Metropolitan Pier Exposition Authority Board met April 27.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Board Members Present via Videoconference: Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman; Don Villar, Vice Chairman; Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart; Roger J. Kiley, Jr.; Terrance B. McGann*; Juan Morado, Jr.
*Joined meeting late
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-six members of the public watched anonymously.
General Matters:
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 March 30, 2021.
Moved by Member Kiley, seconded by Member Birnecker Hart, and the remaining members present voted approving item A2.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes |
A3. Public Comment.
There was no public comment.
Report from CEO: Ms. Clark reported MPEA is still in the midst of the Spring legislative session. Ms. Clark stated Mr. Bormann, Mr. Simmons and herself continue to speak with legislators regarding funding to cover operating costs in the amount of $15 million to $40 million dollars, and the $15 million dollar incentive fund. Ms. Clark reported MPEA has been working with the City and board members Birnecker Hart and Grondin during the past months on a series of questions for our customers regarding their future needs. Ms. Clark stated the surveys would be completed in the next month and the report would be ready in the coming months. Ms. Clark stated customers will be asked questions on topics such as hybrid meetings. Ms. Clark stated the campus wants to work toward achieving those goals. Ms. Clark reported that the Modified Financial Plan FY 21-23 and the Financial Plan FY 22-24 would be presented later in the meeting for board approval but wanted to thank staff and the campus partners for their hard work and diligence. Ms. Clark stated the financials reflect conservative financial assumptions and stressed that staff and the campus partners have done their best to reduce cost to maintain the infrastructure. Ms. Clark stated the campus will still provide a state of the art facility to customers.
Report from Controller: Ms. Lovelace-Nieves presented the financial results for March 2021. Report from Chief Financial Officer: Mr. Bormann presented the tax collections for March 2021.
Report from McCormick Place General Manager: Mr. Causton reported that there is a Labor Management Committee that has met quarterly over the past ten years. Mr. Causton stated the committee is made up of show organizers, exhibitors, members of the contractor community and various labor leaders that represent employees at McCormick Place. Mr. Causton stated the last meeting took place on April 16th and the committee discussed the state of the industry, the State of Illinois, and the City of Chicago and how they are prepared to come back after the pandemic. Mr. Causton stated CEO Clark and Vice-Chairman Villar participated in the conference call where labor representatives presented how they are positioned to reopen. Mr. Causton stated that each year an audit is conducted by the committee to ensure the cost saving requirements implemented in 2010 are being met. Mr. Causton reported he participated in a National Town Hall with Exhibitors and Point Contractors along with Kevin McLaughlin from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC). Mr. Causton reported the Make A Wish event took place on April 18th and filming of Chicago Med was currently taking place. Mr. Causton reported Cinespace executives were marketing Lakeside Center’s Upper Level Hall for use as a sound stage, pilot/film, or swing set due to Cinespace’s facility currently being in full capacity. Mr. Causton stated Lakeside Center’s hall would be available until August 31, 2021. Mr. Causton reported a food drive would be hosted on later in the week to support members of the trade show and hospitality community who have been adversely affected by the pandemic. Mr. Causton stated the Greater Chicago Food Depository as well as partners in the community helped with donations. Mr. Causton stated the Radiological Society of North America made a $5,000 cash donation towards the food drive.
Executive Session: Chairman Bethke asked for a motion to convene in Executive Session to discuss item C1 and real estate. Upon motion duly made by Member Birnecker Hart, seconded by Member Kiley, and the remaining members present unanimously voted to convene in Executive Session.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Terrance B. McGann – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – 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 New Contract for Auditing Services.
Moved by Member Kiley, seconded by Member Morado, and the remaining members present voted approving item D1.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Terrance B. McGann – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
D2. Consideration of Approval of Modified Financial Plan FY21-23.
Moved by Member Birnecker Hart, seconded by Member Kiley, and the remaining members present voted approving item D2.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Terrance B. McGann – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
D3. Consideration of Approval of Financial Plan FY22-24.
Moved by Member McGann, seconded by Member Kiley, and the remaining members present voted approving item D3.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Terrance B. McGann – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
D4. Consideration of Approval of New Contracts – Prequalified Pool for Legal Services.
Moved by Member Morado, seconded by Member McGann, and the remaining members present voted approving item D4.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Terrance B. McGann – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
D5. Consideration of Approval of Two (2) Year Contract Extension – Electronic Lock and Key.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Kiley, and the remaining members present voted approving item D5.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Terrance B. McGann – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
D6. Consideration of Approval of Two (2) Year Contract Extension – Fire Extinguisher Inspection & Maintenance Services.
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 | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Terrance B. McGann – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
D7. Consideration of Approval of Two (2) Year Contract Extension – Elevator and Escalator Inspection Services.
Moved by Member McGann, seconded by Member Birnecker Hart, and the remaining members present voted approving item D7.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Terrance B. McGann – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
E1. Consideration of Approval of Executive Session Minutes of the March 30, 2021 Regular Board Meeting.
Moved by Member Kiley, seconded by Member Morado, and the remaining members present voted approving item E1.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Terrance B. McGann – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
Adjournment
Chairman Bethke moved to adjourn the meeting moved by Member McGann, seconded by Member Birnecker Hart, and the meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote of the Board.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Roger J. Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Terrance B. McGann – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
https://www.mpea.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/MPEA_Board_Minutes_Regular_Session_April_27_2021_Final.pdf
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