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GRAND OPERA HOUSE ADVISORY BOARD
M I N U T E S
February 20, 2017- 6:00 p.m.
Room 404, City Hall, 215 Church Avenue, Oshkosh, WI 54901
Present: Jay Stengel, Janelle Galica, Mary Louise Lewis, Marvin Mengeling, David
Schultz, Vivian Foss and Koby Schellenger. Also present were GOH Foundation CEO
Joe Ferlo, GOH Foundation Operations Manager David Lange and General Services
Manager Jon Urben.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL:
Chair Lewis called the meeting to order at 6 P.M. There was no public comment.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING:
It was motioned by Schultz, seconded by Mengeling, that the November 21, 2016
minutes be approved as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
UPDATE OF THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE FOUNDATION:
Mr. Ferlo noted that he and Mr. Greg Pierce, President of Fox Valley Pro Basketball (the
entity which has partial ownership of the new Milwaukee Bucks development team) has
had some discussion on some potential future cooperative programming opportunities
for both at the Grand Opera House and at the new proposed arena. Mr. Ferlo was very
excited about these potential opportunities and indicated he would keep the board
updated of any updates moving forward.
UPDATE OF GRAND OPERA HOUSE MAINTENANCE:
Mr. Urben indicated in early February the drains of two basement toilets and a basement
shower backed up- the result of a sanitary clog. He indicated crews were brought in to
jet out the line and the issue was resolved quickly without any damage. The incident
did bring to light however the age of some of the plumbing fixtures—some of which
may need to be replaced in the future.
NEW BUSINESS:
The first item under New Business was 2017 Maintenance Projects. Mr. Urben reported
on two 2017 maintenance projects. Mr. Urben indicated Facilities Maintenance staff is
working with contractors to secure quotes to repair the exterior shutters on the Grand, in
addition to replacing the east stage doors. Funding for these repairs will come from the
$30,000 allocated in the 2017 CIP for Grand Opera House Building Envelope Repairs
Project. Mr. Urben indicated after the shutters/doors are repaired they will be seeking
quotes from contractors to paint the new shutters/doors and also grout/seal/paint the
remaining exterior windows.
Mr. Urben indicated he is also working to complete a building assessment of the Grand
this spring. The assessment will include reviews of the Grand major building systems
including structural, roofing, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and site. Mr. Urben indicated
that the status and/or priorities of the recently identified Grand capital improvement
projects (lobby wallpaper replacement, stage floor replacement, pit lift upgrade,
audience & balcony seats replacement, sound system upgrade, emergency generator
replacement, lighting fixture upgrades) may be identified and/or noted in the final
assessment reports.
The second item under New Business was a presentation by Mr. Ferlo on the Balcony
Seats Replacement Options. Mr. Ferlo presented the board with a presentation on his
ideas on the potential benefits of exploring a new balcony seat configuration and how
such a plan may alter audience seating allotment and pricing. Mr. Ferlo discussed seat
sponsorship concepts, theatre industry trends and designs related to audience seating
and more. The board was very appreciative of Mr. Ferlo’s presentation.
The third item under New Business was to honor the passing of long time Grand Opera
House volunteer, supporter and Advisory Board Member- Marilyn Haberkorn, who
recently passed away. The board recognized Marilyn’s dedication and passion to the
Grand.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business, it was motioned by Mengeling, seconded by Foss that the
Grand Opera House Advisory Board adjourn at 7:22 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jon Urben, Secretary
cc Mark Rohloff, City Manager
John Fitzpatrick, Assistant City Manager/Director of Administrative Services