Grignon Mansion Board Meeting Minutes – October 22, 2018

Posted on Feb 15, 2019 by admin_post

GRIGNON MANSION BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Monday, October 22, 2018

The meeting was called to order by John Brogan at 5:10 pm at the Grignon Mansion.

Roll Call (Mader)
1. Present: John Brogan, Randy McSorley, Bruce Werschem, Diana Driessen, and Haley Mader
2. Absent: Al Borchardt, Bob Jakel, Pennie Thiele, and Pahl Ploetz
3. Others in Attendance: Patty DeGoey and Allyson Watson

Welcome Others in Attendance

Review/Approval of Prior Minutes – A motion was made by John Brogan to approve the prior meeting minutes, seconded by Randy McSorely.
Report from City (Watson/Jakel)
1. Follow-up with Peter Peregrine, Professor of Anthropology at Lawrence University –
  1. Allyson Watson had a discussion with Peter about the work that his students completed at the mansion and what the best process should be moving forward from the city’s prospective if reconstruction occurs if the city wishes to add other educational amenities to the property.
  2. The Community Foundation would like to do a follow-up article on the summer kitchen.
2. Cellar Stairs/Entrance Reconstruction – construction of the cellar entrance has begun; floor and rebar for the walls have been installed.
Report from Friends (DeGoey)
1. Friends Finance Report – The September treasurer’s report was distributed by Patty DeGoey. As of September 30^th, the ending balance was $91,666.47.
2. Christmas Tours – preparation at the mansion for the Christmas tours has begun (restocking craft supplies, creating scripts, and decorating), advance ticket sales are now available.
3. Railroad Repair Discussion Follow-up – Allyson to follow-up with the city about the repair of the railroad tracks leading to the mansion
Other Business
1. Review interview and next steps for “well” at Grignon Mansion – the concrete cap was removed from the top of the well and recent camera findings showed that the well was in fact real.
  1. A camera provided by the city was used to search down the well. The camera detected the that the well bows out about 4-6 inches at the bottom, is 4 feet in diameter, and is made of stone all the way down to the bedrock. Found at the bottom of the well was a few fallen stones and rotten wood.
  2. The city’s recommendation is to fill the well about 2 feet below grade, remove/salvage all the stones surrounding the well, fill the hole, and reseed the lawn.
  3. A motion was made by John Brogan to fill the well per the city’s recommendation and relocate the well elsewhere on the property, seconded by Bruce Werschem
2. Inventory of Grignon Mansion historic assets and independent audit
  1. An inventory of the mansion has been located
  2. Peter Peregrine to provide some local contacts to assist with inventory collection
  3. A new donation form is to be made to improve the current inventory record keeping processes
3. Letter from City of Kaukauna regarding volunteer expectations –
  1. A clear set of expectations will be put in place to protect the mansions assets and volunteers
  2. A motion was made by John Brogan to indefinitely suspend access to the Grignon Mansion for the two volunteers referenced in the letter from the city; seconded by Randy McSorely.
4. Donations that require Board Approval – no new items are to be accepted until a formal policy/form has been created for accepting donations. The policies are to be revisited in January of 2019.
  1. Coffee Pot – silver coffee pot and letters dating back to 1815
  2. Book (1836) – History of the Catholic church, belonged to a descendent of the Grignon’s
  3. Copies of kindergarten teachings and cross stitching – teach materials
  4. Candle Sticks and Tea Pot – unable to accept
  5. A motion was made by John Brogan to accept the donations, with the exception candle sticks and tea pot; seconded by Dianna Driessen
Next Board Meeting – Monday, November 26^th at 5:00 pm at the Grignon Mansion

Adjournment – A motion to adjourn was made by Randy McSorley at 6:15 pm, seconded by Bruce Werschem.

Haley Mader, Secretary