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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_05-04-17 Minutes of the May 4,2017 Board Meeting 1, 1 11 j c „,,,” a it (Approved at the June 1,2017 Board Meeting.) 1"('(wt r - r crri nr?rt_ - I '�J irn The May meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, May 4, 2017, in the 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. Gabe Loiacono, Alternate,arrived at Ms. Connie Drexler, Ms. Diana Drew, Secretary 4:05 Alternate Ms. Carol Fenrich Ms. Becky Matzke Ms. Allison Garner, School Mr. Rick Rego, President Board President Ms.Jean Thierman Mr.Jim Hoffman,Vice President Mr. Stan Mack, Superintendent of Schools arrived at 4:23. Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Auxiliary President Barb Shirtz, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. Consent Agenda items included the following: A. Minutes of the April Board meeting B. May Bill List C. Receipt and Filing of the 1St Quarter Reports from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Ms. Thierman moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. Second by Ms. Fenrich. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Hoffman None Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Ms. Garner Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed. Next on the agenda was discussion and vote on the 2018 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) submissions. Mr. Larson provided the Board with a list of CIP recommendations and costs. He noted that the submission deadline is Monday, May 81hand pointed out that the budget figures for these projects are estimates at this time. There is opportunity to revise the figures when he meets with Mr. Rohloff in June. Mr. Larson invited discussion.Discussion ensued. Minutes of the May 2017 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 5 Mr. Hoffman moved that the Board approve the 2018 Capital Improvement Project submissions as presented. Second by Ms. Drew. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Hoffman None Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Ms. Garner Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion passed, approving the 2018 Capital Improvement Project submissions as presented. Mr. Rego then requested that Mr. Larson present the Director's Report. Mr. Larson began by stating that the first steps in developing any long-term exhibition are to identify themes, discuss storyline ideas, resources, space availability, and key or focal point artifacts that are important or appropriate. He noted that these internal discussions and decisions need to be done by staff for the 2nd floor exhibitions before the kick-off meeting with the exhibition firm, Split Rock Studios. Therefore, the exhibit team has met several times for discussion. The topics of "Lumbering' and "Immigration" seem likely for the second floor gallery. These were both in the second tier of community and teacher input received during strategic planning, and both fit the 4th grade curriculum. In the proposed entrance, Mr. Larson expressed that the top ideas for the exhibition space would be decorative arts and the Sawyer story. With the next two months devoted to installation of People of the Waters, staff anticipates the start of conceptualization meetings with Split Rock Studios in July. Mr. Larson reviewed that People of the Waters planning started in 2014 and has taken four years to develop, fund, and create, and soon we will see the final product. The exhibition officially opens to the public at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5. Details for the opening day have yet to be worked out; Mr. Larson will lead tours through the exhibition, staff will be available to answer questions, and in general, the day will be special. For Members and guests, on August 23 the Museum will host a very special night of musical performance and presentation by Menominee musician, Wade Fernandez. Then, in the weeks following the formal public opening, the Museum will present a series of programs, and these are scheduled into October. Mr. Larson reminded the Board that the Museum is not presenting Night Whispers this year. Mr. Larson was pleased to report that the final request for donations for People of the Waters resulted in over $17,000 in donations Next, Mr. Larson reported that based on the Museum's previous experience having Jan Brett here, the May 13 visit will be incredibly busy. Using what we learned, staff planned more efficient ways to serve visitors and arranged for additional cash registers and card readers to make admissions and sales move quickly. As well, ample volunteers and staff are lined up. Minutes of the May 2017 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 5 In conclusion, Mr. Larson stated that over the years he has worked with many Board members. He fully understands that Board members serve not because they have to, but instead because they believe in the Museum's mission, appreciate the community's history, and want to help and to make a difference. Mr. Larson expressed that Board members represent the community and their input and work is truly appreciated. He further expressed that it is important to him that he express his gratitude for Board members' service and commitment to this Museum and its mission. That concluded the Director's report. Next was discussion and vote on closing the Museum from June 12 through June 23, 2017, for the installation of People of the Waters. Mr. Larson reported that Split Rock Studios plans to be at the Museum working long days during that time. Because the People of the Waters exhibition area is the main way to get to the elevators and the basement (bathrooms), it is felt that there is no way to safely route guests to those areas, even if we used the Sawyer front doors for visitors during that time period. Of note, it is a time between traveling exhibitions. The Voices of Native American Art: Telling Our Story opens July 23rd; consequently, June 12-23 would be a relatively low admission/visitor time. Mr. Larson recommends closing the Museum during that time for the safety of our guests. Ms. Drew moved that the Board approve closing the Museum from June 12 through June 23, 2017, for the installation of People of the Waters. Second by Ms. Fenrich. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Hoffman None Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Ms. Garner Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion passed to close the Museum from June 12 through June 23, 2017, for the installation of People of the Waters. Mr. Rego requested the World War I Commemoration Committee Report. Ms. Matzke reported the World War I Commemoration Committee met on May 2nd. Attending that meeting were Bob Campbell, Scott Cross, Steve Cummings, Brad Larson, Gabe Loiacono, Becky Matzke, Karla Szekeres. Mr. Campbell had explained that EAA is taking down a WWI exhibition. The Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM) may use some of the elements, adding items from OPM's collections, for an exhibition at the Museum in summer 2018. Mr. Larson is checking on availability of WWI re-enactors. Ms. Matzke is working with the Northwestern for additional WWI short articles. Austin Frederick is checking into webcasts to add to the website and possible WWI movies for the Parks Department to show. Minutes of the May 2017 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 5 Ms. Matzke reported that Mr. Loiacono's students were able to do a trial run of the WWI soldier "standees" at a UW-Oshkosh event to get initial feedback. It was a positive experience. Mayor Cummings will talk with Winnebago County regarding moving the WWI memorial plaques from the front of the courthouse, which is no longer an access point, to a more visible, approachable location at the new entrance. In addition, Ms. Matzke reported the Committee is checking into working with local high school students to sing WWI music held in the Museum archives at an event. The Committee is interested in locating photos of WWI veterans buried in Oshkosh, to put near their graves. This could be an ongoing project. Mr. Larson noted that first Museum Director, Nile Behnke, was a WWI veteran and made it a point to collect photographs of Oshkosh soldiers. These images are held in the Museum archives, and are fully cataloged. Mr. Domer asked if it has been determined whether Rainbow Park can be returned to the original name of Rainbow Memorial Park. Mr. Larson noted that a formal request must go before the Parks Board and that will be forthcoming. Ms. Thierman inquired whether there is a way for the public to locate pictures of WWI veterans. Mr. Larson explained that there are links directly from the OPM website. That concluded the WWI Commemoration Committee Report. Mr. Rego then requested the Auxiliary Report. Ms. Shirtz began by reporting that the Auxiliary Board has three new members-Holly Eichman, Kathy Wuest, and Sharon Kempinger. At the annual luncheon on May 12th a new Vice President will be appointed. Ms. Shirtz expressed thanks to Museum Graphic Artist, Daniel Fiser, for preparing a beautiful program for the luncheon. Included on the program is a list of the Auxiliary's accomplishments over the past year. These include: receiving 501(c)3 status, which allows the Auxiliary to apply for grants, a successful November Annual Gala, presence on Facebook, stationery and business cards, investments moved to a better earning CD, successful Culver's fundraisers, and receiving the Partnership Award from the City at the 2018 State of the City event. That concluded the Auxiliary Report. Election of Officers for 2017-2018 was next. Mr. Rego opened the floor to receive nominations. Mr. Domer nominated Jim Hoffman for President. Second by Ms. Thierman. With no other nominations,Mr. Rego called for a vote. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Abstained: Against: Mr. Domer Ms. Matzke Mr. Hoffman None Ms. Drew Mr. Rego Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman Ms. Garner The vote was unanimous electing Jim Hoffman as President of the Museum Board. Ms. Fenrich nominated Jean Thierman for Vice President. Minutes of the May 2017 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 5 Second by Mr. Domer. Mr. Rego nominated Rebecca Matzke for Vice President. Second by Ms. Drew. Mr. Rego asked that a hand-written vote be taken. Ballots were cast and the vote was in favor of Rebecca Matzke for Vice President of the Museum Board. Ms. Matzke nominated Jean Thierman for Secretary. Second by Ms. Fenrich. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Abstained: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Hoffman Mr. Thierman None Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Ms. Garner The vote was unanimous in favor and Jean Thierman was elected Secretary of the Museum Board. With no other agenda items Mr. Rego asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Domer so moved and Ms. Garner 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 May 2017 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 5 of 5