HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021.11.10 WAB Minues FINAL1
Wheeler Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2021 | 3:00 p.m.
Via WebEX
In Attendance:
Wheeler Opera House Advisory Board Members: Chip Fuller, Chair; Christine
Benedetti, Vice Chair; Amy Mountjoy, Secretary; Ziska Childs; Tom Kurt: Nina
Gabianelli; Richard Stettner; Lauren Forman (alternate)
Wheeler Opera House/City of Aspen Staff: Diane Foster, Assistant City Manager;
Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director; Maddy Overton, Artist Services
City Council Liaison: Mayor Torre
Meeting Recorder: Maddy Overton
Mr. Fuller called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.
Mr. Fuller approved previous meeting minutes.
• Wheeler Updates, Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director
Ms. Rigsby Peterson began by updating the Board of the progress on the Goals
and Outcomes Measures. These goals consist of the completion of the masonry
project, the reopening of the Wheeler with emphasis on safety, and focus on
community events within the calendar as we re-open. Each goal is on track for
completion if not already completed.
• COVID Protocols Implementation Update
Ms. Rigsby Peterson added that the implementation of the new Covid protocols
had gone very well. An average of 5-10 people have been tested at the rapid
testing site for each event, including several children. About 95% of patrons
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understand and are ready to comply with the protocols and changes. The
protocols are communicated in several ways, and to even buy a ticket on our
website you must acknowledge a pop up with the Covid-19 protocol information.
• 2022 Budget Update
Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared that the budget process was virtually finished. The
approval for Theatre Technician position was a procedural request to turn Cody’s
position into a permanent position. The 2022 budget request included a
supplemental request to “true up” the coming budget to be more in line with
historical expenses for temporary and intermittent employees to create a more
accurate representation of annual expenses moving forward.
• Programming Updates
Ms. Rigsby Peterson urged board members to see the Aspen Community Theatre
production of Company. She also shared news of the postponement of Susan
Werner’s November 16th concert and previewed the return of the Shining
Mountains Film Festival the weekend of November 20th. In December the
Wheeler will co-produce a screening of a film about the 10th Mountain Division
entitled “Mission Mount Mangart” by Colorado Ski Hall of Fame skier Chris
Anthony. Looking into early 2022, she mentioned the return of the Metropolitan
Opera in HD broadcasts, Physics lectures, Time Travel Tuesday, and a spring
collaboration with Dance Aspen.
• Grants Program Update
Ms. Rigsby Peterson stated that the City’s new grant application went live the
previous week. Grant application training sessions will soon begin to make it
much easier for grant applicants to understand and apply through the new
process.
• Hiring Update
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Final interviews for the Rentals Coordinator position are underway. Preliminary
interviews for the Production Manager, Administrative and Artistic Assistant,
Front of House Coordinator and intermittent Theatre Technicians are taking place.
Alex Glen has been promoted to the Front of House Supervisor position.
• Board Discussion
o Wheeler Real Estate Transfer Tax Ballot Initiative Passage
Mr. Fuller asked for any Board discussion regarding the recent passage of the
Wheeler Real Estate Transfer Tax ballot initiative. Seeing none, he shared that he
expected City Council would be reaching out to the board for conversation
regarding the impending changes as a result of the measure passage.
Dr. Kurt moved to adjourn, Ms. Gabianelli seconded, and the meeting concluded
at 3:42 p.m.