Metropolitan Pier Exposition Authority Met Dec. 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the authority:
Board Members Present via Videoconference: Brett Hart, Chairman; Don Villar, Vice Chairman; Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer; Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart; Nina Grondin; Roger J. Kiley, Jr.; Juan Morado, Jr.; Sherman Wright
Others Present via Videoconference: Larita Clark, Chief Executive Officer; David Winters, Chief Operations Officer; David Causton, ASM Global/McCormick Place; Matthew Simmons, General Counsel; Dao Ngo, Director of Procurement; Stephanie Lovelace-Nieves, Controller; Jason Bormann, Chief Financial Officer; Molly Kievit, Senior Director of Campus Sales; Irma Guerrero, Project Coordinator; Maria Calderon, Compliance Officer and Board Administrator
The public was able to watch the virtual board meeting through Microsoft Teams – Live Event, a live streaming service. A total of twenty-two members of the public watched anonymously.
General Matters:
A1. Roll Call: MPEA Chairman Hart, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and Ms. Calderon called roll.
A2. Approval of Minutes: Chairman Hart called for the approval of the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of the November 17, 2020.
Moved by Member Kiley, seconded by Member Villar, and the remaining members present voted approving item A2.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Brett Hart, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
A3. Public Comment.
There was no Public Comment.
A4. Annual Appointment of MPEA Ethics Enforcer.
Report from CEO: Ms. Clark stated the campus is closer to reopening because there are vaccines becoming available and look forward to having shows sooner than expected in 2021. Ms. Clark reported she attended a press conference with Congresswoman-Elect Marie Newman and several leaders of labor unions that have members working on campus, along with board member Villar who spoke at the press conference. Ms. Clark stated the purpose of the press conference was to encourage the federal government to quickly pass legislation that would help those out of work. Ms. Clark thanked Congresswoman-Elect Marie Newman for the opportunity to attend the press conference. Ms. Clark congratulated board member Morado for being recognized by Crain’s 2020 notable minority executives in accounting, consulting and law.
Report from Controller: Ms. Lovelace-Nieves presented the financial results for November 2020. Report from Chief Financial Officer: Mr. Bormann presented the tax collections for November 2020.
Report from McCormick Place: Mr. Causton stated McCormick Place celebrates its 60th year in operation and thanked first the employees at McCormick Place/ASM Global who worked during the pandemic to open and close the Alternative Care Facility; produce a reopening plan in consultation with others; receive Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) accreditation; produce seven filming events and implement a plan for DePaul University basketball games without fans in attendance. Mr. Causton then thanked the food service operator, SAVOR, for donating 14,925 pounds of food to varies Chicago institutions to help individuals in need in our community; Security and Safety staff who have been on site and provided 24/7 service during the pandemic; housekeeping and parking partners; and MPEA trades who have been working behind the scenes improving the campus to be prepared to reopen in 2021. Mr. Causton thanked Choose Chicago for representing the entire hospitality during the pandemic and thanked the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and Marriott Marquis Chicago, which both have received GBAC accreditation. Finally, Mr. Causton thanked the MPEA management staff under the leadership of CEO Larita Clark for their leadership which has been fantastic during the pandemic and the MPEA board for their commitment to public service.
Executive Session: Chairman Hart asked for a motion to convene in Executive Session to discuss item C1 and litigation update. Upon motion duly made by Member Villar, seconded by Member Birnecker Hart, and the remaining members present unanimously voted to convene in Executive Session.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Brett Hart, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
Upon return from Executive Session, item C1 was presented for consideration and discussion. Review of Covered Actions and Eligible Agreements:
C1. Consideration of Approval of Executive Session Minutes of the November 17, 2020 Regular Board Meeting.
Moved by Member Birnecker Hart, seconded by Member Kiley, and the remaining members present voted approving item C1.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Brett Hart, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
D1. Consideration of Approval of New Contract for Lobbying Services.
Moved by Member Kiley, seconded by Member Villar, and the remaining members present voted approving item D1.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Brett Hart, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Muted | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
D2. Consideration of Approval of New Contract for Marketing, Sales and Services.
Moved by Member Kiley, seconded by Member Villar, and the remaining members present voted approving item D2.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Brett Hart, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
D3. Consideration of Approval of Wintrust Arena Change of Rent.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Birnecker Hart, and the remaining members present voted approving item D3.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Brett Hart, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
D4. Consideration of Approval of Right of Entry Agreement for Debris Removal and Containment – North Building Level 3 Over Metra Tracks.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Birnecker Hart, and the remaining members present voted approving item D4.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Brett Hart, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
D5. Consideration of Approval of Contract Amendment for Hotel Asset Manager.
Moved by Member Kiley, seconded by Member Villar, and the remaining members present voted approving item D5.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Brett Hart, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
D6. Consideration of Approval of Contract Extension for License Agreement for Use of Office Space at the Corporate Center.
Moved by Member Ramirez, seconded by Member Kiley, and the remaining members present voted approving item D6.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Brett Hart, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Muted (but indicated with her thumb Yes) |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
Chairman Hart moved to adjourn the meeting moved by Member Kiley, seconded by Member Wright, and the meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote of the Board.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Brett Hart, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Muted | Sherman Wright – Yes |
https://www.mpea.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Item-A2-MPEA_Board_Minutes_Regular_Session_December_15_2020_Final.pdf
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