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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.WHLR.20240313.Regular Wheeler Advisory Board Minutes March 13, 2024 | 3:00 p.m. In Attendance: Wheeler Opera House Advisory Board Members: Chip Fuller, Chair; Amy Mountjoy, Vice-Chair; Daniel Benavent; Ziska Childs; Nina Gabianelli; Richard Stettner. Wheeler Opera House Staff: Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director; Alixandra Feeley, Business Manager. Recorder: Lisa Rigsby Peterson Chair Chip Fuller called the meeting to order at 3:08 p.m. Chair Fuller asked for a motion to approve the February minutes. Nina Gabianelli moved, Vice- Chair Amy Mountjoy seconded, approving the February 14, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously. Chair Fuller asked for public comment. No members of the public were present. Executive Director Lisa Rigsby Peterson provided the following Wheeler updates: Capital Project Updates The rigging system replacement project is full speed ahead, and weekly meetings are taking place with the entire construction team. Work will begin August 19th, and the current project finish date is December 24th. Given that construction projects sometimes take longer than originally planned, the Wheeler will plan for mainstage programming to resume in mid-January. We will be planning for programming for the Vault bar lobby during the fall. Richard Stettner recommended putting in ‘buffer dates” to the end of the project and asking for weekly updates to the construction calendar. The Wheeler team is also working on the sound/PA system replacement this fall, which will remove the speakers from the boxes on the side of the stage, repositioning them at the top of the proscenium wall. This will mean the boxes can be used for staging purposes, but due to accessibility patrons won’t be able to be seated there. Additional wheelchair accessible seating locations will be added this fall. The bar lobby furniture will be replaced this fall with more functional furniture and additional seating options. The box office lobby will also undergo minor renovations to the box office counter, as well as an addition of a door to provide more security. Finally, the railing that separates the orchestra pit from the orchestra seats needs to be replaced this summer with code-compliant structures. For 2025, there will be fewer capital projects after significant projects over the past two years – there are no identified critical needs for this time period. The previous project creating a cross aisle in the seating area will be postponed to a later time. Programming Updates The Emmylou Harris concert, presented in conjunction with Wheeler Associates, will go on sale Friday. Due to a higher artist fee, the ticket prices will be $175, $150, and $59. The 40th anniversary celebration weekend, May 24 – 25, will feature a Saturday night concert by Judy Collins, and a Friday night concert by a local/regional Colorado band. Saturday afternoon the Wheeler hopes to present performers from both the Crystal Palace as well as the Broadway players. Additionally, there will be activities in the parcel, yet to be determined. In 2025, it is likely that the Aspen Laugh Festival will be moved from its traditional Presidents Day week slot: over the past two years it has become clear that there are impacts from other major festivals taking place at the same time in Aspen. Current thought is to move the festival to early March. Staffing Updates Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared that the team has been short-staffed recently due to staff absences, and this has also affected season planning for next year. She expressed hope that the planning can resume soon. The ticketing coordinator position has been posted and will hopefully be filled soon. The part-time building maintenance technician position has also been posted. Tenant Updates Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared that City Council plans to amend The Public House lease to require seven day-a-week lunches beginning June 1st, with an agreement to revisit Bill Johnson’s plans for the fall in late August. Mia Valley will likely close her gallery and begin the move-out process in mid-April. She will be selling several pieces of furniture and other things to incoming gallery owner DJ Watkins so that will make her move easier. DJ is hoping to open his Aspen Collective gallery Memorial Day weekend. Ms. Mountjoy inquired about signage for the new gallery, and Ms. Rigsby Peterson replied that DJ has a sign in process with the City approval process. Chair Fuller requested Board Discussion of the following: Board contribution to the 40th anniversary celebration Daniel Benavent asked board members if they were interested in contributing to the celebration, perhaps a staff lunch in June, a plaque or artwork, etc. Board members were supportive of a staff lunch in early June to express appreciation and gratitude. Ms. Rigsby Peterson will get back to the board with prospective dates. Ms. Mountjoy suggested the Board do something more public such as activate the parcel with community giveaways (something simple). Recommendations to Council from Wheeler Advisory Board Chair Fuller reminded the board that there were some follow-up items from the joint work session with City Council. He shared a proposed message regarding the “Wheeler first” concept: “The Wheeler Advisory Board recommends that City Council formally codify that the Wheeler should be the first priority of Arts and Culture RETT funds received.” Mr. Stettner encouraged the board to share this message sooner rather than later. Ms. Gabianelli moved and Ms. Mountjoy seconded a motion to share Chair Fuller’s Wheeler first concept message (written above) with Council. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Fuller proposed discussion of other topics but suggested that the board pace itself in sharing these topics so as not to overwhelm Council. Chair Fuller suggested that if the board recommends building, providing housing on the parcel should be the focus. Ziska Childs offered that tying this topic to job creation could be persuasive, creating economic incentive. Chair Fuller suggested that at next month’s meeting the board consider the following statement: “Due to the shortage of employee housing in Aspen, the Wheeler Advisory Board recommends that City Council explore possibilities for housing on the vacant lot adjacent to the Wheeler.” Ms. Childs inquired whether this implied the funding should come out of the Wheeler Fund. Chair Fuller did not think this would be the case for a variety of reasons. Ms. Mountjoy asked to discuss other ideas for activating the parcel, including adding platforms for buskers to use. Ms. Gabianelli and Ms. Childs noted that there would need to be other things added, including seating and perhaps refreshments to attract attention and ‘traffic.’ Mr. Benavent mentioned outdoor musical instruments that attract interest. Chair Fuller suggested there are a number of things that could be done, including different seating options. Mr. Stettner suggested having someone from the City report if there are specific zoning or code requirements at the parcel location to get a baseline idea of what is possible/not possible there. Ms. Gabianelli reminded the board that the location is very loud with street and construction noise. Chair Fuller encouraged all board members to visit the parcel over the next month and spend some time imagining what could be possible there. Election of 2024-25 Officers All current officers (Chair Fuller, Vice-Chair Mountjoy, and Secretary Dr. Tom Kurt) have offered to continue their service for the upcoming year if the board desires. Ms. Gabianelli moved that all current officers continue in their roles for 2024-25, Mr. Stettner seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Richard Stettner moved and Nina Gabianelli seconded the motion to adjourn. The motion passed and the meeting concluded at 4:20 p.m. Future Meetings Schedule April 10, 2024 3:00 p.m. May 8, 2024 3:00 p.m. June 12, 2024 3:00 p.m.