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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES_12-06-2018 Minutes of the December 6,2018 Board Meeting t II,II, Jlt,� useu i (Approved at the January 10,2019 Board Meeting.) 1 7Cr,vor - r nnner„i: - lii"lp re The December meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held Thursday, December 6, 2018, in the Sawyer Library of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Hoffman called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm. The roll was taken by Ms. Books. Present: Present: Excused: Randy Domer Vickie Cartwright, Superintendent of Connie Drexler, Alternate Carol Fenrich Schools Jim Hoffman, President Barb Herzog, School Board President Absent: Gabriel Loiacono Nathaniel Shuda, Leadership Rick Rego Becky Matzke,Vice President Oshkosh Adjunct Member Joe Stephenson, Alternate Jean Thierman, Secretary Also in attendance: 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 October Board Meeting B. November and December Bill List C. Receipt and Filing 3rd Quarter Reports from Oshkosh Area Community Foundation D. 2019 Board Meeting Dates Ms. Cartwright moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. Second by Ms. Thierman. Carried: Voice Vote Next on the agenda was discussion and vote to use $1,500 from the Collections Fund to purchase a catlinite pipe once owned by Territorial Governor James Duane Doty. Mr. Larson began with a review of information about the pipe. He noted the Collections Review Committee is recommending the purchase of the 1841 pipe believed to have been owned by Territorial Governor James Duane Doty, and now owned by an individual. This person purchased the pipe in 2014 for $1,500 from a private collector, with the intention of selling it to the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) for the amount of purchase. The WHS declined and because we were aware of this offer, Mr. Larson asked that the WHS encourage the person to contact us. That happened and the owner extended the $1,500 offer to the Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM). The City Collection Fund currently stands at$597,053. Minutes of the December 2018 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 3 The staff believes this pipe was once in OPM collections and there is ample catalog documentation showing this. The Museum owns other objects from or associated with Governor Doty. Staff thinks the pipe left Museum collections sometime between 1978 and 1988, perhaps as part of a trade arrangement conducted by previous staff, not uncommon at that time. Trading would not occur under our present Collections Management Policy. The next phase of OPM's long-term exhibition plan begins with the Federal acquisition, by Treaty, of Native lands. Because the pipe is attributed to Doty and his name is engraved on the pipe, it would be featured at the start of that exhibition. If the Board authorizes this purchase, staff would carefully examine the pipe before moving forward. Discussion followed. Ms. Fenrich moved that the Board approve use of $1,500 from the Collections Fund to purchase the catlinite pipe once owned by Territorial Governor James Duane Doty. Second by Ms. Herzog. Carried: Voice Vote Mr. Hoffman requested Mr. Larson present the monthly Director's Report. Mr. Larson began by announcing that new Registrar, Emily Rock, will join the staff on January 21, 2019. This provides a three-week overlap with Joan Lloyd. Emily is currently at The History Museum at the Castle in Appleton, and she will bring many welcome skills and experiences to the job. Mr. Larson then addressed the various Museum budgets adopted for 2019. He stated the Museum is well positioned for next year, and he and other staff are working to lay the foundations for the many tasks that begin in January. This includes exhibitions, as well as the start of building and design projects. He noted December is always a month of transition and preparation for getting a strong start in January. Mr. Larson expressed if Board members have any questions or concerns, he would either address those at the meeting, or they could contact him by phone or email, or stop by for a cup of coffee and discussion. Regarding the Museum's reaccreditation, Mr. Larson reported the Museum has responded in detail to all the concerns expressed by the two reviewers and the American Alliance of Museum (AAM) Accreditation Commission. A decision on whether to grant accredited status will be made by the Accreditation Commission in February. The Commission remains concerned about the Museum's lack of an Educator, as well as the Museum's Strategic Plan. Revising and updating the Strategic Plan for the next five year period entails a great deal of time and work, as the current plan is firmly based on the input of many sectors of the community, this Board, Museum Members, City departments, teachers, community groups, and the City Manager and Common Minutes of the December 2018 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 3 Council. This process takes almost a full year. Ms. Cartwright expressed that the accreditation bods well for the City, and recommended asking the Commission if the Museum could request the decision be tabled for a year or so, giving time to properly develop the next Strategic Plan. [Follow up note: Mr. Larson asked AAM about this option, and it is not an option.] In conclusion, Mr. Larson noted the Museum has much work remaining on its present Strategic Plan; he will illustrate this at the January meeting. He views the Museum's next Strategic Plan as several years off, pending the progress made in 2019 and 2020. That concluded the Director's Report. President Hoffman did not have anything to report. There were no Board member statements. Mr. Hoffman then requested that Ms. Wuest present the Auxiliary Report. Auxiliary President Kathy Wuest reported the first meeting of the Museum Auxiliary was in October. They currently have 41 paid members and two honorary members. She thanked Museum staff and Board members who supported the Gala. Further, Ms. Wuest reported there were 130 paid guests this year, compared to 122 last year. The total income to-date is $1,785.10. There will be a wrap-up meeting Friday, December 14th at 12:30 p.m. She also noted a thank you was sent to Steinert Printing for their complimentary printing of the Gala programs. That concluded the Auxiliary Report. With no other agenda items, Mr. Hoffman asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Matzke 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. Minutes of the December 2018 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 3