HomeMy WebLinkAbout07. Museum Board Minutes -� asHKosh Minutes of the January 9,2020 Board Meeting
I�ubhc l�/ useum (Approved at the March 5,2020 Board Meeting.)
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The January meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, January 9, 2020,
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 Carol Fenrich, Jim Hoffman, Secretary Becky Matzke, Rick
Rego, President Jean Thierman,Alternate Connie Drexler, School Board President Barb Herzog.
EXCUSED: Board Member Randy Domer, Vice President Gabe Loiacono, Alternate Joe
Stephenson, and Superintendent of Schools Vickie Cartwright.
With Mr. Loiacono not present,President Thierman appointed Ms. Drexler.
ALSO PRESENT: Museum Director Brad Larson, 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 December Board Meeting
B. January Bill List
MOTION: Adopt Consent Agenda (Rego; second Fenrich)
CARRIED: Yes (7)Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman,Matzke, Rego,Thierman,Herzog.
Ms. Thierman requested Mr. Larson present the Director's Report.
Mr. Larson began by reviewing the next phase of the Museum's entrance/building project;
converting the design into blueprints and bidding specifications ($225,000). He clarified that this
was not included in the 2020 capital improvement program. Instead, discussion at the budget
meetings centered on perhaps funding this project, along with several others, through the general
budget reserves. Using these funds for the Museum's project will be a decision of the City Manager
and Common Council, and will probably occur in February. Ms. Drexler suggested the Board to
send another letter of support to the Mayor and Common Council. The Board concurred and
Minutes of the January 2020 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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discussed what they would include in the letter, and agreed to request that Mr. Loiacono prepare
the letter. Ms.Wuest volunteered that the Museum Auxiliary would also voice their support.
Next, Mr. Larson reported that he and Assistant Director/Durow Curator of Collections Anna
Cannizzo spent two half-days at a strategic planning workshop with other City departments. In
these sessions they collectively reviewed where the City, as well as each department, is at with its
strategic plan. Each department prioritized work for the next few years. He noted that it was a
productive and positive experience, and that Ms. Cannizzo and Mr. Larson had some time to
discuss Museum priorities. These two half-day sessions were conducted in preparation for an all-
day planning session for Council Members and Department Heads on January 29.
In conclusion, Mr. Larson reported that the retirement of the Curator of Exhibitions will impact
2021 and 2022 exhibitions. Typically exhibitions are planned as far in advance as possible.
However, a new Curator will require time to understand collections and general operations of this
Museum, as well as the Museum's exhibition capabilities and limitations. Mr. Larson expects that
the 2021 focus will remain the new sporting and recreation exhibition—with design development
being completed in 2020 and the buildout in 2021.Regarding Titanic: The Wisconsin Connection,the
down payment has been sent and the narrative for use in grants is almost ready to use for those
requests. That concluded the Director's Report
President Thierman did not have anything to report.
Ms. Thierman requested the Auxiliary Report.
Auxiliary President Kathy Wuest began by reporting that she will receive final financials on the
Gala at the Auxiliary Board meeting tomorrow and will have that report for the Museum Board in
February. The Auxiliary program for January is Fire Safety, presented by City staff member John
Holland. Ms.Wuest expressed that Auxiliary members are wondering if the foundation work will
affect the Pie on the Lawn event. Mr. Larson said it should not because the work should be
complete by then. In conclusion, Ms. Wuest reported that the Auxiliary changed banks. That
concluded the Auxiliary Report.
With no other agenda items,Ms.Thierman asked for a motion to adjourn. (Herzog;second Matzke)
The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Minutes of the January 2020 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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