State Museum Board of Directors public meetings in 2021

State Museum Board of Directors

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana State Museum is meeting via Zoom. The primary scheduled topic for discussion is an internal audit.

• Internal Audit Discussion

State Museum Board of Directors

The Board of Directors will discuss commercial and residential lease approvals and rent abatements. The meeting includes votes on a bylaw amendment, the election of a Treasurer, and committee appointments. The board will also review proposed acquisitions and deaccessions for the permanent collection.

• Proposed Bylaw Amendment: Article 7, Section 1
• Rent abatements for 503 St. Ann and 541 St. Ann due to Ida damage
• Lease discussions for 521 St. Ann, 529 St. Ann, 808 Chartres St., and 515 St. Ann
• Proposed acquisitions and deaccessions to the Permanent Collection
• Election for Treasurer

The Board approved negotiations with Columns on the Square for a commercial space and established a payment plan for deferred rent. Members also approved new residential rent rates based on a 2017 study and authorized renovations for a residential unit. Additionally, the Board updated committee appointments and elected a new Treasurer.

• Elected Wendy Lodrig as Treasurer of the Board
• Approved appointments to Executive, Irby/Finance, Collections, and Architectural Preservation committees
• Approved a 12-month payment plan (July 2022–June 2023) for deferred rent from July-December 2021
• Approved negotiations with Columns on the Square for 529 St. Ann, with ShoeBeDo as backup
• Approved re-opening the application process for 808 Chartres St.
• Approved adopting 2017 rent study rates for new residential tenants starting July 2022
• Approved prorating rent for 503 St. Ann and 541 St. Ann due to Hurricane Ida mold damage
• Approved acquisitions, deaccessions, and loan extensions for the Permanent Collection

State Museum Board of Directors

The Board of Directors will conduct oaths of office for new members and nominate a Chair and Co-Chair. The meeting includes the ratification of the Irby Annual Budget and reviews regarding commercial tenant leases and the bidding process.

• Oath of Office for Ruth Burke, Brian King, and Wendy Lodrig
• Ratification of Irby Annual Budget
• Review of commercial tenant existing leases ending September 30, 2021
• Review of commercial tenant bid process
• Discussion of proposed donations, acquisitions, and deaccessions for museum collections

The Board elected new leadership and approved a rent policy for commercial tenants. The Board also ratified the Irby annual budget and accepted the Architectural Committee's advisory opinion on Madame John’s Legacy.

• Elected Kim Abramson as Board Chair
• Elected Christen Losey-Gregg as Vice Chair
• Ratified the Irby annual budget (unanimous)
• Approved abating remainder of 2021 rent for Jan-June (unanimous)
• Approved 75% rent for commercial tenants from Oct-Dec 2021 (unanimous)
• Accepted the Collections Committee report in full (unanimous)
• Accepted Architectural Committee advisory opinion on Madame John’s Legacy (unanimous)
• Approved adoption of May 17, 2021 meeting minutes (unanimous)

State Museum Board of Directors

The Louisiana State Museum Board of Directors will meet via Zoom to conduct business. The primary action item on the agenda is the acceptance of the proposed Irby FY 22 Budget.

• Accepting Proposed Irby FY 22 Budget

State Museum Board of Directors

The Louisiana State Museum Board of Directors will consider a commercial tenant rent policy, lease renewals, proposed acquisitions and deaccessions for the permanent collection, and a realty management company proposal. The meeting will be held via Zoom.

• Commercial Tenant Rent Policy
• Lease Renewal for Commercial Tenants
• Proposed Acquisitions for the Permanent Collection
• Proposed Deaccessions from the Permanent Collection
• Realty Management Company Proposal

The Board established a new rent policy for commercial tenants leasing space as of March 2020, abating rent for late 2020 and setting payments at 75% through September 2021. The Board also approved several collection actions and began exploring the use of an outside real estate management company.

• Approved abating rent for Oct-Dec 2020 and setting rent at 75% for commercial tenants through Sept 2021 (Unanimous)
• Approved bids for 529 St. Ann (Unanimous)
• Approved application for 521 St. Ann (Unanimous)
• Set bid deadline for 808 Chartres for June 18, 2021
• Approved pursuing legal remedies for a residential tenant behind on rent (Unanimous)
• Approved Collections Committee report for accessions, deaccessions, conservation treatments, and outgoing loans (Unanimous)
• Approved exploring the sourcing of an outside real estate management company (Unanimous)
• Approved sending a response letter regarding the Legislative Audit on the Pontalba apartment (Unanimous)

State Museum Board of Directors

The Board of Directors will review the current fiscal year budget and commercial tenant rent policy. The meeting also includes discussions regarding proposed accessions, deaccessions, and incoming loans for the museum collections.

• Review of Current FY budget
• Commercial Tenant Rent Policy review
• Proposed Accessions for the Permanent Collection and Demonstration Collection
• Proposed Deaccessions from the Permanent Collection
• Incoming Loans and Loan Extensions

The Board unanimously approved an amendment to commercial lease agreements to extend rental deferrals from April 1, 2021, through May 31, 2021. The Board also ratified a letter sent to the Attorney General's office and approved the full Collections Committee report.

• Approved amendment to commercial lease agreements for April 1, 2021 – May 31, 2021 (Unanimous)
• Ratified motion approving letter sent to the AG’s office (Unanimous)
• Adopted full Collections Committee report regarding accessions, deaccessions, and loans (Unanimous)
• Adopted meeting agenda (Unanimous)
• Adopted December 20, 2020 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Approved January 27, 2021 Executive Committee minutes (Unanimous)