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12-19-01 Conrad Mansion MinutesA meeting of the Conrad Mansion Directors was held on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 8:00am at the Mansion. Members present were Rita Fitzsimmons, Rick Champoux, Norb Donahue, Everit Sliter and Gayle Vidal and Shirley Miller. Also present were Norma Happ, Donna Carr, Manager Lynn Redfield and Assistant Manager Terri Florman Everit moved and Rick seconded that the November 20th minutes be approved as corrected. Motion passed. Rita informed the Board that she, Sam, and Gayle have written letters to Mayor Boharski suggesting Tia Robbins as a candidate for the vacant City of Kalispell representative position on the Board. After discussion it was agreed that Rita will contact Mayor Boharski and possibly incoming mayor Pam Kennedy to further encourage Tia's appointment. Rita asked Everit to review the Mansion's financial position. Everit presented and discussed Financial Statements dated June 30, 2001. Profits and income have declined for a second year, mirroring a three year downturn in state tourism revenues and a two year downturn in Glacier Country. Travel Montana predicts that it may take several years to reverse this trend. Rick stated that we should consider two questions: What can we cut and how can we generate funds? Discussion followed about the feasibility of renting rooms for events at the Mansion to generate income. Concern was expressed about what we would have to charge to cover our expenses and generate a worthwhile profit. Concern was also expressed about the inevitable wear and tear which would result. Rick suggested we think about sponsoring a major fundraiser which would involve many members of the community. The Mansion has maintained a low profile and many possible supporters may not be aware that we need costly items like a new roof. The Mansion has not sponsored a significant public fundraiser since its beginning efforts in the 1970's. Rita described an informal discussion she had with Hockaday and Central School museum directors who appear eager to partner with us in fundraising. The Hockaday director is writing a National Endowment for the Arts grant which would provide $10,000 to pay for ticket production, advertising and publicity to promote a State Parks multiple use ticket which could give purchasers access to all three Kalispell museums. Rita also suggested we consider participating in an Antique Show sponsored by the three museums. Butterfield and Butterfield, a San Francisco based appraisal firm, would be on site to appraise items for a small fee. The event would emphasize cultural, historical and art themes. The new Hockaday director has already completed much of the planning for this event. It is anticipated that $60,000 would be generated to be split among the three museums. Norb spoke against the idea of associating with the other museums to fundraise. He prefers the idea of sponsoring a valleywide Mansion campaign to finance the roof. Lynn noted that while it is true that Bill Peterson, the Central School Museum Director, is bright, personable, knowledgeable and a real asset to Central School, previous discussions she has had with him about collaboration have never moved beyond discussion. Everit added that he has discussed participating with Bill in writing grants and that while he would see no problem in that kind of collaboration, we may want to proceed cautiously with other associations. Rick and Rita summarized these discussions by reminding the board that we not only have a need to generate funds for a roof, but that we also need to address how to manage the garden, the planting and the Garden Tour, all of which Sam used to donate as his gift. Donna suggested that Sam may still be willing to continue the Garden Tours. It was agreed in the near future that Rita should talk with him about his wishes. Rita noted that we need to maintain a cordial relationship with the other museums. Norb recommended we consider involvement with other museums on a case by case basis. Rita questioned how we might revive the Conrad Heritage Foundation. Everit stated that we could transfer CD monies to the foundation. Donna added that many people might be willing to give to the Mansion and that she felt Sam would be pleased to see the Board reactivating its use of the foundation as a fundraising mechanism. Everit agreed to provide additional information about the foundation at our next meeting. Lynn requested that the Board discuss whether our extended hours of operation, 9:OOam-8:OOpm justify the additional costs. She suggested that shorter hours, 10:00am-6:OOpm, could reduce our expenses with a projected salary savings of $10,000. Upon request, as always, the Mansion staff would open earlier and close later if the number of visitors warranted. Rick moved and Norb seconded a motion to change the Mansion hours to 10:OOam-6:OOpm, as suggested by Lynn. Motion carried. Gayle suggested that a delegation from the Board talk with Sam about his ideas for an appropriate memorial for his 27 years of service as the Conrad Mansion founding President. Discussion followed about the value of gathering Sam's suggestions about other transition issues as well. Rita agreed to schedule time for a conversation with Sam after the holidays. After discussion Rick moved and Shirley seconded a motion to refuse Mike Thompson's offer to donate $800.00 of the $2800 purchase price of the Baldwin family Karistan rug he has on consignment for sale because it is not an item we can afford to purchase at this time. Motion carried. Lynn reported it has been 5 or 6 years since a professional evaluation has been made of our roof. Our subroof was sound then but it may not be now. Everit offered to ask Dave Meredith, who is an architect, to draw up current roof specs for us. Once we have current specs, Rick offered to check possible costs with his son-in-law, who is a contractor. The next meeting will be held Tuesday, January 15th, at 8:OOam at the Mansion. Everit moved and Norb seconded a motion to adjourn at 9:30am. Motion passed. Conrad Mansion Board Meeting Agenda for December 19th, 2001 8 a.m. Item 1 Approval/corrections of last meeting's minutes Item2 Notification of Sam's suggested replacement for his board position s` Item 3 Discussion of the Mansion's financial position a. Review of operating budget b. Revival/implementation of the Mansion Foundation c. Grant applications and partnering with other local museums d. What are our options for generating 'new roof" funds? e. What arethe grounds/flower expenses expected to be for 2002? Item 4 Review of Long Hours at the Mansion, per Lynn's request a. Shorter hours, less staffing expense, etc. m _ Item S Discussion of an appropriate memorial/gift honoring Sam for his years of service Item 6 Any other business board members would like to bring up a. Purchase(?) of Karastan rug for the Museum Adjournment Gayle J. Vidal 120 Woodland Avenue Kalispell, MT 59901 406-257-3142 December 7, 2001 Mayor Bill Boharski Kalispell City Council Kalispell City Hall 312 lst Avenue East Kalispell, MT 599901 Dear Mayor Boharski and Members of the City Council: As a member of the Conrad Mansion Board I would like to recommend Tia Robbins as a most worthy candidate to replace Sam Bibler on the Mansion Board. Tia was born and raised in Kalispell. She is intimately familiar with the historical significance of the Conrad Mansion both through her family heritage and from serving as a Mansion tour guide from 1982-1986. Tia has a strong civic sense. She would bring energy and enthusiasm along with a deep rooted sense of history to the Mansion Board. I hope you will strongly consider appointing Tia Robbins as our new city representative on the Conrad Mansion Board. Sincerely, Gayle J. Vidal Conrad Mansion Board Secretary LAW OFFICES OF KAUFMAN, VIDAL & HILEMAN, P.C. Leonard L. Kaufinan James E. Vidal Daniel W. Hileman James M. Ramlow Angela M. Vaninetti Tia R. Robbin Shelly F. Brander Ken A. Kalvig Mayor Bill Boharski & Kalispell City Council Kalispell City Hall 312 1 st Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 22 Second Avenue West P. O. Box 728 Kalispell, MT 59903-0728 December 6, 2001 Re: Recommendation for Conrad Mansion Board of Directors Dear Mayor Boharski & City Council Members: Telephone: 406-755-5700 Fax: 406-755-5783 kvhlaw@digisys.net It is my great honor and privilege to be recommended by Louis (Sam) Bibler as his replacement as the City representative on the Conrad Mansion Board of Directors. My love of the Conrad Mansion has been lifelong, starting as a very small child listening to the stories my great aunt Amanda Edmiston told of attending Mrs. Conrad's parties, and looking at Mrs. Conrad's calling card so proudly displayed in Aunt Amanda's scrapbooks. Back then, however, the Mansion was overgrown and held mysteries of being haunted. I watched with amazement as the foliage was trimmed, the beautiful home became visible, and the Mansion became a tourist destination. From 1982 through the summer of 1986 I enjoyed being a tour guide at the Mansion to local visitors, school groups, and tourists from around the world. As guides, we got a special peek into the Conrads' lives and the history of Kalispell. Lynn Redfield and Beverly Gilman made the experience educational and fun, and instilled a sense of pride in that special house, which feels like a second home to all of us who guided there. While I have never written a letter of introduction like this before, I assume providing some of my personal background may be appropriate. I was raised in Creston on my family's Hereford ranch, and graduated from Flathead High School. After completing my English degree from the University of Montana I immediately enrolled in the University of Montana School of Law, from which I graduated in 1991. After practicing law in Cleveland, Ohio, for a year, I returned to Kalispell and joined the law firm of Murray & Kaufman. In 1995, I became a partner in that firm, which is now known as Kaufinan, Vidal & Hileman. My practice focuses on civil litigation, including insurance defense and personal injury claims, and employment law. December 6, 2001 Page 2 I am married to Daniel Wilson, who is also an attorney in downtown Kalispell, and we are expecting our first child this Spring. Currently I am a member of the Board of Trustees for the Glacier Orchestra & Chorale, and am secretary of the Flathead Youth Foundation. Previously, I participated in the Leadership Flathead program, served on the Hockaday Center of the Arts board of directors, and served as President of the Northwest Montana Bar Association. Thank you for considering me for the Board of Directors of the Conrad Mansion. It would be a great honor to serve as the City's representative to the Board. Sincerely, KAUFMAN, VIDAL & HILEMAN, P.C. Tia R. Robbin TRR/sj Louis A. Bi6Cer GEOLOGIST RES. PH (406) 755-6578 OFFICE PH. (406) 755-6558 360 LAKE HILLS DR. KALISPELL, MONTANA 59901 December 5, 2001 Mayor Bill Boharski Kalispell City Council Kalispell City Hall 312 1st Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 Re: Conrad Mansion Board of Directors Dear Mayor Boharski and Kalispell City Council: On January 1, 2002, my current term as city representative on -the Conrad Mansion Board of Directors will expire. Having served as president of the Mansion Board for 27 _years; I re:ra_,_:n.ed November 20th for medical reasons. I would like to take this opportunity to recommend Tia Robbin as my replacement as board member. Tia was a tour guide at the Mansion during her high school years, and is now a successful attorney here in Kalispell. She has a great love and interest in the Mansion and would serve the board well. Thank you for the honor and years of representing the City of Kalispell on the Conrad Mansion Board, and thank you for your kind consideration of this request. Respectfully submitted, Louis A. Bibler LAB/dic AT wanrab Aansian JR.M. NUDE 11141 Kalispell, ,fit 599173-11141 f� z'.(2-cf-0I wonrab Mansion Plirertors, Tnr- VA. Box 11141 Sulispell, pit 59903-1041 i �Cci� C CAA 1 'Ov-, �✓vv� a� A% V\- w C�- t � , OLAV