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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.WHLR.20220309.Regular Wheeler Advisory Board Meeting Minutes March 9, 2022| 3:00 p.m. Via Zoom In Attendance: Wheeler Opera House Advisory Board Members: Chip Fuller, Chair; Christine Benedetti, Vice Chair; Amy Mountjoy, Secretary; Ziska Childs; Dr. Tom Kurt: Nina Gabianelli; Lauren Forman (alternate) Absent: Jennifer White (alternate), Richard Stettner Wheeler Opera House/City of Aspen Staff: Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director; Sara Ott, City Manager; John Barker, Management Analyst; Alissa Farrell, Assistant City Manager City Council Liaison: Mayor Torre Meeting Recorder: Alixandra Feeley Chair Chip Fuller called the meeting to order at 3:04 PM. Nina Gabianelli moved to approve the February minutes. Dr. Kurt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Wheeler Updates, Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director Ms. Rigsby Peterson updated the board on the recent past and upcoming events. She provided a season planning update, highlighting the importance of planning a season that is complementary to what our local cultural partners are engaged in as well as using a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion lens. Ms. Rigsby Peterson hopes to share the season with the Board in May and to announce the season publicly in June. In response to a question from Ms. Mountjoy, Ms. Rigsby Peterson broadly reviewed the anticipated AMFS summer schedule and affirmed that the Wheeler does have mainstage programming opportunities this summer. Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared capital projects updates and noted that the final phase of Masonry Restoration Project should run smoothly. In response to a question about closed captioning technologies, she acknowledged our ongoing system upgrades as well as 2023 capital planning to continue improving accessibility. Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared celebrating her 1st anniversary with the City on March 1st and upcoming time off. In her absence, she encouraged the Board Members to reach out to Nicole Levesque with any questions or items needing addressing. She provided an update on COVID protocols asked the board for their feedback. Chair Fuller led a robust discussion with the board members on vaccination and testing requirements, mask requirements, and policy enforcement at the Wheeler. He proposed that the Board recommend to City Council that the mask requirement become optional. Board members shared their thoughts, including in support by Dr. Kurt and against by Nina Gabianelli. Dr. Kurt reported that COVID incident and positive case percentages in Pitkin County are trending consistently downward. Ms. Gabianelli expressed concern that even one positive case could close the Wheeler. Dr. Kurt replied that he respected the direction and policies of unions such as those which represent actors on Broadway; he also noted that quarantining of an entire group due to a positive case is no longer in effect in Pitkin County. A thoughtful conversation ensued, highlighting all sides of the proposal. City Manager Sara Ott asserted that she can support and would be happy to take forward any recommendation the board has to City Council; Mayor Torre also defers to the Wheeler staff and board to support what works best for patrons, performers, and staff. Dr. Kurt asserted that the trend is moving toward 72hr testing. Chair Fuller proposed two items to vote on, the motion to vote was seconded by Nina Gabianelli 1) Does the Wheeler Board recommend to City Council that masks become recommended but not mandatory at the Wheeler Opera House? a. Opposed: Nina Gabianelli b. In favor: All other voting members 2) Does the Wheeler Board recommend going from 24hr to 72hr testing requirement? a. In favor: Dr. Tom Kurt b. Opposed: All other voting members City Manager Sara Ott and Management Analyst John Barker gave updates on the Grants process, highlighting the Grants Committee restructure as well as the expansion of the RETT to include greater granting abilities for arts and culture organizations. John Barker gave a quick overview of the Arts & Culture Grant Program. He noted the addition of a dedicated volunteer review committee and reiterated that award amounts are dependent on the score assessed by said committee. He also stated that the City plans to work with a third-party group to reach out to stakeholders, including the Wheeler Advisory Board, to assess this year’s program changes and gather input on how we can continue to make improvements. When asked, Mr. Barker affirmed that over 20% of applications were from first time applicants this year. He also discussed the guardrails built into allocation formulas while noting the clear direction that recipient organizations should not rely on COA grant funding to operate. City Manager Sara Ott affirmed that Wheeler Advisory Board members will not be directly involved in this grant process but are eligible to apply to be on the Steering Committee. In response to a question from Chair Fuller, Ms. Ott reviewed annual grant funding approach and process. She also recommended that a Wheeler Advisory Board member serve on the steering committee on behalf of Arts & Culture organizations. Board Discussion Time | What does success look like at the Wheeler? Chair Fuller and Ms. Rigsby Peterson introduced the topic, “What does success look like at the Wheeler?” Ms. Rigsby Peterson noted “remarkable quality performances” as a metric identified by staff as a measure of success. A robust conversation ensued, as well as discussion about programming and subsidies. “Success” was discussed in terms of: ticket sales, diversity of programming, programming frequency and popularity, life-changing experiences and performances, top-tier talent, courage to adapt and adjust year after year, actually implementing the programs/actions discussed, welcoming & serving the local community, balancing local community usage with A-list artists, keep local community in town after 5pm (drive economy), exploring alternative show times and matinees, pushing programming such that it requires adding more staff, internships, finding valley-wide programming opportunities & satellite stages. In response to a question, Ms. Rigsby Peterson noted that the City provides general metrics of success for the Wheeler, as well as individual performance measurements for her as the Executive Director. Ms. Rigsby Peterson also acknowledged the importance of this conversation and the inherent tensions that exist. Briefly, Ms. Rigsby Peterson also mentioned the City’s Compass program which helps departments focus on goals for the upcoming year. Chair Fuller thanked Christine Benedetti for her 9 years of dedicated service to the Board. Ms. Rigsby Peterson led the conversation on the election of officers, including Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary. Once the candidates are confirmed, there will be offline voting (submitted via email). Chair Fuller reviewed upcoming meetings: April 13th, May 11th, and June 8th at 3:00pm Mr. Fuller adjourned the meeting at 4:49pm.