MEETING MINUTES (draft)
Regular Board Meeting
August 27, 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 Julie Bjork Toni Kinsman, Sr. Office Specialist
Mary Carter
Luz Negrón Bermo
Claudia Rodriguez
Sharon Tennell
Board Members Absent
Peggy Barnhart
Rich Gardner
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 – July 23, 2025
Motion to approve without corrections.
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3. Record Museum of Riverside Board member absences for the July 23, 2025, regular meeting.
A motion was made to record the absence of Museum of Riverside Board member Rich Gardner as unexcused due to no notice given 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 Cardullo
Second: Board Member Rodriguez
Abstain: Board Member Tennell
Ayes: Board Members Zdilor, Cardullo, Bjork, Carter, Negrón Bermo, & Rodriguez
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
4. Receive and file the Collections Activity report for FY2024-2025 Director Peterson gave comments and the report was filed.
5. Recommendation to the Museum of Riverside Board to recommend that City Council approve deaccession from the permanent collection of the Lisa L. Andersen and William M. A. Swafford collection (A1814) comprised of sixteen (16) baskets, eight (8) woven plaques, four (4) gourds, thirteen (13) kachina figures, fifteen (15) masks, one (1) shield, three (3) wooden plaques, and one (1) totem pole.
A motion was made by the Museum of Riverside Board to recommend that City Council approve deaccession from the permanent collection of the Lisa L. Andersen and William M. A. Swafford collection (A1814) comprised of sixteen (16) baskets, eight (8) woven plaques, four (4) gourds, thirteen (13) kachina figures, fifteen (15) masks, one (1) shield, three (3) wooden plaques, and one (1) totem pole.
Motion: Board Member Rodriguez
Second: Board Member Bjork
Ayes: All
6. Discuss, receive, and file the Strategic Plan status report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025
This report was received and filed.
COMMUNICATIONS
7. Board Chair/ Vice-Chair update
Chair – no updates
Vice-Chair – no updates
8. 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.
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In addition to the submitted written report, Director Peterson reported that the new website may launch by the end of September. Construction on the main museum has begun with fencing up and a scrim featuring images from Museum events, attendees, and collection. Museum staff were given a 2-week extension on the federal Save America’s Treasures grant supporting Harada House. which will allow for more funds to be drawn down. Steve Mandeville-Gamble has been selected as the new Museum Archivist and will begin September 26th. His initial focus will be on the Harada family archives.
9. Brief reports on conferences, seminars, and meetings attended by Museum of Riverside Board members
Board member Negrón Bermo shared that Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15th- October 15th, Division 9 Gallery will be hosting the Mucho Gusto Festival, and there will be an Arts & Music Festival at White Park on September 27th. Board member Cardullo shared that he visited the Museum of White Mountains in Plymouth, New Hampshire, while he was attending a conference in Holderness, New Hampshire.
10. 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.
A review of social media communication by appointed Board & Commission Members as related to Brown Act was requested.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
The next regular Museum of Riverside Board meeting is scheduled for September 24, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in the Art Pick City Council Chambers