, and Assistant City Clerk Perrin
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B-1 Tour of the World of Wonders Science Museum
City Manager King briefly introduced the subject matter, providing history on the lease agreement
with the World of Wonders (WOW) science museum, the City's lack of ability to market the
property previous to WOW, and the tenant improvements made to the facility.
Sally Snyde, President of the WOW Board of Directors, provided a tour of the facility and
discussed, in part, the partnership with the Exploratorium, the reason for opening during the
holiday season, the $650,000 raised in the last year, attendance during the holiday season (2,371
over the nine -day period), $15,688 raised during the holiday opening, and media coverage.
Ms. Snyde presented a handout (filed) detailing the projected operating budget and estimated
staffing costs and stated that she is continuing to seek funding, donations, and grants. WOW is
now promoting birthday parties at the museum and will begin offering field trips in February. At its
next meeting, Ms. Snyde will suggest to the Board that the museum open its doors on Saturdays
and Sundays and she stated that a representative from the Exploratorium will meet with the
Board to offer suggestions and provide feedback. An advisory committee made up of community
members will be created to assist the museum, and she will begin to seek donations on a two-
year commitment in order to secure funding for a longer period of time.
City Manager King stated that the lease agreement requires a minimum of 33 hours of operation
per week with at least 6 of those hours on Sunday and includes a store requirement that would
assist the museum and help to increase foot traffic on Sacramento Street. Additionally, if it does
not conflict with museum operations, the City has the ability to utilize the facility at cost. He
added that there are some issues with the building that still need to be resolved and there is
another portion remaining that has not been improved.
In response to Mayor Hansen, Ms. Snyde stated that during the holiday opening there were some
inquiries regarding the properties across the street and stated she believed the museum would
help to generate more business in the area. The closest hands-on museums that are most
comparable to WOW are in San Jose and Berkeley.
Council Member Hitchcock stated that schools can participate in educational programs only if
State standards are met and she suggested that the museum market that in order to draw in the
schools. Harrison Weese, volunteer member with WOW, stated that the museum will have
programs geared for each grade and charts for teachers to use in tying activities and programs to
their curriculum. Council Member Hitchcock suggested that the information be put on the
Continued January 6, 2009
Website. Ms. Snyde added that she will be giving a presentation to the School Board in the near
future.
In response to Mayor Hansen, Ms. Snyde stated that the estimated staffing costs and projected
attendance levels were preliminary, may change, and were based on data from other museums
of similar size. Mr. Weese added that WOW has half a million students within the regional area to
draw from, which is much more than most museums.
Ms. Snyde stated that Amtrak is hoping to offer specials to encourage people to travel by train to
attend the museum.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Ms. Snyde stated that she is hoping to partner with
other organizations on programs that would encourage and promote greater attendance.
C.
None.
D. Adjournment
No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 a.m.
ATTEST:
Jennifer M. Perrin
Assistant City Clerk
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DECLARATION OF POSTING
On Friday, January 2, 2009, in the City of Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, a
copy of the January 6, 2009, Special Shirtsleeve Session agenda (attached and
marked as Exhibit A) was posted on the entrance to the World of Wonders
Science Museum, located at 2 N. Sacramento Street, Lodi.
declare under penalty cf perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on January 2, 2009, at Lodi, California.
ORDERED BY:
RANDIJOHL
CITY CLERK
Posted by:
IA BECERRA
ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK
AGENDA ITEM B-01
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Tour of the World of Wonders Science Museum
MEETING DATE: January 6,2009 (Shirtsleeve Session)
PREPARED BY: City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None; tour of facility.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: In 2006, the City entered into series of agreements with the World of
Wonders Science Museum (WOW) for the development of a
science oriented museum on City -owned property at the
Sacramento Street Parking Structure. Prior to this agreement, the City had unsuccessfully marketed the
vacant unimproved space. The lack of a floor, electrical system, heating, and air conditioning made the
facility cost prohibitiveto potential tenants.
When the City entered into the agreement with WOW, the City provided a favorable lease rate ($1,000
per month) in exchange for WOW improvingthe space, opening a museum store, and providing new
downtown attraction.
To date, the WOW has invested $550,000 in improvements and is about to open as Lodi's newest
attraction. The purpose of this Shirtsleeve Session is to allow the Council to verify the work completed to
date, tour the facility, and hear about the future plans and operations of the museum.
FISCAL IMPACT: The WOW museum is scheduled to pay rent February 1,2009 ($1,030 per
month). All rent proceeds benefit the Transit Fund pursuantto the City's
funding agreement with the Federal Transit Administration. Anew museum
store will provide new sales tax, and most importantly, the museum is a
new downtown destination and draw.
Blair King
City Manger
APPROVED:
Blair Ki Manager
Operating Revenue and Expenses - Projection
Summary of Projections
Yearley
2
Y+
().000
359000
Annual Attendance 3200
$286,950
$350,380
$388,404
WOW -Paid Buildling Occuparcy
Exhibitions
20 do -
60,000
65,000
150,000
Programs
Admissions
$120,000
$112,500
$131,250
Membmship
33,500
32,000
35,000
Programs
2,000
51000
10,000
Rentals
5,100
5,700
7,800
Retail Revenue
80,000
92,000
108,000
Co S nsors
75,000
80,000
85,000
Fundraising Events
75,000
100,000
100,000
individual Donations
150,0001
75,000
175,000
Grants
75,0001
100,000
100,000
Other
2.000
10.000
25.000
Total Revenue Pmjeabed
1 $612,600 1
$712,2001
$777,050
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Salaries, Wages, Benefits
$286,950
$350,380
$388,404
WOW -Paid Buildling Occuparcy
Exhibitions
7w,150,000
60,000
65,000
150,000
Programs
4,000
8,000
General Administration Costs
29,000
31,900
36,685
Cost of Goods
41,600
47,840
56,160
Contract Workers
31,5001
33,500 1
35,000
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Staffing and Costs
In the first year of operation, five key positions will be filled. These positions will be the
Executive Director, the Manager, the Exhibit/Program Manager, the OperationslFloor
Manager, and the Visitor ServioeslRetail Manager.
The dedicated Board of Directors and volunteers will be assuming other key roles.
SWIM cooft
FM
salbwy,
Yaw 1
YOIW2
Y44w 3'
Executive Director
1
$65,000
$65,000
$70,000
$75,000
Office Manager
.511
15,600
15,600
31,200
32,136
Exhibit/Program Manager
1
40,000
40,000
41,200
42,436
Operations/Floor Manager
1
40,000
40,000
41,200
42,436
Education/Outreach Coordinator
.511
40,000
0
20,000
41,200
Visitor Services/Retail er
.5
20,000
20,000
20,600
21,218
Bookkee r/Accountant
.7511
31,200
31,200
41,600
42,848
Reception/Retail
1
20,280
20,280
21,535
22,846
Reception/Retail
1
20,280
20,280
21,535
22,846
T Sakwin & W
$252,360
$3 ,3' 6
2,96
Bendb
Employee Benefits
14,400
16,800
18,000
Taxes/Worker's Com (Eg. 8%)
20,190
24,710
27,438
Contract Work and Costs
WOW will contract with individuals to provide the following services:
PR and Marketing $20,000
Janitorial $10,000
Audit $1,500
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