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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04. Museum Board Minutes Jan. 8, 2015 +•n/„� • ,,�j� Minutes of the January 8,2015 Board Meeting -����-�������y���'�U� (Approved at the February 5,2015 Board Meeting.) t)iccover + Coinnect � Inspire The January meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, January 8, 2015, in the Library 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 Mr.Metz Mr. Haffeman, Ms.Drew,Secretary Mr. Rego,Vice President President Ms. Fenrich Ms.Thierman Mr. Hoffman, alternate Mr. Mack,Superintendent of Schools-Oshkosh Ms.Matzke,alternate Mr.Wiedenhceft,School Board President With Mr. Haffeman out,Mr.Rego appointed Mr.Hoffman. Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. There were no citizen statements. Consent Agenda item included the following: A. Minutes of the December Board Meeting Mr.Mack moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. Second by Mr.Wiedenhoeft. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms.Cryan Mr.Metz None Ms.Drew Mr.Rego Ms.Fenrich Ms.Thierman Mr.Hoffman Mr.Wiedenhoeft Mr.Mack The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda item was passed. Next on the agenda was review and discussion of Phase I of the Site Master Plan. Mr. Larson reviewed the plan focusing on the lawn on the east side of the Museum. He noted that landscape architect. Jim Shafer would be here on January 15th for the formal site plan review. Mr. Larson proposed that the arch on the northeast corner include in the metal work the phrase, "For the benefit of the public." These are the words used by Mr. Sawyer when he donated his home to the City in 1922,stipulating that it be used for the benefit of the public. The Board discussed the plan and the arch proposal. Oshkosh Public Museum�1331 Algoma Boulevard�Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 4 Mr. Metz made a motion that the iron work include the phrase, "For the benefit of the public." Ms.Thierman seconded the motion. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms.Cryan Mr.Metz None Ms.Drew Mr.Rego Ms. Fenrich Ms.Thierman Mr. Hoffman Mr.Wiedenhoeft Mr.Mack The vote was unanimous in favor and motion that the iron work include the phrase, "For the benefit of the public°was passed. Continuing the discussion of the Landscape Plan, Mr. Larson reported that a Museum member wants to donate the Hebe sculpture to the Museum. This is a sculpture that was originally in the Riverside Cemetery, until a car smashed into it and it was removed and sold at auction by the City. Mr. Larson asked for the Boards input as to whether the Museum should receive the sculpture to put into the landscape plan. He asked if he should pursue determining the cost of restoration. Collections funds could be used to restore the statue. Mr. Larson recommends it be restored as a fountain, as it originally was, noting the Museum's current fountain doesn't work. The Board gave permission to Mr.Larson to pursue the statue details. Next Mr. Larson reported that the Veteran's Memorial granite globe monument that is in Menomonee Park, dedicated in 1963, has been offered to the Museum at a future undetermined date. Mr. Larson will get more details and make the Veteran's Memorial globe an agenda item in February or perhaps March. Mr.Rego requested that Mr.Larson present the monthly Director's Report. Mr. Larson began his report by noting that when he started as director in 1989, the Board presented a thorough overview and list of what they wanted accomplished, and most have been done or at least are approaching completion. One thing the Board wanted was to make the improvements necessary for the Museum to achieve accredited status through the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). The Museum achieved that fifteen years ago. Mr. Larson noted the Museum is now facing reaccreditation. The question is, why would or should the Museum maintain accredited status if there is no monetary reason or incentive to do so?Mr. Larson stated that there are about 2,500 accredited museums in America, with 16 accredited museums in Wisconsin. What does it mean to be accredited? In summary, accreditation means that a museum meets or exceeds all the measures indicative of a professionally-run museum. Accreditation demonstrates a commitment to excellence, and shows that the museum follows best practices in a wide range of areas;that it is ethically run and professionally led and managed.Accredited status means that all areas of operation are consistent with the stated mission;that the Museum is fully accountable to the community it serves; and that all practices are legal, ethical, and above reproach.Being accredited is a feather in both our cap,and in the community's cap. Oshkosh Public Museum�1331 Algoma Boulevard�Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 4 Mr.Larson reported that re-accreditation would probably cost the Museum in the range of$4,500 to $6,000. The cost of the self-study review by the AAM accreditation commission is $3,000. Additionally, there would be expenses associated with an on-site peer review by two museum professionals ($1,500 to$2,500). Once accredited, there is an annual fee of$250. Mr. Larson noted that the accreditation program was reviewed and overhauled from 2010 to 2013, based on input received from museum professionals around the country.The purpose was to focus accreditation on issues pertinent to 21St century museums, and to streamline the application process. The application is still thorough and comprehensive and requires dedicated staff time to complete. There are three deadlines throughout the year for submitting the self-study. He noted if we move forward the Museum would aim for the November deadline. Much of the work we are doing now, such as a review of our Collection Management Practices &Policy, is being done regardless of whether we seek re-accreditation. Mr. Larson asked for Board input. Much discussion followed with excellent board comments, ideas and questions. The main concern raised, by Ms. Drew, is whether the staff would be able to handle the work load based on time it takes to do each of the major projects the Museum has planned for 2015. Mr. Mack noted that the Museum being accredited could be a factor when donors consider giving a donation to the Museum. Ms. Thierman expressed that once you have accreditation, if you let it lapse the question is out there, "Wwhy do you not have it, did the Museum do something wrong to not maintain accreditation?" Mr.Mack made a motion for the Museum to pursue reaccreditation for the November timeframe. Ms. Fenrich seconded the motion. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms.Cryan Mr.Metz None Ms.Drew Mr.Rego Ms.Fenrich Ms.Thierman Mr.Hoffman Mr.Wiedenhoeft Mr. Mack The vote was unanimous in favor and motion to proceed with reaccreditation was passed. � Mr. Larson continued with his report, giving updates regarding the Museum's next exhibit,Art of the Brick, scheduled for delivery in late January. It opens on February 28 and will run through June 14. The exhibit presents amazing art created with LegoO blocks. He explained that Art of the Brick has attracted large audiences around the world, and it is rated as one of the top-drawing exhibits in the last five years. Its most recent venue was the Yellowstone Art Museum in Montana. Given its excellent history and the fact that we are reaching out to school districts, Museum staff expect a busy spring. Regarding the Ethel J. Behncke Fund Statement of Purpose Mr. Larson explained that when Mrs. Behncke passed away in 1985 she left the museum a sizeable undesignated bequest, about $130,000. In 1986 the Museum Board, in the form of a resolution, created the Ethel J. Behncke Memorial Museum Fund(Mr. Larson noted that in some places it is referred to as a "trust.")That fund has grown to about $280,000, which is about what inflation has been over that 30-year period. Since 1997 it has been invested in various mutual funds that generate between$6,000 and $12,000 annually, depending on the fund's rate of return. Oshkosh Public Museum�1331 Algoma Boulevard�Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 4 Mr. Larson stated that one goal for Museum funds and trusts is to work with the City Attorney and Director of Finance to review each one, and if necessary write or revise a statement of purpose that follows the same format as the Museum's other funds and trusts, and then invest it with professional oversight. Because trusts and funds are under the control of the Museum Board,before acting on this Mr. Larson wanted Board approval,to ensure this is acceptable. Ms. Fenrich made a motion that Mr. Larson proceed with updating the Ethel J. Behncke Fund Statement of Purpose. Mr.Mack seconded the motion. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms.Cryan Mr.Metz None Ms.Drew Mr.Rego Ms. Fenrich Ms.Thierman Mr. Hoffman Mr.Wiedenhoeft Mr.Mack The vote was unanimous in favor and motion that Mr. Larson proceed with updating the Ethel J. Behncke Fund Statement of Purpose was passed. In conclusion, Mr. Larson gave an update on Hometown Stories: Oshkosh. Membership/Marketing Coordinator, Karla Szekeres, received information from Wisconsin Public Television about Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Oshkosh. At this time Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) plans the grand premier of the program on Tuesday, April 7 at the Grand Opera House. The show will be broadcast on WPT the week of Apri113. Moreover,WPT explained to Ms.Szekeres that they plan to do a preview with Oshkosh Rotary sometime in January, and another preview as part of an event associated with John McGivern's "Around the Corner" show at the Civic Center (January date). Mr. Larson noted that he also recently learned that WPT did a preview at the Paine Art Center on December 29. Based on this information, we will move ahead and begin planning events in association with the premier. That concluded the Director's Report. There was not a President's report. There were no Board member statements. No Auxiliary representative was available for a report. With no other agenda items Mr. Rego asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Metz so moved and Ms. Drew seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m. Oshkosh Public Museum�1331 Algoma Boulevard�Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 4