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1331 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh WI 54901 • 920.236.5799 • oshkoshmuseum.org
MEMO TO THE MUSEUM BOARD
July 24, 2020
To the Board,
The Museum opened to visitation on Tuesday without any issues or problems, and clearly the point
of sale system is a major improvement. The Board can be assured that staff are doing everything
possible to clean the building in an effort to reduce public and staff exposure to the COVID virus.
The first day we only had six or eight visitors and I think they all wore masks.
I am happy to report that the Museum is returning to a regular schedule of monthly Board
meetings, beginning with the August 6 meeting. Anyone who wishes to join Board meetings by
ZOOM is welcome to do so. Kindly let Theresa know and a link will be sent prior to the meeting.
I have attached the draft agenda. The main item is to review, discuss, and vote on the new
landscape plan. A pdf of the site plan is included with this agenda. The horizontal and vertical lines
show the approximate limits of our current building, and I will review this in detail.
This new landscape plan was part of the overall work of Engberg Anderson Architects and the
work was subcontracted to Ken Saki Design (Madison). We waited on the landscape design because
it had to be coordinated with the foundation repair work. Specifically, the new foundation drainage
system had to terminate in rain garden/holding areas, and the planned building construction could
not interfere with those drainage lines.
The one major change the Board will see in the Saki design is the movement of the staff parking lot
slightly to the north. This would enable trucks to pull up directly to doors on the west side and,
eventually, to loading doors. (Even with the recent tabling of building modifications, any future
revised design would include loading doors.) The Saki design also creates rain gardens for holding
parking lot/roof run-off; room for a visitor walkway from the church parking lot across High; a
small circular outdoor gathering area for school groups or seating for casual visitors; and attractive
green space to enhance the appearance of the building and overall site.
Of note, the design includes the concept of the river set into concrete so visitors are introduced to
the river theme while yet outside and approaching the entrance. Inside, of course, the river starts
in People of the Waters and cannot be inlayed into the existing terra cotta entrance floor. Eventually,
the river theme will be continued in the second floor Deep Roots, Growing City gallery. The river
theme is powerful and could ultimately tie to any City efforts to market the Riverwalk.
Funding for landscaping is included in the foundation repair capital allocation, as after the repair
work is finished the areas will be raw soil. However, it is doubtful that this landscape work can be
bid and implemented this year because the new foundation completion date is mid-October. The
grounds will be correctly graded for drainage and seeded for the autumn. Over the winter months
and toward spring, we will bid plantings and whatever other landscape work we can afford. If
1331 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh WI 54901 • 920.236.5799 • oshkoshmuseum.org
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planting can commence as soon the weather allows in 2021, the site will look really good by the
time of the June Pow Wow and July’s Titanic opening.
Keep in mind that the Saki landscape plan would replace the 2012 plan created by Jim Schaefer of
Schaefer Landscape Design; I will bring that plan to the meeting. The Schaefer plan will not work
with Engberg Anderson’s planned building modifications, and does not allow for holding gardens
for water from lot and roof drainage. After several unsuccessful capital improvement requests, it is
apparent that the Schaefer design is too costly to implement. The Saki design is simpler and
therefore more affordable and can be implemented if the building modification plan moves
forward.
In the miscellaneous paragraph, Theresa and I start on the 2021 budget next week, so that will keep
us busy for a while. Additionally, work started this week on rebuilding the Carriage House
chimneys and thus far there have been no issues. Finally, we had a good showing Tuesday for the
mandatory contractor walk-through for the foundation repair, so I anticipate receiving bids.
Finally, a new survey of 760 U.S. museums released on Wednesday shows that fully one third
might not survive the year, due, of course, to the virus. Most museums do not have the financial
strength to continue operations without income. Of the one third, 40% are history museums. For
those museums that opened, attendance is down to a mere trickle and financial support has
declined. When you consider the impact of closure on the holdings and accumulated knowledge,
staff, education, and communities, it is enormous. Time magazine published an article on this
topic this week. https://time.com/5870460/museums-coronavirus/
That ends the week and I hope you have a pleasant weekend.
Brad Larson
D R A F T
OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM
BOARD AGENDA
SAWYER LIBRARY OF THE MUSEUM
OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN
AUGUST 6, 2020
Due to the current COVID-19 emergency, persons attending meetings will be required to comply with current
restrictions related to social distancing. There will be no general public comment at this meeting of the Board.
While in person comment is permitted for individual agenda items, citizens may and are encouraged to consider
submitting written comments. Written public comments may be sent via mail addressed to the Museum, or sent
by email to the Museum Director prior to the Board Meeting at: blarson@ci.oshkosh.wi.us ; written comments
will be distributed to the Board and made part of the public record of the meeting.
1. Call to order (4:00 p.m.)
2. Determination of quorum, roll call
3. Citizen Statements to the Board
(Citizens are to address the Board only. Statements are limited to five (5) minutes; must address items that are not listed on
the Board meeting agenda, are limited to issues that have an impact on the Oshkosh Public Museum. The Board may address
at a future meeting, and must not include endorsements of any candidates or other electioneering)
4. Consent Resolution Agenda
Consent Agenda Items are those items of a routine administrative nature that are voted on by the Board in a Single Roll
Call Vote. The Board has been furnished with background material on each item. Any member of the public or Board may
request that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion and to be voted on separately.
The Board will consider approval of:
A. Minutes of the July Board Meeting
B. August Bill List
C. Receipt and Filing of 1st Quarter Reports from Oshkosh Area Community Fdn
5. Review, discussion and vote on new landscape plan
6. Report of the Director
A. 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Requests
B. Sporting & Recreation Exhibition Design
C. Trust and fund requests for the 2021 budget
7. President’s Report
8. Board Report (must be submitted prior to final agenda.)
9. Auxiliary Report – Kathy Wuest
10. Adjournment