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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES2026-052 Museums Alaska GrantSponsored by: Sorensen CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2026-052 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, ACCEPTING FUNDS FROM THE MUSEUMS ALASKA ASSOCIATION COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT FUND FOR THE SEWARD MUSEUM EXHIBIT UPGRADES PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,525 WHEREAS, the Museums Alaska Association awarded to the City of Seward, through the Seward Community Library & Museum, a FY 2026 Collections Management Fund Award; for the Seward Museum's Exhibit Upgrades Project in the amount of $16,525 in funds on March 26, 2026; and WHEREAS, the purpose of this grant project is to upgrade three permanent exhibits in the Seward Museum by adding museum quality display mannequins and display cases, which will provide a contemporary look that complements the museum space and provide more opportunities to display the permanent historic object collection; and WHEREAS, the timeline expected to achieve this grant project would begin the end of April 2026 and is expected to end in September 2026, which is manageable based on past experiences handling shipments of materials; and WHEREAS, the Seward Community Library & Museum Staff reviewed museum visitor feedback and consulted with the Resurrection Bay Historical Society and Seward Community Library Association and concluded that this project is the preferred option for enhancing the interpretation and interactive components of the museum's exhibits and that it results in a long-term investment in exhibit presentation; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the community to invest in this project, for it is through the Seward Community Library & Museum that visitors and residents alike can have interpretive and memorable experiences of Seward's history and heritage. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA: Section 1. The City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager and the Seward Community Library & Museum to accept the Collections Management Funds of $16,525 from the Museums Alaska Association to complete the Seward Museum Exhibit Upgrades Project. Section 2. Funding in the amount of $16,525 from the Museums Alaska awards is hereby appropriated in the Misc. Grant Account 01000-1500-4253-0158. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2026-052 Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA THIS 11T" DAY OF MAY 2026. Sue McClure, Mayor AYES: Warner, Barnwell, Crites, Draper, Calhoon, McClure NOES: None ABSENT: Osenga ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: Kris Peck City Clerk City Council Agenda Statement Meeting Date: May 11, 2026 To: City Council Through: Kat Sorensen, City Manager From: Allison Stacy, Museum Curator Subject: Resolution 2026-052: Accepting Funds from the Museums Alaska Association Collections Management Fund Program for the Seward Museum Exhibit Upgrades Project in the Amount of $16,525 Background and justification: The Collections Management Fund Program will award $16,525 to support exhibit development at the Seward Museum as the Seward Community Library & Museum [SCLM] staff seek to upgrade three exhibits. The Seward Museum aims to showcase objects from its permanent collection, highlighting three topics in Seward's history: Baseball, World War II, and the Red - Light District. These objects include baseball uniforms, WWII dress uniforms, patches/pins, canvas bags, 1920s-30s era silk dresses, and heels. The funds will be used to purchase three mannequins and one display case that will highlight the noted objects. The Seward Museum was able to coordinate with the State of Alaska Office of History and Archaeology to host Alaska's Field of Dreams Baseball Traveling Exhibit for four weeks in August 2026. The Museum will celebrate the America250 Semiquincentennial by sharing Seward's local baseball history. In our permanent collection, we have ten 1950s cotton baseball uniforms that have never been on display. This summer is an opportune time to purchase two male mannequins and display the uniforms next to the loth -inning banner. We are seeking long-term opportunities with all of these mannequins. Once the traveling exhibit is complete, the Museum will use the male mannequins to enhance our WWII exhibit. In 2025, we successfully accessioned 40 objects owned by Jack Turnbull, a soldier stationed at Fort McGilvray-Caines Head in Seward from 1942 to 1944. This collection holds great significance for the Seward community, and the Seward Museum has already begun exploring design layouts for its display and expanding its space. Finally, the purchase of the display case is to replace the current case used for the Iditarod - Jujiro Wada Exhibit. The Seward Museum has been grateful for all the display cases donated to us over the past few decades by the community. However, due to wear and tears, these cases are no longer safe for protecting the permanent collection and visitors. Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information This legislation is consistent with (citation listed): Comprehensive Plan: Strategic Plan: Other: Certification of Funds Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: This legislation (✓): X Creates revenue in the amount of: Creates expenditure in amount of: $ 16,525 $ 16,525 Creates a savings in the amount of: $ Has no fiscal impact Funds are (✓): Budgeted Line item(s): 01000-1500-4253-0158. X Not budgeted Not applicable Fund Balance Information Affected Fund (✓): General Boat Harbor Motor Pool X SMIC Parking Other Electric Water Available Fund Balance as of 04/30/2026 Wastewater Healthcare Note: amounts are unaudited $ 5,981,373 Finance Director Signature: Yes Attorney Signature: Not applicable Comments: Attorney Review Administration Recommendation Adopt Resolution Other: