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Oakland
Museum Of California Board Of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Regular
JANUARY 26, 2006
Restaurant
4:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Trustees
Dale Block, Susan Chamberlin, Christopher Curtis, Richard Edwards,
Lori Fogarty, Virginia Furth, Lance Gyorfi, Melvin Harrison,
Harold Jones, Judith McKee, Christopher McLain, Missy Nelson,
Marianne Robison, Deborah Roessler, Margaret Russell, Katherine
McKenney Shea, Sandra Wolfe, Penelope Wong, and Sheryl Wong
Trustees
Excused:
Matthew Cox, Richard DeAtley, Anthony Harris, Jacqueline Kane,
Daryl Lillie, and John McDonald
Trustees
Absent:
William Chiasson, Phyllis Pfeiffer, Timothy Silva, and Brian
Washington
Staff
Present:
Joan Collignon, Barbara Henry, Dorothy Hood, Christiaan Klieger,
Linda Larkin, Mai Le, Mark Medeiros, Ambrus Reese, Tom Steller,
and Licia Wells
Volunteers
Present:
Michael Coleman, Sandra Coleman, Lois Corrin, Marilyn Couch,
Bob Freidenberg, Mary Reynolds, Kathryn Seabrook and Helen Tryon
Guests
Present:
Linda Crittondon and Tom Gard
1.
CALL TO ORDER/INTRODUCTIONS – Lance Gyorfi
Chair Gyorfi called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. and introduced
Mai Le who was recently hired as the Corporate Relations Manager
in the Development Department. Executive Director Lori Fogarty
was also introduced and welcomed. Ms. Fogarty expressed her
pleasure at being selected and said she was honored to have
the opportunity to serve the museum. Chair Gyorfi thanked those
trustees who served on the Executive Director Search Committee
and also thanked Dale Block, Virginia Furth, and Missy Nelson
for hosting dinners for the final three candidates.
2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Lance Gyorfi
On a motion duly made and seconded (McKee/Curtis), the following
resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the minutes of the November 17, 2005 Board of
Trustees meeting are approved as mailed.
3.
CHAIR’S REPORT – Lance Gyorfi
Executive Director Lori Fogarty is working with consultant Adrienne
Horn in reviewing the job criteria for the Development Director
position; it is expected that this position will be filled by
March. Efforts are still being made on getting a license agreement
with the City of Oakland so that the funds awarded by the CCHE
can be disbursed to the Foundation for the designated work. City
Administrator Deborah Edgerly’s office is supportive of
getting the agreement done but the city attorney’s office
is severely backlogged. The CCHE has extended the deadline several
times with the current deadline set for the end of January. Chair
Gyorfi announced the resignation of trustee María Ochoa
from the board. Ms. Ochoa’s teaching schedule has prevented
her from attending meetings but she offered to help the museum
as much as she can.
Artist Bruce Beasley has expressed an interest in establishing
a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) with the Foundation and as
part of the CRT would a like to have artistic activities held
at his facilities. Mr. Beasley extended an invitation to hold
a board meeting at his facilities to discuss the CRT and also
tour the facilities. All agreed to hold the February 23, 2006
Board of Trustees meeting at Bruce Beasley’s facilities
in West Oakland beginning at 3:00 p.m. Directions to Beasley’s
home will be provided.
Most trustees have made their expected personal contribution
to the Annual Board Fund and some have made contributions above
the minimum amount. Chair Gyorfi will contact and remind those
who have not made their annual contribution to please do so.
As of November 30, 2005, operations have generated a deficit
of over $300,000 as compared to a deficit of over $700,000 the
same time last year. The Finance Committee will look at possible
ways on how to further cut the deficit. Admissions revenue for
the last four months due to the exhibition Baseball as America
is $67,692 which is $27,000 over projected revenue. The museum
store sales have reached $21,000 so far which is about 40% of
the $53,000 that was targeted. The Professional Services Department’s
income so far this fiscal year is $29,000, which is 69% of targeted
income of $42,000. The Professional Services Department provides
a lot of exposure for the museum because the staff installs art
exhibits at a various locations such as the Oakland Airport.
The Executive Committee met with the Facilities Rental Department
staff who reported a budget deficit of $30,000 for the department.
Acting Director Mark Medeiros will meet with the staff and work
out a plan to reduce the deficit. The needs of the Marketing
Department will be address when Executive Director Lori Fogarty
is officially on staff.
The building at 450 Lancaster Street, where the CCRC will eventually
be located, is almost completed. Trustee Christopher Curtis was
thanked for the tremendous amount of time he has devoted to this
project along with trustees Susan Chamberlin and Melvin Harrison.
Chief Conservator John Burke is assuming more responsibility
on this project and is working with staff on how to economically
move the collection from its present location to the new location.
4.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT- Christopher
McLain
Trustee McLain said the Audit Committee
met and reviewed the final draft of the June 30, 2005
Audit Report. The delay in completing the audit was
caused by the lack of museum personnel and the implementation
of new software; there were no problems regarding finances.
Trustee McLain noted that fiscal year 2005 net assets
increased approximately $700,000 over the prior year
and total revenues were down approximate $1.0 over
the prior year.
Tom Gard of Armanino McKenna LLP said the Annual Audit
Report is thinner than last year’s report because
the museum received more federal funds the prior year
and as a result more reports had to be generated. The
auditor’s report is that the financial statements
of the Foundation are fairly presented. The Balance
Sheet shows the funds for the year 2003-04 as being
restated because the guilds had money that the Foundation
was not aware of and needed to be included. There are
no new debt agreements this year. The auditor’s
management letter is being prepared and the Audit Committee
will finalize it soon. Mr. Gard also said money has
not been spent from the permanently restricted funds.
Chair Gyorfi thanked Mr. Gard for his report.
On a motion duly made and seconded (Curtis/McKee)
the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2005 for the
Oakland Museum of California Foundation is approved.
5.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Mark Medeiros
Acting Director Mark Medeiros reported there were 3,200 museum admissions on
the last Saturday before the closing of the Baseball as America exhibition. George
Powles, former athletic coach at Oakland’s McClymonds High School who influenced
the lives of future stars, was honored at a program in the James Moore Theater.
Those honoring Mr. Powles included former students Joe Morgan and Bill Russell
and the wife of former student, Curt Flood. Mr. Medeiros thanked Interpretive
Specialist Carolee Smith for planning and organizing this well attended program.
Mr. Medeiros then presented a Baseball as America poster signed by several athletes
to Chair Gyorfi and thanked him for his dedication and hard work on behalf of
the Oakland Museum. Mr. Medeiros informed trustees that company sponsorships
are needed for the upcoming Disney exhibition and asked if anyone had a high
level contact at J. P. Morgan to let him know.
6.
WOMEN’S
BOARD REPORT – Deborah Roessler
Trustee Roessler reminded trustees the White Elephant Preview Sale will
be held on Sunday, February 29, 2006. Finding parking around the warehouse is
very difficult and all were encouraged to park in the Fruitvale BART parking
lot and take the WES shuttle to the warehouse. The warehouse is located in the “Jingletown” area
of Oakland and Ms. Roessler attended the community meeting because she believes
it is important that the Women’s Board become involved with the community
and will participate in the community newsletter.
7.
CAMPAIGN CABINET REPORT – Sheryl Wong
Trustee Wong said Chevron Corporation’s
gift to the Capital Campaign will be announced at the
event on February 6, 2006. Trustee John McDonald will
make the announcement and will also ask attending representatives
of other companies to match the grant. In addition, the
Capital Campaign video will be premiered and Executive
Director Lori Fogarty will be introduced. Ms. Wong said
at the event trustees should be proactive by circulating,
introducing themselves, and handing out business cards.
Trustees will later be asked to report on who they spoke
to and provide any contact information gathered.
8. GALA REPORT – Dale Block
Trustee Block distributed Gala Honorary Committee forms
and asked trustees to complete the forms and return
to Gala Coordinator Nicole Leventhal. The Gala will
be held on Friday, April 28, 2006 with Diane Disney
Miller serving as honorary chair. Ms. Miller will
lend Disney items to be displayed at the Gala that
have never been viewed by the public. Presently,
306 seats have been sold and $170,000 has been received
and gratitude was expressed to trustee Harold Jones
for his role in having the Port of Oakland underwrite
the Gala invitations.
Trustee Wong said getting corporate sponsors is difficult
because corporations are also being solicited for the
Capital Campaign. What is really needed is a corporation
that would be willing to make a five figure donation.
Some of the corporations who have signed on are The Men’s
Wearhouse, Shorenstein, Mattson Navigation, and Clorox.
Some of the companies giving in-kind services are Mondovi,
Sky Vodka, and Rutherford.It was suggested that a page
in the Gala program be dedicated to acknowledge the companies
who are contributing to
the Capital Campaign. A request was made for a contact
person at Pixar, Inc. and trustee Margaret Russell said
she has a name of contact.
9. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT – Rich Edwards
Trustee Rich Edwards said the Finance Committee is working
with Acting Director Mark Medeiros and accountant Ambrus
Reese to make the financial more understandable. Additional
categories have been added to revenue and expenses, such
as, Curatorial and Exhibition Services has subcategories
of art, history, natural sciences, and conservation.
The museum guilds and councils are not separate 501(c)3
organizations so their funds flow through the foundation
and subcategories have been established for these groups.
Based on current estimates it appears there will be a
$100,000 budget deficit for the year but an effort will
be made to turn it into small surplus by end of fiscal
year. The Conservation Department total revenues are
running short of target and the Facilities Rental Department
is running at a five month YTD deficit of $30,000. Mr.
Medeiros will meet with the heads of these departments
regarding budget performance YTD. The revenue for Baseball
as America is almost $60,000 ahead of target.
Zackary Zide of the Education Department organized the
Earth Dance film festival and has been approached to
take this event to other venues. Mr. Zide asked for permission
to devote a percentage of his time to locate possible
venues and to determine the fiscal feasibility of this
project, and has been authorized to do so. Trustee Penelope
Wong volunteered to work with Mr. Zide on this project
and other trustees were asked to help and provide their
expertise.
Membership Manager Ann Eisenberg met with the Finance
Committee and reported almost 400 memberships were sold
during the baseball show by staff offering memberships
to those waiting in line to see the exhibit. The Finance
Committee has established a policy where it will meet
with department heads on a semi-annual basis.
10. RENOVATION OVERSITE COMMITTEE REPORT – Lance
Gyorfi
Chair Gyorfi said the building at 450 Lancaster Street that will house the CCRC
is essentially completed. There were four incidents of thefts for a total loss
of $36,000 and negotiations with the contractor are being made to determine how
much the contractor and foundation will each pay. It was initially planned that
a waterproofing silicate sealer be applied to the interior walls of the building,
however, it was determined this type of sealer was inadequate because the walls
are too porous and cracked. A more substantial and expensive sealer will have
to be applied and a bid for the job will be put out shortly.
The cost of the CCRC project will exceed the $5.0 million allocated for it. One
reason for the increase is the cost of moving the collection from the Army Base
to 450 Lancaster was under estimated. Chief Conservator John Burke is working
with staff on how the move can be accomplished for less money and trustees Curtis,
Chamberlin and Harrison are also working on ways to keep the costs down.
Mark Cavagnero will give a presentation on the Phase I museum construction at
the February board meeting. Estimated costs for the remodeling of the Art Gallery
were way over budget and Lance Gyorfi, Mark Medeiros, and staff are working with
Mark Cavagnero and Gallagher & Associates on this. It is imperative that
handicapped facilities be included in the museum renovation. The city is now
being sued because a handicapped visitor could not access an event held at the
museum. Also, Mr. Cavagnero made a presentation to the City of Oakland’s
Landmark Commission and they were receptive to what was being planned for the
exterior of the building. 11.
ADJOURNMENT – Lance
Gyorfi
There being no further business Chair Gyorfi adjourned
the meeting at 6:02 p.m.
.
Christopher
McLain
Secretary
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