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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_October 2021 Museum Board Minutes of the October 7, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the October 7, 2021 Board Meeting (Approved at the November 4, 2021 Board Meeting.) The October meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, October 7, 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, Secretary Connie Drexler, Board Members Carol Fenrich, Jim Hoffman, Rick Rego, Jean Thierman, Alternates Joseph Stephenson, Dana Stolley, School Board President Bob Poeschl, and Oshkosh Superintendent of Schools Bryan Davis arrived at 4:10. 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 the September 2, 2021 Board Meeting B. October Bill List MOTION: Adopt Consent Agenda (Rego; second Matzke) CARRIED: Yes (8) Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman, Loiacono, Matzke, Poeschl, Rego, and Thierman Interim Director Anna Cannizzo presented details of Schematic Plan 3 for the long-term exhibition Deep Roots, Growing City. She showed details of the layout, media components, main collections items chosen to display, and story lines that will be covered. Discussion followed. Ms. Thierman expressed she thinks some of the things the exhibition will contain are particularly wonderful, such as having the river continue and a similar Plexiglas wall at the beginning of Deep Roots, Growing City, to show continuation of the story of People of the Waters. Ms. Drexler requested a review of the timeline for this exhibition. Ms. Cannizzo stated the plan (pending funding) is to do design development phase 1 and maybe phase 2, as well as dismantling Memories and Dreams in 2022. Then in 2022-23 fit out the Multi-purpose gallery. In 2023 close the red gallery to start fit out, with a grand opening in 2024 for the Museum’s centennial year. Ms. Cannizzo reviewed the roll the Assistant Curator will perform for this exhibition. There will be many media interactives needed, which Ms. Achilli will manage because of her strong skill set with digital media. Digital interpretation is no longer considered the future of cultural organizations being able to offer Minutes of the October 7, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 4 educational content, it is the present and is expected. As Museums continue to face increasing challenges obtaining resources to enlarge and enhance exhibit spaces to accommodate more interpretation and access to collections, having staff like Ms. Achilli and the resources to provide access to digital interpretation has become key to sharing stories and showing collections items. President Loiacono stated he is pleased the exhibition will include the stories of various ethnic groups. He would like it to include ethnic groups in Oshkosh in the 20th and 21st century as well. Maybe even including stories of some of the recent immigrants from Afghanistan. Additionally, Mr. Loiacono expressed that with the removal of Grandma’s Attic and the Cabin, he hopes there will be non-media interactives; like People of the Waters has the long house. Ms. Cannizzo noted staff are planning that in the “in your shoes” parts of the exhibition visitors can carry, explore, share the stories of these various groups and staff plan to record new oral histories. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Davis expressed, “well done.” The schools would be pleased to work with staff for this exhibition. He particularly likes the idea of the stories of current families seeing themselves in the exhibition, having opportunity to tell their stories. When the discussion had ended, President Loiacono asked for a motion. MOTION: Adopt Schematic Design 3 for Deep Roots Growing City (Hoffman; second Thierman) CARRIED: Yes (9) Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman, Loiacono, Matzke, Rego, Thierman, Poeschl, Davis. President Loiacono then requested Ms. Cannizzo present the Interim Director’s report. Ms. Cannizzo began by reporting on the Director transition and giving an arrival update noting she had her first conversation with incoming Director Sarah Phillips on Tuesday, September 21st. Ms. Cannizzo reviewed the current budget process and associated projects along with future plans. Their second conversation on October 7th reviewed the significant exhibition projects the Museum has ahead as well as circled back to any questions related to the budget process and strategic planning. Ms. Cannizzo provided documentation regarding strategic planning as requested by Ms. Phillips. They will meet virtually about every two weeks to keep Ms. Phillips well-informed until she arrives to staff on December 2nd. Her first day will be full and start with an orientation at City Hall. Once she completes her orientation, Ms. Cannizzo will assemble staff so Ms. Phillips can address them. In addition, Ms. Phillips will need some time to get set-up in her office with email and phone messaging as well as other operational details. The December Board meeting will take place later that day where she will be formally introduced to the Board. That will be Ms. Cannizzo’s final meeting serving as Interim Director and responsibilities fully shift to Ms. Phillips. Typically a one and/or two week agenda is drawn up to welcome and acclimate a new staff member and Ms. Cannizzo plans to work with Ms. Phillips to plan that in advance. Ms. Cannizzo then gave updates on the Cement and Landscaping Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). She noted that recently she and Maintenance Technician Matt Reinke met with City staff to Minutes of the October 7, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 4 discuss re-bidding these two projects which had failed bids earlier this year. Since the time of the original bidding, the Museum received approval to replace the two main Museum signs: one damaged by a traffic accident and the temporary sign located on the highly visible corner of Congress and High Avenues. Ms. Cannizzo reviewed that Museum staff worked with Saiki Design on developing the design and location of the signs so that they would seamlessly be incorporated into the larger Master Plan and Landscape Restoration project. Staff are awaiting a new budget estimate. Additionally, the Concrete/Masonry project will also need to be amended to include replacement, rather than repair, of rapidly deteriorating areas of the main entrance. This project will be a priority due to the safety and accessibility concerns for Museum visitors. Ms. Cannizzo hopes to have the re-bidding take place in the coming weeks and if successful, staff anticipate these projects to begin in early spring 2022. She noted the Museum will likely close during the time when the steps and ramp are having work done because it would be far too burdensome on guests to access the Museum safely. In conclusion, Ms. Cannizzo reported that she met with City Manager Rohloff and Finance Director Van Gompel on September 16th to review the Museum’s proposed 2022 Operations Budget. She is next scheduled to attend the department review at the Common Council budget workshop on October 19th. The Council is scheduled to adopt the 2022 Operations Budget on November 9th. That concluded the Interim Director’s report. Mr. Loiacono then gave the President’s Report. He began by reporting that this meeting will be Mr. Stephenson’s last meeting on the Board. Mr. Stephenson resigned from the Board as he has a new job that will conflict with Board meeting times. He thanked Mr. Stephenson for his service on the Board and all the Board wished him well. Next, President Loiacono recommended the November Board meeting remain online due to an increased number of Covid cases in the community; and recommended the December meeting be in person. After discussion the Board agreed this would be a good plan. In conclusion, President Loiacono asked that the Board think about how they can recognize long-time Curator of Exhibitions Debra Daubert, as she is retiring. Her last day will be in December. That concluded the President’s report. President Lioacono then requested the Auxiliary report. Auxiliary Secretary Sue Eichman reported that the Auxiliary plans to have their first full meeting, since the March 2020 shutdowns, on Friday, October 22. The Auxiliary Board will also meet that day. At the Auxiliary meeting they will present the following additions to the Bylaws for a vote: Article 3 – In the event that the organization cannot meet for an extended period of time, the current elected board members will fulfill their elected term after it is determined that the organization can meet again. Minutes of the October 7, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 4 Article 5 – In the event the organization cannot hold their monthly meetings for an extended period of time, the current board will be responsible to continue ongoing business of the organization and keep members informed. In conclusion, Ms. Eichman reported that Mary Baier is not able to continue on the Board due to health reasons. That concluded the Auxiliary Report. With no other agenda items, President Loiacono asked for a motion to adjourn. (Thierman; second Poeschl) The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:04 p.m.