HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_09-07-17 �� lIt c� ��� Minutes of the September 7,2017 Board Meeting
(Approved at the October 5,2017 Board Meeting.)
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The September meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, September
7,2017,in the Lecture Room 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:
Ms. Connie Drexler, Alternate Mr. Stan Mack, Superintendent of Mr. Randy Domer
Ms. Carol Fenrich Schools, arrived at 4:07 Ms. Becky Matzke, Vice President
Mr.Jim Hoffman, President Mr. Rick Rego Ms. Allison Garner, School Board
Mr. Gabe Loiacono Ms. Maribeth Theusch, alternate President
Ms.Jean Thierman, Secretary
With Ms. Matzke absent, Mr. Hoffman appointed Ms. Drexler. With Mr. Domer absent, Mr.
Hoffman appointed Ms. Theusch.
Also in attendance:Museum Director Brad Larson,Membership and Marketing Coordinator Karla
Szekeres, Auxiliary President Barb Shirtz, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording
the minutes.
Mr. Larson introduced John Dinegan, the Museum's new adjunct board member from the 2017-
2018 Leadership Oshkosh class. Mr. Dinegan is the newly appointed Lourdes Academy System
President.
No Citizens were in attendance.
Consent Agenda items included the following:
A. Minutes of the August Board meeting
B. September Bill List
C. Receipt and Filing of 2nd Quarter Reports from Oshkosh Area Community
Foundation
Mr. Rego moved that the Consent Agenda be approved.
Second by Ms. Fenrich.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Ms. Drexler Mr. Loiacono None
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego
Mr. Hoffman Ms. Theusch
Ms. Thierman
The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed.
Minutes of the September 2017 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 1 of 4
Next on the agenda was discussion and vote on Museum membership categories and rates. Mr.
Larson reviewed for the Board that membership categories and rates are reviewed every few years
to see how the Museum aligns with and compares to area museums. There is no recommendation
for any change at this time.Membership and Marketing Coordinator Karla Szekeres noted that the
current categories and rates were voted on by the Board in 2012 and went into effect January 1,
2013. Mr. Loiacono asked that Mr. Larson review the ASTC membership. Mr. Larson noted that
the Museum paid an annual membership ($1,400)to be part of ASTC.Analysis of numbers indicate
that we lose admission revenue of about$2,630 in a year. Mr. Larson said his experience has been
that most people join to support the Oshkosh Public Museum,not just to get the benefit of ASTC.
Ms. Thierman moved that the Board approve maintaining current membership categories and
rates.
Second by Ms. Drexler. With no further questions the vote was taken.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Ms. Drexler Mr.Mack None
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego
Mr. Hoffman Ms. Theusch
Mr. Loiacono Ms. Thierman
The vote was unanimous in favor to maintain current membership categories and rates.
Discussion and vote on the Durow and Membership Fund budgets was next on the agenda. Board
members received the budgets to review prior to the meeting. It was noted that the Membership
Fund included the Behncke Fund and the 2017 Endowment earnings.Mr.Larson noted that Friday
morning he meets with Mr.Rohloff and Ms.Larson regarding the Museum budgets;they will want
to know if these are approved by the Museum Board.
Mr. Mack moved that the Board approve the Durow and Membership Fund Budgets.
Second by Mr. Rego. With no further questions the vote was taken.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Ms. Drexler Mr. Mack None
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego
Mr. Hoffman Ms. Theusch
Mr. Loiacono Ms. Thierman
The vote was unanimous in favor to approve the Durow and Membership Fund Budgets.
Minutes of the September 2017 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 2 of 4
Next on the agenda was discussion and vote on using the Collections Fund for radio carbon dating
an object said to be from the first church in Wisconsin ($700), c. 1668.
Mr. Larson reviewed that the Museum Collections include three hand-carved wooden pieces, two
in the form of crude fleur-des-lis or crosses, that are said to be from the altar of the first church in
Wisconsin, built in 1668 by the famous Father Allouez. These three artifacts are in People of the
Waters. They were acquired in 1928 from a well-known collector and local author/historian named
Publius V. Lawson, who had earlier obtained the pieces from a Chief of the Potawatomi named
Simon Ka-qua-dos.Mr.Larson noted that staff would like to know whether these are actually from
the 17th century. If they are, then it would be safe to state that they are most likely from the altar
and are quite historically significant. If they are not from that time period, the Museum needs to
know that, too. The only way to determine this is through scientific testing, and the cost would be
in the range of$700.
Mr. Loiacono moved that the Board approve use of the Collections Fund for radio carbon dating
of the object said to be from the first church in Wisconsin.
Second by Mr.Mack. With no further questions the vote was taken.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Ms. Drexler Mr. Mack None
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego
Mr. Hoffman Ms. Theusch
Mr. Loiacono Ms. Thierman
The vote was unanimous in favor to approve use of the Collections Fund for radio carbon dating
of the object said to be from the first church in Wisconsin.
Mr Hoffman then requested that Mr. Larson present the Director's Report.
Mr. Larson began his report noting that Durow Curator of Collections Anna Cannizzo is
developing a proposal for moving the original Tiffany wisteria windows from the Steiger Wing
entrance back to their Sawyer home location. The estimate is not yet ready, but is expected to be
available in early October.Mr.Larson will present a recommendation to the Board for their review
and discussion when the proposal is available.He explained that the Tiffany windows would have
to be moved before any construction could begin on the entrance. If the Museum can afford the
cost, it would be good to have the work done in 2018.
Next, Mr. Larson was pleased to report that the Lincoln sculpture was cleaned and waxed last
week in preparation for mounting it on the masonry pedestal near the new arch. Currently staff is
exploring the best mounting system. Mr. Larson anticipates that Lincoln will be installed by the
second week of October. Staff do have some concerns over this because of the acts of vandalism on
monuments that occurred around the country, including vandalism of a Lincoln sculpture in
Minutes of the September 2017 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 3 of 4
Baltimore. However, Mr. Larson believes the risk is minimal and staff plan to move forward with
the project.
In closing, Mr. Larson reported that Ms. Cannizzo is almost finished with the American Alliance
of Museums (AAM) accreditation application and associated documents. The application will be
submitted by the beginning of November and then the on-site visit will be scheduled for spring or
summer. If all goes well, the Museum may be reaccredited a year from now. That concluded the
Director's report.
The President's Report included discussion of Mr. Larson's annual performance evaluation, and
therefore Mr. Larson, Ms. Books, and Ms. Szekeres stepped out of the room for the discussion.
After the President's Mr. Hoffman asked for a report of the World War One Commemoration
Committee. Mr.Loiacono reported that the standees are done and Committee members are talking
with businesses for placement around the city. He noted that the Pepsi Fund will give money for
one or two more standees. These will likely be a few University cadets who were preparing to go
serve. Mr. Loiacono noted that the high school choirs are playing music at the library and there
will be a lecture that same evening. Additionally, during the years of World War One, Oshkosh
resident John Matschi took many photos and these will be on display in November at the library.
In conclusion, Mr. Loiacono reported that the World War 100: A Centennial Symposium will be
held October 27-28,2017 in Madison,Wisconsin. Director Matzke,and former Museum intern Amy
Fels, will be presenting at the symposium. The concluded the World War One Commemoration
Committee report.
Mr. Hoffman requested the Auxiliary Report.
Ms. Shirtz began with a request to put Tuesday, November 7th on our calendars. That is the next
fundraiser at Culvers. Come for dinner from 5-7:00. She then noted that to be sure there is plenty
of help decorating the Museum for the Holidays, the Auxiliary has signup sheets ready for their
first meeting. The annual Auxiliary directories have been distributed and Ms. Shirtz gave each
Board member a directory. In conclusion, Ms. Shirtz had some samples of some new foods the
Auxiliary is considering for the Gala. That concluded the Auxiliary Report.
With no other agenda items Mr.Hoffman asked for a motion to adjourn.Ms.Thierman so moved
and Mr. Rego 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 September 2017 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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