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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.02.2022 Museum Board Meeting MinutesMinutes of the June 2, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the June 2, 2022 Board Meeting (Approved at the July 7, 2022 Board Meeting.) The June meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, June 2, 2022, in the Lecture Room of the Museum. 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 Jean Thierman, Carol Fenrich arrived at 4:05, Alternate Tiara Cavett, Oshkosh School Board President Bob Poeschl EXCUSED: Board members Jim Hoffman, Dana Stolley, and Superintendent of Schools Bryan Davis ALSO PRESENT: Museum Director Sarah Phillips, Assistant Director Anna Cannizzo, City Attorney Lynn Lorenson, Marketing Coordinator Kate Stel, Auxiliary President Holly Eichman, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books taking the minutes With Board member Hoffman absent, Mr. Loiacono appointed Ms. Cavett. There were no citizen statements to the Board and none were received. Consent Agenda items included: A. Minutes of the May Board Meeting B. June Bill List MOTION: ADOPT with one recommended change to the Minutes. (Thierman; second Poeschl) CARRIED: Yes (6) Cavett, Drexler, Loiacono, Matzke, Thierman, Poeschl The Bylaws were discussed next, moving the Review of the Museum’s Trusts and Funds to follow this discussion. Attorney Lorenson explained that in reviewing the Bylaws and Board Handbook staff first looked at City Ordinances and rules adopted by Council for all Boards; being sure the Museum Bylaws and Handbook do not contradict those documents. She noted it is typical for all City boards to have an administrative staff person record and type the minutes. Therefore, the position of Board Secretary will be removed from the Bylaws, but the current Board Secretary will complete her one-year term. If that staff person is not available to be at a Board meeting the Museum Director will appoint another staff person. One of the main changes to the Museum Bylaws is to take out the wording that the President will sign/approve bills. Much discussion continued regarding various details within the document, with Mr. Poeschl and others Minutes of the June 2, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 4 recommending several good details. The agreed upon edits will be made and the document emailed to the Board for further consideration. Attorney Lorenson excused herself from the meeting when discussion was complete. Ms. Phillips then asked if there were any questions regarding the Trust and Funds documents that had been emailed to the Board. Ms. Matzke asked if there has been any further thought of having a foundation for the Museum. Ms. Phillips’ believes it would be very beneficial to have a foundation to be able to ask for high level grants and donations. Often grants must be written by a 501(c)(3), and the Museum is a 170(c)(1) tax exempt entity as a department of the City. Mr. Poeschl asked if Ms. Phillips had opportunity to talk with Mr. Rohloff and the City Attorney regarding their thoughts on a foundation. She has talked with them and Mr. Rohloff understands the need for high level fundraising and they will be discussing it further in July. President Loiacono then requested Ms. Phillips present the Director’s report. Ms. Phillips began by reporting that gallery work is well underway for Sports and Recreation. Bids for the lighting system were opened on May 12th, 2022. The project was awarded to Viking Electric, who bid $30,913.67 for the LSI lighting system. This system is the same brand as what’s used in People of the Waters, and is the preferred lighting company of Split Rock Studios (they recommend the same LSI systems for Deep Roots, Growing City). This allows for future centralized control of all the gallery lighting. In their bid, Viking noted a 12-week lead time for delivery. As a key-point in the exhibit timeline, this altered the project completion date. The new opening date is November 2022. Ms. Phillips further noted that curatorial content is in the process of being edited and refined. Staff will be discussing the final interpretive focuses and finalizing the exhibit title soon. Regarding the exhibition Helen Farnsworth Mears: A Genius of Wisconsin, Ms. Phillips reported that the Museum continues to receive good feedback on the exhibit. 89% of respondents to the exhibit survey strongly agreed that: Archival material (letters, photos, slideshow) enhanced their knowledge of Helen and her life. This measure shows that we are achieving stated exhibit goals that helped guide staff’s work, showing the effectiveness of the work. Recently, a guest travelled specifically to see this exhibit. He had learned of Helen through reading about the 1893 Columbian Exposition and "fell into a rabbit hole" to learn she was from Oshkosh. He came especially to see the exhibit and learn more about her than he could by reading. Of further note, merchandise related to the exhibit has also been well-received. Some examples of Museum Store inventory specifically stocked for Mears include custom merchandise showcasing OPM collections, including a “Dawn and Labor” tote; poetry print, and photo prints Minutes of the June 2, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 4 A selection of merchandise from local women artisans highlights how Helen’s legacy lives on. These include: Good Art for Good pottery by Madisen Potratz. All made locally, small batch, and the artist donates a percentage of profits to local charities each month. Regarding Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Ms. Phillips reported that preliminary Museum CIP requests were submitted to the Finance Department in May. Twenty-four projects in total were submitted for the next ten years. Projects continue with plans already in place for gallery updates, exterior facilities maintenance, and ADA compliance, just as a few examples. Other examples of preliminary proposals include the work to move the Tiffany Wisteria Window back to its original home in the Sawyer House den, an assessment for a collections storage facility and a 15-year update to People of the Waters. A hardcopy of the complete 2023-2032 CIP Plan Proposal Request was made available at the meeting, and can be requested from Ms. Books. The Finance Department’s initial internal meetings to review proposals are beginning in mid-June. In May the Museum hosted three enrichment programs, reaching approximately 50 community members and 8 families. 100% of survey respondents said they would be “extremely likely” to attend programs at the Museum in the future. The May programs included:  Putting Tax Credits and Grants to Work, a partnership between the Museum, the Landmarks Commission, and the State Historic Preservation Office of the Wisconsin Historical Society.  Family Discovery Days Spring Planting  Celebrating Historic Preservation Month with Terry Laib The Museum also hosted two field trip groups at the Museum; Martin Luther and Lakeside Elementary School. June Programs:  June 4th-- Deltalks: The Deltox Rug Company presented by Amy Fels, Museum Archivist  June 11th, 13th, and 18th-- Untold Stories: Riverside Cemetery Tours (an ongoing partnership with the Parks Department.)  June 11th-- Family Discovery Days Hands-On Sculptures In conclusion, Ms. Phillips reported that the Maintenance Technician position has been filled. A candidate has accepted the position and is going through the City’s hiring process. Barring any unexpected hurdles, she should start at the Museum on June 20th. That concluded the Director’s Report. Minutes of the June 2, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 4 President Loiacono requested the Auxiliary report. Auxiliary President Holly Eichman reported that Pie on the Lawn is set for July 10th. They contacted Kathy Snell, planning coordinator for Faire on the Green, and she’s not sure exactly how it will all work with the road construction. The Auxiliary was also in contact with Ann Boyce of the Winnebago City Health Department to be sure things are done in compliance. They learned that the Auxiliary can sell homemade pies, but all pies need to be cut and wrapped in the Museum kitchen before being brought outside. A tent is recommended. The Health Department may come over to inspect the set up. Ms. Eichman noted that no permit is needed; and that signup sheets were passed around at the March and April meetings to have Auxiliary members sign up to bring pies. Ms. Eichman then reported that the Gala is set for November 11, 2022. [Later determined to be November 17, 2022] The first planning meeting is June 15th at the Museum. Barb Shirtz, Nancy Samida and Ms. Eichman are meeting with Ms. Stel and Ms. Phillips on June 3rd to discuss the Gala. In conclusion, Ms. Eichman reported she spoke with City Clerk Jessi Balcom to get the Auxiliary Pie on the Lawn event on the agenda for June 28th to have the outdoor event approved by Council. They do not need to be present at the Council meeting. That concluded the Auxiliary report. With no other agenda items, Mr. Loiacono asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: ADJOURN (Matzke; second Fenrich) CARRIED: VOICE VOTE The meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m.