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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_11-3-16 1 y ��� Minutes of the November 3 2016 Board Meeting (Approved at the December 1,2016 Board Meeting.) )i" rave r - cmr meet . ijhalr€a The November meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, November 3, 2016, in the Sawyer Library of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Rego called the meeting to order at 4:04 pm. The roll was taken by Ms. Books. Present: Present: Excused: Mr. Randy Domer Mr. Gabriel Loiacono, alternate, arrived at 4:10 Ms. Allison Garner, Ms. Diana Drew, Secretary Ms. Becky Matzke, arrived at 4:10 School Board President Ms. Connie Drexler, alternate Mr. Rick Rego, President Mr. Stan Mack, Ms. Carol Fenrich Ms.Jean Thierman Superintendent of Mr.Jim Hoffman,Vice Pres. Schools With Ms. Matzke out at the time of roll call, Mr. Rego appointed Ms.Drexler. Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Auxiliary President Barbara Shirtz, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. Mr. Larson welcomed Leadership Oshkosh participant,Maribeth Theusch. Ms. Theusch will be observing the Board each month through May 2017. There were no citizen statements to the Board. Consent Agenda items included the following: A. Minutes of the October Board meeting B. November Bill List C. Receipt and Filing of the 3rd Quarter Reports for Museum Funds with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Mr. Domer moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. Second by Ms. Drew. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Hoffman None Ms. Drew Mr. Rego Ms. Drexler Ms. Thierman Ms. Fenrich The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed. Minutes of the November 2016 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 5 Discussion and vote on using an additional$100,000 from the Frederick Durow and Marion Hughes Durow Trust for People of the Waters was next on the agenda.Mr. Larson began by assuring the Board that this error has nothing to do with whether People of the Waters is or is not a good project. Rather, it was the result of miscommunication and error. Mr. Larson had understood from his meeting with Mr. Rohloff and Ms. Larson in August that the City would be allocating an additional$200,000 toward the project, which was in keeping with the original Capital Improvement request. In explaining the ramifications of using the$100,000 from the Durow Trust,Mr. Larson stated that a year's delay would be put to good use;which he will describe further in the Director's Report. The Board expressed their disappointment and dismay at the error and the impact on the Durow Trust. However, Mr. Domer moved that the Board approve use of Durow Trust earnings needed to complete the People of the Waters exhibition, and the Museum continue to fundraise for the project. Mr. Hoffman added that if it be agreed, any Durow Trust money that is not needed will be returned to the Durow Trust. Second by Ms. Thierman. The vote, including both Mr. Domer and Mr. Hoffman's motions, went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Hoffman None Ms. Drew Mr. Rego Ms. Drexler Ms. Thierman Ms. Fenrich The vote was unanimous in favor and the motions passed. Next on the agenda was discussion and vote on using $1,400 from the Collections Fund to have Jim Mazur in Sheboygan cast four bronze replacement rosettes for the front doors of the Sawyer home. Mr. Larson explained that with the Sawyer home being the largest and most important item in the Museum's collections, the Collections Review Committee voted unanimously to request the bronze rosettes be made. The Collections Fund currently has in excess of$600,000. Ms. Fenrich moved that the Board approve using $1,400 from the Collections Fund to have Jim Mazur in Sheboygan cast four bronze replacement rosettes for the front doors of the Sawyer home. Mr. Hoffman seconded the motion. Minutes of the November 2016 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 5 The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Hoffman None Ms. Drew Mr. Rego Ms. Drexler Ms. Thierman Ms. Fenrich The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed to use $1,400 from the Collections Fund to have Jim Mazur in Sheboygan cast four bronze replacement rosettes for the front doors of the Sawyer home. Mr. Rego requested that Mr. Larson present the monthly Director's Report. Mr. Larson began with a review of Geniuses of Oshkosh. The number of visitors (1,835) was slightly less than what staff had anticipated (2,500), but all were satisfied. It is significant to note that it was profitable in ways beyond money. The exhibition presented a unique subject matter that drew Oshkosh residents (40% of visitors), and brought in many first-time visitors. Because the Museum had been presenting a series of exhibitions focused more on attracting a younger demographic, this exhibition was appealing to a different age group, a positive thing. As well, the process of creating Geniuses of Oshkosh implemented a form of team building. Mr. Larson used the exhibit as a way to introduce the entire staff to what it takes to put together an exhibition, and everyone was involved in all the steps. While it took more time than normal, it served to strengthen the team and has already had constructive consequences. The amount of money allocated for promotion of Geniuses of Oshkosh was small compared to what has been spent on other exhibitions. He explained that in Marketing Coordinator Karla Szekeres' experience, the Museum should only allocate higher marketing amounts on exhibitions that we know have strong public appeal, such as Be the Dinosaur. Next, Mr. Larson gave an update on the Landscape project. It is now moving into its final phase and he noted the east lawn looks incredible. The correct color bricks were picked up Wednesday, November 2nd, and everything is ready for the mason to start. Laying the brick columns should not take long; once those are set, the arch will be placed. Unless we are beset with awful weather, it is anticipated that everything will be completed by the end of November. Matt Reinke has done a superb job working with the contractors and taking care of the Museum's part of the work. On Friday afternoon, Mr. Larson meets with landscape architect Jim Schaefer, to review the work and discuss refining elements of the site design, including the parking lot. There remains $2,363 on Mr. Schaefer's contract. Future landscaping is included in the City's five year capital improvement plan. In conclusion, Mr. Larson was pleased to present ideas regarding the First World War Centennial remembrance. He noted that the 100th anniversary of the United States' entry into the European war in 1917 begins in spring and runs through 2018. He believes this is an important anniversary; Minutes of the November 2016 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 5 noting that it will only be as significant as the community chooses to make it. Mr. Larson would like to see the Museum take a leading role in making the anniversary meaningful. With the year's delay of the Museum's capital projects, there is the opportunity to turn attention to this, should the Board agree. He stated that he believes this effort can be done without impacting staff's ongoing focus of creating next generation exhibitions, or the Fire Barn project. He encouraged the Board to consider the list, and he will make this a formal agenda item for action. That concluded the Director's Report. Discussion ensued, with the Board being enthusiastic regarding what things can be done to celebrate this 1001h anniversary. At the recommendation of Mr. Larson, Ms. Matzke said she would be happy to be the chair of a committee, and Mr. Loiacono also volunteered to serve. President's Report-none submitted. Board Member Statement-none submitted Mr. Rego then requested the Auxiliary Report. Auxiliary President, Barb Shirtz, reported that the Auxiliary made much progress this past month. They are working with Graphic Artist, Daniel Fiser, for Auxiliary stationery, envelopes, and business cards for the Auxiliary officers. The stationery will use a new PO Box number they recently established. Additionally, Ms. Shirtz explained that Pam Elmer and Sue Eichman are working on a Facebook page for the Auxiliary. Regarding updates on the Gala, she reported there are many wonderful baskets to raffle and wonderful silent auction items as well; and coat tags will be used. Ms. Shirtz handed out Gala invitations to each Board member. That concluded the Auxiliary Report. With no other agenda items Mr. Rego asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Domer so moved and Ms. Thierman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Note: List of ideas to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American's participation in the First World War (2017-2018) follows. Minutes of the November 2016 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 5 November 1, 2016 IDEAS TO COMMEMORATE THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR (2017-2018) • Create a special web page on the OPM site, with links to other appropriate sites PROGRESS). • Ring all city church bells at 11:00 on 11-11-2018 to commemorate the end of the war. • Do special evening fundraising event in the Sawyer home that replicates the May 1918 public event held in Edgar Sawyer's home, like the Gala. • Sponsor a student essay, display, or media project, with a Savings Bond prize; other. Grade level? We would need a panel to judge. • Talk with Library about the possibility of doing a special genealogy program on researching your WWI ancestor, and then offer to publish the best research/story, etc. • Create a WWI Riverside Cemetery tour. • Talks, artifact show &tell, and demonstrations on a variety of WWI-topics at Museum and at other community locations. (We are compiling a list of topics and ideas) • Encourage the Parks Board to return the name of Rainbow Park to "Rainbow Memorial Park." • Rededicate the 1921 WWI bronze plaques currently at Court House listing the 169 Winnebago County men who died during the war. In my opinion, ideally these plaques should be moved to a more public, easily seen location like a park, but that might be beyond the scope of this remembrance. Rainbow Park would be the logical choice. • Do something meaningful with the Kurt Graf Bridge plaque. It is now the Country Club's property and the main has relief plaque appears to be well cared for. (It was originally public property.) For example, that section of Highway 45 might be officially designated the Kurt Graf Highway, or a better sign/marker erected. We'd have to work with county officials and state representatives. • Have an event connected with the May 1919 Homecoming parade. I do not think the City can replicate the 1919 Victory Arch over Main St., as was suggested last year by a Council person, due to cost and DOT regulation. However, the City might be able to do something like encourage everyone to have flags flying on Main Street, from bridges, throughout town, etc. • Book signing and associated talk/event. Minutes of the November 2016 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 5 of 5