HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_07-13-17 Minutes of the July 13,2017 Board Meeting
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(Approved at the August 3,2017 Board Meeting.)
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The July meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, July 13, 2017, in
the Sawyer Library of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Hoffman called the meeting to
order at 4:00 pm.
The roll was taken by Ms. Books.
Present: Present: Excused:
Mr. Randy Domer Ms. Becky Matzke, Vice President Mr. Gabe Loiacono
Ms. Connie Drexler, Alternate Mr. Rick Rego Ms. Allison Garner, School Board
Ms. Carol Fenrich Ms.Jean Thierman, Secretary President
Mr.Jim Hoffman, President Absent:
Mr. Stan Mack, Superintendent of
Schools
With Mr. Loiacono absent, Mr. Hoffman appointed Ms. Drexler.
Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Auxiliary President Barb Shirtz, and Administrative
Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes.
No Citizens were in attendance.
Consent Agenda items included the following:
A. Minutes of the June Board meeting
B. July Bill List
C. Minutes of the Special May 30th Board Meeting
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 Ms. Matzke None
Ms. Drexler Mr. Rego
Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman
Mr. Hoffman
The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed.
Mr. Larson introduced Durow Curator of Collections and Decorative Arts, Anna Cannizzo. Ms.
Cannizzo presented the updates made to the Collections Management Policy (CM Policy.) She
noted that the updates to the CM Policy were done in preparation for the reaccreditation of the
Museum. The Policy enables the Museum staff be consistent in working with the public and is
Minutes of the July 2017 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 1 of 4
central to all Museum activities. She reviewed the methods she used to make the updates,
including: gathering all available versions of the document, comparing these to other museum's
CM Policies, utilizing several highly regarded resources, creating an outline to structure the
sections, and weeding out redundancies. Ms. Cannizzo informed the Board that for the review,
edits, and approvals, she had Mr. Larson involved in the entire process, as well as having the
input of the OPM Collections Review Committee, City Attorney Lynn Lorenson, and City Safety
& Risk Management Officer Paul Greeninger. In her presentation, Ms Cannizzo gave details of
the various sections, going over new sections in more detail. Key parts of the Collections
Management Policy will be available online, and the full Policy will be available to the Board. Ms.
Cannizzo excused herself from the meeting.
Next on the agenda was discussion and vote on deaccessioning 29 animal mounts and
transferring the ownership to the Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, Menasha, Wisconsin. Mr. Larson
explained that these mount are from the 1920s and 30s. Most are in questionable shape. The
Heckrodt Wetland Reserve has had these items on display in their facility since 1999 and would
be pleased to continue to display them. Discussion ensued.
Ms. Fenrigh moved that the Board approve deaccessioning 29 animal mounts and transfer the
ownership to the Heckrodt Wetland Reserve,Menasha, Wisconsin.
Second by Mr. Rego.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Mr. Domer Ms. Matzke None
Ms. Drexler Mr. Rego
Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman
Mr. Hoffman
The vote was unanimous in favor to deaccession 29 animal mounts and transfer the ownership to
the Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, Menasha, Wisconsin.
Mr. Hoffman then requested that Mr. Larson present the Director's Report.
Mr. Larson began by updating the Board on The Voices of Native American Art— Telling Our Story
which opens Sunday, July 23rd. The Member Opening is Tuesday evening, August 8, 5:00 to 7:30
p.m. He noted Native musicians Bobby Bullet and Pamela Nesbit will play from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.,
followed by a gallery walk with artist Mike Hoffman. Mr. Larson was pleased to report that the
artists will also be on hand to visit and share their stories. Staff is currently installing this
amazing art, and they are sure it will be an excellent partner exhibition to People of the Waters. Mr.
Larson anticipate the Museum will see attendance from Native people across the state, as this is
the first time a fine art exhibition representing nations across Wisconsin has been presented in a
museum setting.
Minutes of the July 2017 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 2 of 4
Next, Mr. Larson reported progress on People of the Waters. While there are a few details
remaining for Split Rock Studios to deal with, their work was pretty much completed this week
and staff did the final walk-through with them. The staff's work is now centered on the artifact
timeline and other artifact installations. The initial volunteer training tour is planned for Monday,
July 24, a walk-through presentation and discussion with Mr. Larson. There is so much in the
gallery that it can seem overwhelming. To help volunteers be able to share information with
visitors, staff plans to have several programs for volunteers to help them learn each part of the
exhibition. By the time tours and school groups begin to schedule, Museum volunteers will be
well trained. Additionally, the special Member/Donor Event is Wednesday, August 23. Wade
Fernandez will provide a musical performance and presentation based upon the transition of
12,000-15,000 year ancient Menominee culture into a contemporary world of music, culture, and
influence. This event is supported by Nevitt Law Office and Museum Members Stan and Mary
Kotschi.
Mr. Larson then reported that the City's draft capital improvement budget for 2018-2019 is
currently being refined. He noted that the capital budget for 2018 does not include funds for the
Museum's two projects, the entrance and second floor. Museum staff will use 2018 to refine ideas
and plans, conduct research and writing, select artifacts and images, and make contacts for
fundraising for these two critical projects.
In conclusion, Mr. Larson summarized The World of Jan Brett. An analysis of the Jan Brett
winter/spring exhibition was provided to the Board. He noted that while the Museum made a
profit, the primary goal with this project was to present an exhibition that appealed to schools so
that staff could familiarize the Museum as a field trip destination to teachers. It was successful,
with attendance of almost 1,000 school children, including schools that had not visited
previously. That concluded the Director's report.
Mr. Hoffman then handed out and reviewed the form that is used for the Museum Director's
annual performance review. The Museum Board was asked to review Mr. Larson based on the
criteria given. Mr. Hoffman requested that each Director complete the form and mail it to him or
bring it to the August 3 Board meeting. He requested that Mr. Domer assist him with compiling
the information for the final copy of the review.
Mr. Hoffman then asked if there were any updates for the WWI Commemoration Committee.
Ms. Matzke reported that the Committee did not meet since the last Board meeting, so there is no
formal report. However, she was pleased to inform the Board that the WWI Standees are in
production and will soon be delivered, to then be placed at businesses around the city.
Then Mr. Hoffman requested the Auxiliary Report.
Ms. Shirtz began by reporting that that the Auxiliary Board has lined up programs for the coming
year. They meet again Friday, 7/14/17 for firm up the programs and begin work on the annual
booklet. The next Gala Committee meeting is July 271h. Ms. Shirtz was very pleased to report
regarding Pie on the Lawn. First, there was a cost savings,in that the Auxiliary did not need to
Minutes of the July 2017 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 3 of 4
purchase a license for this event, as their license is current. This was the 7th year of selling pies.
Ms. Shirtz reported that the first year, 2011, they sold 23 pies and made$290. In 2013 they sold 26
pies and made $692. This year they had 33 pies and made $832! The Auxiliary thanked Lynn
Lorenson for her hard work helping the group; she helped with so many things throughout the
day. That concluded the Auxiliary Report.
With no other agenda items Mr. Hoffman asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Domer so moved
and Ms. Matzke seconded the motion.
The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Minutes of the July 2017 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 4 of 4