BOARD MINUTES
Regular Board Meeting
September 27, 2023
Art Pick Council Chambers, 3900 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92522
Board Members Present Museum Staff Present Cynthia Zdilor, Chair Robyn Peterson, Museum Director Peggy Barnhart Ann Lovell, Manager of Operations
Julie Bjork Toni Kinsman, Sr. Office Specialist
Richard Cardullo
Luz Maria Negrón Bermo Board Member Absent
Rich Gardner Todd Carpenter
Sharon Tennell, Vice-Chair
Lovelyn Razzouk (virtual)
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Board Chair Cynthia Zdilor.
Board Member Razzouk joined the meeting virtually under the SB2449 “Just Cause” definition.
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. You are invited to participate by phone at (669) 900-6833 and enter Meeting ID: 926 9699 1265 to comment on any matters within the jurisdiction of the Museum of Riverside Board. Press *9 to be placed in the queue to speak when the agenda item is called.
Individuals in the queue will be prompted to unmute by pressing *6 to speak - Individual audience participation is limited to 3 minutes.
No eComments received online by the 1:00 p.m. deadline.
There were no callers for public comment.
There were two in-person comment cards received in Council Chambers: Lauren Bricker from Harada House Foundation with an update and Charlotte McKenzie from ward 1 speaking in favor of the Museum renovation.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made to approve agenda items 2 through 5.
Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Cardullo
Ayes: Unanimous
2. Minutes – July 26, 2023
The minutes were received and filed without corrections.
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3. Record the absence of Board Member Todd Carpenter from the July 26, 2023, regular Board meeting as excused.
A motion was approved to record the absence as excused due to illness.
4. Record the absence of Board Member Rich Gardner from the July 26, 2023, regular Board meeting as excused.
A motion was approved to record the absence as excused due to family emergency.
5. Record the absence of Board Member Lovelyn Razzouk from the July 26, 2023, regular Board meeting as excused.
A motion was approved to record the absence as excused due to vacation.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
6. Record the absence of Board Member Sharon Tennell from the July 26, 2023, regular Board meeting as unexcused.
A motion was approved to record the absence as unexcused due to no notice.
Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Cardullo
Ayes: Unanimous
7. Recommend to City Council approval of the design approach for the renovation and expansion of the Museum of Riverside’s downtown site
A motion was made by the Museum of Riverside Board to recommend City Council approve the design approach for the renovation and expansion of the Museum of Riverside’s downtown site.
Motion: Board Member Cardullo
Second: Board Member Tennell
Ayes: Unanimous
8. Accession into the permanent collection four lots of historic artifacts and archival items from four donors and two lots acquired by purchase.
A motion was made to recommend that City Council approve into the permanent collection four lots of historic artifacts and archival items from four donors and two lots acquired by purchase.
Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Razzouk
Ayes: Unanimous
9. Deaccession from the permanent collection fifty-two Inuit stone sculptures from the Ellen and Bert Witt Collection (A1085)
A motion was made to recommend that City Council approve deaccession from the permanent collection fifty-two Inuit stone sculptures from the Ellen and Bert Witt Collection (A1085).
Motion: Board Member Cardullo
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Second: Board Member Gardner
Ayes: Unanimous
10. Deaccession from the permanent collection two diorama mural paintings by Marilyn Griffith (A1783)
A motion was made to recommend that City Council approve deaccession from the permanent collection two diorama mural paintings by Marilyn Griffith (A1783).
Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Tennell
Ayes: Unanimous
11. Receive and file the Collection Activity report for FY2022-2023 The Collections Activity report was received and filed.
12. Discuss, receive, and file the Strategic Plan status report for the quarter ending June 30, 2023
The quarterly update for the strategic plan was discussed, received and filed.
COMMUNICATIONS
13. Board Chair/ Vice-Chair update- no reports
14. Director’s Update regarding the main museum renovation, historic houses, collections, exhibitions and programs, staffing, advisory teams, volunteer and support opportunities, marketing, and communications.
In addition to the report Director Peterson reported that Museum staff are working on Harada outreach kits for elementary, to be rolled out to Harada Elementary School (formerly Highland Elementary School). The Museum hosted Doors Open with the exterior gates open for 150 attendees to learn more about the Harada House and family.
The Museum participated in the Constitution Day event at the Riverside County Courthouse, with special guest appearances by Naomi Harada and House on Lemon Street author Mark Rawitsch. Students in attendance were able to have their complimentary book copy signed by Mr. Rawitsch during a lunch preceding the courthouse event. The last Open Lobby event will be hosted during Arts Walk on Thursday November 9th at the main museum, construction fencing will be erected in 2024.
The Museum will be celebrating their 99th Anniversary with cupcakes at the main museum on December 12th from 4-6pm. The Museum welcomed new hires for the positions of Associate Educator, Exhibits Designer, Curator of History and Curator of Natural History.
The Museum has extended an offer for the Coordinator of Institutional Advancement position. The Museum is updating a small exhibition space within the Arlington Library.
The Museum’s Nights with the Museum lecture series on the 1st Friday may have feature a different topic speaker as originally promoted due to scheduling changes.
15. Brief reports on conferences, seminars, and meetings attended by Museum of Riverside Board members
No discussion.
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16. Items for future Museum of Riverside Board consideration as requested by members of the Board. Only items that fall within the powers and duties of the Museum of Riverside as set forth in the City Charter and/or the Riverside Municipal Code will be agendized for future discussion.
No agenda items currently.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:47 p.m.
The next Museum of Riverside Board regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.