HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_12-01-16 Minutes of the December 1,2016 Board Meeting
1 t b 1 (t u se i (Approved at the January 12,2017 Board Meeting.)
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The December meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, December 1,
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. Randy Domer Mr. Gabriel Loiacono, alternate Ms. Becky Matzke
Ms. Diana Drew, Secretary Mr. Rick Rego, President
Ms. Connie Drexler, alternate, Ms.Jean Thierman
arrived at 4:05 Ms. Allison Garner, School Board President
Ms. Carol Fenrich Mr. Stan Mack, Superintendent of Schools
Mr.Jim Hoffman,Vice Pres. Ms. Maribeth Theusch, Leadership Oshkosh
With Ms. Matzke out, Mr. Rego appointed Mr. Loiacono.
Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Auxiliary President Barbara Shirtz, and Administrative
Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes.
There were no citizen statements to the Board.
Consent Agenda items included the following:
A. Minutes of the November Board meeting
B. December Bill List
C. 2017 Board Meeting Dates
Mr. Mack moved that the Consent Agenda be approved.
Second by Ms. Fenrich.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Mr. Domer Mr. Loiacono None
Ms. Drew Mr. Mack
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego
Ms. Garner Ms. Thierman
Mr. Hoffman
The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed.
Discussion regarding final edits to a letter from the Board to City Manager Rohloff was next on
the agenda. The letter regards the 2017 Capital Improvement allocations. Final edits were
decided and all Board members signed the letter/signature page.
Minutes of the December 2016 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 1 of 3
Mr. Mack moved that the Board approve and send the letter as amended.
Second by Mr. Domer.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Mr. Domer Mr. Loiacono None
Ms. Drew Mr. Mack
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego
Ms. Garner Ms. Thierman
Mr. Hoffman
The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed approving the letter.
Discussion and vote on using $250 from the Collections Fund to purchase two box seat chairs in
original condition from the 1927 Fischer Theater was pulled from the agenda because a donation
for the full amount, specifically for the purchase, was received just prior to the meeting. Mr.
Domer expressed what fine condition the chairs are in. Mr. Larson noted an original tag stating
they were sent to the Fischer Theatre is on the bottom of the chairs, verifying their authenticity.
Mr. Rego requested that Mr. Larson present the monthly Director's Report.
Beginning with a review of Night Whispers, Mr. Larson noted the Museum did not solicit
sponsorship dollars as in previous years because he preferred that monetary gifts be directed to
People of the Waters. Next year Museum staff will focus on the celebration for the opening of People
of the Waters, and creating all the associated curriculum materials that tie to the exhibition. The
Museum should have an autumn full of activities and programs. For these reasons, Museum staff
cannot devote time to planning for and preparing the Museum for Night Whispers, nor can staff
devote the necessary gallery space. The services of the media firm hired this year were
unsatisfactory. Mr. Larson noted that as staff look to the future, they believe this work can all be
done in-house.
Next, Mr. Larson reviewed the 2017 budgets. Board packets included copies of the 2017 operating
and capital budgets. Mr. Larson noted he is always conservative in revenue projections, so it is
likely that the Museum will exceed the stated numbers. In regard to the two associated capital
improvement projects, Mr. Larson explained it is important for everyone to understand that
moving the entrance project forward might take years. While he hopes staff and the Board are all
pleasantly surprised with City's monetary support for the project, the City Manager juggles a lot
of financial needs. The reality is that the Museum might have to wait for funding. Though the
Museum will have a conceptual plan and budget as a result of work with the architect, in Mr.
Larson's experience it requires a great deal of patience to see a major project through to
completion. Money listed in various capital improvement planning documents and preliminary
budgets can be pulled or moved to other years, and those changes may or may not coincide with
Museum priorities, staffing, and the availability of Museum trust funds. He encourages the Board
to realize that delays do not necessarily mean a project is not needed or supported.
Minutes of the December 2016 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 2 of 3
Mr. Larson then updated the Board on the Jan Brett exhibition. He noted staff will start
dismantling Deck the Halls and decorations immediately after the New Year and will then begin
installation of The World of Jan Brett. The exhibition opens February 4 and runs through May 14,
2017. Mr. Larson was pleased to report Membership/Marketing Coordinator Karla Szekeres has
arranged a special limited seating event with Jan, planned for the morning of May 13 before her
book signing. During this special program, Jan will talk to the group and encourage them to
draw and write, she will do demonstrations of how she develops characters and stories. Staff
anticipates this will be a very inspirational experience for children and their parents. The cost is
very reasonable at$5 for children and$10 for adults and tickets are available now.
In conclusion, Mr. Larson reported Jan Brett is agreeable to the Museum developing and selling a
limited selection of merchandise that utilizes her art and reinforces her brand. Jan asked that the
Museum work directly with the people at Penguin Books. Mr. Larson noted that a few weeks ago
he and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books had a productive conversation with Jan's editors
at Penguin and things are moving along well to make that happen. The plan is to offer
merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, and similar items. Ms. Books has developed good
relationships with vendors which enables the Museum to produce small quantities at good
prices. If we move this forward, the agreement would give Jan 8% to 10% of the wholesale cost.
Because there are no Jan Brett products, Penguin is interested in seeing how this merchandise
sells. Museum staff anticipates merchandise with her art will sell well and be a good income
stream during the exhibition. That concluded the Director's Report.
President's Report-none submitted.
Board Member Statement-none submitted
Mr. Rego then requested the Auxiliary Report.
Auxiliary President Barb Shirtz reported that the Gala Committee met this morning to discuss
how things went and ways to make the Gala even better next year. One thing they plan for sure is
to have more chocolate. In addition, to get more guests to go upstairs to see the Holiday
exhibition, they will add a door prize that can only be won by filling out a ticket upstairs. Ms.
Shirtz was please to report that after expenses, and giving the Museum $763.00, the Auxiliary
made $2,512.00. Ms. Shirtz extended thanks to all the Board members who attended the Gala,
noting their support is greatly appreciated. In conclusion, Ms. Shirtz stated that upon final
approval of the Auxiliary membership, the Auxiliary will be presenting the Museum with
additional money for People of the Waters. That concluded the Auxiliary Report.
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 4:36 p.m.
Minutes of the December 2016 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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