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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_March 2021 Museum BoardMinutes of the March 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 3 Minutes of the March 4, 2021 Board Meeting (Approved at the April 1, 2021 Board Meeting.) The March meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, March 4, 2021, via Zoom. President Thierman called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Theresa Books. PRESENT AT ROLL (all via Zoom): Board Members Carol Fenrich, Jim Hoffman, Vice President Gabe Loiacono, Rick Rego, President Jean Thierman, Alternate Connie Drexler. Superintendent of Schools Vickie Cartwright joined the meeting at 4:04 p.m., School Board President Barb Herzog joined at 4:08 p.m., and Secretary Becky Matzke joined the meeting at 4:20 p.m. Excused: Joseph Stephenson Ms. Thierman appointed Ms. Drexler to fill the current Board vacancy. ALSO PRESENT: Museum Director Brad Larson, Archivist Amy Fels, Auxiliary Secretary Sue Eichman, Marketing Coordinator Tammy Maleski, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. Mr. Larson then introduced Archivist Amy Fels who joined Museum staff on January 4th. There were no citizen statements to the Board and none were received. Consent Agenda items included: A. Minutes of the September 2020 Board Meeting B. January, February and March Bill Lists C. Receipt & Filing of 3rd and 4th Quarter Reports of Museum Funds held at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation MOTION: Adopt Consent Agenda (Fenrich; second Hoffman). CARRIED: Yes (7), Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman, Loiacono, Rego, Thierman, and Cartwright. Next on the agenda was discussion and determination of use of the $100,000 gift. Mr. Larson explained that in December the Museum was gifted with an amazing donation of $100,000 and the donor wishes to remain anonymous. The donation is undesignated and it is being held in the Membership Fund. Mr. Larson stated he believes two projects should be funded through this gift. The Museum has been selected to host a remarkable exhibition new to the traveling circuit, the famous 1950s movie White Christmas. The exhibition includes costumes, props, photographs, and Minutes of the March 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 3 other materials from the movie. The tentative dates are November 14, 2021 through January 23, 2022. The cost of this exhibition is $40,000, which includes shipping both ways. Mr. Larson would like the ability to sign the contract as soon as it is executed and that requires that the Museum have the entire $40,000 available. Mr. Larson will pursue grants to help defray the costs of the exhibit so that some of the $40,000 can be put to other uses; but it is needed as security in order to sign a contract. Mr. Larson requests the balance ($60,000) be reserved for the salary and benefits of staff not funded through the tax levy. Funding the Assistant Curator position is always challenging. Allocating the balance would ensure the 2022 budget begins from a position of certainty. The Museum is well into the planning for both Sports & Recreation and Deep Roots, Growing City. The curatorial position is vital to keep the work moving forward. Mr. Larson opened for discussion. Ms. Drexler suggested putting the $60,000 in the Endowment Fund so that the money can earn interest and potentially be available to fund the position for a longer time, or to pull out of the Fund when needed. However, once money is put into the Endowment it may not be taken out; only the interest earned may be spent. Ms. Fenrich noted that because interest earning rates are so low at this time, she recommends not putting it in the Endowment, rather using it for this staffing need. When further discussion concluded, Ms. Thierman asked for two motions. MOTION: That $40,000 of the Anonymous gift be available for security to sign for the exhibition White Christmas. (Fenrich; Second Loiacono) CARRIED: Yes (8), Drexler, Fenrich, Herzog, Hoffman, Loiacono, Rego, Thierman, and Cartwright. MOTION: That $60,000 of the Anonymous gift be budgeted for the salary and benefits of Museum staff not covered by the Operating Budget. (Fenrich; Second Hoffman) CARRIED: Yes (8), Drexler, Fenrich, Herzog, Hoffman, Loiacono, Rego, Thierman, and Cartwright. Ms. Thierman then requested Mr. Larson present the Director’s report. Mr. Larson began by reporting that February was the first full month of the exhibition Star Wars: The Nostalgia Awakens and the Museum had 1,212 visitors. That is much higher February attendance compared to the past few years. The exhibition has been very well received. He reported that the busiest day continues to be Saturday, yet the Museum has not exceeded the quota for a safe number of people in the building. This is due primarily to the use of Ticket Leap. While the Museum has Minutes of the March 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 3 walk-in visitors, Ticket Leap enables staff to know the number of people, and thus far have had no real issues with people having to wait. Mask compliance has not been an issue. Mr. Larson noted that all these factors are important as staff look ahead to July and the opening of Titanic: The Wisconsin Connection. Staff have gained confidence and ability with online ticketing that will help minimize the problems that occurred in 2006 when Titanic was last at the Museum. There will still be challenges, especially with the lack of Museum amenities, but staff are now in a position to control admissions. Next Mr. Larson gave an update regarding the cement work and landscaping capital improvement projects. Both of these projects are moving forward quickly, with the cement work soon to be out for bid. This work has to be completed by late May. It encompasses the replacement of the steps and ramp and the repair of the masonry wall by the entrance. An alternate bid is the Sawyer home garden wall. The landscape work will not commence until after the June 5 Pow Wow. An alternate bid is the walk associated with the revised landscape plan. These projects are being funded with the remaining money that resulted when other capital projects with the same general purpose came in under budget. In conclusion, Mr. Larson was pleased to report that the Museum received a bequest from former Board member and long-time friend of the Museum, John Spanbauer. The $10,000 bequest was unspecified and by policy, 10% will be invested in the Museum’s Endowment Fund held at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. Mr. Larson allocated the balance of Mr. Spanbauer’s generous gift to help with the costs associated with Titanic. That concluded the Director’s report. President Thierman requested the Auxiliary report. Ms. Eichman reported that the Auxiliary has not been meeting since March of 2020. Sadly, in December 2020 long-time Auxiliary member and Gala Chairwoman Catherine “Sis” Martin passed away. In conclusion, Ms. Eichman reported the Auxiliary Board sent Valentines to each of the Auxiliary Members. That concluded the Auxiliary report. With no other agenda items, Ms. Thierman asked for a motion to adjourn. (Herzog; second Cartwright) The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:32 p.m.