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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ,¯´»º«¹Nµ¬Nº®«N,§¿Nz NustxN!µ§¸ªN,««º¯´­N (Approved at the June 4, 2015 Board Meeting.) The May meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday,May 7, 2015, 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: Absent Ms. Cryan Mr. Metz Mr. Haffeman Ms. Drew, Secretary Mr. Rego, Vice President Mr. Dedow, School Board Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman President Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Mack, Superintendent of alt. Ms. Matzke, alt. Schools - Oshkosh With Mr. Haffeman absent Mr. Rego appointed Mr. Hoffman. Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, City Attorney Lynn Lorenson, Finance Director Trena Larson, Museum staff Ms. Cannizzo, Ms. Achilli, Ms. Szekeres, Mrhholzer from Associated Trust Management, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. There were no citizen statements. Consent Agenda items included the following: Minutes of the April Board meeting A. May Bill List B. Mr. Mack moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. Second by Ms. Thierman. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Cryan Mr. Mack None Ms. Drew Mr. Metz Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Mr. Hoffman Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 5 Next Mr. Mike Hochholzer of Associated Trust Management reported on the Durow Trust Fund giving details on investments and earnings from 2014 and the fir member received a copy of the report prior to the Board meeting. Mr. Mack asked about having the report presented earlier in the year, perhaps in February; that will be looked into for ne year. Mr. Hochholzer was thanked for presenting the information to the excused himself from the meeting. Next on the agenda was review and discussion of the Ethel Behncke Memorial Fund. Mr. Larson introduced Ms. Larson and Ms. Lorenson, explaining that they have been working over the past several weeks on issues relating to the Ethel Behncke Memorial Fund. Ms. Larson reviewed that the fund is currently invested in mutual funds, where they were placed close to 20 years ago. Ms. Larson noted that in the 2013 audit, the City was told it should review trusts to ensure they are invested according to current laws. Investing in mutual funds was permissible when Behncke money was originally put into those funds, but laws changed over time. Mr. Metz asked what the current balance is in the Ethel Behncke Memorial Fund, and Mr. Larson reported it is at $304,851. Mr. Larson stated that the Behncke Memorial Fund will be coming he Board again as soon as all the reviews are completed. Ms. Larson and Ms. Lorenson we they then excused themselves. Mr. Rego then requested that Mr. Larson present his To begin his report, Mr. Larson updated the board regarding the The project is being rebid, with bids due June 2. The project was modified slightly to encourage landscapers to bid, rather than general contractors. He now anticipates a start date in late summer or early autumn, noting this might favor. One disadvantage of the delay is that we cannot start on the two other tasks associa, the wrought iron The Hiker gateway and preparing the site for sculpture, until we know what the cost is for the main project. Mr. Larson said he anticipates that the Museum will be able to act on the wrought iron arch and base in mid-June. Mr. Larson reported that over the last few weeks he and Ms. Books worked on and submitted capital improvement program (CIP) requests through 2020. Impleme one of the priorities, and in 2016 the plan is to move on to Phase II, which is the north lawn along Congress Avenue. Mr. Larson plans to meet with Mr. Rohloff and Ms. Larson about the various requests and future CIP work on June 22. One CIP request that will be discussed involves the Steiger Wing. Mr. Larson told the Board that he would like to schedule a time to discuss the possibility of modifications to the Steiger Wing. This could be done as a workshop session, or at the start of the regular Board meeting if that works out for everyone. Alternatively, a separate meeting could be scheduled. Mr. Larson noted that if the Board concedes that a large scale expansion of the Museum is unlikely any time soon, then Plan B must be to make changes to tMr. Larson stated that he is adamant that physical changes to the building are necessary for the Museum, and that is why it was included it in strategic plan. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 5 Mr. Larson further noted that the idea of changing/enlarging the Steiger Wing entrance was first presented to the City Manager in 2009 or 2010 during budget discussions. However, at that time Mr. Rohloff had just started his job, true operational costs of expansion were unknown, and the Museum did not have a strategic plan. However, all that is behinMr. Larson believes the Museum is in an ideal position to move forward on designing an entrance. Mr. Larson emphasized that changing the entrance is achievable. Among other things, the alternation of the entrance would include adding public restrooms, as well as designing a purpose-designed admission and store area intended to meet or enhance the visitor experience and increase revenue. The entrance must create an immediate positive impression that mirrors the people and community served by the Museum; reflect our missi dynamic and usable space that reveals the pride citizens have in the Museum. None of that is possible in our current entrance. The Board discussed time options for meeting and decided to furt at the beginning of the June 4 Board Meeting, with the understan the Board meeting may then go longer. The Art of the Brick Next Mr. Larson shared attendance and income information relatin. He noted that although we are only starting the fifth month of the year, and should have an excellent summer exhibit ahead of us. He was happy to report that the Museum has exceeded admission and store income goals for 2015 ($80,000). Thus far the Museum has generated about $25, store sales and over $87,000 in admissions. Mr. Larson reported that the total number of paying Art of the Brick, visitors for the year, which is primarily the result of is 19,447 (through Tuesday, May 5, 2015). This year staff has put effort in accurately recording the nu non-paying visitors. In this latter category are children under age 6, Members, ASTC members, schools within the district, and miscellaneous categories such a Brothers Big Sisters. We will very easily see several thousand nonpaying visitors for the year. In previous years the Museum had been lax in tracking these numbers. Mr. Larson continued his report by describing a possible exhibit for 2016. He emphasized that the selection of the annual featured exhibit is a critical decision, and one that staff devotes a lot of time into. Some years the choice has been successful, and others not so good. As staff looked at the coming year, we recognized that we will have a new Exhibit Technician, and that it takes time for a new person to become fully integrated. Given that, we turned our attention more outward than inward, looking more closely at traveling exhibit options. Mr. Larson noted that Curator Debra Daubert has explored dozens of possible exhibits for 2016. While there are many available, the Museum is restricted by both physical spaces and a limited budget. However, we have found an exhibit we believe has a perfect combination: popular subject, appeal to children and families, interactive components Be the Dinosaur fits in our building. This exhibit is called . The downside, Mr. Larson reported, is that the rental fee for this exhibit is $30,000, which is at the upper limit of what the Museum typically can afford to spend on a traveling exhibit, especially People of the Waters now with the focus on . Given the lowered balance in the Exhibition Fund, the Museum could afford to make the down payment of $10,000, but not the foHe Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 5 reminded the Board that Museum trust and Membership funds were committed to other projects, People of the Waters including supporting Katrina Achilli. Mr. Metz asked, with the The Art of the Brick doing so well, could the Museum use some of those funds for the Mr. Larson noted that the Museum needs to keep excess revenue available for supporting the 2016 operating budget. Given these circumstances, Mr. Larson reported that he met with Community First Credit Union in Appleton last week for the purpose of getting acquainted, andssible Be the Dinosaur sponsorship of . While the meeting went extremely well, there is no guarantee anytime we seek sponsorship dollars. However, Mr. Larson noted, even if we can obtain half the cost from a sponsor we can contract for this exhibit. Of note, while we seek sponsorship our preferred time slot (February May) might be taken by another museum. Mr. Larson urged Board members that if they knew of potential sponsors, to please let him know. Next, Mr. Larson reported on the upcoming acquisition of the St. Peter Clock. In 1999, Dr. Apostles Clock, the St. Peter Clock has only one moveable figure, but the mechanism Mr. Larson noted that since the time of purchase this clock has been in in New Berlin, WI. The Museum will formally acquire the St. Pete Radig and Nick Rhoden pick it up. Dr. Kitz had always intended to giftthe Museum and with Bill propriate that the clock come here before Mr. Radig leaves. The clock will be placed on exhibit later this year, ide repaired Kitz Cathedral Clock is ready for viewing. Ms. Fenrich noted that she remembers the St. Peter Clock being in hurch, and that it is nice that it is coming back to Oshkosh. In conclusion, last day is Tuesday, June 30, 2015 and the Museum staff are planning a retirement party at The Rivers that evening. The Board is invited to attend and Ms. Books will send the information shortly. Mr. Larson noted that a formal Board resolution would be appropriate at the June 4 meeti There were no Board Member statements. Ms. Samida, Auxiliary President, provided each Board member with a written r Auxiliary activities. Next on the agenda was the election of the 2015-2017 Board officers. Ms. Drew nominated Mr. Rick Rego to be the President for the term. Ms. Thierman seconded. Mr. Mack nominated Mr. Jim Hoffman to be the Vice President. Mr. Ms. Thierman nominated Ms. Drew for Secretary. Ms. Fenrich secon Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 5 Ms. Thierman moved that all the nominees be on one ballot with onanimous vote. Mr. Mack seconded. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Ms. Cryan Mr. Mack None Ms. Drew Mr. Metz Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Mr. Hoffman Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor, all nominees were approved. Mr. Rego thanked Mr. Metz for his 15 years on the Museum Board. enjoyed his time on the Board and feels the Museum is in an exce ce to the Board followed. With no other agenda items Mr. Rego asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Metz so moved and Mr. Mack seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 5 of 5