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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.WHLR.20220413.Regular1 Wheeler Advisory Board Meeting Minutes April 13, 2022| 3:00 p.m. In Person In Attendance: Wheeler Opera House Advisory Board Members: Chip Fuller, Chair; Amy Mountjoy, Vice-Chair; Dr. Tom Kurt, Secretary; Daniel Benavent; Ziska Childs; Nina Gabianelli; Richard Stettner; Lauren Forman (alternate) Absent: Jennifer White (ex-officio, MAA) Wheeler Opera House/City of Aspen Staff: Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director; City Council Liaison: Mayor Torre Meeting Recorder: Malia Machado Chairman Chip Fuller called the meeting to order at 3:08 PM. Nina Gabianelli moved to approve the February minutes. Dr. Kurt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Chair Fuller welcomed new board member Daniel Benavent, and Daniel shared some of his background information with the board. Wheeler Updates: Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director Ms. Rigsby Peterson welcomed everyone to the meeting, introduced the new Administrative and Artistic Assistant Malia Machado. Ms. Rigsby Peterson went on to share building updates regarding the scaffolding project, roof repairs, brick work, and safety railing installations. Work on the south side of the building is scheduled to be completed by Memorial Day, after which the work will move to the parking lot and alley side of the building. Mayor Torre asked if the scaffolding project was going to affect closure of the Aspen Public House. Ms. Rigsby Peterson responded that the project would not affect the Aspen Public House’s operations and that there are no plans for rent abatement. Ms. Rigsby Peterson then shared programming updates for upcoming shows this spring. In addition, she announced that the Aspen Community School and Aspen Country Day School will be performing at the Wheeler before heading into the summer program. Following these performances, the Wheeler will host the Aspen Fringe Festival, June Jazz and the summer Music Festival opera and vocal arts programs. Ms. Rigsby Peterson believes we are at a good pace in terms of scheduling Wheeler presented events and other rental events. Chairman Chip Fuller inquired about the Wheeler Associates and if they are still involved. Ms. Rigsby Peterson responded that they are still a part of the Wheeler and that she is working with them on scheduling next year’s concerts. Chairman Chip Fuller added that he would like them to attend a Board Meeting every year. 2 Lauren Forman was curious about what event followed the Music Festival and was wondering if the MountainFilm relationship had dissolved. Ms. Rigsby Peterson responded that there will be 3-4 weeks of down time due to capital project installations, equipment installation, and the integrated audio-visual components throughout the building after the Music Festival. The next scheduled event after the Music Festival will likely be a performance from Dance Aspen. Ms. Rigsby Peterson also confirmed that MountainFilm’s relationship with the Wheeler was dissolved prior to her hire. Ms. Rigsby Peterson updated the Board on other planning for the 2022-23 season, including the return of LaughFest and she encouraged suggestions from the Board. Ms. Rigsby Peterson said that the COVID protocols at the Wheeler will cease as of April 15th. Dr. Kurt, a member of the Pitkin County Board of Health, added that there is no major Covid-19 concern looking forward. He stated the county is taking wastewater samples twice a week to monitor the prevalence of Covid-19 in the community. Ziska Childs inquired about updates on the Colorado Tourism Office’s Historic Opera Loop program, of which the Wheeler is a member. Ms. Rigsby Peterson responded saying that there were two meetings scheduled and that they are working on a logo and marketing material. Chair Fuller asked about updates on co-promotions. Ms. Rigsby Peterson responded that she is working closely with the Belly Up to schedule artists who would like to be in a theatre setting rather than a club setting. Conversation ensued about specific artists and circumstances. Chair Fuller asked for background about the proposed Rio Grande Park concert that Belly Up had suggested for this summer, and Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared that the plans have been pushed back until summer 2023. Nina Gabianelli asked about the return of concession services. Ms. Rigsby Peterson informed the Board that Belly Up used to manage the concessions for the Wheeler before the pandemic. They have chosen not to continue their partnership with the Wheeler at this time. She explained that they have a joint liquor license with Belly Up, so the right actions need to be taken to remove Belly Up from the license in addition to finding someone new to run the bar. Ms. Rigsby Peterson has asked Bill Johnson about taking over as the Wheeler’s concessionaire. Conversation ensued about staffing, service, management, inventory logistics, payment, and past procedures. Mayor Torre explained that the tax breaks given to the Aspen Public House could hopefully give them an incentive to help and partner with the Wheeler. Ms. Rigsby Peterson added that the money made from concessions is negligible making it idea to work with a local partner for service. Ms. Rigsby Peterson announced that the Wheeler is currently planning their 2022 Capital Projects noting that the Q-SYS system integration, among other projects, are on track. Ms. Childs highlighted that the Wheeler should be aware of a regional supply chain shortage for new system installations. Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared plans for 2023 proposed capital projects, including a redesign of the box office lobby and Green Room furniture replacement for improved artist comfort and presentation. Ms. Rigsby Peterson went on to discuss the seating arrangement in the theatre, noting that the long rows with no middle aisles are not an ideal configuration for patron comfort. A robust discussion ensued about how to best address sightline issues, aisle configuration for emergency exits and raking of the audience’s seats. Ms. Rigsby Peterson asked the Board to consider this issue which will be discussed in future meetings. 3 Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared past rental rates from 2019 with the Board in advance of the May board proposal for rental rate adjustments beginning in 2023. Many factors go into assessing new rates such as inflation and labor costs. Ms. Rigsby Peterson would like to clarify and simply the rental fee structure. She asked for feedback from the Board on what the Wheeler’s usage priorities are regarding corporate and for-profit events. Robust conversation ensued regarding logistics and community impact. Daniel Benavent raised the question of if company size could be a factor in determining rental rates for different sized companies. The Board will have an opportunity to review staff’s proposal for new rental rates at the May board meeting. This review will be followed by a formal fee proposal to City Council later this summer as part of the 2023 budget process. Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared preliminary 2021 end of year financials. She stated that the Board will discuss this in more detail in next month’s meeting and will be given a copy ahead of time of the updated report. Ms. Rigsby Peterson updated the board on ongoing vision development work. This work is consistent with the City’s new overall strategic planning process, entitled the North Star program, which helps departments align their work plan to city values and priorities. Board Discussion | Future Discussions and Important Topics Chair Fuller opened the floor for questions and Amy Mountjoy shared her positive experience at Aspen Film’s ShortsFest. Ms. Childs shared the idea of becoming a center for new energy saving technologies and other rigging innovations. Ms. Rigsby Peterson offered to meet separately with Ms. Childs and Production Manager Craig Moxon to learn more details. Mayor Torre updated the board regarding the just-concluded city grants program. Originally, $400,000 was allocated for 2022 grants, but an additional $200,000 was allocated at yesterday’s Council meeting. Mayor Torre asked the Board for their input and feedback regarding the allocation of Wheeler RETT funds, to ensure longevity of the Wheeler’s operations and upkeep. He asked the board to consider this over the next few months as the Council prepares for the 2023 budget process. Chair Fuller asked that this be put on the Board meeting agenda for May. Vice-Chair Amy Mountjoy clarified that the Wheeler RETT amounts mentioned at the Council meeting were separate from the overall RETT. Nina Gabianelli suggested that the Wheeler Theatre Projects report might be helpful for the conversation. Ms. Mountjoy thanked Mayor Torre for his work in supporting and funding the arts. Future Meeting Schedule Review Chair Fuller asked if the meeting scheduled for July 6th was too close to the July 4th holiday It was too far in advance for anyone to determine if they had/will have a conflict, and the topic will be revisited at a later meeting Chair Fuller adjourned the meeting at 4:46 PM.