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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES MINUTES OF THE AUGUST MEETING OF THE OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM BOARD (Minutes were approved at the Sept. 2, 2010 board meeting) The regular August meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on August 5, 2010 in the Lecture Room of the Museum. Board President Carol Fenrich called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. The roll was taken: Present: Mr. Becker Ms. Drew (alt) Mrs. Fenrich Mr. Haffeman (alt) Mrs. Kujawa Mr. Metz Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler Also in attendance: Museum Director Brad Larson, Assistant Director Michael Breza, Auxiliary President Barb Shirtz, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donald Viegut and Brenda Hauber recording the minutes. The minutes of the July 8, 2010 meeting were read. Eugene Winkler moved that the minutes be accepted. Rick Rego seconded the motion. Since there was no discussion, Mrs. Fenrich called for the roll call vote: In favor: Mr. Becker Opposed: None Mrs. Fenrich Mrs. Kujawa Mr. Metz Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The minutes of the August 5, 2010 Museum Board meeting were accepted. The next item on the agenda was the reading and vote upon the August 2010 Bill Listing. Rick Rego moved that the bill listing be approved for payment. Carol Kujawa seconded the motion. A brief discussion followed, at the conclusion of which, Mrs. Fenrich called for the roll call vote: In favor: Mr. Becker Opposed: None Mrs. Fenrich Mrs. Kujawa Mr. Metz Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler 1 The roll call vote was unanimous and the motion was passed. The August 2010 Bill Listing was approved for payment. Mrs. Fenrich then asked Mr. Larson to present the request to use Collection Fund. Mr. Larson requested that the board authorize Scott Cross to spend up to $750 at the August 14 estate auction of August Tiedje. Mr. Larson noted that an auction list was in each board members’ folder. Mr. Tiedje was a long-time collector of Oshkosh memorabilia and had amassed large collections of post cards and photographs. He explained there is enough in the Collection Fund earnings to cover this purchase. Eugene Winkler moved that Scott Cross be authorized to spend up to $750 at the August Tiedje estate auction; and Rick Rego seconded the motion. Mr. Metz said before the vote that he would be abstaining since he would be bidding for his personal collection and possibly against the museum at the auction. Mrs. Fenrich then called for the roll call vote; In favor: Mr. Becker Opposed: None Mrs. Fenrich Abstaining: Mr. Metz Mrs. Kujawa Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler The result of the vote was 6 in favor and one abstaining. The motion was passed. The board authorized Scott Cross to spend up to $750 from the earnings from the Collection Fund at the August Tiedje estate auction. Mrs. Fenrich then asked Mr. Larson to present his Director’s Report. He began the report with the good news that the total for the work on the porch came in at about $20,000. Of course, there is always a chance that additional problems may become evident during the course of the work already contracted for. The work will begin with the stonework, followed by the floor, roof and electrical work which consists of installing the heat tape to help keep the drain open thus preventing ice backup and roof damage. The 2011 budget process was the next item on the agenda. Mr. Rohloff requested that a zero increase in non-personnel budget lines. Because the museum has some latitude in allocating resources, funds will be removed from some lines and moved into the budget line for advertising and marketing. This would allow the museum to engage in several new advertising strategies. The most challenging portion of the budget process is the estimation of 2011 revenue. The bulk of the earned revenue comes from admission fees and this is driven by the popularity of the exhibits. At this point we have not selected 2011 exhibits. There are a couple of components that we intend to institute in 2011. These are: make the deer hunting exhibit capable of traveling utilize Past Perfect to enable the online ordering of photographs in the Virtual Exhibits 2 Since we have no track record for these revenue proposals, we kept the revenue estimates at a conservative level. The 2010 budget and expenditures are being watched very carefully. Part of the revenue we included in the 2010 budget, was one rental of the Jan Brett exhibit. Several organizations have expressed interest in the exhibit, but so far none have scheduled to have it. The attendance and store sales remain modest. The final exhibit of the year will be Deer Hunting: Wisconsin’s Autumn Tradition which will open on September 25 and run until January 30, 2011. In order to make our revenue goal, this exhibit will have to attract approximately10,000 adult visitors. To add to our budget concerns, general donations remain low, almost to the point whereby donations cannot be counted on to make an impact on our annual income target reflecting the trend that contributions to museums are down anywhere from 38% to 70% nationwide. One estimate for the return to pre-recession levels is that it will take five to seven years. This concluded Mr. Larson’s Director’s Report. Barbara Shirtz, president of the Auxiliary, reported that they earned $35 at their bake sale in July and their September 4 raffle drawing is approaching. She also reported that they have signed up 11 new members. Carol Fenrich offered her help. With no further business before the board, Ron Metz moved that the meeting adjourn. Rick Rego seconded the motion. Mrs. Fenrich then called for the voice vote on the motion: In favor: Mr. Becker Opposed: None Mrs. Fenrich Mrs. Kujawa Mr. Metz Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler With the vote unanimous in favor, the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:22 p.m. 3