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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.13.2025 MINUTES Museum Arts & Culture Board Minutes of the August 13, 2025 Museum Arts and Culture Board Meeting Page 1 of 3 Minutes of the August 13, 2025 Museum, Arts and Culture Board Meeting (Approved at the September 10, 2025 Board Meeting) The August meeting of the Museum, Arts and Culture (MAC) Board was held at the Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM). Board Chair Vicky Redlin called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and the Roll was taken. Present at Roll: Board Chair Vicky Redlin, Alternates Erron Hundt, Carrie Olson Excused: Board Members Rebecca Doe Brown, Becky Matzke, Drew Mueske Absent: Board Members/Council Member Joe Stephenson With Ms. Brown out, Chair Redlin appointed Ms. Hundt With Ms. Matzke out, Chair Redlin appointed Ms. Olson OPM Staff Present: Museum Director Anna Cannizzo, Assistant Director/Chief Curator Emily Rock, and OPM Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. Others present for the meeting: Nik Swartz of Saiki Design, Steve Gohde and Jason Ellis of Public Works There were no citizen statements to the Board. Consent Agenda items included: A. Minutes of the July 9, 2025, Board Meeting MOTION: Approve Consent Agenda (Olson; second Hundt) CARRIED: Yes (3) Hundt, Olson, Redlin Nik Swartz of Saiki Design Inc. then gave a presentation on the Lake Shore Drive realignment design options. He presented thorough information regarding two design concepts and allowed time for questions and feedback about the design options. All supported design concept 1 as it had more space for public engagement opportunities such as interpretive signage and public art. Discussion and vote regarding the deaccession of fire vehicles and apparatuses from the OPM collection was next. Ms. Rock explained how deaccessions are decided upon. She gave background on the vehicles and noted that these items were considered for deaccession because two are stored in a private facility with a loan agreement. The private facility has expressed a desire to conclude the loan and no longer serve as a storage space for them. Minutes of the August 13, 2025 Museum Arts and Culture Board Meeting Page 2 of 3 The report continued with Ms. Rock reviewing each item along with the rationale/criteria for deaccession as approved by the Collections Review Committee per OPM’s Collections Management Policy. The criteria included a lack of space to store, care for, and/or make the items accessible making them unable to advance the Museum’s mission. If the Board approves the deaccession, then disposition will be handled by the Collections Review Committee. Typically, a museum will try to place the objects with another museum so they can remain in the public domain. If the items cannot be placed into an alternate museum or cultural organization, the items would go to public auction and any money earned would go into the Collections Fund. Ms. Redlin expressed an interest in seeing one of the items remain in Oshkosh. Commenting that perhaps the veteran’s museum would have them or a town fire department or perhaps Oshkosh Truck. Director Cannizzo noted that OPM does have a lot of other fire related artifacts to make that history accessible. She also noted that preservation and access are the two most important criteria. The City has no alternate place to store them. Olson, understands that these are too large to display. OPM staff noted there used to be a “fire barn” that was displaying these items. Then they were at the Sawyer armory for a while, then had to be moved again. Each time objects have to be moved; damage occurs. In the meantime, the private facility has agreed to another year of storage. Curatorial staff will prioritize placing the vehicles with another cultural organization first followed by public auction. MOTION: That the Board approve the deaccession of the fire vehicles and items as recommended by OPM staff. (Olson; second Hundt) CARRIED: Yes (3) Hundt, Olson, Redlin Chair Redlin then requested the Director’s Report. Director Cannizzo began with a report on facility projects. For the exterior signage project: All install work is complete and there are a few final touches that remain. The banner for the Algoma sign is currently in production and should be completed and installed in the coming week or two. For a parking lot reconstruction update Director Cannizzo reported that the Museum’s staff lot is set to start construction on September 2nd instead of August 4th and still has an estimated completion time of four weeks (weather depending) in time for OPM’s Día de los Muertos event on October 11th. Next Director Cannizzo reported on the initial findings since the opening of the Tiffany’s Gardens in Glass exhibition. The Tiffany’s Gardens in Glass exhibition has been exceptionally well received by the public. Visitation and store sales have increased along with the Museum’s social media following and traffic to the website. She was pleased to report that this past July has been OPM’s most attended month in the last two and a half years. The investment the MAC Board approved last budget cycle for Visitor Services Personnel is having a positive impact. In conclusion, Director Cannizzo reported that OPM staff will be submitting the operating budget to Finance this Friday, August 15th and City staff review will occur on August 18th. The budget Minutes of the August 13, 2025 Museum Arts and Culture Board Meeting Page 3 of 3 requests for MAC Board governed trusts and funds that are part of the operating budget process will be presented at the September meeting. Common Council Workshops for the Operating Budget will occur on October 14th and 15th. Approval of 2026 budgets will be before the Council on November 11th. That concluded the Director’s Report. MAC Board Member Statements or Announcements included the following: Ms. Olson commented that the free passes are a great idea to get the word out about OPM and the Tiffany’s Gardens in Glass exhibition. Also, people are noticing the social media messaging. People have commented that they want to attend. Chair Redlin mentioned that Dr. Matherne still has some need for the 1-1/2 hour volunteer shifts to staff the gallery. Thursday evening and weekends are available. Any help is appreciated. She also mentioned the slow roll bike program and will talk more with the Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator about it. With no additional agenda items Chair Redlin asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Adjourn (Hundt; second Olson) CARRIED: Voice Vote The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.