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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02. Museum MinutesMinutes of the June 3, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 3 Minutes of the June 3, 2021 Board Meeting (Approved at the July 8, 2021 Board Meeting.) The June meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, June 3, 2021, via Zoom. President Loiacono called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Theresa Books. PRESENT AT ROLL (all via Zoom): Board Secretary Connie Drexler, President Gabe Loiacono, Vice President Becky Matzke, Board Members Rick Rego, Jean Thierman, and School Board President Bob Poeschel. Ms. Fenrich arrived at 4:23. Excused: Board Member Jim Hoffman and Alternate Joseph Stephenson ALSO PRESENT: Museum Director Brad Larson, Assistant Director Anna Cannizzo, Auxiliary Secretary Sue Eichman, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. There were no citizen statements to the Board and none were received. Consent Agenda items included: A. Minutes of the May Board Meeting B. June Bill List MOTION: Adopt Consent Agenda (Thierman; second Rego). CARRIED: Yes (6), Drexler, Loiacono, Rego, Matzke, Thierman, and Poeschl. Next on the agenda was discussion regarding continuing Board meetings remotely or in person. Mr. Larson reported it is expected that the State of Emergency for the City will be lifted in the coming month. He recommends leaving the July 8th meeting as a remote meeting, and then planning for the August 5th meeting in person. Further, he noted that he and Ms. Cannizzo had talked through how the collections staff can have the Lecture Room available for Board meetings. Mr. Loiacono invited discussion. Mr. Rego asked if the State of Emergency would be lifted in time to have the July meeting in the Lecture Room. Mr. Larson noted that it is uncertain, and it would be best to have the meeting determined now. As well, the Lecture Room may still be full of the materials for Titanic on July 8th. Several directors agreed they are fine meeting online for July. Ms. Matzke asked about the Board meeting via Zoom even after the emergency is lifted—can they have that option? Mr. Larson will check further. When discussion was complete Mr. Loiacono noted the Board was good with meeting online July 8th, and then meet in person in August. The Board agreed. Mr. Loiacono then requested Mr. Larson present the Director’s report. Minutes of the June 3, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Larson began his report with an update on the June 5th Pow Wow. He noted the Museum is well-prepared for this five-hour event and has tents and seating ready. Mr. Larson commended Marketing Coordinator Tammy Malewski for her superb work and ongoing efforts to ensure the Museum presents a first-rate event. The Pow Wow begins at noon, with the grand entry at 1:00 p.m. The forecast is for sunny 90-degree weather. Mr. Larson stated staff are expecting a good turnout and although the grounds are not large, for 40 years the Museum accommodated the Art Fair and its thousands of people, so he is confident all will be fine. As an update on the preparation schedule for Titanic: the Wisconsin Connection Mr. Larson noted the current exhibition Star Wars: The Nostalgia Awakens ends Sunday, June 20. Removal of those toys will begin the following day and the gallery will be readied with the new acrylic cubes and repainted bases. The main floor of the Sawyer home will also be prepared, as all three rooms will be dedicated to Titanic. The Sawyer Parlor will be devoted to Titanic store merchandise and work related to preparing for and establishing the store will begin the week of June 21. The store will have a point of sale system, and dedicated limited term employees (LTE) have been hired to work in this store. There is no cost-sharing agreement for the store; the Museum purchases wholesale, as is done with other merchandise. Mr. Larson further reported that Titanic labels and graphics will come as files and the Museum will arrange to have the materials printed, mounted, and ready to install. This was a cost saving decision. By printing these ourselves, we can select the printer as well as save the shipping costs that would have been incurred if Experiential Media Group (EMG) were to have printed them. The artifacts are scheduled to arrive on July 13, along with two staff members from EMG who will handle and install all the Titanic artifacts. Because the exhibition does not include pre-mounted graphics and room recreations, as was in the 2006 version of the exhibition, and staff have the detailed gallery design and plan, set-up is much more straightforward and less time-intensive. The special opening preview (by invitation) is Friday, July 16. Music will be provided by a string quartet and will comprise songs played aboard the vessel, and refreshments will be served. The days following the preview are devoted to volunteer training, media tours and interviews, and other final details, with the opening to the public on Wednesday, July 21. We selected a mid-week opening to enable staff and volunteers to be fully comfortable in their assignments before the weekend. Minutes of the June 3, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 3 As Mr. Larson mentioned in one of his weekly memos, even with the relaxing of pandemic regulations, the Museum will continue to regulate visitor numbers. Managing the number of people in the building enhances the visitor experience and enables staff and volunteers to better serve Museum guests. Regarding progress on the Sports & Recreation fit-out, Mr. Larson reviewed that the first phase of the construction of a long-term exhibition is what is called fit-out. During this stage, all the rough carpentry, room changes, electrical, cabling, HVAC, and other infrastructure work is completed. As reported in weekly memos, after the baseboard molding was removed in the former Paine Mill room, the old floor was taken up by Maintenance Technician Matt Reinke and Exhibit Technician Greg Witthun. City electricians can now access the wiring and once their work is finished, sound absorbing materials will be put between the joists. Passage through the room has resumed and the remainder of sub-floor will be installed when the electricians complete their work. The finished floor will be vinyl or carpet. In conclusion, Mr. Larson noted that the nation is experiencing significant inflation and this is especially apparent in the soaring cost of building materials. This could have a negative impact on the Sports & Recreation exhibition budget and staff are closely monitoring expenditures. That concluded the Director’s report. President Loiacono requested the Auxiliary report. Ms. Eichman reported that the Auxiliary Board is uncertain about having the Pie on the Lawn event, for several reasons. Because the Auxiliary has not had regular meetings, it would be very difficult to coordinate everyone. Also, they learned that the group that does Pie on the Porch at the downtown Farmer’s Market was told they have to purchase the pies, they cannot be homemade. The Auxiliary feels that would lessen the appeal of the pies and would make the profit far less. The Auxiliary Board meets June 7th and will vote on it at that time. That concluded the Auxiliary report. With no other agenda items, President Loiacono asked for a motion to adjourn. (Drexler; second Matzke) The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m. Minutes of the June 10, 2021 Special Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 2 Minutes of the June 10, 2021 Special meeting of the Museum Board (Approved at the July 8, 2021 Board Meeting.) The Board met remotely on June 10, 2021, to discuss the Director search with City personnel. President Loiacono called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Theresa Books. PRESENT AT ROLL (via Zoom): President Gabe Loiacono, Board Secretary Connie Drexler, Board Members Carol Fenrich, Jim Hoffman, Rick Rego, Jean Thierman, and School Board President Bob Poeschl. Absent: Vice President Becky Matzke and Alternate Joseph Stephenson ALSO PRESENT: Assistant City Manager/Director Administrative Services John Fitzpatrick, Human Resource Manager Michelle Behnke, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. Mr. Fitzpatrick began by stating how sorry the City and Museum are to lose Brad, but all are very happy for him on his retirement. He reported that Mr. Rohloff values the Museum Board’s input. Mr. Fitzpatrick then reviewed the email message to the Board stating they would like members of the Board to consider if they may have any conflict of interest regarding participating in the recruitment process. For example, if a Board member is considering applying for the position, has a relative that may apply for the position, or other similar conflict, we request they contact Michelle Behnke, HR Manager (920-236-5111), to discuss next steps including possibly recusing themselves from the process. Mr. Fitzpatrick and Ms. Behnke then reviewed the tentative timetable for the Director Search. Each Board member is to email to Ms. Behnke by June 18 with the qualities they would most like to see in the next Director. Then, by July 9, the Board is asked to email to Ms. Behnke any questions they would like to have asked of the candidates that are interviewed. A brochure will be made to highlight the benefits of Oshkosh, to help candidates be aware of the many benefits of this community. Ms. Drexler expressed she would like to help with that brochure. During the discussion Mr. Loiacono suggested a few additional places to advertise the position, including the National Council on Public History (ncph.org) and the Muse Weekly of the University of Delaware. Ms. Behnke said she’d be happy to include those places. Minutes of the June 10, 2021 Special Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 2 It is anticipated the position will be posted June 25th for about two weeks. Mr. Loiacono expressed surprise that a high level position like that would be listed only two weeks. Ms. Behnke stated that because of technology and the many places it can be posted, two weeks seems to be enough time to get many good candidates. Also, if it seems more time is needed, HR can choose to extend the time. Mr. Fitzpatrick further explained there will be two panels to interview the candidates. One will be a community/peer panel consisting of the City Attorney, a Museum Employee Representative, City Manager Mark Rohloff, a peer Museum Director, a community representative, and a City HR representative. The other panel is the Museum Board and a City HR representative. After each panel has interviewed the final candidates, Mr. Rohloff will meet with each panel to hear their recommendations. Board members may visit HR to review the applicants July 12-14, with interview dates tentatively set for July 27 and August 3. Interviews will likely go from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mr. Loiacono asked if there’d be a way to participate in the interviews remotely. Mr. Fitzpatrick said it would be difficult to attend remotely. The final candidates will be interviewed by each panel, have a tour of the Museum and a tour of the community. Time will be built in after each interview for the Board to be able to discuss each candidate immediately after they interview the person. Discussion continued. Mr. Loiacono asked, with Mr. Rohloff hearing from two panels, will the Board know the other panel’s recommendations? Mr. Fitzpatrick replied, no they will not. It was asked is it possible Mr. Rohloff would choose someone the Board doesn’t recommend. Mr. Fitzpatrick replied Mr. Rohloff respects the Board and wants to do all he can to have their impact, but it is possible that he would select someone that they did not recommend. Mr. Poeschl asked, what if the Board doesn’t have just one candidate, rather two or three. Mr. Fitzpatrick said that can be good, it would give Mr. Rohloff options to consider. Mr. Rego asked if a candidate could be called back for a second interview. Yes, that would be possible. Mr. Poeschl inquired if this is good timing in the museum world to do a search. Ms. Behnke responded that summer is pretty ideal as it is before the start of a school year. Mr. Loiacono asked about the Education and Experience listed on the Job Description, how rigid are the stated majors? Such as if someone has their bachelor’s degree with a different focus than those listed. He also recommended adding “Master’s in Public History” under education. Ms. Behnke noted that the phrase “or a related field” gives flexibility in considering the candidates’ overall qualifications. Ms. Behnke asked that the Board review the draft Job Description and let her know any suggestions they have. When discussion had concluded, with no other agenda items, President Loiacono asked for a vote to adjourn. The vote was unanimous in favor and the meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m.