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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.01.2023 Museum Board Meeting MinutesMinutes of the June 1, 2023 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the June 1, 2023 Board Meeting (Approved at the September 6, 2023 Board Meeting.) The June meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM) Board was held Thursday, June 1, 2023, in the Galena Room of the Museum. Vice President Connie Drexler called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The roll was taken by Administrative Assistant Theresa Books. PRESENT AT ROLL: Vice President Connie Drexler, Board Members Carol Fenrich, Gabe Loiacono, Vicky Redlin, Dana Stolley and Jean Thierman, Oshkosh Area School District Board President Beth Wyman EXCUSED: President Becky Matzke, Alternate Tiara Cavett, Superintendent of Schools Bryan Davis ALSO PRESENT: Director Sarah Phillips, Assistant Director/Chief Curator Anna Cannizzo, Marketing Coordinator Kate Stel, Curator of Education Neal Matherne, City Manager Mark Rohloff, 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 May 4, 2023, Board Meeting B. June Bill List MOTION: Approve Consent Resolution Agenda. (Redlin; second Thierman) CARRIED: Yes (7) Drexler, Fenrich, Loiacono, Redlin, Stolley, Thierman, Wyman Review of City Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCCs): City Manager Mark Rohloff spoke regarding the Council’s May 9, 2023 decision to accept the actions stated in the “Boards, Commissions, and Committee Report and Recommendations.” This agenda item discussion focused on the direction from Council to combine the Arts and Beautification Committee with the Museum Board. Mr. Rohloff noted that he and Director Phillips had conversations regarding how the Museum could have more presence in the community and expand its mission outside of its primary physical location. Mr. Rohloff recognized that OPM staff have worked extensively with the schools to increase outreach and engagement. He also noted that he read the letter from the Board to Council expressing concern regarding joining these two groups. Mr. Rohloff explained the rationale and the opportunity this now presents for art, history, and culture in the city. Director Phillips stated that the Museum has helped with projects in the community over the years, in collaboration with city departments and BCCs, such as the Riverwalk signage and the exhibitions Minutes of the June 1, 2023 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 4 at the fire stations. By taking a leading role in projects such as these, the city ensures a common voice and vision is carried through projects, versus decentralized management of these assets. Ms. Cannizzo agreed that the stories the Museum has to share can be made more accessible. Mr. Rohloff further clarified that Community Development Director Kelly Nieforth and her staff will remain involved in projects as necessary. The Landmarks Commission will remain a stand-alone body, but will be assigned to the Museum to staff. Director Phillips will attend the Landmarks Committee meetings prior to assigning it to a staff member, to be aware of what they are doing, so as to coordinate but not overlap regarding public arts. Ms. Stolley asked how the total current members of the Museum Board and the Public Arts and Beautification Committee would be reduced to five as recommended in the report. Mr. Rohloff stated that it is possible that current members may not be interested in serving on the new board and noted that all current members wishing to serve on the new board will have to reapply for a board seat, and be appointed by the mayor. Director Phillips stated that she and Ms. Nieforth had talked about art that already exists around the City. Also, the Library Director recommended to the Library Board that the Hicks Trust and associated bronze statuary be transferred to the management of the Museum, which would benefit from the skill set of Ms. Cannizzo and Museum collections staff. School Board President Beth Wyman expressed that as an ex-officio member of the Board, she sees the value and importance of the new Curator of Education position. She explained that because of the duties of this position, she feels it is not necessary for the School Board President to be on the Museum Board. She also recommended Director Phillips attend the annual joint meeting of the Common Council and the Oshkosh Area School District to continue planning and open communication with the school board. Director Phillips reported that she spoke with City Attorney Lynn Lorenson regarding Chapter 2 and the Board Bylaws, requesting certain autonomy is protected, such as the authority to oversee the management of the permanent museum collection. Mr. Rohloff noted that many years ago, the Museum Board took on responsibilities comparable to the Library Board and he views the Museum Board similarly in their type of authority. Mr. Loiacono recommended the Museum Board keep seven members with two alternates because there are important decisions to approve such as Trust Fund expenditures, etc. He feels a quorum of three is too small. In addition, he noted that the Museum Board has never had a problem getting a quorum. Mr. Rohloff said he could present this idea to Council. Minutes of the June 1, 2023 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 4 MOTION: That the Council approve the Museum Board have seven members and two alternates. (Loiacono; second Redlin) CARRIED: Yes (7) Drexler, Fenrich, Loiacono, Redlin, Stolley, Thierman, Wyman Mr. Rohloff said he will get this information to Council by means of the draft minutes of this meeting. [He did present the information to Council. Council considered it but decided to keep the number of Board members to five plus two alternates for consistency across Boards.] Director Phillips then presented a review of the proposed 2024-2033 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). She explained that now and going forward the City’s Facilities Department will prepare CIP requests as relates to building upkeep and repairs. The Museum Director will submit CIP as relates to exhibitions and similar projects. Director Phillips allowed time for questions. Vice President Drexler then requested Director Phillips present the Director’s Report. Director Phillips began with an update regarding the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accreditation. As background: In 2018, the OPM was visited by two peer reviewers as part of the AAM reaccreditation process. As in most reaccreditation reports, findings were summarized in each section (Collections Stewardship, Organizational Health, Educational Role, Planning, and Public Service Role). These were divided into minor findings, major findings, and exemplary practices. The result of the major/minor findings was a vote by the AAM Accreditation Commission in July 2018 to table OPMs reaccreditation, giving the museum 18 months to address the findings. The decision was made by OPM in January 2019 to withdraw from the reaccreditation process. In the past months, Director Philips has been in contact with the staff at AAM to discuss what steps are needed for OPM to regain accredited status. The accreditation program staff have been very helpful, and have granted the OPM special consideration for reaccreditation. She has been given approval to resubmit a report addressing the major/minor findings which led to the tabling decision. Once that report is reviewed by AAM staff, the OPM will start on a reaccreditation self-study, followed by a site visit. This is a very generous proposal by AAM; for unaccredited museums, the process can take years to complete. Accreditation reflects our commitment to excellence in the field and demonstrates that the museum is a strong asset to the community. It also ensures that peer museums understand our dedication to sound stewardship of our collections, it opens doors to new traveling exhibitions, and strengthens the case for support. Director Phillips will be working with OPM and AAM staff to determine the best timeline to complete the work necessary for this process. Minutes of the June 1, 2023 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 4 Next Director Phillips reviewed upcoming June events. Coffee with a Curator, Wednesday, June 7th, 8:30 – 10:30 AM. Start your day at the OPM with coffee and pastries from Thunderbird Bakery. This event opens the Museum for special hours exclusively for Members. Plus, meet OPM’s new Curator of Education Neal Matherne and chat about the future of the Education Program. Additional programs include: • Family Discovery Day, June 10 – A Pigment of Your Imagination • Extraordinary Women of Oshkosh – Riverside Cemetery Tours (In partnership with Oshkosh Parks Dept.) Join staff for a guided tour of Riverside Cemetery and discover the stories of the extraordinary women of Oshkosh. Explore their remarkable contributions to our city, state, and beyond. Plus, see inside the Riverside Cemetery Chapel. June 2 at 5pm, June 10 at 10am, June 24 at 10am. That concluded the Director’s Report. Vice President Drexler requested the Auxiliary report. Auxiliary President Holly Eichman began her report with a review of the May Auxiliary Luncheon. Twenty-six Auxiliary members along with Director Phillips and Ms. Cannizzo attended the annual luncheon at the Roxy. The entertainment was a ukulele solo performed by David Hable. At the luncheon officers and Board were voted on for the upcoming year. The coming year Holly Eichman will serve another term as President. Carolyn Barthel will serve as Vice President, Sue Eichman as Secretary, Claudia Montee as Treasurer, Nancy Samida as Sunshine, Vickie Savinski as Historian, and Board Members Shirley Hyland, Diane Kohl, and Sue Meyer. Ms. Eichman further reported that the first Auxiliary board meeting to plan the 2023-2024 program year is June 12th at the Museum. So far, they have 14 programs to choose from. They only need seven. That concluded the Auxiliary Report. With no other Agenda items, Vice President Drexler asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Adjourn (Thierman; second Loiacono) CARRIED: Voice Vote The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.