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Minutes of the June 4, 2015 Board Meeting
(Approved at the July 9, 2015 Board Meeting.)
The June meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday,June 4, 2015, in
the Lecture Room of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Rego called the meeting to order at
4:00 pm.
Mr. Larson introduced Mr. Randy Domer, new alternate to the Muse
long-time resident of Oshkosh and is active on various Boards of historical organizations. Mr.
Domer wrote several history books and is familiar and interestedosh and its history. Mr.
Dedow, new President of the Oshkosh Area School District Board,
attendance.
The roll was taken by Ms. Books.
Present: Present: Absent
Ms. Cryan Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Dedow, School Board
Vice President
Mr. Domer, alt. Ms. Matzke, alt. President
Ms. Drew, Secretary Mr. Rego, President
Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman
Mr. Haffeman Mr. Mack, Superintendent of
Schools - Oshkosh
Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Exhibit Technician Bill Radig, Curator Debra Daubert,
and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes.
There were no citizen statements.
Consent Agenda items included the following:
Minutes of the May Board meeting
A.
June Bill List
B.
Ms. Drew moved that the Consent Agenda be approved.
Second by Ms. Fenrich.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Ms. Cryan Mr. Hoffman None
Ms. Drew Mr. Mack
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego
Mr. Haffeman Ms. Thierman
The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed.
Mr. Larson reviewed that Exhibit Technician Bill Radig will formally retireth. President
Rego then read the resolution of the Board:
Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901
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During his 34 year tenure at the Oshkosh Public Museum, Bill Radig contributed
immensely to the organization. His passion for history, his arti
strong work ethic greatly benefitted the Museum. Bill worked tir
mission reached the broadest audience, and he consistently showed tremendou
his work.
surely be missed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the President and the Board of
the Oshkosh Public Museum, THAT:
We recognize and extend our deepest gratitude to Bill Radig for
dedicated service to the Oshkosh Public Museum, for his contribu
tireless devotion, and integrity in all matters involving the Museum. We offer our
the Museum and wish him the best in retirement.
Next, Museum Auxiliary President, Barb Shirtz, presented a $5,000 checalf
of the Auxiliary. The Auxiliary is pleased to help the Museum further develop the exciting new
Night Whispers
event, , which was much enjoyed by sell-out crowds in 2014 and will continue to
be a much anticipated annual event.
Next on the agenda was the presentation and discussion of a proposed alteration and expansi
of the Steiger Wing entrance. Mr. Larson presented informational points as follows:
Proposed Change to Steiger Wing Entrance
Why Look at the Just the Entrance?
A major expansion is simply not likely.
There have been five attempts to expand in the last 50 years; th
compromise
Focusing on expansion would squander time and money
Could use the Durow Trust and include decorative arts
Two Basic Options:
Do nothing continue on as we are
Modify the building to address our highest priority needs visitor amenities
Proposed Change Based on the following:
Engberg Anderson Study (2008)
National Performance Management Study (2009)
AECOM Study (2011)
MAP Assessment (2013)
Strategic Planning Input (2009-2013)
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All Independent Studies Came to the Same Conclusion:
seriously
1.The Museum is short of space, both now and for future needs
2.Failure to meet visitor expectations & needs, or to plan for the future, will have negative
consequences
3.The situation will only grow worse over time
Additional Points:
we absolutely need this improvement
1.The Museum is at a crossroads
Art of the Brick
2.The success of again points out shortcomings
3.Major exhibits demand these changes
superb
4.We have a staff, rich in ideas, creativity, and experience
5.This project is achievable
6.Over the next 3 to 6 years the Museum will experience a turnover
People of the Waters
Ideally Done at the Same Time as
Current Space is Small
Lobby: 500 sq. ft (#1)
Store: 450 sq. ft (#3) (i.e., useable
retail)
Sun Room: 500 sq. ft. (#4)
Clash of People & Activities
We now do way too many things in this small space: admission; st
answer phone; sell memberships; act as reception and waiting are
donors/donations. This often happens all at the same time. Extr
Scope determined during conceptual planning
Proposed New Entrance
More than a cosmetic fix
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Focused on the visitor experience
Restrooms
Lobby/gathering space
Amenities
Improves operations
Admissions
Retail sales
Membership & Volunteers
Special Events
Other Impacts
Unites entrance with the site plan, creating an impressive arriv
Will have a bearing on attendance & income
Library & Archives Is Directly Below Entrance
260 sq. ft (#20)
Currently no second or emergency exit
Foundation of entrance could create more archive space
Opportunity to Create Remarkable Exhibit Entrance Setting
It says: you are now entering a special place
Mirrors the Sawyer home rather than the c. 1980 institutional look
Display decorative glass create a flood of color
Return the Tiffany wisteria window to its original location in t
Alleviate the perception we are a small local museum
Timetable
Step 1: select, hire, & work with an architectural firm to create a conceptual plan & cost
estimate (2016 CIP)
Step 1a: work with Split Rock Studios on the exhibit portion of
Step 2: after reviews and approvals at all levels, conceptual pl
for bidding (2017 CIP)
Step 3: Bidding, construction & completion (2018 CIP)
People of the Waters
Delay to Coincide with Entrance?
Entrance Project Might be Delayed, or Die
Staffing is here now
Intended to coincide with landscape work on parking lots (sanita lines)
We can use the Sawyer Home entrance
Scott could be moved into the Lecture Room
Working on more than one major project is difficult without addi
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Final Thoughts
Though smaller in scale, this is a major construction project
Has negative short-term impact
Has positive long-term impact
Can create a truly memorable, impressive, and useable space
Discussion followed the presentation. Mr. Larson asked Board members to consider this idea as
he will bring this before the Board at the July meeting for a vote on wh
Mr. Rego then requested that Mr. Larson present his
Mr. Larson began his report with an update on the 2015 CIP Lands. He noted that
bids were due at 10:00 a.m. on June 2. One bid was received and
which is almost double the landscape budget of $100,000. It is believed by Mr. Larson, as well as
James Rabe in Public Works, and landscape architect, Jim Schaefer, that the issue with the Phase I
components for a landscaper. Mr. Larson has suggested breaking out several parts of the plan
such as the removal of the fence, the masonry work, and the wrought iron arch, to get that work
done separately. He noted the Museum might also bid the irrigation system separately.
t
Mr. Larson notedhe concern waiting to be addressed is whether this circumvents t
process. However, the Museum tried bidding the larger Phase I project twice without success.
possible
With the exception of the wrought iron arch, these components would be un0
each, so the Museum could work with Purchasing and solicit quotes. That would leave
and plantings and maybe the irrigation system in other words, all regular landscape work. The
Museum could then include all the true landscape work in the 2016 CIP.
Next Mr. Larson reported that a training session was recently held at City Hall for all
departments with Boards or Commissions. The session reviewed leg
requirements and as a result of that training, the Museum will m
format. If there are no Boa
agenda will be mailed as usual one week ahead and if a member wa
24 hours of the meeting, Ms. Books will prepare a revised agenda. Mr. Larson reminded the
Board to be specific in what they wish to talk about. Mr. Larson also noted that For the Good of
the City will be eliminated from the agenda as that is covered in other l
Mr. Larson told the Board that Citizens Statements was added well over ten years ago when a
citizen was concerned about the disposition of a donation. Since then the Museum has not had
any statements. Typically, Citizen Statements should actually beMr.
Larson also noted that the Board should not respond to or discuss any Citizen Statement until it
is formally placed on the agenda. In other words, legally a citizen could address the Board but
that would be all. Based on what was learned during training, recommendation is to
remove Citizen Statements.
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Next Mr. Larson reminded the Board that over the past many years the Museum has been closed
on Independence Day in addition to the observed holiday. After t
was apparent that it did not merit being open. Unless the Board would like this changed, Mr.
Larson plans to continue closing on this day/s.
Mr. Larson reported that he will be on vacation the week of June 15, returning to work on June
22nd. In conclusion, Mr. Larson noted that the August Board meeting is scheduled for August
6th. He asked that the meeting be moved back one week for personal reasons. An alternative is
that the Board could meet as scheduled without Mr. Larson. He would prepare his formal
monthly report as normal. The Board agreed they would prefer to move the August Board
meeting to August 13. Mr. Larson expressed his appreciation.
th
Report.
.
There were no Board Member statements.
Ms. Barb Shirtz, Auxiliary President, reported regarding Auxiliary activities. Sue Meyer was
voted as Sunshine person, Sis Martin continues as Chair of the Gala. Pie on the Lawn is set for
Sunday, July 12. Ms. Shirtz was pleased to report that the recent fundraiser at Benvenuto
restaurant raised $120. The next Auxiliary Board meeting is set for June 22
With no other agenda items Mr. Rego asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Thierman so moved and
Mr. Hoffman seconded the motion.
The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed.
The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
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