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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02. Public Museum Board Minutes OSHKOSh Minutes of the September 5, 2019 Board Meeting Public Museum (Approved at the October 3,2019 Board Meeting.) Discover - Connect • Inspire The September meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, September 5, 2019, in the Lecture Room of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Thierman called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Ms. Books. PRESENT AT ROLL: Board Members Randy Domer,Alternate Connie Drexler,Carol Fenrich,Jim Hoffman,Gabe Loiacono, Secretary Becky Matzke, Rick Rego,Alternate Joe Stephenson, President Jean Thierman, School Board President Barb Herzog, and Superintendent of Schools Vickie Cartwright EXCUSED: None ALSO PRESENT: Museum Director Brad Larson, Marketing Coordinator Tammy Malewski, Curator of Exhibitions Deb Daubert, Education Assistant Sid Lehman, Auxiliary President Kathy Wuest, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. There were no citizen statements to the Board. Consent Agenda items included: A. Minutes of the August Board Meeting B. September Bill List MOTION: Adopt Consent Agenda(Matzke; second Rego) CARRIED: Yes (6) Domer, Fenrich, Hoffman, Matzke, Rego,Thierman ABSTAIN: Loiacono (He was not at the August meeting.) Mr. Larson reported that Dr. Richard Kitz left a bequest of about $222,000 to the Museum. In the budget, which will be gone over more during this meeting, Mr. Larson recommends use of up to $100,000 as a rental payment for an exhibition in 2020, and $100,000 as the Museum's part of the CIP Sporting and Recreation exhibition project. While Board policy is that 10% of an undesignated bequest is put into the Museum Endowment Fund at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, Mr. Larson asked the Board to consider not allocating the 10% for this bequest at this time, rather leave it in reserve. Ms. Fenrich noted she knew Dr. Kitz very well and feels he would be pleased to have the Museum use the money for particular projects. Discussion followed. The Board came to an understanding that if they did not allocate 10% at this time,but exhibition sponsorships and Minutes of the September 2019 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 4 other financial details came through, they could vote at another time to allocate the 10% from the Kitz Bequest to the Endowment Fund. MOTION: The Board not allocate 10%of the Kitz Bequest to the Museum Endowment at this time. (Fenrich, second Domer) CARRIED: Yes (9) Cartwright, Domer, Fenrich,Herzog, Hoffman, Loiacono, Matzke, Rego, Thierman Next Mr. Larson reviewed the Museum Behncke,Bray, Collection, Durow, Endowment, and Membership budgets for the Board. Discussion followed. MOTION: The Board approve the Museum budgets as presented. (Herzog, second Fenrich) CARRIED: Yes (9) Cartwright, Domer, Fenrich,Herzog, Hoffman, Loiacono, Matzke, Rego, Thierman Mr. Larson then presented details to the Board regarding the exhibition Titanic: The Wisconsin Connection. He showed them the profitability scales provided by the exhibition company, Experiential Media Group, LLC. The last time the Museum hosted a Titanic exhibition in 2006, the attendance was phenomenal with excellent revenue earned in admissions and store sales. Curator Debra Daubert then shared the work she's been doing over the years to research passengers on the I who had a Wisconsin connection, whether they were from Wisconsin or headed to Wisconsin. She also reported on the communications she had with Experiential Media Group, LLC over time regarding the possibility of having this type of exhibition. Discussion followed. MOTION: The Museum bring Titanic: the Wisconsin Connection to the Museum in 2020. (Matzke, second Fenrich) CARRIED: Yes (9) Cartwright, Domer, Fenrich,Herzog, Hoffman, Loiacono, Matzke, Rego, Thierman Ms. Thierman requested Mr. Larson present the Director's Report. Mr. Larson began by reporting that Cemetery Tales has already had a total attendance of 2,060 through September 4f. This has increased Museum admission revenue to about$20,500. Staff will shortly begin evening tours, and a series of evening programs, so that should increase attendance and income even more. The tours of Riverside Cemetery are very popular and Registrar Emily Rock kindly agreed to add more tours, which are already sold out. Minutes of the September 2019 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 4 Continuing with information on exhibitions, Mr. Larson reported Curator of Collections Anna Cannizzo finalized a complete change of artifacts in the Sawyer Library. The new decorative arts exhibition showcases some of the Museum's finest pieces, with excellent interpretive labeling. As well,the room now has interpretive banners about Mr. and Mrs. Durow and their generosity. Mr. Larson was pleased to report the Menominee Clans Story is progressing well and on schedule. The rocks are almost completed and work will begin on the wall. Relating to the Sporting & Recreation exhibition, staff had a conference call with Split Rock Studios yesterday to discuss some areas of concern and are working through the storyline and key artifacts. Regarding Capital Improvements, Mr. Larson reported that work begins on the Carriage House roof on September 8 and should be completed about mid-October, if the weather cooperates. Maintenance Technician Matt Reinke will do the replacement of rotten boards after he finishes the wall in the Clans exhibit. Chimneys and other masonry work will be delayed. Mr. Larson is in contact with Dan Maki of Facility Engineering on the next steps for the foundation repair project, which is the proposal for professional services. That concluded the Director's report. Education Assistant Sid Lehman then presented to the Board the website he developed to share Museum resources with teachers,based on meetings with teachers both from Oshkosh and outside the area. The site is accessible from the Museum's home page. Marketing Coordinator Tammy Malewski then shared progress she's made in connecting with teachers. She met with Vicki Porior, Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator Oshkosh Area School District, to understand the needs of the schools and discussed how teachers can collaborate and utilize the resources and experts at the Museum. She shared information about other educators she's met with and potential meetings and plans. Discussion followed as to how to further communicate to teachers all the resources available at the Museum. President Thierman did not have anything to report. Ms. Thierman requested the Auxiliry Report. Auxiliary President Kathy Wuest began by reporting the Auxiliary booklets are ready and have been distributed to the Board. The Gala Committee met on August 29ffi and their next meeting is set for Thursday,October 3,at 10:00 a.m. As it is tradition that the Museum Board President draws the raffle winners at the Gala, Ms. Wuest asked if Ms. Thierman would do the honors. Ms. Thierman agreed she would be pleased to draw the names. Ms. Wuest then reported that the first Auxiliary meeting of the new season is set for October 111h. In conclusion, she reported that two Minutes of the September 2019 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 4 members of the Auxiliary will hostess at Curator Anna Cannizzo's Women s Suffrage program on September 215t. That concluded the Auxiliary Report. With no other agenda items, Ms. Thierman asked for a motion to adjourn. (Cartwright; second Herzog) The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Minutes of the September 2019 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 4