Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.23.2024 Minutes MAC Board WorkshopMinutes of the January 23, 2024 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 3 Minutes of the January 23, 2024 Board Workshop (Approved at the February 14, 2024 Board Meeting.) The Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM) Museum Arts and Culture (MAC) Board met Tuesday, January 23, 2024, in the Galena Room of the Museum. Board Chair Vicky Redlin called the meeting to order at 4:12 p.m. The roll was taken by Administrative Assistant Theresa Books. Present at Roll: Chair Vicky Redlin, Board Members Becky Doe Brown, Becky Matzke, Drew Mueske, Board Member /Council Member Joseph Stephenson Alternates Erron Hundt, Carrie Olson Also Present: Director Sarah Phillips, Assistant Director/Chief Curator Anna Cannizzo, Marketing Coordinator Kate Stel, Curator of Education Neal Matherne, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the Minutes. Regarding the property across the street from the Museum, at 1331 High Avenue, Director Phillips reported that the church elders decided to move forward with the sale of the church and property. Last week several staff and Board Members were able to be at the walk-through of the church. At this meeting Director Phillips wanted to discuss what they saw, discuss the potential of the building to fill some space needs for the Museum, and have the Board’s decision of whether or not next steps toward the purchase of the building should be pursued. She provided a list of “Identified Long- Term Needs” for the Museum (see below.) Director Phillips asked Members Mueske and Matzke, who toured the building, to give any comments. Mr. Mueske noted that the building seems in good shape. The church has made many updates through the years. The large parking lot is a plus. One concern is that if used for Collections or exhibitions, loading and unloading could be a problem as there is no loading door or freight elevator. Ms. Cannizzo noted that current conditions for Collections’ storage have no elevator or loading doors, so it would be no worse than current conditions. Ms. Matzke noted that not all the spaces are ready for the needs of the Museum, but there are nice gathering spaces. She noted that the fact that it is right there, across the street from the Museum is a huge positive. Director Phillips then reviewed a few general details and some of the updates that have been done. It was built in the 70s and added onto. It is 14,589 square feet. 2022 new bathrooms, 2021 new roof, 2018 a lift from street level to the 1st floor sanctuary, 2016 the AC was replaced, 2015 lights upgraded, 2012 boilers were replaced. On a negative note, it has no fire suppression. Ms. Brown asked if a next step is to get an inspection and place an offer based on that? She also wondered what the comps were that determined the current asking price. Director Phillips did not know what properties were used as comparables to define the asking price. She noted that a next step would be for her to talk with Community Development Director Kelly Nieforth, because Ms. Nieforth will know how the City determines fair market value when they purchase a building. Minutes of the January 23, 2024 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 3 The Board discussed pros and cons of the building for Museum needs. The sanctuary has seating for 300 people. It would provide a large space to host public programming, including added space for Día de los Muertos, and would be a good space to hold fundraising events. There is great lighting from the windows in the sanctuary. Additionally, there is a lot of clean, dry space where Collections could be stored and rooms locked. There is about 4,000 square feet of rooms on concrete floors, so there would be no load issues in those locations. Museum Archives could be moved over there to provide more space for the materials as well as for researchers to have a place to work. The kitchen is not commercial grade. This was not considered a huge negative. The Museum currently provides foods for events through catering and that works well. Ms. Hundt noted that although the space would not be move-in ready for the Museum’s needs, and some time would be needed to plan how to use the spaces, if the Museum doesn’t get that property, it will continue to have the large list of needs but have no space in which to make plans. All agreed having that much clean, updated space so close to the Museum would be a great asset. Ms. Brown asked if the accreditation process would be affected for good to have this property? Director Phillips said, yes it would; having more space in a near location would be a positive for the accreditation review. When discussion was complete Chair Redlin asked for a motion. MOTION: The Board directs Museum Director Phillips to continue the pursuit of purchasing the church property at 1331 High Avenue; checking with Kelly Nieforth and the City for next steps. (Mueske; second Matzke) CARRIED: Yes (5) Brown, Matzke, Mueske, Redlin, Stephenson With no other agenda items, Chair Redlin asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Adjourn (Stephenson; second Mueske) CARRIED: Voice Vote The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. See Identified Long-Term Needs list on next page. Minutes of the January 23, 2024 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 3 Identified Long-Term Needs: The following have been identified by OPM as long-term needs to best execute the mission of the museum and serve our visitors: These do not include wayfinding/signage (being addressed in the CIP). • Collections Storage o We are currently in the hand of the city and our permanent collection faces ever- mounting problems. ▪ No permanent storage space ▪ Environmentally unstable areas that continue to deteriorate our collections • Mold • Pests • No HVAC ▪ Physically unsecure storage areas, drastically increasing the likelihood of theft, vandalism, and physical damage. ▪ Scattered storage facilities: • Irving Street • Carriage House • Museum • Visitor Services, Programs and Events o Lack of dedicated classroom space o Competing needs for the Galena Room o Dated and unattractive spaces alienate the public and reflects poorly on OPM professionalism o Small size and layout of the lobby of the Museum o Inadequate facilities to meet the needs of our visitors- including ADA, restrooms, and amenities o No event space for fundraisers or rentals to drive revenue • Exhibitions o Extremely limited changing gallery space o Working around the needs of a historic home • Museum Grounds o Reflect poorly on the Museum o Lacks interpretation o Care and maintenance is often the lowest priority for city Maintenance staff who are already stretched thin o Parking lot is aging and doesn’t meet the needs of school buses, creates safety issues, needs more space for event parking