Chapter 2.94 DEPARTMENT OF MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY*

There is created a department of the county, which department shall be known and designated as “department of museum of natural history.” The functions of the department shall consist of and include administrative charge and control over all county matters relating to history and science, and shall also include the administration of Hancock Park (except that area of said park devoted to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art), and the care, safeguarding and maintenance of all exhibits, equipment and structural improvements directly relating to exhibits, the administration and maintenance of Los Angeles County Museum, and other property hereafter acquired for or devoted to history and science. This section does not apply to William S. Hart Park. (Ord. 9061 § 2 (part), 1966: Ord. 8212 § 1, 1962; Ord. 8110 § 1 (part), 1961: Ord. 7224 § 1, 1957: Ord. 6967 § 1 (part), 1956: Ord. 6227 § 1 (part), 1953: Ord. 4903 § 1, 1947: Ord. 4846 § 1, 1947: Ord. 4099 Art. 13 § 193, 1942.)

A. Subject to the supervision of the board of supervisors, the department of museum of natural history shall be under the direction of a board of governors, which board is continued. Said board of governors shall consist of 16 positions ; provided, however, that upon retirement of the president of the board of governors serving at the time the amendment codified in this section becomes effective, the board of governors shall consist of 15 positions. A member of the board of governors shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the board of supervisors for a period of four years. No member shall serve for a period of more than eight consecutive years; provided, however, that the board may, by order, extend this length of service or waive this limit for individuals or the board of governors as a whole. Each member of the board of supervisors may nominate candidates for three of the positions on the board of governors.
B. A member’s position on the board of governors shall become vacant upon his or her death, resignation or removal by the board. In the case of such a vacancy, the board shall appoint a successor to serve for the remainder of the unexpired period of service for such vacant position.
C. The board of governors shall annually, or at such other times as may be convenient, and by majority vote, elect from the members thereof a president of the board.
D. The board shall appoint to the board of governors only persons who have the time, interest, ability and willingness to serve the museum. (Ord. 90-0086 § 5, 1990: Ord. 12008 § 1, 1979: Ord. 11050 § 1, 1974: Ord. 9061 § 2 (part), 1966: Ord. 8110 § 1 (part), 1961: Ord. 4846 § 2, 1947: Ord. 4099 Art. 13 § 194, 1942.)

The board of governors shall perform the following duties:
A. Under the general supervision of the board of supervisors, develop and establish museum policies in conjunction with the director, determine museum goals and programs, and provide general governance and review of museum operations under the management of the director;
B. Serve as advisors to the board of supervisors with respect to all facets of museum operation including, in particular, future goals and programs;
C. In conjunction with the director, promote the image to the public of the museum and its cultural and educational activities;
D. Contribute regionally, nationally or internationally to coordinated efforts from which the museum may eventually be a direct or indirect beneficiary. (Ord. 11050 § 2 (part), 1974: Ord. 4099 Art. 13 § 198, 1942.)

The compensation of members of the board of governors shall be as provided from time to time in the current salary ordinance of the county of Los Angeles. In the absence of any provision therefor in the current salary ordinance, the members of the board shall serve without compensation, except that, when required to travel in the performance of their duties, they shall be reimbursed for their necessary travel expenses, including transportation, meals and lodging, in accordance with the provisions of Ordinance 4099. (Ord. 8118 § 2, 1961: Ord. 4099 Art. 13 § 197, 1942.)

A. There is created in the board of governors an executive committee consisting of seven members to be appointed by the president of the board from the members thereof, and approved by the board.
B. The executive committee shall meet at such times between meetings of the board as shall be necessary or expedient, and shall have the power and duty to handle, during such times and consistent with the policies of the board, general or specific matters involving the administration of the department, and to that end, shall have power to act.
C. The executive committee shall keep a minute record of all of its proceedings and all actions taken by it, and shall file with the board at each regular meeting a copy of such minutes involving all matters acted upon since its preceding report. (Ord. 9027 § 1, 1966; Ord. 4846 § 3, 1947: Ord. 4099 Art. 13 § 195, 1942.)

Pursuant to the civil service provisions of the County Charter, the board of governors shall appoint and supervise a director of history and science, which office is created. Subject to the general supervision of the board of governors, the administration and operation of the department shall be under the direction and management of the director. The director shall, subject to the confirmation of the board of governors, appoint all subordinate employees of the department. (Ord. 8110 § 1 (part), 1961: Ord. 4846 § 4, 1947: Ord. 4099 Art. 13 § 196, 1942.)

The director shall be assigned the following duties:
A. Under the general direction of the board of governors, develop and administer the operation of an integrated museum program that includes all county, private, contractual, grant-supported or other activity that is part of, or impinges on, the Museum of Natural History;
B. Inform the board of governors, the board of trustees of the Museum Foundation, the board of supervisors, and the chief administrative officer on the status of, or significant changes in, museum programs, and of opportunities and problems of concern in, museum management;
C. Prepare a proposed annual budget for the museum, with the review and concurrence of the board of governors, for submittal to the chief administrative officer for review and final submittal to the board of supervisors;
D. Maintain a current analysis of all revenues and expenditures of the museum; this responsibility includes a periodic review and free and continuous access to the operating statements of the nonprofit supporting organizations to enable the director to coordinate their fiscal and operational programs with the overall operation of the museum;
E. Request a financial audit of the supporting organizations at least once a year to verify conformity to accepted accounting principles concerning the collection, maintenance and disbursement of funds; at the request of the supporting organization, this audit may be conducted either by the county auditor-controller, or a private firm;
F. Promote a positive image to the public of the museum and its cultural and educational efforts;
G. In conjunction with the board of governors and the supporting organizations, maintain a program of investigating possible sources of noncounty museum support, be it financial, in-kind, or in-time, and coordinate the activities involved in such a program;
H. Contribute regionally, nationally or internationally to coordinated efforts from which the museum may eventually be a direct or indirect beneficiary. (Ord. 11050 § 2 (part), 1974: Ord. 4099 Art. 13 § 199, 1942.)