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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_November 2021 Museum BoardMinutes of the November 4, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the November 4, 2021 Board Meeting (Approved at the December 2, 2021 Board Meeting.) The November meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, November 4, 2021, via Zoom. President Loiacono called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Administrative Assistant Theresa Books. PRESENT AT ROLL: President Gabe Loiacono, Vice President Becky Matzke, Board Members Carol Fenrich, Rick Rego, Jean Thierman, Alternate Dana Stolley, School Board President Bob Poeschl, Oshkosh Superintendent of Schools Bryan Davis, Board Member Jim Hoffman arrived at 4:04. Excused: Secretary Connie Drexler ALSO PRESENT: Museum Interim 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 October 2021 Board Meeting B. Minutes of the August 3, 2021 Board Meeting for Interviews C. November Bill List D. Receipt and Filing of 3rd Quarter Reports from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation MOTION: Adopt Consent Agenda (Fenrich; second Rego) CARRIED: Yes (7) Fenrich, Loiacono, Matzke, Rego, Thierman, Poeschl, Davis President Loiacono then requested Ms. Cannizzo present the Interim Director’s report. Ms. Cannizzo began by reporting final numbers for Titanic: The Wisconsin Connection exhibition. The Museum had steady attendance for the duration of the exhibition with many weekends selling out time slots during the final weeks. The Museum welcomed a total 9,650 visitors during this exhibition most of which were from around Wisconsin. However, we also had a number of visitors from out of state during this time. Staff know that the exhibition appealed to visitors from neighboring states like Illinois, who traveled to the Museum specifically for interest in Titanic. Staff Minutes of the November 4, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 4 also attribute out-of-state visits from those vacationing in the region and/or visiting Oshkosh for events such as EAA AirVenture. After the revenue share with E/M Group, the Museum made a profit of $80,936.49 from admission sales. The net profit will be lower once we consider other expenses related to the exhibition. The profit from Titanic merchandise sales is $21,845 after expenses. The Museum had an amazing crew of volunteers that donated a total of 1,378 hours assisting with the exhibition activities and operations. Ms. Cannizzo then gave updates on White Christmas: the Exhibition. The Henrys arrived on Wednesday, November 3, to deliver the exhibition and they stayed in Oshkosh for the next day to help with some installation and participate in some media appearances. The Museum will host a special preview November 12th, inviting volunteers, sponsors, Cornerstone Members, the Museum Auxiliary, the Museum Board, and the Oshkosh Common Council. Due to ongoing concerns of Covid-19, the Museum will have some sweet treats for attendees to take with them after they get a first-look at the exhibition. White Christmas opens to the public on November 13th. Tickets went on sale on November 1st and within 36 hours 175 tickets had been sold. Ms. Cannizzo reported that in addition to the exhibition, the Museum will be launching “Operation Waverly” with Miss America 2000, Heather French Henry, whose platform continues to be the support of Veterans and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. The Museum and Library will be collecting items to benefit the Day By Day Warming Shelter in Oshkosh to assist homeless veterans and offer three outreach programs. Next Ms. Cannizzo gave an update on the 2022 Operations Budget. She attended the department review at the Common Council budget workshop on October 19th. The Museum requested a budget enhancement for the Assistant Curator position to be transitioned to a tax funded position instead of funded by the Museum’s Trusts and Funds. After watching the later review of the enhancements, the Common Council does not appear to be considering the enhancement. The position will likely remain funded by the Membership Fund in 2022. There was another enhancement workshop on November 3rd and the Council is scheduled to adopt the 2022 Budgets on November 9th. Regarding Capital Improvements: Cement Work and Landscaping Projects, Ms. Cannizzo reported that she and Maintenance Technician Matt Reinke recently met with Dan Maki of Facility Engineering regarding the updated work estimate for the Cement Masonry work. She has an updated work proposal and will hopefully get the bidding process underway soon. Staff also met with Jared Vincent of Saiki design to revisit the Landscape/Signage project and tease out final design details regarding the signage. Next, Mr. Vincent will meet with City staff this week to discuss putting together the bid package. Minutes of the November 4, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 4 In conclusion, Ms. Cannizzo gave an update on education activities. As the 2021-22 school year started the Museum has hosted a number of school fieldtrips before Titanic: The Wisconsin Connection closed. In addition to the in-person fieldtrips, the Museum hosted a virtual fieldtrip for the exhibition on October 14th. About 500 students and educators took part in the fieldtrip and we hope to use this format for some exhibitions in the future. The Museum hosted Oshkosh Area School District Superintendent Dr. Bryan Davis several weeks ago to discuss the educational activities and opportunities at the Museum. Staff introduced the Museum’s LTE Educator Tanya Schmidt and shared her work at the Museum to update the People of the Waters curriculum standards and the grant funded hands-on educational kits she developed that will be available for educators to check-out in 2022. The Museum plans to fund the LTE Educator in 2022 to continue to make progress in the Museum’s educational offerings. Ms. Cannizzo asked if there were any questions or comments. Ms. Thierman asked if there are any reasons given as to why the Museum’s enhancement request would not be approved. Ms. Cannizzo indicated that in watching the Council’s discussion later that day she heard discussions that the Police Department needs more staff. They currently work many overtime hours – money that could be used to hire more police staff. Also the Parks has had several things added to their work, such as care of the gardens in the many round-abouts and additional things at the Zoo, yet they’ve had no increase in staff, so they are swamped. Various things like that seem to put the Museum off the needs list. Ms. Thierman appreciated the reasons. Ms. Cannizzo said that due to time and discussion constraints in her presentation to Council she regretted she was not able to point out the economic engine that museums are for a city. For example, people can see easily that a person spends $8 for an adult admission to the Museum, but they don’t see that when people visit a museum they usually make a day of it, they have lunch in the city, they may shop here. There is a positive economic impact, in addition to being a quality of life asset. Mr. Loiacono asked about how many school field trips there have been at the Museum since People of the Waters opened in 2017. He recalls that the Museum planned with schools in mind, yet there seems to have been a disappointingly low number of school visits. Ms. Cannizzo noted that, regretfully, the Wisconsin requirements for history curriculum changed in about 2018, creating a need to revamp the Museum’s available information for the various grade levels. LTE Educator Tanya Schmidt has been working on those updates. Superintendent Davis commented that he is pleased with what he saw when he visited the Museum and is pleased with plans to continue coordination between the schools and the Museum. Mr. Loiacono is glad the LTE Educator is budgeted to be on staff again in 2022. He recommended the Museum invite the UW-Oshkosh Education faculty to see the Museum, to get them to see the value of it, get it in their thoughts, and to bring their students to the Museum to get it on their minds also for lesson planning. With no further discussion, that concluded the Interim Director’s Report. Minutes of the November 4, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 4 President Loiacono then gave his report. He began with discussion of welcoming new Director Sarah Phillips in December. It was determined, with that being her first day, it would be very full and the welcome will be kept to a minimum of the Board introducing themselves to her and a general welcome. The meeting will be in person, with masks, in the Museum’s Sawyer Library. Next, President Loiacono invited discussion as to how to honor Curator of Exhibitions Debra Daubert on her retirement in December after 40 years of service to the Museum. It was decided she will be invited to a simple celebration in the Sawyer Library at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 2nd, prior to the Board meeting. That concluded the President’s report. President Lioacono then requested the Auxiliary report. Auxiliary Secretary Sue Eichman reported that the Auxiliary met on October 22 with pretty good attendance. The Auxiliary was pleased to have Debra Daubert present to the group the stories discovered in her research for Titanic: The Wisconsin Connection, including more details and some stories learned since the exhibit was developed. The Auxiliary also presented her with a gift for her retirement and expressed their appreciation for her presentations and work with the Auxiliary through the years. Ms. Eichman further reported that the proposed amendments to the Bylaws were handed out to those present and were mailed to all the other Auxiliary members. The vote on these will be at the November 12 Auxiliary meeting. In conclusion, Ms. Eichman reported that Holly Eichman will fill the vacancy on the Board. That concluded the Auxiliary Report. With no other agenda items, President Loiacono asked for a motion to adjourn. (Thierman; second Stolley) The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:42 p.m.