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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_July 8_2021 Board MtgMinutes of the July 8, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 3 Minutes of the July 8, 2021 Board Meeting (Approved at the August 5, 2021 Board Meeting.) The July meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, July 8, 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 Members Connie Drexler, Carol Fenrich, Jim Hoffman, President Gabe Loiacono, Vice President Becky Matzke, Member Rick Rego, Alternate Joseph Stephenson, Member Jean Thierman, and School Board President Bob Poeschl Excused: Oshkosh Superintendent of Schools Bryan Davis 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 June 3, 2021 Board Meeting B. Minutes of the June 10, 2021 Board Meeting C. July Bill List MOTION: Adopt Consent Agenda (Drexler; second Rego). CARRIED: Yes (7), Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman, Loiacono, Matzke, Rego, and Thierman. President Loiacono then requested Mr. Larson present the Director’s report. Mr. Larson began with a review of Star Wars: the Nostalgia Awakens attendance and income. The summary of the Star Wars exhibition was sent to the Board last week and illustrated the exhibition’s impact. The Museum’s annual revenue goal is based mainly on admission and store income and Star Wars generated $42,000. The Museum’s revenue goal for the 2021 budget is $55,000. Mr. Larson further noted that when he establishes the necessary income requirement during budget development to balance the budgets, it is important to ensure that the income goal is achievable. While sometimes the mark has been missed, the majority of the time the year has ended with either a balanced budget or a slight surplus. Minutes of the July 8, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 3 Next, Mr. Larson reported that going forward, Board meetings will be in-person. The Common Council authorized that all meetings will be in-person, with virtual meetings at an end. The August meeting will be held in the Lecture Room. Mr. Larson then gave updates on the Titanic exhibition, noting there is a growing sense of anticipation and excitement about Titanic. As of the morning of the Board meeting, 240 tickets had sold. The Titanic store furnishings arrived earlier in the week, and the artifact case bases and bonnets were already placed in the gallery. Artifacts will arrive and the installation begins July 13th with two staff of the Experimental Group here to work with Museum personnel. Further, Mr. Larson reported that Volunteer schedules and training has been concluded, with a few more sessions for staff upcoming. Of note, staff worked with Chief Stanley of the Fire Department and Scott Williams in Media Services to create a short video for staff and volunteers that explains what to do in various types of emergencies such as a medical emergency, fall, or fire. The Museum hired two Limited Term Employees who will work in the Titanic store (located in the Parlor). They have been trained on the point-of-sale system. Mr. Larson had a correction to his memo of July 1, in that Titanic tickets for Members’ Children will be $12. Mr. Larson gave a reminder of the special Titanic premier on Friday, July 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. All Board members are encouraged to attend. In conclusion, Mr. Larson updated the Board on Capital Improvements. He had a reminder that two capital improvement projects for 2021 received no bids. Those two projects are the entrance cement work and garden wall masonry, and the landscaping around the foundation. These two projects will be bid this autumn for work in 2022. Assistant Director Anna Cannizzo will present the 2022 capital projects to the Board this autumn. Mr. Larson asked if there were any questions. Ms. Thierman express that it is great to hear of the emergency training video. She been a volunteer through the years and is happy that there has not been an emergency, but she is very aware of that possibility. President Loiacono asked if the number of needed volunteers were signed on. Mr. Larson was pleased to report that the needed number, and more, have signed up. On a particularly nice note, a grandparent and grandchild signed up to volunteer together. That concluded the Director’s report. Mr. Larson excused himself after the Director’s report, at 4:19 pm. President Lioacono then requested the Auxiliary report. Minutes of the July 8, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 3 Auxiliary Secretary Sue Eichman reported that Pie on the Lawn will not be held this year. With the Auxiliary not meeting, and for other reasons, it would be difficult to host. They had planned to hold the Gala, however, due to contract provisions for the White Christmas exhibition, particularly because some parts of that exhibit will be in the rooms of the Sawyer first floor, the Gala cannot be held this year. The Auxiliary hopes to host a meeting the end of October and plans to keep their meetings on Friday afternoons. Ms. Eichmann reported they are preparing a new Auxiliary information/phone book, which they anticipate will be ready in September. She noted that several Auxiliary members will be helping at the Premiere of Titanic. That concluded the Auxiliary report. President Loiacono reported that he will not be able to be at the August meeting and therefore Vice President Matzke has agreed to handle that meeting. That concluded the President’s report. Ms. Eichmann signed off at 4:34 after the President’s report. Next on the agenda was discussion regarding the Director search. There was discussion of what would make good questions to ask the interviewees. Board members were encouraged to email those to Human Resource Manager Michelle Behnke. Further discussion regarding who could make it to Ms. Behnke’s office to review the applications. Several Board members are able to get there, others are unable to get there during working hours. Further, Board members reviewed who would be able to meet all or some days of the anticipated interview dates. While not many can attend all the dates and times, it seems there will be at least three or more Directors at the interviews. In order to further discuss the available applicants, the Directors will plan to meet via Zoom or Hybrid so President Loiacono can attend from across the earth, on Thursday, July 22, at 4:00 p.m. That concluded the discussion. [It was later determined that the Board would not meet on July 22.] With no other agenda items, President Loiacono asked for a motion to adjourn. (Matzke; second Fenrich) The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:12 p.m.