HomeMy WebLinkAboutBYLAWS.WHEELERBOARD.20230208BY-LAWS
OF
BOARD OF ADVISORS OF THE WHEELER OPERA HOUSE
Mission Statement:
The Mission of the Wheeler Opera House is to monitor and ensure the preservation and
viability of the historic venue and its property through exceptional performance experiences
for residents, guests and performers, and to support the cultural assets of the Roaring Fork
Valley.
ARTICLE I
Name
Section 1- Name
The name of this board shall be the Board of Advisors of the Wheeler Opera House ("Board"). The
Board shall also be known as the Wheeler Advisory Board.
ARTICLE II
Powers and Duties
Section 1- General
The Board of Advisors is empowered to advise the City of Aspen on the planning and policy related to
the daily and long-term operations of the Wheeler Opera House, guided by the adopted Wheeler
Mission and Goal Statements. These advisement duties shall include the following:
(a) Recommend scheduling policy, priorities and rates for the theatre operations; and
(b) Recommend operating policy and rental rates for the commercial space in the Opera
House building.
Section 2 — Amendment of Mission and Goal Statements
The Board may amend its Mission and Goal Statements from time to time subject to approval of Council.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1- Appointments
Board of Advisors of the Wheeler Opera House, at the discretion of City Council, shall consist of seven to
nine (7 - 9) regular members and one (1) alternate member.
Section 2 - Term
Members of the Board shall serve overlapping three (3) year terms.
Section 3 - Qualifications
The Board shall be appointed by the City Council with all appointees designated as at -large appointees
who shall be selected primarily for their knowledge of and experience in the performing arts and/or
financial, management or marketing capabilities. The Board has been declared not to be a permanent
board within the meaning of Section 8.2 of the Charter of the City of Aspen and, therefore, there shall
be imposed no age or residency requirement for membership on the Board of Advisors nor shall
candidates for appointment be required to be qualified electors.
Section 4 - Replacement
Upon the vacation of a permanent board member seat, the alternate shall move into the vacated
position through a motion by the Board. When an alternate is not available or does not desire to
become a permanent member then the replacement board member(s) shall be appointed by City
Council as set forth in Section 2 of Ordinance #2, Series 2021.
Section 5 - Removal
All members of the Board of Advisors shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed
by majority vote thereof.
The Chair may request the City Council to remove a Board member who is absent from more than six
regularly scheduled meetings within a calendar year upon resolution of the board. In case of extenuating
circumstances, the Board may choose to make an exception to this requirement. Good cause for
removal shall also include failure to disclose potential conflicts in accordance with Section 7 of this
Article of these Bylaws.
Section 6 - Aspen Music Festival and School
The Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) or its successor organization that may have the right to the
exclusive use of the Wheeler Opera House during the summer season, as per contract through August
2034, shall appoint a representative to fill a permanent, non -voting, ex-officio seat on the Board of
Advisors. By virtue of AMFS's Wheeler Opera House management responsibilities for a significant
portion of the year, the AMFS representative shall be entitled to participate in any of the activities and
deliberations of the Board but shall not vote.
Section 7 - Disclosure
In order to facilitate fair, open and honest debate among all Board Members at any meeting, it shall be
incumbent upon each Board Member to disclose any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest
such Board Member shall have with respect to the discussion of any topic or property. Because a conflict
of interest may not disqualify an Board Member from discussing and/or voting upon any item before the
Board in its advisory capacity to the City, it is encouraged and expected that a conflict of interest shall be
interpreted in its broadest form, so each Board Member can appreciate any bias or other personal
influence that may result from another Board Member's personal situation while debating issues being
considered by the Board. The Board is subject to the terms and requirements of Chapter 2.02. - Rules of
Ethical Conduct, of the Aspen Municipal Code. If a member has a question regarding conflicts of
interest, that member should contact the City Attorney's Office.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 1 - Officers
The officers of the Board shall be a Chair and Vice -Chair, and Secretary and may include such other
officers as the Board may from time to time appoint. The Chair, Vice -Chair and Secretary shall be
selected from the members of the Board.
Section 2 - Elections and Terms of Office
The Board at the first meeting in March shall appoint the officers of the Board. Subject to earlier
termination, each officer shall hold office for one (1) year and/or until their successor shall have been
duly appointed. A member has the option of declining appointment to office. Any other officers shall be
appointed by the board at any meeting and will serve at the pleasure of the Board.
Section 3 - Vacancies
Should any office become vacant, the Board shall appoint the successor through a motion at a regular or
special meeting of the Board and such appointment shall be for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section 4 - Duties
1. Chair. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Board and shall perform all duties usually incident
to the office of Chair and such other duties as may be assigned to the office from time to time by the
board. The Chair shall see to the execution of resolutions, procedures and policies approved by the
Board.
2. Vice -Chair. In the absence or disability of the Chair, the Vice -Chair shall have all powers of and shall be
subject to all restrictions upon the Chair. The Vice -Chair shall perform such duties as shall from time to
time be assigned by the Board.
3. Secretary. With assistance of the Wheeler staff, the Secretary shall be charged with the duty to
oversee notices and minutes and to make certain that all are posted consistent with all local laws.
Further, in the event a quorum is available and neither the Chair nor the Vice -Chair is present, the
Secretary shall chair the meeting.
ARTICLE V
Meetings
Section 1- Regular Meetings
Meetings shall take place on the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings dates shall be set and
scheduled by the Board and posted publicly. Attendance shall be in person. In -person attendance is
highly encouraged; if attendance cannot be in person the board member can attend via phone or other
virtual method.
Section 2 - Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Chair or at the request of any two (2) members on at least
twenty-four (24) hours written notice to each member of the Board of Advisors, provided that a special
meeting may be held on shorter notice if all members of the Board of Advisors waive notice in writing.
No business shall be transacted at any special meeting unless it has been stated in the notice of such
meeting. Notice by email shall be deemed acceptable.
Section 3 - Order of Business
At regular meetings of the Board, the following shall be the recommended order of business, although
not all topics will be necessary at all meetings:
1. Adoption of Agenda
2. Public Comment
3. Approval of the minutes of last meeting
4. Staff comments
5. Board member comments
6. Old business
7. New business
8. Executive Session
9. Establish next meeting
10. Adjourn
Section 4 - Voting
Voting shall be either by voice or roll call vote. A roll call vote shall be conducted upon the request of a
member of the Board or at the discretion of the presiding officer. Any action requiring a vote shall be
decided by a simple majority.
Section 5 - Quorum
A quorum to transact the business of the Board of Advisors shall consist of four (4) members.
Once a quorum is made, it cannot be broken until the meeting is adjourned.
Section 6 - Parliamentary Procedure
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the Board in all cases to which they are
applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.
Section 7 - Meeting Notices
A designated Wheeler Opera House staff member shall furnish the Board advance notice of all meetings.
Staff shall deliver, in advance, minutes of the previous meetings and copies of material to be studied or
acted upon, including an agenda, and other items necessary for discussion.
Section 8 - Agenda
A designated Wheeler Opera House staff member shall prepare the agenda with input from the Chair,
and copies distributed in advance of the meeting. Other items of the agenda shall include but not be
limited to disposition of minutes of the previous meeting and of intervening special meetings,
committee reports, as well as old and new business. (The minutes and agenda shall be delivered no later
than 48 hours or two business days in advance of the meeting).
Section 9 - Open to the Public
All meetings shall be open to the public, except for executive session as authorized in the Colorado Open
Meetings law, C.R.S. 24-6-402.
Approved by the unanimous consent of the Board of Advisors, with an effective date of February 8,
2023.
A
Attested:
Secretary, Dr. T m Kurt
Chair, Chip Fuller