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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Minutes of the August 1, 2013 Board Meeting (Approved at the September 5, 2013 meeting.) The August meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, August 1, 2013, in the Library of the Sawyer Home. President Gary Haffeman called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Theresa Books. Present: Absent: Excused: Ms. Drew Mr. Metz Ms. Kaufman Ms. Fenrich Mr. Wiedenhoeft Mr. Haffeman Mr. Mack Mr. Rego Ms. Thierman Mr. Winkler Ms. Thierman was designated to fill the vacancy of Mr. Metz. Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Assistant Director Mike Breza, and Administrative Assistant, Theresa Books recording the minutes. There were no citizen statements as no citizens attended. Mr. Haffeman asked the Board to review the minutes of the July 11, 2013 meeting. Mr. Winkler moved that the minutes be approved. Mr. Rego seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Mr. Haffeman called for the roll call vote: In favor: Against: None Ms. Drew Ms. Fenrich Mr. Haffeman Mr. Mack Mr. Rego Ms. Thierman Mr. Winkler The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The July 11, 2013, Board minutes were approved. The August bill listing for the July bills was then read. Mr. Rego moved that the bill listing be approved for payment. Mr. Winkler seconded the motion. A short period of questions and answers followed. At the conclusion, Mr. Haffeman called for the roll call vote: In favor: Against: None Ms. Drew Ms. Fenrich Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 5 Mr. Haffeman Mr. Mack Mr. Rego Ms. Thierman Mr. Winkler The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The August bill listing was approved for payment. The next item on the agenda was discussion regarding the resolution recognizing Brenda . Ms. Fenrich moved that the wording be accepted that Mr. Larson had sent to the board and that a plaque with the resolution be presented to Ms. Hauber at an upcoming meeting or by a Board member in person. Mr. Mack seconded the motion. In favor: Against: None Ms. Drew Ms. Fenrich Mr. Haffeman Mr. Mack Mr. Rego Ms. Thierman Mr. Winkler The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The Collection Fund is strong and growing. There is one outstanding project at MACC, the James Everett Stuart painting ($900 for restoration). Looking ahead it seems very unlikely that staff will recommend the treatment of the series of Olson paintings because the proposal is $1,800 per painting and there are six paintings. The staff does recommend using $515 from the Collection Fund to pay Barry Bauman, Conservator of Fine works of Art, to conserve and treat ollowed. Mr. Winkler moved to use $515 from Drew. In favor: Against: None Ms. Drew Ms. Fenrich Mr. Haffeman Mr. Mack Mr. Rego Ms. Thierman Mr. Winkler The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 5 The request for funds to upgrade the software and Macintosh computer was amended at the recommendation of Museum staff artist Ingrid Law. Her recommendation is to wait until 2014 to purchase a new computer, which would then be the next generation Macintosh, and in the Discussion followed. Ms. Fenrich moved to use $2,500 from the Durow Trust to support purchase In favor: Against: None Ms. Drew Ms. Fenrich Mr. Haffeman Mr. Mack Mr. Rego Ms. Thierman Mr. Winkler The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. Mr. Larson requested the Board authorize $3,000 from the Membership Fund to support the cost of a part time graphic art intern this fall. The Membership Fund is currently at $147,000 with $50,600 in cash and $97,000 invested in a low yield CD. Discussion followed. Mr. Winkler moved that the Museum use $3,000 from the Membership Fund to support the cost of a graphic art intern for the fall. Second by Ms. Fenrich. In favor: Against: None Ms. Drew Ms. Fenrich Mr. Haffeman Mr. Mack Mr. Rego Ms. Thierman Mr. Winkler The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. Mr. Larson began by explaining that mome as no surprise that once again we will not be budgeting for what we need to correctly operate, or what we need to accomplish, but rather what we can get by with. He does not foresee much additional funding except for salary and fringe benefit increases. One of the contingencies is to plan for a 5% reduction of the levy. For the Museum that will be approximately presented as a cost-saving alternative. While we will assume some level of energy savings from the new mechanical system (not yet determined), the Museum will have to come up with further reductions. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 5 Next, Mr. Larson stated that he met with Mr. Rohloff on July 18 to discuss proposed capital projects for next year. While no decisions were made, it was an opportunity to explain each mission and future, and why it is important to do each in the proposed year. We are also proposing several projects that are interconnected, meaning they should be done concurrently for a variety of reasons; Mr. Larson had the opportunity to explain that. Mr. Rohloff will likely make decisions by September, after he is able to consider all the various city projects and assess the impact on borrowing. The next item was in regard to 2013 Capital Improvements. The principal update to relay was in regard to the replacement of mechanical system. This project will be the largest and most complicated and expensive mechanical upgrade the City has done. Mr. Larson feels the s commitment to the Museum and he is very grateful that the Museum is finally getting a new system. It is not glamorous or a real shout-out type project, but it is absolutely essential on so many levels. Because it is such an extensive project, it is being broken into two large bid packages. The first is the major equipment components, which the City will purchase directly from the manufacturer. It is assumed this will be approved August 27 and purchasing will begin immediately as it will take 4-5 weeks for the components to arrive; they will be stored in the staff parking lot until work begins. The second package is installation and will be awarded by the Common Council on September 24. It is likely that the Museum will have to close for a two-week period beginning in mid- Mr. Breza and Mr. Larson will determine the optimum time to close, if needed. The contractor is responsible for supplying supplemental heat if necessary during the installation period. The final item was related to the 90th Anniversary of the Museum. Next year marks the Museum Fire of 1994. The 90th anniversary coincides with the completion of the strategic plan and will help with some of the main initiatives coming out of planning. Specifically, he thinks it will play well into what is emerging about lack of identity. It is in our best interest to make the anniversary into a major event throughout the year, with some type of anniversary celebration in November 2014. Mr. Larson plans to make this a formal agenda item for discussion this autumn and hopes that we can put together some Board/community working groups to get started on planning. monthly report. There was no Under Board member statements Ms. Drew expressed concern that there ought to be greater Board involvement and input. She encouraged members to use the monthly meetings for discussion and involvement. There was no Auxiliary report this month. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 5 With no other agenda items, Mr. Haffeman then asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Winkler so moved and Ms. Drew seconded the motion. The voice vote went as follows: In favor: Against: None Ms. Drew Ms. Fenrich Mr. Haffeman Mr. Mack Mr. Rego Ms. Thierman Mr. Winkler The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 5 of 5