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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Minutes of the July 3, 2014 Board Meeting (Approved at the August 7, 2014 Board Meeting.) The July meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, July 3, 2014, in the Lecture Room of the Oshkosh Public Museum. Vice President Rego called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Ms. Books. Present: Present: Excused: Ms. Cryan, alt. Mr. Metz Mr. Haffeman Ms. Drew Mr. Rego Ms. Kaufman Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman Mr. Mack Mr. Hoffman, alt. Mr. Wiedenhoeft Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Auxiliary Liaison Nancy Samida, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. There were no citizen statements. Consent Agenda items included the following: A.Minutes of the June Board meeting B.July Bill List Ms. Thierman asked that the Minutes of the June Board meeting be removed from the Consent Agenda. She requests the change of the Minutes to include her name and vote. Those were mistakenly left off the voting lists. Ms. Fenrich moved to accept the changes to the June Minutes. Second by Mr. Wiedenhoeft. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Drew Mr. Rego None Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman Mr. Hoffman Mr. Wiedenhoeft Mr. Metz Ms. Thierman then moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. Second by Mr. Wiedenhoeft. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 4 The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Drew Mr. Rego None Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman Mr. Hoffman Mr. Wiedenhoeft Mr. Metz The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed. Next on the agenda was discussion and possible vote regarding the Museum logo. Mr. Larson reviewed the process the Branding Committee used to get to the final logo choice to present for n the Sawyer home; rather, it is to history. After viewing the new logo design the Board discussed it further. Mr. Metz voiced that he feels the logo is too abstract. Ms. Drew noted that she had felt that way at one point, but changed her view of it to see the logo represents the broad mission of the Museum. Mr. Wiedenhoeft and Ms. thoughts. Mr. Wiedenhoeft made a motion to accept the logo as presented. Second by Ms. Fenrich. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Drew Mr. Rego Mr. Metz Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman Mr. Hoffman Mr. Wiedenhoeft The vote to accept the logo as presented carried with a majority vote. Next on the agenda was discussion regarding December and early January admission fees. Mr. Larson explained that in years gone by the Museum had done free days. Then in 2013 the Board had voted to try a new benefit to the public, to have admission be free for children 17 and under and $3.50 for adults. Mr. Wiedenhoeft asked what financial impact that had for the Museum in 2013. Mr. Larson said that it did not reduce revenue; rather it brought more people through the Museum throughout the month of December compared to years prior to 2013. The Board discussed it further. Mr. Metz made a motion to have free admission for children and the reduced rate of $3.50 for adults from November 22, 2014 (when the Holiday exhibit begins) through December 31, 2014. Second by Ms. Drew. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 4 The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Drew Mr. Rego None Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman Mr. Hoffman Mr. Wiedenhoeft Mr. Metz The vote to have free admission for children and the reduced rate of $3.50 for adults from November 22, 2014 (when the Holiday exhibit begins) through December 31, 2014 carried with a unanimous vote. Mr. Rego then requested that Mr. Larson present his monthly report. Mr. Larson began his report with a review of the exhibit In Company with Angels/Living with Tiffany. Mr. Larson had provided a typed summary of the exhibit detailing attendance and the expenditure of marketing grant funds. He noted that the fact that we attracted close to 4,000 paying visitors, during what was an incredibly rough winter, speaks to the power of this exhibit. Unfortunately, the visitation and resulting revenue was less than what was anticipated. However, keep in mind that museums across Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest were similarly impacted by the severe weather, so we are not unique. Mr. Larson stated that it was projected that the expenditures of JEM grant funds would have a greater immediate impact on attendance, and it might have done so if the weather was not so dominant. From the promotional budget one can see the grant dollars were spread over a variety of media. In the last ten years there has been a significant shift in what is required to effectively reach and persuade a targeted audience. Mr. Larson noted he is not necessarily talking about dedicated museum supporters, members, or frequent visitors, but rather new, first-time visitors. Those marketing costs can be substantial, and a sizeable award like the $28,000 JEM grant goes a long way in getting the message out. Mr. Larson further emphasized the good news is that there is a spin-off impact from JEM marketing expenditures that lasts beyond a given exhibit. In other words, people are made aware of the Museum, and of Oshkosh, through those ads. If they see follow-up materials, people are more likely to look at and act on those future ads and mailings. Mr. Larson stated that in regard to the actual exhibit costs, both In Company with Angels and Living with Tiffany were extremely reasonable compared with other similar exhibitions, as there are very few quality exhibitions available under $30,000. Mr. Larson noted that Living with Tiffany exceeded budget by about $5,400 due to shipping requirements, and the cost of the new Gaylord cases came in slightly higher than the estimate. However, those first-class cases are truly a long-term invest and will be reused for many other exhibitions. Next Mr. Larson reviewed proposed 2015 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). He noted that the capital projects submitted for City Manager none of the projects are new. The packet of information for the Board included the brief descriptive summary of CIP requests that was presented. Mr. Larson elaborated briefly on each of the projects then gave the Board opportunity to ask him questions about it. Next Mr. Larson referenced the Role of the Board and the Board Handbook that was provided to each of the Board members. Mr. Larson anticipates that City Attorney Lynn Lorenson will present Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 4 to the Board in the coming months on the role and authority of the Museum Board, including complying with the Open Meetings Law. Mr. Larson will try to schedule this presentation when there can be maximum participation of the Board. In preparation for that review, Mr. Larson asks that if any of the Board members have questions or concerns, please bring them forward so he can have Ms. Lorenson formally address them. Mr. Larson mentioned that the Museum has a presence at the Saturday morning and we are in need of volunteers. If any Board members would like to help man our table, please contact Karla Szekeres and she will do her best to find a slot that works for you. There are thousands of p In conclusion Mr. Larson noted his upcoming absence from the Museum. He will be off beginning Thursday, July 10, for shoulder surgery. Mr. Larson is unsure exactly how long he will be off, but he hopes to return on Monday, July 28. During that time Mr. Larson will be in contact with Ms. Books in the Museum office. Mr. Haffeman was not able to be at this Board meeting and therefore report. Ms. Nancy Samida presented the Auxiliary Report. Pie on the Lawn is set for July 13 from 10:00 th a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The date for the Annual Gala is set for November 20, 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. With no other agenda items Mr. Rego asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Metz so moved and Mr. Wiedenhoeft seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 4