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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021.08.11 WAB Minutes REVISED1 Wheeler Advisory Board Meeting Minutes August 11, 2021 | 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 House/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 24th. 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 2 may want a representative at the August 24th and 31st Council meetings to be certain that their voices are heard. The Board agreed to submit responses to Chair Fuller to be compiled and shared with City Council. 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 2nd. 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 Fe 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.