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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021.08.11 WAB Minutes & AttachmentsWHEELER OPERA HOUSE Wheeler Advisory Board Meeting Minutes August 11, 2021 1 3:00 p.m. Wheeler Opera House In Attendance: Wheeler Opera House Advisory Board Members: Chip Fuller, Chairperson; Amy Mountjoy, Secretary; Ziska Childs; Dr. Tom Kurt; Nina Gabianelli; Richard Stettner (via phone); Jennifer White (ex-officio, via phone); Lauren Forman (alternate, via phone) Wheeler Opera. Hous City of Aspen Staff: Sara Ott, City Manager; Diane Foster, Assistant City Manager; Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director; Maddy Overton, Artist Services. City Council Liaison: Mayor Torre Meeting Recorder. Maddy Overton The meeting was called to order at 3:04 p.m. by Chip Fuller. Chip Fuller moved for approval of July meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously. Wheeler RETT Update: Sara Ott, City Manager Ms. Ott shared with the board City Council's conversation on the first reading of the Wheeler Real Estate Transfer Tax language from the previous night's meeting, outlining three key points about the changes. First, she expressed the priority of the Wheeler as the primary beneficiary of WRETT fund dollars. Second, the current ballot language removes the $100,000 grant cap for local arts organizations. Third, the RETT will also be used to fund The Red Brick Center for the Arts, a city -owned and operated arts facility. Ms. Ott shared that the City Manager's Office will still start surveying voters over the next two weeks to collect voter data on this bill. Results will be shared at the next Council meeting, August 241h. There will be opportunity for public comment at this meeting. Ms. Ott remarked that some people have asked about funding for the Isis Theatre. In the proposed ballot language, by funding the Red Brick Center through the RETT, financial room is made in the general fund to aid the Isis payments due from Aspen Film, which wants to and should be the owner of the Isis. Ms. Ott shared that the Board can expect communication about on guidelines for how board members can participate should the WRETT proposal be placed on the November 2021 ballot - there are specific guidelines that govern how Board members may share their views about the ballot initiative. The Board may want a representative at the August 241h and 315t Council meetings to be certain that their voices are heard. Executive Director Report: Lisa Rigsby Peterson; Executive Director Ms. Rigsby Peterson updated the Board on the Wheeler's first Wheeler Presents event since the venue closure due to COVID-19.Yesterday and Today will take place on August 27th. We've sold over 200 tickets already and hope that board members will join us. As discussed earlier this summer, first responders and essential workers will receive a special invitation to the show. Ms. Rigsby Peterson continued by inviting the Board to join the upcoming Come Together Session on September 2"d. Local residents with stories about the Wheeler have been invited to join a moderated conversation to share Wheeler stories from over the years. Staff will take this time to compile these stories and learn more about our history. Ms. Rigsby Peterson added that we are still researching information about the location of a time capsule mentioned in Board minutes from 1983 and 1984. Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared a printout* of upcoming fall programing. Including Dance Aspen, a group of former dancers from Aspen -Santa Pe Ballet, who will perform September 17th. *See attached handout* Capital Projects Updates/Discussion Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared a building report handout* on ongoing project updates. She and Building Manager Pete Hajdu will have this updated report each month for the Board. *See attached handout * Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared the near -term capital project list with the Board and requested any feedback to be emailed to her. Seeing no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:48 p.m. WHEELER OPERA HOUSE ASâ–șEN.[010RADD Building Projects - August 2021 1. Row lettering in the theatre This simple project, affixing row letters to the end of each row, will help our volunteer ushers and patrons and streamline the seating process. 2. Mini split chiller re -install When the new freight elevator lobby was built, the two small chiller units ("mini -splits") for the bar area were removed to accommodate the construction. They need to be reinstalled. 3. Securing chiller flush quote The fairly new building chiller is experiencing periodic shutdown incidents. Flushing the chiller coolant is the anticipated solution. 4. Lighting dark areas in the back of the theatre and in the balcony. There are several places in the back of theatre and on the sides of the balcony that are exceptionally dark when the house lights are down. Installing small, inexpensive lights will provide safer illumination for volunteers and patrons. 5. Coordinating awning replacement As the masonry project winds down, the awnings over business entries and windows will be put back into place. While the fabric colors have changed, the awning design has not. 6. Assist Public House with patio lighting To support the Public House restaurant's efforts to attract business while the building and their entrance is wrapped in scaffolding, Wheeler staff have helped them to hang attractive patio lighting over the outdoor seating area. 7. Begin window shade project Staff are in the process of ordering mechanized shades for windows in the theatre and are also calendaring the best time for this quick project. . /T,\. WHEELER OPERA NOUfE ASPEN.COIORADO Upcoming Fall 2021 Events Food and Wine Pass Pick -Up September 9 - 11 Dance Aspen September 17 Aspen Film Festival September 21 - 25 Aspen Fringe Fall Festival October 1 Chris Collins (part of John Denver week) October 8 - 9 Shining Mountains Film Festival at the Isis October 8 - 9 Teton Films October 15 Bird Talker October 22 Aspen Community Theatre's "Company" October 24 - November 14 Susan Werner November 16 Teton Films November 18 Warren Miller December 2 Aspen Chorale's Messiah December 10 Aspen Film Academy Screenings December 12 - 16 Kathleen Madigan December 18 Justin Willner Magic December 28 TBA New Year's Eve concert December 31 Wheeler Presents Event