MEETING MINUTES
Special Board Meeting
February 4, 2026
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
Mary Carter (arrived 3:03 p.m.)
Anna Gaissert
Claudia Rodriguez
Sharon Tennell
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Board Chair Zdilor. A warm welcome was given to the newest Museum Board member Anna Gaissert (ward 4), who then gave a brief introduction to the Board.
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.
No public eComments or in-person comment cards received in Chambers. No callers or Zoom speaker requests.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Minutes – October 22, 2025
3. Minutes – November 26, 2025 (cancelled)
4. Minutes – December 24, 2025 (cancelled)
5. Minutes – January 28, 2026 (cancelled)
A motion was made to approve consent calendar items 2-5.
Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Cardullo
Ayes: All (Board member Carter was not in attendance for the vote)
PRESENTATION
6. Receive and file a presentation recognizing service by outgoing Board member Peggy Barnhart and Vice-Chair Rich Cardullo Museum Director Peterson and Chair Zdilor reviewed Peggy Barnhart’s and Rich Cardullo’s service to the Museum department and presented them with gifts of appreciation. Their terms will end February 28, 2026.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
7. Discuss, receive, and file the Strategic Plan status report for the quarter ending December 31, 2025 This report was received and filed.
8. Discuss and approve an annual Museum of Riverside Board work plan for its own operation A motion was made to approve the annual work plan.
Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Cardullo
Ayes: All
9. Recommend to approve accession into the permanent collection of archival items including one (1) Ruby’s Drive-In matchbook cover, two (2) double-sided Black Lives Matter protest signs, and ten (10) items relating to Riverside County Superior Court Judge William Ellis
A motion was made to recommend that the City Council approve accession into the permanent collection of archival items including one (1) Ruby’s Drive-In matchbook cover, two (2) double-sided Black Lives Matter protest signs, and ten (10) items relating to Riverside County Superior Court Judge William Ellis Motion: Board Member Cardullo
Second: Board Member Rodriguez
Ayes: All
10. Recommendation to accession into the permanent collection of four (4) RevereWare pots with lids, manufactured in Riverside
A motion was made to recommend that the City Council approve accession into the permanent collection of four (4) Revere Ware pots with lids, manufactured in Riverside Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Cardullo
Ayes: All
11. Recommendation to the Museum of Riverside Board to recommend that City Council approve deaccession from the permanent collection of one (1) taxidermied caribou trophy mount (A1128-4) A motion was made to recommend that the City Council approve deaccession from the permanent collection of one (1) taxidermy caribou trophy mount (A1128-4) Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Tennell
Ayes: All
12. Recommendation to the Museum of Riverside Board to recommend that City Council approve deaccession from the permanent collection of nine (9) plaster-cast reproductions of fossil animal skulls.
A motion was made to recommend that the City Council approve deaccession from the permanent collection of nine (9) plaster-cast reproductions of fossil animal skulls.
Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Carter
Ayes: All
13. Museum of Riverside Strategic Plan workshop
This item has been postponed to the February 25, 2026, regular Board meeting to allow an in-depth review of the draft 2026-2031 strategic plan. Physical copies were distributed to Board members.
14. 2026 Museum Board Officers
A motion was made to elect Luz Negrón Bermo as Board Chair and Claudia Rodriguez as Vice-Chair effective March 1, 2026.
Motion: Board Member Barnhart
Second: Board Member Cardullo
Ayes: All
COMMUNICATIONS
15. 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 main museum renovation project is in the demolition phase. The Harada House campus project is nearing the bid stage for pre-approved contractors. Interviews are still underway for the Immigration exhibition for the main museum re-opening. The Heritage House spring 2026 exhibition will feature Captain Dammers - Riverside’s Butterfly Man. New Museum Archivist Steve Mandeville-Gamble has made vast improvements in processing the Harada records. The Museum will join the City’s efforts in the America250 celebration. The Nights with the Museum speaker series has new 2026 dates and times (4th Thursday February-October).
16. Board Chair/ Vice-Chair update – no updates
17. Brief reports on conferences, seminars, and meetings attended by Museum of Riverside Board members Board member Negrón Bermo attended the Innovation Center opening at North High School, the Body of Freedom exhibition at RCCD’s Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, City volunteer training, and the Mayor’s State of the City Address.
Board member Gaissert attended the Creative Economics in Action: Statewide Engagement tour, which focused on the value arts deliver.
18. 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 3:44 p.m.
The next regular Museum of Riverside Board meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in the Art Pick City Council Chambers Museum Board Minutes 2-4-2026
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