HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.WHLR.20250409.Regular1
Wheeler Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
April 9th, 2025 | 3:00 p.m.
Attendance:
Advisory Board Members: Chip Fuller (Chair), Amy Mountjoy (Vice-Chair), Dr. Tom Kurt
(Secretary), Ziska Childs, Bob Ephlin, Nina Gabianelli, Sarah Pelch, Bryan Weingarten, and
Kate Northfield Lanich.
Staff: Mike Harrington (Executive Director) and Alixandra Feeley (Business Manager)
Meeting recorder: Auto-transcription generated via Zoom and Microsoft Copilot AI;
summarized by Lucy Berdiales and Alixandra Feeley.
Call to Order & Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Chair Chip Fuller called the meeting to order at 3:02 PM. The March 2025 minutes were
approved as submitted. Motion by Amy Mountjoy, second by Dr. Tom Kurt. Motion passed
unanimously.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Wheeler Updates, Mike Harrington
Executive Director Mike Harrington thanked the Board for its support of the spring
supplemental budget. He also confirmed the formal termination of the programming
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Belly Up Aspen.
Mr. Harrington led the Board on a review of 2026 budget development. He provided an
overview of new capital project requests including the exterior building lighting project—
developed in collaboration with the Historic Preservation Commission, as well as a full
website redesign for both the Wheeler and Aspen Show Tix platforms to address API
integration with the Momentus, Spektrix, and Oracle software.
As part of this year’s budget development, Mr. Harrington will also review and update the
rental fee schedule, which was last approved by City Council in 2022. He emphasized the
importance of distinguishing between local and non-local users and the need for greater
clarity regarding labor charges and rental procedures. Board member Nina Gabianelli raised
concerns about the requirement for a labor minimum for shorter events and recommended
more transparency regarding setup and teardown time. Mr. Harrington agreed and
expressed support for moving toward package pricing to help simplify budgeting for renters.
Mr. Harrington also presented proposed updates to the rental fee schedule, including
simplified, packaged pricing for the Vault and clearer distinctions between user categories
(e.g. local nonprofits, national nonprofits, and for-profit users). He then provided a staffing
2
update, confirming that new positions will be included in the FY26 budget proposal. He also
shared that Tim Kurnos recently joined the team as Marketing Coordinator — a role
established in 2024.
Shifting to programming, Mr. Harrington highlighted recent and upcoming programming,
including a Judy Collins concert and a bluegrass double-bill presented together with
Wheeler Associates. Other featured events include the "Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson
Musical" (April 11), an immersive production of A Streetcar Named Desire in the Vault (July),
the Cirque Kikasse circus show, and a Wheeler-sponsored Fourth of July drone show.
Additional programming includes a performance by Spanish-language magician Santiago
Michel in June and collaborative efforts with the Aspen Music Festival, Aspen Ideas Festival,
Food & Wine, and the Fringe Festival.
Amy Mountjoy asked if Wheeler is preparing to expand its film offerings. Mr. Harrington
confirmed interest in hosting more ski/adventure films and pre-curated Mountain Film
programs. Bryan Weingarten praised the Wheeler’s new cinema audio system and noted
the venue’s potential to accommodate larger audiences.
Providing a quick update of financials, Alix Feeley acknowledged reporting delays in the
financial paperwork shared prior to the meeting. As a reminder, in-kind grants awards have
been distributed, and the financials will start reflecting those awards as of April 2025.
Board Discussion
Members discussed airport closures and potential impacts on summer events and
conferences. Mr. Harrington confirmed collaboration with City HR and ongoing recruitment
for key staff roles.
With no further business, Chair Fuller requested a motion to adjourn the meeting, Nina
Gabianelli motioned, and Dr. Tom Kurt seconded. The motion passed unanimously, and the
meeting concluded at 4:22pm.
Future Meetings Schedule
June 11th, 2025 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
July 9th, 2025 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
August13th, 2025 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm