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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04. Museum Board Minutes��US+?[.Yl Minutes of the August 4, 2016 Board Meeting . . (Approved at the September 1, 2016 Board Meeting.) Al �e The August meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, in the Sawyer Library of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Rego called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Ms. Books. Present: Present: Excused: Mr. Domer Mr. Mack, Superintendent of Schools Ms. Fenrich Ms. Drew, Secretary Ms. Matzke Mr. Loiacono, alternate Ms. Garner, School Board President Mr. Rego, President Mr. Hoffman, Vice President Ms. Thierman Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Auxiliary President Barbara Shirtz, citizen Connie Drexler, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. Consent Agenda items included the following: A. Minutes of the July Board meeting B. August Bill List Mr. Domer moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. Second by Mr. Hoffman. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Mack None Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke Ms. Garner Mr. Rego Mr. Hoffman Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed. Mr. Larson reported he met with Mr. Rohloff and Ms. Larson a few weeks ago regarding the funding to -date for People of the Waters. Mr. Rohloff put $200,000 in the 2017 CIP Budget to close the gap and keep the project moving forward. Mr. Larson requests the Board approve $60,000 of Ethel Behncke Memorial Fund earnings to cover unsecured costs associated with People of the Waters. Discussion ensued. Ms. Thierman moved that the Board approve use of $60,000 of Ethel Behncke Memorial Fund earnings as back up to cover unsecured costs associated with People of the Waters. Second by Ms. Matzke. Minutes of the August 2016 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 5 The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Mack None Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke Ms. Garner Mr. Rego Mr. Hoffman Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion passed that the Board approve use of $60,000 Ethel Behncke Memorial Fund earnings as back up to cover unsecured costs associated with People of the Waters. Mr. Larson then reviewed for the Board the Ice Age section of People of the Waters. It will include fossils from the Museum's Collections, and there is an area available for a large, impressive fossil. The Collections Review Committee researched options available and chose a giant beaver as the flag -ship item; partly due to the size and also visitors can compare it to a current -day beaver. Mr. Domer asked what would be on display, the skeleton or an animal with fur? Mr. Larson described that a cast will be made from the original fossilized bones and it will be a large skeletal figure. Ms. Matzke asked if this was in the original exhibition plan, or is this new to the design? Mr. Larson replied it is from the original plan. A space was held for an impressive fossil and the beaver was chosen from several options. Mr. Mack moved that the Board approve use of $7,620 Collections Fund earnings to purchase an Ice Age giant beaver fossil cast for People of the Waters Second by Mr. Hoffman. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Mack None Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke Ms. Garner Mr. Rego Mr. Hoffman Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion passed that the Board approve $7,620 Collection Fund earnings to purchase an Ice Age giant beaver fossil cast for People of the Waters. The Board is aware of the diverse job description of the Museum Assistant, who does a wide range of projects and tasks. This position has been funded by Museum funds and trusts since inception in January 2014. It is possible that it may become a tax levy funded position at some point, but it is likely the Museum must fund it for 2017. Mr. Larson stated that the Ethel Behncke Memorial Fund has earnings of about $40,000 after deducting People of the Waters. He recommended the Board approve $25,000 from the Membership Fund and $27,000 earnings from the Ethel Behncke Memorial Fund to support the Museum Assistant position in 2017. Mr. Domer asked if there is a base amount that is to be kept for the Ethel Behncke Memorial Fund? Mr. Minutes of the August 2016 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 5 Larson noted the fund was established with an initial amount of $137,300. Earnings on it are approximately $235,700, of which $101,000 is available in cash to use at this time. Further discussion ensued. Mr.Mack moved that the Board approve use of $25,000 from the Membership Fund and $27,000 from the Ethel Behncke Memorial Fund earnings to support the Museum Assistant position in 2017 (estimated total of $52,000; including benefits) Second by Ms. Thierman. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Mack None Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke Ms. Garner Mr. Rego Mr. Hoffman Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion passed that the Board approve use of $25,000 from the Membership Fund and $27,000 from the Ethel Behncke Memorial Fund earnings to support the Museum Assistant position in 2017. Mr. Larson then noted the formal intern program started this summer has been extremely productive. Three Interns were hired and accomplished a tremendous amount of work under the direction of Archivist Scott Cross and Durow Collections Curator Anna Cannizzo. Mr. Larson requested that the Board approve $5,000 from the Durow Trust for Interns in 2017. He requested Durow funds be used because the Interns will catalog decorative arts in preparation for an exhibit of decorative arts in the upcoming new entrance. Ms. Thierman asked how many interns will be hired. Mr. Larson replied that Ms. Cannizzo will determine the number of interns based on the number she feels she can manage. Ms. Drew commented this would be an excellent use of these funds. She has seen the great number of decorative arts that are yet to be cataloged and interns can accomplish much. Ms. Matzke moved that the Board approve use of $5,000 from the Marion Hughes and Frederick Durow Trust for formal internships in 2017. Second by Ms. Drew. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Mack None Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke Ms. Garner Mr. Rego Mr. Hoffman Ms. Thierman Minutes of the August 2016 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 5 The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion passed that the Board approve use of $5,000 from the Marion Hughes and Frederick Durow Trust for formal internships in 2017. Mr. Rego requested that Mr. Larson present the monthly Director's Report. Mr. Larson began with an update on the landscape project and the arch. Work on the first phase of the landscape master plan is scheduled to begin the second week of September, weather permitting. The City Electrical Division will install the bollard lighting along the walk, and that work will commence just prior to the landscaping so that the concrete work is coordinated. Mr. Larson reported that creation of the arch was awarded to Postville Blacksmith Shop in Blanchardville, Wisconsin. The agreement states that the arch must be completed and installed by June 2017, but in all likelihood it will be finished well before that. The landscape portion of the work includes building the two masonry columns that support the arch, as well as the base for the Abraham Lincoln bronze sculpture. Staff anticipates bringing the Lincoln sculpture to the Museum as soon as the base is ready. Next Mr. Larson invited discussion on the opening festivities for People of the Waters. He noted the date for completion is projected to be June 30, 2017. However, with a project of this magnitude there is always the probability that something will not go as scheduled. Museum staff wants to have a plan in place so scheduling and marketing can begin once we get closer to knowing the actual date. Opening an expensive, long -term exhibition like this is a unique event in the life of a museum, so it is appropriate to celebrate its completion. Opening events do not necessarily have to be scheduled immediately after it is finished. Mr. Larson requested the Board's input, stating the sooner we can begin planning, the better. Various ideas where offered. Ms. Thierman agreed that it would be difficult to set dates as early as July due to the size of the project and the potential for delays. Citizen Connie Drexler noted that she works in event planning and her experience shows it would be wise to plan for events in September and perhaps early October, after that it is getting close to the Holidays and deer hunting. Mr. Mack agreed it would be great to have several weeks of events to celebrate the opening, perhaps culminating with the Auxiliary Gala. Mr. Larson expressed that People of the Waters is an amazing achievement and he believe it is essential that all Board Members continue to be strong advocates for the project. The future of the Museum depends on successfully increasing attendance and new long -term exhibitions like People are a key part of that effort. As explained in Mr. Larson's weekly memo, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh professor, Dr. Jeffery Behm has been an absolutely vital part of People of the Waters. He is the primary content and identification expert and has put in hundreds of hours on this project. Mr. Larson expressed the Museum ought to demonstrate its gratitude by offering a generous honorarium, perhaps $3,500. Mr. Larson requested the Board's input on this and if the Board agreed, he would make it an item on the September 1 agenda. Ms. Drew noted that Registrar Joan Lloyd has mentioned to her that Mr. Behm's expertise is critical for People of the Waters. He was able to spot time periods Minutes of the August 2016 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 5 exactly of the various Collections items and he's been instrumental in keeping all the information focused. Mr. Hoffman recommends an honorarium of $5,000 and Board members agreed. Mr. Larson appreciated the input and will put it on the September 1 agenda. In conclusion, Mr. Larson reviewed that he and Ms. Books are working on next year's budget and in addition to estimating attendance and other forms of income that are part of operations, the Museum also budgets the various trusts and funds. At the September 1 Board meeting Mr. Larson will present the use of the Membership Fund, Endowment, and the Durow Trust for 2017, as well as summarize the Behncke Fund to date. That concluded the Director's Report. Mr. Rego then requested the Auxiliary Report. Auxiliary President, Barb Shirtz, reported that Pie on the Lawn was very successful; 27 pies were sold. The Auxiliary made $632 from sales, $20 from a tip jar, and $60 in donations. The Health Dept representative came around and told them because they were cutting the pies to serve them, a license is required for a cost of $35. She was very nice and gave the group some sanitation tips. The permit expires June 30, 2017. Ms. Shirtz reported that all the programs for the coming year are set. Some of the speakers include the Oshkosh Food Co -op, Dick Campbell and Debra Daubert. The Gala Committee met and things are coming together nicely. The butlers will once again be Stan Mack and Greg Books. The Gala is scheduled for November 17, 5:30 — 7:30. Ms. Shirtz reminded the group to have dinner at Culvers on Westowne Avenue, August 16 between 5 -7:00, for the Auxiliary fundraiser. In conclusion she noted that she and her husband had visited Geniuses of Oshkosh and were very impressed with the presentation of the collections and the information the exhibit presents. That concluded the Auxiliary Report. With no other agenda items Mr. Rego asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Mack so moved and Ms. Thierman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. Minutes of the August 2016 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 5 of 5