MEETING MINUTES
Regular Board Meeting
July 23, 2025
Art Pick Council Chambers, 3900 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92522 Board Members Present Museum Staff Present Cynthia Zdilor, Chair Robyn G. Peterson, Museum Director Richard Cardullo, Vice Chair Ann Lovell, Manager of Operations Peggy Barnhart Toni Kinsman, Sr. Office Specialist
Julie Bjork Jennifer Dickerson, Curatorial Svcs. Mgr.
Mary Carter
Claudia Rodriguez
Board Members Absent
Rich Gardner
Luz Negrón Bermo
Sharon Tennell
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 3:01 p.m. by Board Chair Zdilor.
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. This is the portion of the meeting specifically set aside to invite your comments regarding any matter within the Museum of Riverside Board’s jurisdiction.
Individual audience participation is limited to 3 minutes. If you are in person, please complete and submit a speaker card to Museum staff. To comment via Telephone, call (951)826-8688. Press *9 to be placed in the queue to speak. Individuals in the queue will be prompted to unmute by pressing *6 when you are ready to speak. To comment via Zoom, use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/92696991265, select the "raise hand" function to request to speak. An on-screen message will prompt you to "unmute" and speak. You can also comment using the eComments feature at www.riversideca.gov/meeting until 1:00 p.m. on the meeting day.
No public eComments or in-person comment cards received in Chambers. No callers or Zoom speaker requests.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes – May 28, 2025
Motion to approve without corrections.
3. Record Museum of Riverside Board member absences for the May 28, 2025, regular meeting.
A motion was made to record the absence of Museum of Riverside Board member Rich Gardner as excused due to personal reasons and; record the absence of Museum of Riverside Board member Luz Negrón Bermo as excused due to personal reasons and; record the absence of Museum of Riverside Board member Sharon Tennell as unexcused due less than 24 hours’ notice.
Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Cardullo
Ayes: All
PRESENTATION
4. Annual review of the Code of Ethics and Conduct
Gil Vega from the Board of Ethics gave a presentation on the City’s Code of Ethics and Conduct. No recommendations were made by the Museum of Riverside Board during the meeting. The annual review was completed.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
5. Recommend formal acceptance of a financial donation from the Riverside Museum Associates supporting a documentary about the Harada family story and rehabilitation of the Harada House.
A motion was made by the Museum of Riverside Board to recommend that the City Council approve and accept a $100,000 financial donation from the Riverside Museum Associates supporting a documentary about the Harada family story and rehabilitation of the Harada House.
Motion: Board Member Cardullo
Second: Board Member Rodriguez
Ayes: All
6. Recommend formal acceptance of a financial donation from the Harada House Foundation supporting a documentary about the Harada family story and rehabilitation of the Harada House.
A motion was made by the Museum of Riverside Board to recommend that the City Council approve and accept a $40,000 financial donation from the Harada House Foundation supporting a documentary about the Harada family story and rehabilitation of the Harada House.
Motion: Board Member Bjork
Second: Board Member Barnhart
Ayes: All
7. Deaccession from the permanent collection, where applicable, of four (4) objects: a table (O271), two chairs (A500-83; unknown accession number), and a lamp (RMA A motion was made by the Museum of Riverside Board to recommend that City Council approve deaccession from the permanent collection, where applicable, of four (4) objects: a table (O271), two chairs (A500-83; unknown accession number), and a lamp (RMA 8).
Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Cardullo
Ayes: All
COMMUNICATIONS
8. Board Chair/ Vice-Chair update
Chair – no updates
Vice-Chair – no updates
9. Harada House Foundation (HHF) – quarterly update
Natalie Komuro gave an update on behalf of Sarah Mundy. Three new Board members have joined the HHF Board. The HHF Board is excited to contribute to the Museum and provide funding for the Harada documentary, and HHF is proud of their collaborating partnership with the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California for their project Building Our Region’s Korean Communities exhibition opening July 24th.
10. Riverside Museum Associates (RMA) – quarterly update Chuck Wilson gave the quarterly update and distributed printed copies of the RMA annual report for 2024/25. The report (also available on the RMA website) reflects the implementation of the recently updated RMA Strategic Plan. Features include an updated financial report layout, increased communication to the public, digital newsletter, and fundraising events. A Sip & Paint event was recently held and well attended. The RMA Multicultural Committee (MCC) continues to spread awareness and education through our local schools with outreach and participation in events such as Juneteenth. New Museum of Riverside Board member Mary Carter volunteered to assist with a future RMA Sip & Paint event.
11. Director’s Update regarding the main museum renovation, historic houses, collections, exhibitions and programs, budget, staffing, advisory teams, volunteer and support opportunities, and marketing and communications.
In addition to the submitted written report, Director Peterson reported that the construction fencing at the main museum is up, including the pedestrian access tunnel on Orange Street. The general contractor is waiting for the submittal from the historic preservation subcontractor (Spectra), which will guide the demolition process.
Three interviews will be held next week for the Archivist position. A planning committee has been created for the main museum grand opening; one Museum Board member will be requested to serve on the committee for this multi-day event. The Harada architect and engineering team were on site to discuss the house lifting process. On July 28. Board Member Rodriguez will tour the Museum’s collections storage sites; up to three additional Board members may attend the tour as well.
12. Brief reports on conferences, seminars, and meetings attended by Museum of Riverside Board members Board members Rodriguez and Cardullo attended the City’s Arts & Culture luncheon. Board member Barnhart complimented Museum staff on the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the main museum.
13. 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 items requested.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:38 p.m.
The next regular Museum of Riverside Board meeting is scheduled for August 27, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in the Art Pick City Council Chambers Museum Board Minutes 7-23-2025
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