Metropolitan Pier Exposition Authority met Sept. 28.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Board Members Present: Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman; Don Villar, Vice Chairman; Jorge Ramirez*, Secretary/Treasurer;
Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart; Nina Grondin**; Roger J. Kiley, Jr.; Terrance B. McGann**; Juan Morado*/**, Jr.; Sherman Wright
*Arrived at 9:11 a.m. / *Joined at 9:03 a.m. / **Teleconference
Others Present: Larita Clark, Chief Executive Officer; David Winters, Chief Operating Officer; Matthew Simmons, General Counsel; Jason Bormann, Chief Financial Officer; Pat Allen, Senior Director of Labor Relations and Campus Operations; Stephanie Lovelace-Nieves, Controller; Dao Ngo, Deputy General Counsel; Hilary Barker Director of Procurement; Tiffany Wright, Business Diversity Program Manager; Marilynn Rubio, Senior Manager, Community Engagement and Special Events; Ryan Alderman, Intergovernmental Liaison; David Causton, ASM Global/McCormick Place; Irma Guerrero, Project Coordinator; Cynthia McCafferty, Hawthorne Strategy Group; James Meyer, Choose Chicago; Marissa Levedis, Unite Here, Local 1; Pat Doerr, Hospitality Business Association of Chicago; Rufus Purnell, Public; Maria Calderon, Compliance Officer and Board Administrator
General Matters: Chairman Bethke asked for a motion to permit Members Grondin, McGann and Morado to participate via teleconference. Upon motion duly made by Member Kiley and seconded by Member Birnecker Hart, the remaining members present unanimously voted passing the motion.
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 August 31, 2021.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Wright, and the remaining members present voted approving item A2.
Roll call vote. Record as:
Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes
Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes Terrance McGann – Yes
Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes Sherman Wright – Yes
Nina Grondin – Yes
The motion passed.
A3. Public Comment.
There was no public comment.
Report from CEO: Ms. Clark reported Fabtech had over 30,000 attendees and was the first large show since the pandemic began. Ms. Clark reported she visited Fabtech and the National Black MBA Association. Ms. Clark reported attendees complied with the health regulations and there have been no reports of Covid-19 related issues. Ms. Clark stated the campus is open and moving forward. Ms. Clark introduced the new Intergovernmental liaison for MPEA, Mr. Aderman. Ms. Clark reported MPEA has not adopted a campus-wide vaccine mandate but are currently talking to stakeholders on campus. Ms. Clark reported some events are specifically requesting for vaccinated employees. Ms. Clark reported State legislators were invited to the first policymaker tour of the campus during this week. Ms. Clark reported more policy maker tours will be planned for the near future.
Report from Controller: Ms. Lovelace-Nieves presented the financial results for August 2021.
Report from Chief Financial Officer: Mr. Bormann presented the tax collections for August 2021.
Report from McCormick Place General Manager: Mr. Causton reported during Fabtech that legacy customers:
International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS); International Housewares Association; Radiological Society of North America (RSNA); National Restaurant Association Show; and PMMI Pack Expo had the opportunity to observe how the campus worked with Fabtech to ensure the health and safety of the show. Mr. Causton reported True Value was moving into the West Building and next week the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) will move into the North and South Buildings. NACS has asked attendees to be fully vaccinated. Mr. Causton reported the Bank of America Chicago Marathon reduced the number of runners but is still one of the largest marathons in the country.
Mr. Causton reported the Urban Land Institute (ULI) will be hosting their fall meeting on campus and ULI will ask attendees to be vaccinated. Mr. Causton reported Weftec will host their show in October and will ask attendees to either provide proof of being fully vaccinated or provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test within 48-hours of arriving.
Mr. Causton reported Weftec agreed to host their show on campus every other year through 2030. Mr. Causton reported the following shows will host their events in October: Access Intelligence 2021 OR Manager Conference with PACU Summit and ASC Leader Summit; American Society for Radiation and Oncology; Digital Summit; and USA CBD Expo. Mr. Causton reported Oddities and Curiosities Expo had 6,500 attendees and will be returning to the campus.
Mr. Causton congratulated longtime employee, Fred Simon, current member of the musical group Chi-Lites. Mr. Causton reported the Chi-Lites will be receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the City of Los Angeles.
Executive Session: Chairman Bethke asked for a motion to convene in Executive Session to discuss item C1 and personnel matters. Upon motion duly made by Member Villar, seconded by Member Wright, and the remaining members present unanimously voted to convene in Executive Session.
Roll call vote. Record as:
Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes
Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes Terrance McGann – Yes
Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes
Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes
Sherman Wright – Yes Nina Grondin – Yes
The motion passed.
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 Two (2) Year Contract Extension for Art Services.
Moved by Member Birnecker Hart, seconded by Member Villar, and the remaining members present voted approving item D1.
Roll call vote. Record as:
Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes
Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes Terrance McGann – Yes
Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes
Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes
Sherman Wright – Yes Nina Grondin – Yes
The motion passed.
D2. Consideration of Approval of Recognition and Non-Disturbance Agreement for Illuminarium Lease at Navy Pier.
Moved by Member Ramirez, seconded by Member Kiley, and the remaining members present voted approving item D2.
Roll call vote. Record as:
Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes
Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes Terrance McGann – Yes
Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes
Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes
Sherman Wright – Yes Nina Grondin – Yes
The motion passed.
D3. Consideration of Approval of Labor Agreement with Theatrical Wardrobe Union, Local 769 IATSE.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Birnecker Hart, and the remaining members present voted approving item D3.
Roll call vote. Record as:
Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes
Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes Terrance McGann – Yes
Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes
Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes
Sherman Wright – Yes Nina Grondin – Yes
The motion passed.
D4. Review of FY2021 Minority and Women Owned Business Procurement Report.
There was no vote needed for item D4.
E1. Consideration of Approval of Executive Session Minutes of the August 31, 2021 Regular Board Meeting.
Moved by Member Ramirez, seconded by Member Villar, and the remaining members present voted approving item E1.
Roll call vote. Record as:
Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes
Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes Terrance McGann – Yes
Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes
Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes
Sherman Wright – Yes Nina Grondin – Yes
The motion passed.
E2. New Business.
There was no new business introduced.
Adjournment
Chairman Bethke moved to adjourn the meeting moved by Member Wright, 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 Kiley, Jr. – Yes
Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes Terrance McGann – Yes
Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes
Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes
Sherman Wright – Yes Nina Grondin – Yes
The motion passed.
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