Grignon Mansion Board

GRIGNON MANSION BOARD MEETING MINUTES Monday, July 21, 2025 The meeting was called to order by Chair, Gavin Schmitt, at 4:32 p.m. in the Municipal Services Building, Hydro View Room. Roll Call Present – Gavin Schmitt, Christina Crook, Lyle Hansen, Brian Schuh, John Moore, Bruce Werschem, Brian Buechel Absent – Patty Brogan Others in Attendance – Allison Engels Public Appearances- Marcy Grogan-Seleen- Grignon Friends Group Review/Approve Minutes from June 16, 2025 Meeting Motion to approve Minutes, Werschem moves, Buechel second, Minutes approved. Report from the City (Engels) Archeological dig results will be emailed to the city. John Neumeier to review results. Discussion of items that were found to be kept at the Grignon but these may be stored at UW-Oshkosh as they completed the dig. Volunteer Sign-Up Genius is being sent out, board members should sign-up. Car show is set for 8-10-2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Civil War is set for the weekend of August 23rd/24th Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It was suggested to send the volunteer sign-up to the survey responders that were interested in volunteering. The report was submitted in mid-July for the $10,000 grant by the Community Foundation including updates, numbers for tours, school tours, etc. Discussion among the Board regarding what the grants funds are utilized for, in the past they were used for the Grignon Director’s salary. Currently, funds are used for maintenance, ceiling tiles replaced. The grant is received by the City which determines how funds are utilized. Report from Friends Mary Grogan-Seleen representing the Grignon Friends Group: Tours are going well, full tours on some weekends, which has not happened in several years. Good turnout is never bad. Condition and cleanliness of the home is an issue. The Board discussed how to properly clean the Grignon without sacrificing the historic nature of the home. Agreement that a cleaning company familiar with historic properties should be researched and possible use of the grant money to properly clean the home. It was also determined that it is the Friends responsibility to clean the home. Continued discussion as to whether the Friends Group, the Board or the City would be responsible for maintenance such as electrical, especially to have someone inspect the electrical system. Kaukauna Utilities was discussed; however, the City’s Building Inspector is most likely the person responsible for this action. Again, it was discussed that funds from the grant could be used towards these items. Mary indicated that two (2) of the tour participants thought the blacksmith would be there but due to an issue with the forge, he was unable to be at the tour. It was suggested that the Friends reach out to the tour participants and offer another time to them at no cost which would include the blacksmith. There is a new blacksmith who is working on repairing the forge. The Board discussed acting on some of the maintenance and cleaning issues. Schuh motioned to request that the Friends solicit bids for maintenance and provide them to the city. Motion passes. Report from the Chair Schmitt followed up on the issue of mold at the Grignon, which is not resolved as previously thought. In the master bedroom the issue was not finalized and the walls need to be washed again before being painted. This could be accomplished by careful civilians. Schmitt will follow up with the previous people who were working on this issue in the past. Discussion of electing a Vice Chair for the Board. Schmitt believes it is acceptable to have a running for this now. Requests that this action is added to the agenda. Werschem moves to add the Vice Chair election to the agenda, Schmitt seconds, motion passes. Discussion regarding the bylaws and whether there is an accurate and correct version. Schmitt has discussed this with former Chair Thiele, the Mayor, Terri Vosters, etc. Additional discussion regarding the budget for the Grignon and who is responsible to provide the budget to the city, Board and Friends. The former Director may have provided the budget to the city. Engels indicated it would be good to have an update before the winter project and to ensure the Friends receive the budget as well. Mary indicated the Friends are open to clarification and clean-up of roles, i.e. Board vs. Friends roles and duties. Moore discussed how to add more money to the budget and that the Friends can ask the city for money for maintenance and for buildings too. Schmitt indicated he has not received a response from Patty Brogan about her membership on the Board. Schmitt will talk with the Mayor, the Mayor may need to rescind her appointment to the Board. Werschem moves to rescind Brogan’s appointment to the Board, Schuh seconds, passes. Other Business Moore talked with the Mayor about Ellie and doing a recognition for her at the Civil War event. Mayor will need background information about Ellie. Friends will provide the Mayor with information so he can present Ellie with a certificate and Friends will be giving her a gift. Werschem brings up discussion about the need for an out building besides the Mansion suggests possible long house, summer kitchen, etc. is discussed. He indicates additional buildings would be helpful for storage of artifacts, etc. Board recognizes that any new building and request of funds must be handled carefully. Werschem will discuss possible options for buildings with Trevor whom assisted with the library renovations. Werschem provided a list of documents including surveys, the Civil Engagement Park Project, Long Range Plan for Grignon 2018 and Historic Structure Report 2021. These documents can be made a part of the Grignon documents for everyone to review. Set Next Meeting Date and Location Monday, August 18, 2025 beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Hydro View Room. Adjournment Motion by Buechel, seconded by Schuh. Motion unanimously approved, with meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m.