HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.WHLR.20200930.SpecialVirtual Wheeler Board Meeting
Special Board Meeting Minutes | Wednesday September 30, 2020 - 1PM
Submitted by Julie Gillespie
In Attendance:
Wheeler Opera House Board Members:
Chip Fuller, Chairperson
Christine Benedetti, Vice Chair
Justin Brown
Dr. Tom Kurt
Amy Mountjoy
Peter Grenney (alternate)
In Attendance:
Wheeler Opera House / COA Staff:
Diane Foster, Assistant City Manager
Nancy Lesley, Interim Wheeler Director
City Council Liaison
Mayor Torre
Ward Hauenstein (alternate)
Meeting Recorder: Julie Gillespie
DISCUSSION ACTIONS RESPONSES
o Meeting called to order at 1:06 PM
Board Discussion (Chip Fuller)
o Initial COVID Policy Questions, Discussion & Recommendations
• See attached memo from Interim Director, Nancy Lesley.
• Board discussion regarding potential for reopening the Wheeler to the public in December.
• KURT: Update on the upcoming October 1, 2020 Board of Health meeting. Karen Koenemann submitted a revision
of how the county complies with Colorado state regulations that expire on September 30, 2020. Wanted to call
attention to this and how this will affect the Wheeler and the rest of the community.
• FULLER: Does the board want to discuss thoughts and if this is enough information to warrant opening? Is there a
community benefit by hosting shows with a maximum of 50 people?
• FULLER: Personally, I would like to see activities at the Wheeler as soon as possible. Worst thing that could
happen however, would be to open and then be a contributor to the spread of COVID. We need to be careful, do
this the right way and not the quickest way. This should include a robust cleaning protocol before and after
events, social distancing, masks, etc. Potential for local events, children’s film, local musician, low cost
performances, etc. This is something we could do this year and reassess next year.
• KURT: I agree, and suggest we consider a hybrid event option. Have 53 people in the Wheeler and make the event
available virtually.
• FULLER: Isis theatre is currently renting out their venue to see any movie for $150. This is a conversation about
Virtual Wheeler Board Meeting
Special Board Meeting Minutes | Wednesday September 30, 2020 - 1PM
Submitted by Julie Gillespie
the local level, keeping it inexpensive and something that does not require a subsidy.
• BENEDETTI: I agree with getting something going and scaling down the ticket pricing, this is necessary. Would like
to see an activity planned, possible even to activate the lobby space. This would also help to get the employees
working and back in action.
• MOUNTJOY: How did we come to the number of 53 people? How do we come to the possibility of an additional
12 more people?
• LESLEY: Staff spend a few hours in the theatre taking measurements to ensure what we are proposing would be in
line with the Public Health Orders. With appropriate social distancing, the maximum number of people in the
theatre came to 53 with groups no bigger than 4 people. If the seats were taken out, we could have an additional
dozen seats.
• WARD: Question to be asked, is the focus on profit? What is the community benefit of having performances at the
Wheeler during this time? Would there be a local discount? How do we open up the Wheeler to focus on benefit
and profit? Some concerns discussed – some artists feel they are losing control of their content.
• FULLER: Hearing similar things about artists not excited about the streaming concept. There is a benefit to having
it available, which is a step towards normalcy. Also, would not be the time for large subsidies; not the time to pay
$40,000 for an act to come in.
• TORRE: Question for Chip and Nancy – currently have a contract with Professional Facilities Management (PFM),
have we been in that contract for the full year? Are we still under contract for PFM to do bookings?
• LESLEY: Current PFM contract expires end of 2021.
• TORRE: For the past 7 months PFM has not been doing any bookings, so I am wondering about that contract and
what the status is moving forward. What does their participation look like moving forward? Michael Goldberg
with Belly Up on the line, any thoughts?
• LESLEY: I do not have the exact details, will have to look into this.
• GOLDBERG: Many scheduled shows have been renegotiated and moved several times over the past few months,
some even held for 2022. Many alternative concepts being discussed in the industry including streaming in order
to stay relevant. People are looking for options, some venues are starting to open up but slowly. Red Rocks
example – open with availability for 175 people out of 9,500 normal capacity.
• TORRE: What is the ability to be able to share content from the Wheeler – streaming on a website, utilize
Grassroots, partnering with other platforms? I am hearing the board is supportive of the community and have the
venue continue to be a community asset.
• FULLER: The focus should be on community based events and work on testing out protocols and how they would
work for a small show. When we are allowed to increase capacity, we will have a process in place that works. Idea
to remove all seats for an increase of 12 seems excessive. Seats in could help provide a natural buffer. In support
of 2 shows per week since it will allow us to clean properly. I think we should look into a streaming option,
Virtual Wheeler Board Meeting
Special Board Meeting Minutes | Wednesday September 30, 2020 - 1PM
Submitted by Julie Gillespie
something hosted by the Wheeler or using a different production service.
• MOUNTJOY: I would be in favor of more community based events. Try out having 53 people and then sell online
access as well, especially if it is programming through local non-profits.
• TORRE: In agreement with Amy and Chip, suggest hybrid events with live audience and option for virtual tickets
sold.
• FULLER: Highlight the idea Amy mentioned about collaborating with other groups, could be a good opportunity to
do some collaborations with any and all arts groups. Potential to be an inexpensive way to provide for the
community.
• GRENNEY: Add on to partnership idea – discussion about putting tents up and try to create some vitality safely.
Curious if those plans might come together and how the Wheeler can be a part of that visibility. Is there an
opportunity for the Wheeler to be a part of those plans?
• FOSTER: Update to these specific questions – Sara Ott has convened a group of staff called Wave to review these
questions. Colorado Public Health has issued guidelines on tents and currently unclear how tents are going to be
allowed, but from a health perspective they might not be.
• FULLER: Overview of board recommendation – we are looking for a safe opening of the Wheeler with safety being
the number on priority. Potentially having one or two events per week with 53 people max based on current code
and opportunities for streaming while focusing on community and family friendly events.
• All in favor of this board recommendation – Kurt, Mountjoy, Fuller and Benedetti in favor.
• FULLER: Plan to have a further discussion about spring and summer 2021 at November board meeting.
o Future Meeting Schedule Review
• October 14 | 3pm | Regular Meeting, Agenda TBD
o Meeting Adjourned at 1:38PM by Chip Fuller
Motioned by: Chip Fuller