Coral Gables Merrick House Governing Board

Sister Cities Conference Room - Coral Gables Museum

Agenda — 26 items

1. 1 The Merrick House Governing Board will be holding its Regular Meeting on Monday, March 10, 2025, commencing at 9:15 am EST. Members of the public may join the meeting via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83315833193. In addition, a dedicated phone line will be available so that any individual who does not wish (or is unable) to use Zoom may listen to and participate in the meeting. Meeting ID: 833 1583 3193 One tap mobile +17866351003,,83315833193# US (Miami) +19292056099,,83315833193# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 786 635 1003 US (Miami) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 470 381 2552 US (Atlanta) +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/koHpBvqy7 305-461-6769 (Coral Gables local number) To speak to the Merrick House Governing Board on an Agenda Item, please “Raise your Hand” or send a message to one of the meeting hosts using the Zoom Platform. If you joined the meeting via telephone, you can “Raise your hand” by pressing *9. The public may also comment on an item on the agenda using the City’s already-established e-comment function which may be found on the City’s website at: (www.coralgables.com/commissionmeetings) once the meeting’s agenda is published or by sending an email to cityclerk@coralgables.com prior to the start of the meeting.
2. 2 PAGE BREAK
3. I. CALL TO ORDER
4. II. ROLL CALL
5. 4 This meeting was called to order at 9:16 AM.
6. III. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - None
7. IV. OPENING STATEMENT
8. V. NEW BUSINESS
9. 1. Merrick House Activity Report - February 2025 25-8773
10. 8 It was “a mite airish” on February 4, 1926—dedication day for the University of Miami. Coral Gables Mayor Edward Dammers and George Merrick stood side by side on a tall dignitary platform to address the crowd. Merrick had gifted 160 acres and 5 million dollars with a pledge of 15 million more in endowment to establish the “Pan American University.” Denman Fink’s drawings “staggered our imagination,” according to Judge William Walsh, chairman of the Board of Regents. Regent Frank Shutts, founding publisher of The Miami Herald and founder of what would become Shutts & Bowen, Miami’s oldest law firm, was among the keynote speakers at the event. According to Historian Arva Moore Parks, “When Merrick read the cornerstone inscription he had written about his father, his eyes filled with tears and his voice cracked: “This building is dedicated to the memory of Solomon Greasley Merrick, 1858-1911. Minister, Scholar, Pioneer, Unselfish Builder of Material Achievements. Persevering founder of spiritual and intellectual foundations that underlie, also, this very stone.”
11. VI. OLD BUSINESS
12. VII. CITY COMMISSION ITEMS
13. VIII. DISCUSSION ITEMS
14. 11 Ms. Meagher read the February 2025 House Report. The report was shared with the Board in advance of the meeting and is included as an attachment to the minutes.
15. IX. ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY
16. 2. Vintage Market - This event is scheduled for March 15, 2025. The board members will set up a water table. Board members will help on Friday afternoon to price items. Ms. Kautz will request the Square device for payment from the Economic Development Department. Board member Seipp is donating plant stands.
17. X. ADJOURNMENT
18. 3. Upholstery - Chairperson Meagher requested cleaning of the stuffed chairs, couch and rugs. Staff stated that 3 quotes were needed from vendors.
19. 14 NOTE
20. 1. Garage - Cleanup will be scheduled with the Public Works Department.
21. 2. Stag Painting - Ms. Kautz is working with the Procurement Department on the Professional Services Agreement (PSA).
22. 3. Entrance Table - The table was picked up last week.
23. 4. Family Passes - This was approved. Ms. Pernas will be providing HR with the family passes. New staff of the Museum will be invited for a tour.
24. 5. Holiday Ornaments – The process to design and fabricate the ornaments needs to start so they will be completed by the end of year.
25. 6. Centennial - The Venetian Pool Centennial concert is scheduled for December 14, 2025. All city centennial events call be found at www.100coralgables.com.
26. 25 This meeting was adjourned at 10:09 AM.