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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 2010 MEETING OF THE OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM BOARD (January 2010 minutes were approved at the Feb. 4, 2010 board meeting) The regular January meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, January 7, 2010 in the Lecture Room of the Museum. Vice President Rick Rego called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. The roll was taken: Present: Absent: Ms Drew Mr. Becker Mrs. Fenrich ( Mrs. Kujawa came in at 4:05 p.m.) Mr. Haffeman (excused himself at 5:00 p.m.) Mr. Metz Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler Also present: Museum Director Brad Larson, Assistant Director Michael Breza, Marketing Coordinator Megan Del Debbio, Leadership Oshkosh representative Steve Vickman and Brenda Hauber recording the minutes. Mr. Haffeman was designated to fill the vacancy of Mr. Becker and Ms. Drew was designated to fill the vacancy of Mrs. Kujawa. There were no Citizen Statements. The minutes of December 3, 2009 board meeting were read. Eugene Winkler moved to approve the minutes. Ron Metz seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Mr. Rego called for the roll call vote: In favor: Opposed: ` Ms. Drew None Mr. Haffeman Mr. Metz Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The minutes of the December 3, 2009 museum board meeting were approved. The January 2010 bill listing was presented. Ron Metz moved to approve the bill listing for payment. Eugene Winkler seconded the motion. A brief discussion followed. At the conclusion, Mr. Rego called for the roll call vote. In favor: Opposed: ` Ms. Drew None Mr. Haffeman Mr. Metz Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The January 2010 bill listing was approved for payment. Mr. Larson then noted that the next item on the agenda was a discussion regarding the Auxiliary’s suggestion to have free admission days whenever they were holding events. During the discussion, Mrs. Fenrich came into the meeting and began to preside. He said the Auxiliary has been disappointed in the attendance at their programs during the holiday exhibit and hoped to increase attendance by having free admission to the museum during the programs. Board members discussed this. It was agreed that in order to do this in an orderly way, a free admission policy should be in place. Mr. Larson said he would work on this and present it for Board discussion and action. Mr. Larson then presented Megan Del Debbio and commended her for her work on this important project. He noted that in order to give visitors what they want and need to have a favorable visit to the museum we need to know what they think. This Performance Management Survey project has done just that. This study enables the museum to direct resources and money in the right direction. He then turned the meeting over to Ms. Del Debbio who gave a Power Point presentation on the results of the Performance Management Survey. Mr. Larson stated that the results of the study will enable staff to make specific, focused changes, with the goal of making the museum the best it can be. Ms. Drew commented that docents in the galleries would be a major improvement in both giving directions to visitors and in making them feel welcome. Mrs. Fenrich then asked Mr. Larson to present his Director’s Report. He began by reporting that after a couple of pending projects are completed, he and Mike would begin on planning for the 2010 Capital Improvement projects. The replacement of the handicap lift will be the first project and then attention will turn to the Sawyer Home porch. He reported that the Homemade Holidays exhibit will end on January 17. Attendance has been disappointing, with less that 400 paying visitors in December. A plan is underway for this year’s holiday exhibit. With plenty of lead time, Megan should be able to market it much better. This ties in with the next topic on his report, that being 2010 exhibit plan. He said Mr. Breza has not only been working on the Jan Brett traveling exhibit, but also on a photographic exhibit based on the recently purchased negatives done by John H. Whitey. Mr. Krueger (museum photographer) has taken current views of some of the locations portrayed in the panoramic images. Artifacts will be included in the exhibit where possible. In addition, the exhibit on the Sawyers should be installed by the end of the month. Shortly before Memorial Day, a photograph exhibit on the Vietnam War will begin and run through August 1. The major project for 2010 will be a comprehensive exhibit on white-tailed deer and deer hunting, which will begin in late September. He reported that Curator Debra Daubert is currently pursuing ideas for a summer exhibit. In conclusion, Mr. Larson was pleased to announce that a donation of $5,000 was received from the Kuenzl Foundation to support the installation of the Chief Oshkosh Brewery emblem. There being no President’s or Board Members’ Statements, Mrs. Fenrich called for a motion to adjourn. Ron Metz so moved, and was seconded by Rick Rego. The voice vote went as follows: In favor: Opposed: ` Ms. Drew None Mrs. Fenrich Mr. Metz Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler The motion was passed with a unanimous vote in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 5:14 p.m.