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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_Aug 5_2021 Museum Board MtgMinutes of the August 5, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 5 Minutes of the August 5, 2021 Board Meeting (Approved at the September 2, 2021 Board Meeting.) The August meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, August 5, 2021, in the Lecture Room of the Museum. Vice President Matzke called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Theresa Books. PRESENT AT ROLL: Vice President Becky Matzke, Board Members Carol Fenrich, Jim Hoffman, Rick Rego, Jean Thierman, Alternate Joseph Stephenson, Oshkosh Superintendent of Schools Bryan Davis, and School Board President Bob Poeschl Excused: Board President Gabe Loiacono and Board Secretary Connie Drexler Ms. Matzke appointed Mr. Stephenson to fill the Board vacancy. ALSO PRESENT: Museum Director Brad Larson, Assistant Director Anna Cannizzo, Auxiliary President Kathy Weust, Auxiliary Treasurer Barb Shirtz, Marketing Coordinator Tammy Malewski, 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 July 8, 2021, Board Meeting B. August Bill List MOTION: Adopt Consent Agenda (Rego; second Thierman) CARRIED: Yes (8) Fenrich, Hoffman, Matzke, Rego, Stephenson, Thierman, Davis and Poechl Ms. Matzke then requested Ms. Cannizzo present the Assistant Director’s report. Ms. Cannizzo began by reporting that the Titanic special premier went well with a good turnout of volunteers and some City Staff. Since officially opening, attendance has been steady and manageable; at the time of this report the Museum had 1,234 visitors. The Museum experienced a number of walk-ins from EAA attendees. Ms. Cannizzo noted, while the Museum has been extremely fortunate to have so many enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers, Museum Staff has had to fill in to ensure there are no vacancies in positions key to visitor experience and oversight of the exhibition galleries. Merchandise sales have been excellent with $11,533 to date. Minutes of the August 5, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 5 Next Ms. Cannizzo gave an update on the exhibition White Christmas. Dr. Stephen and Heather French Henry, the owners and operators of the Rosemary Clooney House museum and the White Christmas exhibition, drove from Kentucky to Oshkosh to visit the museum on July 22nd. As a former Miss America, Ms. French Henry invited Miss Wisconsin Outstanding Teen, Eve Vanden Heuvel to discuss collaborating with the Museum for Operation Waverly, which is a veterans outreach program connected to the exhibition. Both Ms. French Henry and Ms. Vanden Heuvel’s platforms are veterans causes. Mr. Cannizzo further noted that Ms. French Henry brought examples of the merchandise she designed and that will be carried in the Museum Store. The Henrys continued to tour the exhibit spaces where White Christmas will be displayed and discussed exhibit plans with Registrar Emily Rock who is curating the show. They also spent a considerable amount of time looking at the Museum exhibits and were impressed with what they saw. The Henrys are close with the Clooney family and keep them updated on the details of the exhibition and venues that host it. Ms. Cannizzo then reported on the 2022 Budget Planning. Mr. Larson attended the Common Council CIP budget workshop on July 27th to answer questions and discuss requests listed. Mr. Larson highlighted to the Common Council that the Museum’s most critical need continues to be building modifications and briefly explained why. The CIP will be approved by the Common Council at their August 24th meeting. Staff recently received the Operations Budget packet. Because there is a tight turnaround timeframe, working on this budget will be the priority for Mr. Larson, Ms. Cannizzo and Ms. Books over the next two weeks. Because it is not known when the incoming Director begins, Ms. Cannizzo plans to attend all meetings and workshops associated with the budget. She will present the proposed budget for Trusts and Funds at the September 2nd meeting for Board discussion and vote. In conclusion, Ms. Cannizzo gave updates on the various long-term exhibitions that are in planning phases. Regarding Sports and Recreation, the objects that require conservation arrived at the Midwest Art Conservation Center in July and staff are currently reviewing the treatment proposals. Fit-out has resumed with electrical work, now that Titanic installation and preparations are complete. The next fit-out steps will be to work on filling in the insulation and replace the subfloor. Staff remain on schedule for a September 2022 opening. Regarding Deep Roots, Growing City Ms. Cannizzo reported that the Exhibit Team met with Split Rock Studios for an Interim Submittal on July 8th and submitted feedback the following week. Staff are scheduled to have the Schematic Design 3 presentation on August 26th with a period of feedback to follow. Staff will receive the final Schematic design in September in time for an October presentation to the Board for review and approval, and then presentation to City Manager Rohloff. If approved in the 2022 CIP budget, staff will move on to the Design Development stages in the New Year. Ms. Cannizzo asked if there were any questions. Ms. Matzke asked how sure staff is that the CIP budget will be Minutes of the August 5, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 5 approved for the next phase of Deep Roots, Growing City? Mr. Larson addressed the question, noting he is pretty sure because Mr. Rohloff knows the need to continue on task to have it ready for the Museum’s Centennial. He also noted that Council had no questions about it at the meeting in July. Mr. Larson further noted that Ms. Cannizzo is doing a great job of keeping it all on task. With no further questions, that concluded the Assistant Director’s report. Mr. Larson then addressed the Board, this being the final Board meeting that he would attend as Director. “It was an exceptionally beautiful mid-October day 33 years ago when I sat before the Board for the first time. My mother-in-law had insisted on buying me a new navy blue pin stripe suit from a fine Milwaukee men’s store, made of quality wool and carefully tailored to fit like a glove on a frame that held no excess weight. I felt confident as I sat in that two hour long interview. After I entered the room, there was no introductory chit-chat and the questions started immediately and continued that evening over a formal dinner, with my wife included. I was thrilled when I received the offer of employment a few weeks later. “Three months later, January 30, 1989, with the temperature in the teens, I found myself knocking at the front door, waiting for someone to let me in so I could begin my job as the new Director. The Museum of that era was worlds apart from what you see today. Its state of development offered a full range of challenges and opportunities for an optimistic 33-year old looking to create a first-rate museum. “This isn’t the time to review my career, but I can summarize by stating that throughout those years, I knew that I could always count on my Board, and on the Auxiliary. While we did not agree on every project or every issue, taken as a whole the Boards always had the best interests of the Museum at heart and together we moved the Museum forward. I value and appreciate the input and support I received, and I enjoyed working with everyone. Thank you for your dedication and your friendship. Tallying regular and special meetings, I estimate that I participated in about 400 Board meetings, most of them held in this room. That represents thousands of discussions and decisions. I am happy knowing I leave the Museum strong and well positioned. “Of all my blessings, I was most fortunate to be able to lead and work with committed and knowledgeable staff members. Each person has an important role and I value their contributions. I believe every Director would want staff such as I had. We had fun as we transformed the Museum. “The Old Norse had an uncomplicated expression that seems appropriate: “Everything ends.” This is our last meeting together, so it is fitting that I say my good-bye at this time. I extend my profound gratitude to everyone for the faith you had in me. I hope that I have made a difference. “ Minutes of the August 5, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 5 That concluded Mr. Larson’s address. Vice President Matzke then gave her report. With it being the final Board meeting that Mr. Larson would attend as Director, the Board prepared the following: RESOLUTION OF THANKS August 5, 2021 WHEREAS, Brad Larson has served as the Director of the Oshkosh Public Museum for more than thirty-two years, and WHEREAS, Brad Larson’s leadership is like that of a steady ship captain, steering the museum through calm and storms with care and coolness, and WHEREAS, Brad Larson helped the Museum rise like a phoenix from the devastation of a terrible fire, and WHEREAS, Brad Larson has dedicated his time and considerable talent to write and publish numerous articles and books documenting and preserving the history of the Oshkosh area, and WHEREAS, Brad Larson has worked diligently to bring history to schoolchildren and retirees, and everyone in between, and WHEREAS, Brad Larson is more than deserving of retirement, with time for hunting, fishing, and snacking on Brazil nuts, and WHEREAS, Brad Larson’s retirement comes amidst the fruition of years of efforts, from the Clan Figures Powwow to Titanic: the Wisconsin Connection, and WHEREAS, members of the Oshkosh Public Museum will miss working with him, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Oshkosh Public Museum Board of Directors formally expresses its gratitude to Brad Larson for his years of service to this museum, the world of museums, and to local history in general. Ms. Matzke then presented Mr. Larson with a gift from the Board, in appreciation of all his excellent service to the Museum through the years. Mr. Larson opened the gift and expressed his appreciation. Vice President Matzke requested the Auxiliary report. Ms. Wuest reported that the Auxiliary Board met Monday, August 2nd. The 2021-2022 program was finalized and booklets prepared for printing. The Auxiliary will have their first meeting on Friday, October 22nd. The following months’ dates have been set, but location might change due to Minutes of the August 5, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 5 of 5 White Christmas and meeting space. Ms. Wuest and Ms. Shirtz then presented a card and gift to Mr. Larson from the Auxiliary. Mr. Larson opened them and expressed his appreciation. That concluded the Auxiliary report. With no other agenda items, Ms. Matzke asked for a motion to adjourn. (Stephenson; second Hoffman) The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.