Metropolitan Pier Exposition Authority Board Met March 30.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Board Members Present via Videoconference: Jeffrey Bethke, 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; Pat Allen, Director of Labor Relations and Campus Operations; 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 members of the public watched anonymously.
General Matters: Chairman Bethke expressed his gratitude to the Board for the opportunity to serve at MPEA, the operator of the largest convention center in North America. Chairman Bethke stated McCormick Square is crucial to the City, State and region because of its labor and economic output of $1.4 billion for Chicago, $9.5 billion for the State and more than 15,000 jobs pre-pandemic.
A1. Roll Call: MPEA Chairman Bethke, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and Ms. Calderon called roll.
A2. Approval of Minutes: Chairman Bethke called for the approval of the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of the February 23, 2021.
Moved by Member Kiley, seconded by Member Morado, and the remaining members present voted approving item A2.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, 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 (Technical Issues) | Sherman Wright – Yes |
A3. Public Comment.
There was no public comment.
Report from CEO: Ms. Clark reported MPEA continues to work with the Governor, Mayor and respective health departments to determine the prefect time to reopen the campus. Ms. Clark thanked Ms. Kapadia for her time at MPEA, especially for assisting MPEA during the pandemic. Ms. Clark wished Ms. Kapadia the best in the next phase in her career. Ms. Clark reported the Spring legislative session had begun and she was working on legislation with MPEA’s lobbyist and with Mr. Simmons and Mr. Bormann. Ms. Clark stated MPEA participated in a House Appropriation hearing. Ms. Clark reported MPEA was asking for a $15 million incentive fund which would provide money to help attract or retain events. Ms. Clark stated the incentive fund was relinquished a couple of years ago because the profits from the new hotel were projected to help cover those costs. Ms. Clark stated MPEA is asking the legislature to restart the program for four years to help fund incentives and reimburse costs related to the pandemic such as PPE and contact tracing software. Ms. Clark stated MPEA asked for help to get through the fiscal year. MPEA told legislators that if events returned in July, MPEA would need $15 million dollars to cover shortfalls in the operating budget. Ms. Clark stated MPEA would need $40 million dollars from the State if the campus did not open until January. Ms. Clark stated that some of the money would pay for both represented and non-represented staff. She stated that there were currently 378 employees working, including 37 employees from Corporate. Ms. Clark stated pre-pandemic there were 2,900 employees working on campus. Ms. Clark explained that currently the MPEA Board is required to have at least one meeting every month and MPEA has requested to have more flexibility to determine when to hold board meetings. Ms. Clark stated the sponsors for the bills were Representative Kambium Buckner and Senator Mattie Hunter.
Report from Controller: Ms. Lovelace-Nieves presented the financial results for February 2021. Report from Chief Financial Officer: Mr. Bormann presented the tax collections for February 2021.
Report from Senior Director of Labor Relations & Campus Operations: Mr. Allen presented McCormick Place campus improvements which were completed by in-house staff during the pandemic using capital money that normally is used to pay contractors for work that is bid out. Mr. Allen presented a slideshow showing the improvements which included: South building restrooms; South show floor painting and fire proofing; South show floor repairs; South dock painting; South dock striping; South dock concrete repairs; South building terrace painting; roadway painting; Mines Drive concrete repairs; Moe Drive concrete repairs; new dry valve for sprinkler system; thorough cleaning of fans; and new air filters. Mr. Allen stated the LED lighting upgrade had been completed in the following locations on campus: South show floor; North show floor; South meeting room S502; Parking lot A; Donnelly Drive; Prairie Avenue Lighting; West building restroom; South building crate storage; South building penthouse corridor; North building loading dock and Moe Drive metal struts.
Report from McCormick Place General Manager: Mr. Causton stated the campus improvements have been shared with customers, the Chicago Advisory Board and the Labor Management Council which includes exhibitors and show management, and everyone is excited to see the improvements. Mr. Causton stated Chicago PD and a tv show titled “Force” were filmed on campus. Mr. Causton stated that in April there will be another filming of Chicago PD and a Make-A-Wish Foundation event for a young child suffering from a life-threatening condition. Mr. Causton stated beginning in May the Chicago Sky could begin to play at the Wintrust Arena. Mr. Causton stated that there are forty one events ready to meet between July to December in addition to sixteen Sky games for a total of fifty-seven events.
Executive Session: Chairman Bethke asked for a motion to convene in Executive Session to discuss item C1, litigation update and real estate. Upon motion duly made by Member Kiley, seconded by Member Grondin, and the remaining members present unanimously voted to convene in Executive Session.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, 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 E1 was presented for consideration and discussion.
Review of Covered Actions and Eligible Agreements:
D1. Consideration of Approval of Amendment and Extension of Letter of Intent with Farpoint/GRIT regarding Truck Marshalling Area.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Kiley, and the remaining members present voted approving item D1.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, 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 |
D2. Consideration of Approval of New Contract – Hotel Asset Manager.
Moved by Member Morado, seconded by Member Kiley, and the remaining members present voted approving item D2.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Present | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
D3. Consideration of Approval of One-Year Extension of Collective Bargaining Agreements with Theatrical Stage Employees Union Local 2 IATSE (House Agreement, Legitimate Agreement, Wintrust Arena Agreement.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Morado, and the remaining members present voted approving item D3.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, 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 Resolution No. MPEA 21-03 Establishing General Procedures of the Executive Committee of the Board of the MPEA.
Moved by Member Kiley, seconded by Member Villar, and the remaining members present voted approving item D4.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, 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 the Minority and Women Owned Business Procurement Report, Annual – Fiscal Year 2020.
Ms. Ngo stated there was no vote needed for item D5.
D6. Consideration of Approval of New Contracts – Motors Supply and Repair, Variable Frequency Drives Diagnostics and Repair.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Birnecker Hart, and the remaining members present voted approving item D6.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, 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 |
D7. Consideration of Approval of New Contract – Sound System Assessment, Design, and Construction Administration.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Ramirez, and the remaining members present voted approving item D7.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, 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 – Not Present |
E1. Consideration of Approval of Executive Session Minutes of the February 23, 2021 Regular Board Meeting.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Birnecker Hart, and the remaining members present voted approving item E1.
| Jeffrey Bethke, 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 – Not Present |
The motion passed.
Adjournment
Chairman Bethke moved to adjourn the meeting moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Ramirez, and the meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote of the Board.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, 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 – Not Present |
Alerts Sign-up