Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Minutes of the September 4, 2014 Board Meeting (Approved at the October 2, 2014 Board Meeting.) The September meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, September 4, 2014, in the Lecture Room of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Haffeman called the meeting to order at 4:04 pm. The roll was taken by Ms. Books. Present: Present: Excused: Ms. Drew Mr. Metz Ms. Cryan, alt. Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Mr. Hoffman, alt. Mr. Haffeman Mr. Wiedenhoeft Ms. Kaufman Mr. Mack Ms. Thierman No alternates were available to appoint. Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Auxiliary President Nancy Samida, Durow Curator Anna Cannizzo, Curator Deb Daubert, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. Mr. Larson introduced Anna Cannizzo, the new Durow Curator. There were no citizen statements. Consent Agenda items included the following: A.Minutes of the August Board meeting B.September Bill List Mr. Mack moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. Second by Mr. Rego. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Drew Mr. Mack None Ms. Fenrich Mr. Metz Mr. Haffeman Mr. Rego The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed. Next on the agenda was a presentation by Museum curator, Debra Daubert, and Mr. Larson, regarding the proposed conceptual design for a new Wetlands and Waterways (W&W) gallery created by Split Rock Studios . Ms. Fenrich inquired as to how the money was obtained to build the current W&W exhibit. Mr. Larson noted that it was built after the Museum fire, so insurance money covered the $600,000 cost. Ms. Drew noted that she thinks the new exhibit design is fantastic and she understands the Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 5 She asked about Board advocacy. What can the Board do to help this project move along? She would like to talk with the Oshkosh Common Council if that could be helpful. Mr. Rego recommended reaching out to some Native American groups to see if they would be interested in sponsoring the exhibit and working with us if the Museum proceeds with further design planning. Further discussion ensued. Mr. Metz made a motion for the Museum Board to adopt the Wetlands and Waterways conceptual design and authorize Mr. Larson to proceed with the next steps. The motion was seconded, simultaneously, by Ms. Drew and Ms. Fenrich. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Drew Mr. Metz None Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Mr. Haffeman Mr. Wiedenhoeft Mr. Mack The vote carried; the Museum Board adopted the Wetlands and Waterways conceptual design and authorized Mr. Larson to proceed with the next steps. Mr. Metz excused himself from the meeting. Next on the agenda was discussion regarding the use of $5,050 in earnings from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Collection Fund for the acquisition of a Helen Farnsworth Mears bronze plaque of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Mr. Larson noted that he likes to use the available earnings from that fund each year for a specific, special collection item for the Museum. With 2016 being 100 years since the death of Helen Mears, curator Deb Daubert is planning an exhibit in her honor. The Museum holds several of her pieces and this bronze would be an appropriate addition. Discussion followed. Ms. Fenrich moved that $5,050 in earnings from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Collection Fund be used for the acquisition of the Helen Farnsworth Mears Augustus Saint- Gaudens bronze plaque. Seconded by Mr. Rego. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Drew Mr. Mack None Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Mr. Haffeman Mr. Wiedenhoeft The vote carried to the use of $5,050 in earnings from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Collection Fund for acquisition of a Helen Farnsworth Mears Augustus Saint-Gaudens bronze plaque. Next Mr. Larson presented the proposed 2015 Membership and Durow budgets. Mr. Larson noted that these figures are an estimate at this time and are only presented for review and discussion. The Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 5 Museum budget process is in progress; therefore, these numbers are to give the Board a sense of what is planned and what will be presented at a later Board meeting for their review and approval. Mr. Haffeman needed to leave at 5:00; he asked that Mr. Rego lead the meeting. Mr. Rego requested that Mr. Larson present his monthly report. Mr. Larson began his report noting that the City budget process is progressing and department heads will be meeting with Mr. Rohloff and Ms. Larson next week to review proposed expenditures, staffing changes, and anticipated revenue. Mr. Larson will be suggesting staffing changes for the store/admissions that would involve the temporary Museum Assistant position currently filled by Katrina Achilli. If approved, this would eliminate one part-time store position (currently vacant) and create a permanent Museum Assistant position effective January 1, 2015. The Museum Assistant position would then assume the store hours from the part-time position. Mr. Larson highlighted the fact that ts composed of several parts and money is transferred from the Membership fund and the Durow Trust to support selected positions and projects. For 2014, the Membership fund is supporting the Museum Assistant position. If the restructuring of positions is not feasible for the City to cover for 2015, then a decision will have to be made whether or not to use various Museum funds to retain the Museum Assistant. This position is focused on work associated with exhibit replacement. Mr. Larson emphasized that the Museum could support the Museum Assistant position in 2015 with a combination of Membership money and the two foundation grants we have received thus far to support exhibit replacement. However, Mr. Larson noted that using the grant money for this purpose might impact our ability to hire Split Rock Studios for the next phase, Design Development ($130,000, based on a $560,000 budget). On the other hand, without the Museum Assistant position to work with the curators on Design Development, it would be very challenging indeed to meet deadlines unless the Museum eliminates or reduces temporary exhibits for 2015. Reducing temporary exhibits would be detrimental, but with a limited staff it would be necessary. Mr. Larson will need Board direction on this issue. Next, Mr. Larson reported that in regard to revenue from sales we are finally seeing a turn-around in the store in that we are seeing true profit, but right now the numbers still remain well below what we need to help support the annual budget. However, we are on the right trajectory. Mr. Larson emphasized that once Museum attendance increases with the upcoming events and exhibits, he believes we will also see store income improve. If the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway is awarded their grant for a retail specialist to work with the coalition of nonprofits, this will further enhance store sales. Mr. Larson reported that a broad look at projected 2014 income shows that revenue has fallen short of what was predicted. He reviewed that some of that is related to winter weather limiting attendance to In Company with Angels/Living with Tiffany, partly to the attractiveness of the summer exhibit (Bloodsuckers), and then finally to the transition associated with staffing changes and the evolution of responsibilities. Increasing income is a priority and is tied directly to attendance. Mr. Larson highlighted that for 2015 we are very optimistic for a strong year. This is due to the combination of excellent exhibits, the 90th anniversary celebration, the release of the Wisconsin lans for marketing. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 5 Next Mr. Larson gave updates on the 90th Anniversary Publication. The publication is now in the final proofing stages and will shortly go to press. The number one goal of this publication is to connect/re-connect citizens to the Oshkosh Public Museum and for that reason it will be mailed to every residential address in the community. Mr. Larson was pleased to inform the Board that Membership/Marketing Coordinator, Karla Szekeres, was able to work with B2B and their printer to reduce mailing costs to about $700. Additionally, we will distribute copies to selected locations. Mr. Larson was pleased to say that B2B met their goal for advertising to support the cost of de in their long service to the community. Karla and Mr. Larson will be following up with those businesses in the coming months. Mr. Larson noted that the Museum is well under budget on this project. Mr. Larson then reported that staff will shortly be planning a series of events associated with the 90th anniversary. release and creating anticipation. Staff needs to begin planning these events this fall and it would be wonderful to have a Board committee of three or four people working on it. Please contact Mr. Larson if you are interested in this project. Next Mr. Larson reported on the progress of Night Whispers. The Museum received an anonymous $5,000 donation to underwrite the cost of establishing this event. Please keep in mind that these visitor experiences are based on actual Oshkosh events and real people and the majority of the cost and time for establishing the event is this year. Thereafter, it will be minimal cost and preparation anything like this. Curator Deb Daubert solicited input and quotes from various media firms and selected Anything Media Group. They knew exactly what we wanted to achieve and are really knowledgeable about Mr. Larson noted that several actors already lined up. Additionally, Mr. Larson informed the Board that the Museum will serve wine and beer as an added revenue generator at each of the Saturday evening events. As a City department the Museum cannot get a Class B permit; and therefore we need non-profits to apply on our behalf. The Auxiliary will cover one of the evenings and we have asked other nonprofits to work with us on this. In conclusion Mr. Larson informed the Board that Karla is determining a date for a volunteer appreciation lunch. Mr. Larson emphasized that it would be wonderful to have all of the Board members attend, both as volunteers and to express your appreciation to our volunteers for their many hours of great work throughout the year. As a final note, Mr. Larson would like to schedule a Board photograph before the October 2 Board meeting. Mr. Haffeman was not there and therefore did not have a Ms. Nancy Samida then presented the Auxiliary Report. The Auxiliary program book is at the printers. The Gala committee met and much planning is in the works. The Auxiliary is sponsoring th the Oct. 4 Night Whispers liquor license. Ms. Samida just received the newest Muse in the mail th and is delighted to see two notices in it regarding the Gala. Ms. Samida noted that October 10 is the first Auxiliary meeting of the new season. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 5 With no other agenda items Mr. Rego asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Wiedenhoeft so moved and Mr. Mack seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 5 of 5