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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_08-02-2018 � II�/Im1NlO Minutes of the August 2, 2018 Board Meeting (Approved at the September 6,2018 Board Meeting.) The August meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, August 2,2018, 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: Randy Domer Joe Stephenson,Alternate Gabriel Loiacono Connie Drexler, Alternate Jean Thierman, Secretary Carol Fenrich(arrived at 4:06) Barb Herzog, School Board President Jim Hoffman, President David Gundlach, Deputy Becky Matzke,Vice President Superintendent, standing in for Vickie Rick Rego Cartwright, Superintendent of Schools With Mr. Loiacono excused, Mr. Hoffman appointed Ms. Drexler. Mr. Hoffman appointed Mr. Stephenson for Ms. Fenrich. Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Auxiliary President Kathy Wuest, 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 July Board meeting B. August Bill List Mr. Domer moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. Second by Mr. Rego. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Hoffman None Ms. Drexler Ms. Matzke Mr. Gundlach Mr. Rego Ms. Herzog Mr. Stephenson Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed. Minutes of the August 2018 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 3 Discussion of the decision of the American Alliance of Museum Accreditation Committee (AAM) was next on the agenda. Mr. Larson started by noting that a decision on the Museum's accredited status was delayed by the AAM. He noted that "tabling" does not mean accredited status was denied, but instead means the Committee requires clarification and additional information. Mr. Larson included the formal explanation as part of the Board packet of materials. Mr. Larson noted the Museum has to address items of concern brought forward by the reviewers as expressed in the on-site report. Museum staff has found incorrect assumptions and information. While several comments are erroneous, the recommendation to eliminate or reduce the Archives is deeply flawed. It is the Museum's most-used resource, and staff could not do exhibitions, publications, or projects without those archival resources. Mr. Larson feels succession concerns and planning are over emphasized and are not as serious an issue as the reviewers made them out to be. Initial discussions have already taken place, and staff is in the process of formalizing information on multiple levels. Perhaps their reaction was influenced by experiences at museums that were not well prepared for change-over. Mr. Larson noted there are challenges that will take time to correct, such as strengthening non-tax levy funding. While the Museum has had good success since earnest efforts started in this area in 2003, much work remains. The Museum's conceptual plan for building enlargement and modification is sound and achievable. The Museum does need to make a course correction in the area of education, as the Museum is weak in this area and he is working on a way to help address that deficiency through funding an LTE position. The Board will see a request for funding for this at the September meeting. The Board further discussed the AAM report. Mr. Rego pointed out that bringing education of today's Native people is a job shared by several entities, especially the schools, and that the Oshkosh Public Museum cannot cover it all. Mr. Domer asked if the Board can help in any way to summarize the discussion comments for AAM. Mr. Hoffman said yes and asked that those interested in being on a committee to prepare board response to AAM talk with him following the Board meeting. With no further discussion, Mr. Hoffman requested Mr. Larson present the monthly Director's Report. Mr. Larson began his report with an update on the assessment of the Museum's foundation. He noted that money has been allocated by the City and anticipates the assessment will begin later this month. Minutes of the August 2018 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 3 Next Mr. Larson reviewed for the Board that as a department of the City,the Museum is subject to Wisconsin's Public Records and Open Meetings Laws. The emails and text messages sent on behalf of,or about,Museum business are considered public records. He asked that they keep this in mind and if Board members have concerns about the Public Records and Open Meetings Laws, Mr. Larson can schedule the City Attorney to provide a review. An email from City Attorney Lynn Lorenson regarding text and social media messages was included in the packet. Mr. Larson reported he was contacted by Bill Wyman, President and CEO of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation (OACF) regarding his desire to make a presentation on what the OACF might do for the Museum, as it relates to Museum investments. Additionally, it would be an appropriate time for Board concerns about OACF quarterly fees and how the Foundation publicizes and promotes the Museum's three funds to be addressed. If this is something the Board would like, Mr. Larson will arrange it, but asked for direction as to what month and suggested October. The Board confirmed they would like that presentation at the October 11 meeting. In conclusion, Mr. Larson reported that the bronze 1874 bell was removed from the Fire Barn and is at the Armory on Sawyer Street. This bell was once part of the City Hall/Fire Station that stood on State Street. Mr. Larson talked with the new Fire Chief, Mike Stanley, about exhibiting the bell in a replica bell "tower' (housing) on the front lawn of the Court Street Fire Station, a fine connection between past and present, and Chief Stanley agrees. Staff plans to work with the firemen on the bell and an interior exhibit. The budgets Mr. Larson presents for review at the September 6 meeting will include money allocated for interpretive signage at the fire station site. That concluded the Director's Report. There were no Board member statements or committee reports. Mr. Hoffman then requested that Ms. Wuest present the Auxiliary Report. Auxiliary President Kathy Wuest began reporting that the Gala Committee has a firm date for the Gala. It will be Thursday, November 291h, 5:30 - 7:30. The Auxiliary will again have a Culver's fundraiser on Tuesday, September 11th,5:00- 7:00 p.m. Also,the Auxiliary will be helping with the Tiffany Window Lighting Tea on Sept. 5 at 6:00 p.m. That concluded the Auxiliary Report. With no other agenda items, Mr. Hoffman asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Thierman so moved and Ms. Herzog seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m. Minutes of the August 2018 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 3