MEETING MINUTES
Regular Board Meeting
October 22, 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
Luz Negrón Bermo Jennifer Dickerson, Curatorial Svcs. Mgr.
Julie Bjork Chantal Downing, Inst. Adv. Coord.
Mary Carter
Claudia Rodriguez
Sharon Tennell
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 3:02 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 – August 27, 2025
Motion to approve without corrections.
3. Approval of Meeting Minutes – September 24, 2025 (no quorum) Motion to approve without corrections.
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4. 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 Peggy Barnhart as excused due to Personal.
Motion: Board Member Cardullo
Second: Board Member Rodriguez
Abstain: Board Member Barnhart
Ayes: Board Members Zdilor, Cardullo, Bjork, Carter, Negrón Bermo, Rodriguez & Tennell
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
5. Recommendation to accession into the permanent collection twenty-four (24) black- and-white photographs by photographer Philip Adam and one (1) pencil sketch by artist Robert Herlitz
A motion was made to recommend to City Council to approve accession into the permanent collection of twenty-four (24) black-and-white photographs by photographer Philip Adam and one (1) pencil sketch by artist Robert Herlitz Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Cardullo
Ayes: All
6. Recommendation to accession into the permanent collection thirty-seven (37) color photographs, two (2) Riverside Junior College year booklets, two (2) Koala yearbooks from Polytechnic High School, and one (1) Riverside Polytechnic High School reunion souvenir booklet from a local donor
A motion was made to recommend to City Council to approve accession into the permanent collection of thirty-seven (37) color photographs, two (2) Riverside Junior College year booklets, two (2) Koala yearbooks from Polytechnic High School, and one (1) Riverside Polytechnic High School reunion souvenir booklet from a local donor Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Cardullo
Ayes: All
7. Cancellation of November and December 2025 scheduled meetings due to winter holidays
A motion was made to cancel the November 26, 2025, and December 24, 2025, meetings due to winter holidays.
Motion: Board Member Rodriguez
Second: Board Member Tennell
Nay: Board Member Negrón Bermo
Ayes: Board Members Zdilor, Barnhart, Cardullo, Bjork, Carter, Rodriguez & Tennell
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8. Discuss, receive, and file the Strategic Plan status report for the quarter ending September 30, 2025
This report was received and filed. If any Board members have input to consider for 2026/2027, please contact Director Peterson. A Board workshop may be held in the future.
COMMUNICATIONS
9. Riverside Museum Associates (RMA) - quarterly update Vice President Chuck Wilson encouraged the Board to review the newest RMA newsletter, which he had distributed. An annual appeal letterhas been mailed. The RMA is still underway on updating its financial processes. The RMA will be looking at their Strategic Plan soon. Two new positions on the Board have been established for a Harada House-focused member and main Museum-focused member.
10. Harada House Foundation (HHF) – quarterly update
Newly appointed President of the HHF Natalie Komuro presented the updated slate of the HHF executive team as of October 7th. Judy Lee, Vice-President; Sarah Ostlund, Treasurer; and Brenda Focht, Secretary. Fundraising strategies were discussed with Greg Saks who works with the Cal State University Chancellor’s office. Neil Okazaki, former Riverside City Attorney, has also joined the HHF Board to assist with governance issues.
Jennifer Dickerson joined part of their retreat on October 7th as Museum representative.
Stay tuned for end of year/new year 2026 communications.
11. Board Chair/ Vice-Chair update
Chair Zdilor thanked Museum of Riverside Board members (Rich, Julia, Claudia, & Luz) who staffed a table at the Moon Festival event.
Vice-Chair Cardullo visited the Quackeries & Cures exhibition at Heritage House and enjoyed it.
12. 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 all October events have been well attended with many more to come. Doors Open will feature the Harada House gates open for public visitation. Please share the December 6th program at RCC featuring author Susan Straight and Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson.
13. Brief reports on conferences, seminars, and meetings attended by Museum of Riverside Board members
Luz Negrón participated in the Moon Festival, Inlandia outreach (Culture without Borders) at a book fair, will have an altar at Dia de los Muertos, and attended a City Council meeting to promote immigrant rights
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Claudia Rodriguez attended the Riverside Cultural Directors’ meeting, joined the Riverside Historical Society Book Fair at City Hall and promoted their two new book releases.
Mary Carter asked whether the Museum could do anything about reportedly discarded books or materials from the March Field Air Museum; more details about items and significance from a direct source would be needed before approaching their Museum.
14. 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 at this time.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:32 p.m.
The next regular Museum of Riverside Board meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in the Art Pick City Council Chambers