HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.WHLR.20250312.Regular1
Wheeler Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
March 12, 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: Alixandra Feeley, meeting notes generated in part by Microsoft Copilot AI
Call to Order & Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Chair Chip Fuller called the meeting to order at 3:03 PM. Chair Fuller moved to approve the
February 12th meeting minutes; Dr. Tom Kurt motioned to approve. Amy Mountjoy asked a
question for clarity on the minutes and then seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Introductions of new Board Members
Mr. Fuller welcomed the most significant number of new members at one time since his time
with the Board. New members introduced themselves and shared their backgrounds: Bob
Ephlin (music, management consulting, and IT), Sarah Pelch (Opus 3 Artists), and Bryan
Weingarten (real estate, Broadway producer, and local arts board member).
On email communication, Chair Fuller restated that emails sent to the group should be
informational only; if discussion begins, the conversation should be tabled until a public
meeting. He reasserted that anytime more than 3 members meet, that constitutes a public
meeting. Both he and Mr. Harrington shared that one of the most important roles of an
advisory board member is to be an advocate for the Wheeler, spreading the word on what’s
happening onstage and gathering feedback from the public, akin to Ms. Child’s “Gondola
Talks.”
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Wheeler Updates, Mike Harrington
Executive Director Mike Harrington provided a programming update. He noted that Aspen
Laugh Festival had kicked off with a performance in partnership with The Collective. He
highlighted this year’s use of both the Vault Stage and the Mainstage and noted that ticket
sales were very strong with five of the 10 events selling out prior to kick-off. This year
patrons participating in the Wheeler Insider program were able to exchange tickets while
others who could not use their tickets were able to convert them to donation. Ms. Mountjoy
asked how the higher value Seinfeld tickets sold, and Mr. Harrington confirmed they sold out
for both performances. Mr. Harrington the recapped highlights of past shows and new ticket
types, including a strong showing of local audience members and use of the Student Rush
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program ($20, day of show).
Because full financial activity typically isn’t captured until the 15th of the following month, Mr.
Harrington reminded the Board that today’s meeting reports only show activity through
January. That said, Mr. Harrington provided a general update on ticket sales revenues,
noting that box office receipts for all events on sale have already exceeded the annual
projected revenue of $465,000. He tied this to the current spring supplemental request,
which included updated projected 2025 revenues, and discussed developing the 2026
budget in a way that aligns expenses and revenues with the new programming and staffing
needs.
Mr. Ephlin asked about the cost recovery and subsidy strategy. In reply, Mr. Harrington
shared that his current strategy covers costs at sell-out while maintaining two low-cost
ticketing tiers. Chair Fuller added that past years operated at average about 60% subsidy,
which is guided by City Council.
Mr. Harrington also shared updates on 2025 hiring and upcoming Council agenda items,
which may include reconsideration of the Memo of Understanding between the Wheeler
Opera House and Belly Up Aspen.
Mr. Ephlin asked about the ability to program “outside the four walls” of the Wheeler; board
members provided understanding and observations on the discussions, definitions, and
usages of the Real Estate Transfer Tax funds.
Mr. Harrington provided a quick review of the year-to-date Financials through end of
January 2025. When reviewing the Arts Grants, Chair Fuller reviewed the application and
award process, which is also outlined on the City of Aspen website.
Board Discussion
Ms. Mountjoy asked and Mr. Harrington responded to questions about Aspen Public House
operations, booking with National Public Radio, and recognition to the Wheeler Associates
Board in the Green Room.
Mr. Ephlin invited Mr. Harrington and other board members to identify additional ways the
Advisory Board could continue supporting the Wheeler, including reaching out to Council
members. After discussion by Ms. Childs, Ms. Mountjoy, and others, Chair Fuller suggested
that if needed, there may be an opportunity to review RETT fund usage language with the
new council coming in.
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 4:15pm.
Future Meetings Schedule
May 14th, 2025 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
June 11th, 2025 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
July 9th, 2025 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, likely to skip