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MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER MEETING OF THE
OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM BOARD
Minutes were approved at the Nov. 5, 2009 board meeting
The regular October meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on
Thursday, October 1, 2009 in the Lecture Room. Board President Carol Fenrich called
the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. The roll was taken:
Present: Absent:
Ms. Drew Mr. Becker
Mrs. Fenrich Mr. Winkler
Mr. Haffeman
Mrs. Kujawa
Mr. Metz
Ms. Moldenhauer
Mr. Rego
Also present: Museum Director Brad Larson, Assistant Mike Breza, Leadership Oshkosh
representative Steve Vickman and Brenda Hauber recording the minutes.
Mrs. Fenrich introduced the Leadership Oshkosh representative to the Museum Board.
Ms. Drew was designated to fill the vacancy of Mr. Becker, and Mr. Haffemann to fill the
vacancy of Mr. Winkler.
The minutes of the September 3, 2009 board meeting were read. Ron Metz moved that
the minutes be approved. Rick Rego seconded the motion. There being no discussion,
Mrs. Fenrich called for the roll call vote which went as follows:
In favor: Ms. Drew Opposed: None
Mrs. Fenrich
Mr. Haffeman
Mrs. Kujawa
Mr. Metz
Ms. Moldenhauer
Mr. Rego
The vote was unanimous in favor. The motion was passed and the September 3, 2009
museum board meeting minutes were approved.
The October 2009 bill listing was then presented. Ron Metz moved to approve the bill
listing for payment. Rick Rego seconded the motion. Discussion followed. At the
conclusion, Mrs. Fenrich called for the roll call vote:
In favor: Ms. Drew Opposed: None
Mrs. Fenrich
Mr. Haffeman
Mrs. Kujawa
Mr. Metz
Ms. Moldenhauer
Mr. Rego
The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The October 2009 bill
listing was approved for payment.
Mrs. Fenrich then asked Mr. Larson to explain the request to use Collection Fund
monies for the restoration of three Sophia Russell paintings. Mr. Larson began by
saying that the three paintings had been accepted by Barry Bauman (conservator) for
treatment. The cost for supplies would be $1,590; his services would be free of charge.
Mr. Larson recommended that the board approve this use of the Collection Fund. Ron
Metz moved that the Board authorize the amount of $1,590 from the Collection Fund
for Mr. Bauman’s treatment of the three Sophia Russell paintings. Carol Kujawa
seconded the motion. A brief discussion followed after which Mrs. Fenrich called for the
roll call vote:
In favor: Ms. Drew Opposed: None
Mrs. Fenrich
Mr. Haffeman
Mrs. Kujawa
Mr. Metz
Ms. Moldenhauer
Mr. Rego
With the vote unanimous in favor, the motion was passed. The board authorized the
use of $1,590 from the Collection Fund for supplies needed for the restoration of three
Sophia Russell paintings.
Mrs. Fenrich then asked Mr. Larson to present his Director’s Report. He began by
explaining where the City is in the budget process. At this point, the museum’s budget
will be reviewed by the Common Council on November 3.
The preliminary budget is at the bare bones level, and many line items continue to be
underfunded which means that augmenting the operating budget from other funds will
continue. Mr. Larson reported that a recent report indicated that philanthropic financial
support for museums will continue to be at a decreased level for at least 2 to 5 more
years. At this time we are working on a grant fro the Institute of Museum and Library
Services; however, their funding cannot support the four-fold increase in applications
that they are expecting.
Mr. Larson then turned the meeting over to Mr. Breza for an update on the progress
with the Jan Brett traveling exhibit. Mr. Breza reported that he is currently working on
the budget for the exhibit. He explained that the exhibit needed to reflect the quality of
the artwork by Jan Brett, Penguin Publishing and the Oshkosh Public Museum’s
reputation for excellent exhibitions. He noted that staff is working on miniature
vignettes that will travel with the exhibit of 51 paintings. Megan is working on the PR
and marketing of the exhibit. Jan Brett and her husband have agreed for a tour of the
paintings for a three year period with an option for a fourth year.
Mr. Larson then went on to discuss the progress with the Oshkosh Brewery emblem. It
has been installed in the framework and except for the protective Lexan cover the work
on the emblem is finished. Landscaping of the area has also begun. The Oshkosh
Tavern League donated $250 toward the installation with the possibility that the State
Tavern League will match the donation. Also, the Oshkosh Public Library Board
approved a $2,000 donation for the installation from the John Hicks Memorial Trust.
In closing, Mr. Larson announced that plans were being made for a member event on
th
November 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. to mark the 100 anniversary of the Sawyer Home. The
DVD of the flythrough of the proposed expansion will be shown in the library and
additional copies will be available for guests to take home. The evening will also be
marked with behind-the scenes tours of collection areas, and cake and refreshments.
Mrs. Fenrich did not have a report and there were no Board member statements. Ron
Metz moved that the meeting adjourn. Diana Drew seconded the motion and the voice
vote followed:
In favor: Ms. Drew Opposed: None
Mrs. Fenrich
Mr. Haffeman
Mrs. Kujawa
Mr. Metz
Ms. Moldenhauer
Mr. Rego
The voice vote was unanimous and the motion to adjourn was passed. The meeting
was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.