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SR-10-22-2013-8ACity of City Council Report Santa Monica City Council Meeting: October 22, 2093 6 • = I f7 ' rt "iT� '4 To: Mayor and City Council From: Karen Ginsberg, Director of Community and Cultural Services Subject: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium Working Group (CWG) Appointments Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Approve the appointment of the four recommended CWG members nominated by the Arts Commission, the Landmarks Commission, the Planning Commission and the Recreation and Parks Commission. 2. Appoint five additional CWG members from among the group of applicants; and 3. Authorize staff to postpone the appointment of the Technical Advisory Subcommittee to a later date. Executive Summary At its meeting on AAJILrst 13, 20-f3, City Council approved the establishment of a Civic Auditorium Working Group (CWG) along with the eligibility criteria for participation. Twenty -eight applications were received by the September 16, 2013 deadline and applicants were interviewed by members of an interdepartmental staff committee. Council is now being asked to appoint nine members to the CWG for one two - yearterm. Background On JLWo8 11, ?u 13 Council reviewed and commented on recommendations regarding an interim use of the Civic, long -term management options, strategies to generate revenue for the renovation, and the concept of the development of a cultural campus with the Civic Auditorium as the hub. Staff was directed to return with a recommended structure and criteria for a temporary Civic Working Group (CWG) that will provide input on the development of recommendations for the renovation, programming and long -term operation of the Civic. Council also approved an interim operations budget and the one- time allocation of funds for market feasibility and economic analysis of the preferred uses. 0 At its meeting on August 13, ?013,, Council approved the establishment of a nine member Civic Auditorium Working Group (CWG) composed as follows: four members would be individuals who currently serve, or have served, on the City's Arts, Landmarks, Planning, and Recreation and Parks Commissions; the other five members would be people with broad knowledge of Santa Monica and who possess professional expertise in one or more of a variety of relevant disciplines. The City Clerk published the openings on August 16, 2013 on the City's website and in the Santa Monica Daily Press. Staff conducted extensive outreach to the press and to community groups to ensure that the opportunity was widely distributed and well publicized. The establishment of the CWG and the opportunity to apply was mentioned in all of the local newspapers. There was a good response overall, with 28 applications received for the five openings by the September 16, 2013 due date (please see Attachment A for a complete list of applicants). Fourteen applications were submitted for consideration for the Technical Advisory Subcommittee, and there is some overlap between the two groups of applicants. Commission Nominations The following individuals were nominated by the four designated City Commissions for inclusion in the CWG: Arts Commission lao Katagiri Landmarks Commission Nina Fresco Planning Commission Frank Gruber Recreation and Parks Commission Phil Brock, with Lori Brown as an alternate Civic Working Group Application Review An interdepartmental staff committee including representatives from Community and Cultural Services, Finance, Housing and Economic Development, Planning, and Public Works met to review the applicant pool and evaluate the candidates based on the criteria established by Council, which were as follows: 2 • Expertise: Members would collectively demonstrate expertise in the areas of strategic planning, policy development, performing arts production, venue operations, real estate development, construction, fundraising, and event management. Further, members should collectively demonstrate broad knowledge of Santa Monica, along with a demonstrated commitment to and appreciation of the history and character of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Technical Advisory Subcommittee members would possess significant expertise and professional experience specifically in the financing, management and programming of convention and entertainment venues. • Professional achievements: Members would individually and collectively demonstrate achievements in leadership, creativity and innovation, ability to work effectively in a group- setting, and capacity to balance competing priorities. • Residency: Members of the CWG are preferred, but not required, to be Santa Monica residents; or to maintain a business in the City, or to be employed in Santa Monica. Members of the Technical Advisory Subcommittee are exempt from residency requirements • Timeframe: Members would be required to make the time commitment necessary to move the planning process forward expeditiously. Staff conducted in person or phone interviews with each applicant and the following group is recommended for consideration by Council. Staff felt they best meet the criteria established by Council for the CWG, and collectively reflect a broad range of expertise and perspectives. This group will be charged with facilitating community dialogue over the next two years around the future of this major asset, and as such it will be important to appoint a group that possesses the ability to work effectively together, to listen to each other, and engage in productive community dialogue. Staff recommends Council appoint the five applicants from the following group of finalists that they deem best complement the four Commission designees. Summary of Recommended Applicants • Linda Bozung: Ms. Bozung recently retired from a 30 -year law career with a specialty in land use, development and environmental analysis law. Her professional experience includes the preparation of Specific Plans, EIRs and public - private development agreements. Her volunteerism spans local, state and national topics and includes 10 years on the Board of Directors for the Weingart Center, Public Counsel Board of Directors, service on the Interim Regional Coastal Plan Committee for SCAG, the Citizen Advisory Committee for the California Senate local Government Committee on Planning for California's 3 Growth, the US EPA Advisory Committee regarding Wetlands, the Open Space Task Force of the Los Angeles CRA, and a variety of national, state and local positions with the American Bar Association's councils and committees. She has lived in Santa Monica for 23 years. ® Fred Deni: Mr. Deni has owned and managed Back on Broadway and Back on the Beach restaurants, and a special event and catering service in Santa Monica since 1979. Additionally, he has worked in theater and theatrical production since he was a young child. Mr. Deni's long history of community involvement includes serving as a founding board member of the Ruskin Group Theatre, serving on the Santa Monica College Advisory Board, and founding the PAL Fred Deni Culinary Program. Additionally, the Santa Monica Red Cross honored him with its Humanitarian Award. He has lived in Santa Monica for 40 years. ® Sepp Donahower: Mr. Donahower has been a music concert producer and promoter for over 40 years, producing events at Southern California's top venues including the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, the Hollywood Palladium and The Forum. His work includes producing concerts with Jimmy Hendrix, Buffalo Springfield, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airfield, ZZ Top, the Eagles, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones. His knowledge includes sound and light systems, security planning, event marketing and advertising, crowd control and event management. Mr. Donahower lived in Santa Monica for 20 years and currently he resides in Rancho Palos Verdes. He is an active member of the Save the Civic community group. ® Bruria Finkel: Ms. Finkel is an artist, curator and community activist. Her extensive community leadership in Santa Monica includes service as a Founding Member of the City's Arts Commission along with current service on its Urban Art Committee, the Downtown Santa Monica Board of Directors, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights Steering Committee, the Santa Monica Conservancy, and the Santa Monica Democratic Club. She has served on a variety of government task forces regarding issues such as artist live /work space, gangs, the arts and education. Ms. Finkel has lived and worked in Santa Monica for 54 years. ® David Finkel: Judge Finkel is a retired Superior Court Judge and a Trustee of Santa Monica College. Judge Finkel's 50 -plus years of community leadership and knowledge of Santa Monica includes four years as a City Councilmember, during which he served as the liaison to the Parks and Recreation, Arts and Senior Citizen's Commissions, as well a five -year term on the Santa Monica Rent Control Board and membership with Santa Monicans for Renters Rights. He is experienced in government, law, mediation and teaching. Judge Finkel has lived in Santa Monica for 50 years. ® Frans Klinkenberg: Mr. Klinkenberg recently retired after 33 years as the owner, CEO and Managing Director of Angstrom Lighting, Inc., a professional lighting sales and rental company serving customers in the fields of theatre, television and film, corporate special events, trade and education. His professional knowledge includes extensive front -of -house experience with 4 lighting and sound design, scheduling and staging, labor, equipment, installation and operations. He also teaches these topics at industry trade shows, high schools and colleges throughout Southern California. Mr. Klinkenberg has lived in Santa Monica for 17 years. ® Philip J. Oroseo: Mr. Orosco is the Managing Partner of Pacshore Partners, a real estate investment firm located in Santa Monica. His work in the real estate investment industry spans 20 years and includes financing over $5 billion in real estate, developing multiple commercial and historically sensitive properties in Santa Monica and nine years as Vice President of Finance and Acquisitions at Maguire Properties. His professional knowledge includes real estate acquisitions and operations, debt structuring and finance. He is an active member of the Santa Monica Conservancy. He lived in Santa Monica for five years, and currently resides in Pacific Palisades and works in Santa Monica. ® Carol Sevilla: Ms. Sevilla is experienced in film, theatre production, real estate development, law and philanthropy. Her experience includes 15 years of stage management for local theatre and opera, and over 15 years of film script supervision. She has volunteered in community arts outreach for prisons and schools. Ms, Sevilla's real estate development experience includes residential tract processing and solar generation development. She attends arts events extensively, including Santa Monica Civic Auditorium performances, Cultural Affairs programs, Zocolo and summer concert series throughout Southern California. Ms. Sevilla has lived in Santa Monica for 11 years. ® Jodi Summers: Ms. Summers is the founder of the SoCal Investment Real Estate Group, a top producing team with Sotheby's International Realty in the Los Angeles area. Her specialty is investment properties and coastal real estate. Additionally, her background includes music journalism, where she worked as a senior editor and photo editor for various industry magazines. Ms. Summers' currently serves as Communications Chair and as a member of the Zoning Subcommittee for the Ocean Park Association, and is an active member of the Save the Civic community group. Ms. Summers has lived in Santa Monica for 17 years. ® Carey Upton: Mr. Upton is the Director of the Facility Use Department for the Santa Monica - Malibu Unified School District, with primary responsibility for the operations of Barnham Hall. Mr, Upton's background includes 34 years of experience working in theater, performing arts and entertainment. Prior to SMMUSD, Mr. Upton managed historic theaters in downtown Los Angeles and managed regional theaters. His community involvement includes membership on the Santa Monica Performing Arts and Field Sports Advisory Committees, Santa Monica Chapter of the American Red Cross Board of Directors and Santa Monica Rep Theatre Company. He has worked in Santa Monica for eight years and lives in Los Angeles. Technical Advisory Subcommittee In August Council also approved the establishment of an additional three - member Technical Advisory Subcommittee (Subcommittee). This Subcommittee would be comprised of individuals with extensive professional and technical expertise associated with the CWG objectives, in particular the financing, management and programming of venues similar to the Civic. Staff recommends postponing the appointment of the Subcommittee to a later date. The appointment of this smaller group is not time sensitive and staff believes that it would be wise to delay finalizing its composition until the CWG is appointed, consultants have been selected, and the group has begun its work. At that point the group as a whole will have a better sense of the areas of expertise that will be the most valuable. The application process can be reopened at that time, although everybody who already applied would also be considered for the Subcommittee. Alternatives Council could reject the staff recommendation and appoint other applicants from the finalist group or from the entire pool of applicants. Alternatively Council could ask staff to spend additional time soliciting a larger pool of applications for consideration. 0 Financial Impacts & Budget Actions There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action. Existing staff resources would be utilized to support the CWG and Technical Advisory Subcommittee and funds set aside at the U'Une_111 2013 Council meeting will be dedicated to hire professional consultants that may advise both staff and the CWG and Subcommittee. Staff will return to Council if specific budget actions are required in the future. Prepared by: Jessica Cusick, Manager, Cultural Affairs Forwarded to Council: l Karen Ginsberg Rod Gould Director, Communit and Cult ral City Manager Services Attachment A — Summary of all Civic Working Group Applications 7 Attachment A Summary- Civic Working Group Applicants Beth Allyn: Ms. Allyn is desk manager at Miakel Bishay Salon in Santa Monica. Her background includes management at Aqua Day Spa, and working as a server and event planner for Pioneer Boulangerie, DC -3 and Schatzi on Main. Her volunteer work includes community outreach for the Venice Art Crawl, crisis counseling at OPCC's Stepping Stone youth crisis shelter, food and toy drives. Ms. Allyn has worked in Santa Monica for 20 years and lives in Venice. John Blanchette Jr.: Mr. Blanchette is the President and owner of Blanchette & Associates Public Relations in Santa Monica. He has worked in the field of entertainment and corporate publicity for 30 years. He has also been employed as a travel, wine and food features writer for Copley and Creators News Syndicates. He has represented and worked with film companies, television stations, celebrities and charities throughout Los Angeles to promote their events, films, shows and venues. Mr. Blanchette has lived in Santa Monica for 30 years. Linda Bozung: Ms. Bozung recently retired from a 30 -year law career with a specialty in land use, development and environmental analysis law. Her professional experience includes the preparation of Specific Plans, EIRs and public - private development agreements, Her volunteerism spans local, state and national topics and includes 10 years on the Board of Directors for the Weingart Center, Public Counsel Board of Directors, service on the Interim Regional Coastal Plan Committee for SCAG, the Citizen Advisory Committee for the California Senate local Government Committee on Planning for California's Growth, the US EPA Advisory Committee regarding Wetlands, the Open Space Task Force of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, and a variety of national, state and local positions with the American Bar Association's councils and committees. She has lived in Santa Monica for 23 years. Glenda Callanen: Ms. Callanen is a Certified Financial Planner in private practice in Santa Monica. Her volunteer involvements include current board membership on the RAND Corp. alumni association, and former membership on the Los Angeles County Fiduciary Abuse Task Force coordinated by WISE and the Los Angeles County Department of Aging, and board membership of a credit union. Ms. Callanen has lived in Santa Monica for 39 years. Greta Couper: Ms. Couper notified staff that she had decided to withdraw her application from consideration. Myung Deering: Ms. Deering is an artist and the President of the Senior Arts Foundation. Her community involvement includes serving as the founding Executive Director of the Korean American Museum, service on the Santa Monica YMCA Advisory Board and Vice President of the Santa Monica Sister City Association. Ms. Deering has lived in Santa Monica for 20 years. Fred Deni: Mr. Deni has owned and managed Back on Broadway and Back on the Beach restaurants, and a special event and catering service in Santa Monica since 1979. Additionally, he has worked in theater and theatrical production since he was a young child. Mr. Deni's long history of community involvement includes serving as a founding board member of the Ruskin Group Theatre, serving on the Santa Monica College Advisory Board, and founding the PAL Fred Deni Culinary Program. Additionally, the Santa Monica Red Cross honored him with its Humanitarian Award. He has lived in Santa Monica for 40 years. Sepp Donahower: Mr. Donahower has been a music concert producer and promoter for over 40 years, producing events at Southern California's top venues including the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, the Hollywood Palladium and The Forum. His work includes producing concerts with Jimmy Hendrix, Buffalo Springfield, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airfield, ZZ Top, the Eagles, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones.. His knowledge includes sound and light systems, security planning, event marketing and advertising, crowd control and event management. Mr. Donahower lived in Santa Monica for 20 years and currently he resides in Rancho Palos Verdes. He is an active member of the Save the Civic community group. Phillis Dudick: Ms. Dudick worked as a facility manager for the City of Los Angeles for over 20 years. Her professional experience includes community partnerships and outreach, volunteer recruitment and coordinating local, Citywide and regional celebrations, festivals and recreational events. Ms. Dudick has lived in Santa Monica for 24 years. P. Finer: Ms. Finer is a college admissions consultant. Her volunteer work includes community outreach to at risk students who wish to attend college, a variety of community service via her church and past Board Member of the Brentwood - Palisades Cotillion. Ms. Finer has lived in Santa Monica for 30 years. Bruria Finkel: Ms. Finkel is an artist, curator and community activist. Her extensive community leadership in Santa Monica includes service as a Founding Member of the City's Arts Commission along with current service on its Urban Art Committee, the Downtown Santa Monica Board of Directors, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights Steering Committee, the Santa Monica Conservancy, and the Santa Monica Democratic Club. She has served on a variety of government task forces regarding issues such as artist live /work space, gangs, the arts and education. Ms. Finkel has lived and worked in Santa Monica for 54 years. David Finkel: Judge Finkel is a retired Superior Court Judge and a Trustee of Santa Monica College. Judge Finkel's 50 -plus years of community leadership and knowledge of Santa Monica includes four years as a City Councilmember, during which he served as the liaison to the Parks and Recreation, Arts and Senior Citizen's Commissions, as well a five -year term on the Santa Monica Rent Control Board and membership with Santa Monicans for Renters Rights. He is experienced in government, law, mediation and teaching. Judge Finkel has lived in Santa Monica for 50 years. John Harman: Mr. Harman is Vice President of Harman Construction Company, Inc. and his professional specialty is in real estate development, remodeling and contractual agreements. His past volunteer activities include Crest, Franklin Elementary School, Santa Monica High School and Past Vice President of Penmar Golf Club. Mr. Harman has lived in Santa Monica for 58 years Frans Klinkenberg: Mr. Klinkenberg recently retired after 33 years as the owner, CEO and Managing Director of Angstrom Lighting, Inc., a professional lighting sales and rental company serving customers in the fields of theatre, television and film, corporate special events, trade and education. His professional knowledge includes extensive front -of -house experience with lighting and sound design, scheduling and staging, labor, equipment, installation and operations. He also teaches these topics at industry trade shows, high schools and colleges throughout Southern California. Mr. Klinkenberg has lived in Santa Monica for 17 years. Aaron Mandel: Mr. Mandel is an officer at Meta Housing Corporation, a Los Angeles - based real estate development firm that specializes in the redevelopment of urban inf ill sites and affordable housing. His experience includes designing, managing, constructing, financing and operating mixed -use developments. He has lived in Santa Monica for six years. Shelley McDermott: Ms. McDermott is a professional and volunteer fundraiser. For 17 years she worked in special events and editorial assisting. She is currently on the advisory board of Pacifica Christian High School. Ms. McDermott has lived in Santa Monica 45 years. Shahnaz Moslehi: Dr. Moslehi is a psychotherapist, educational therapist and coach in private practice. She is a member of the American Humanist Association of Los Angeles and the World Federalist Association. Dr. Moslehi lived in Santa Monica for 20 years and currently lives in Los Angeles. Gary Nuell: Mr. Nuell is the founding member of Nuell Entertainment, located in Santa Monica. His professional expertise is in entertainment and events marketing, promotions and sponsorships. Mr. Nuell's background also includes managing recording artists, festival and events logistics, publicity and personal management. He has lived in Santa Monica for 15 years. Errica Yvonne Orchid - Hunter: Ms. Hunter could not be reached. Neither the email or phone number she provided worked. Philip J. Orosco: Mr. Orosco is the Managing Partner of Pacshore Partners, a real estate investment firm located in Santa Monica. His work in the real estate investment industry spans 20 years and includes financing over $5 billion in real estate, developing multiple commercial and historically sensitive properties in Santa Monica and nine years as Vice President of Finance and Acquisitions at Maguire Properties. His professional knowledge includes real estate acquisitions and operations, debt structuring and finance. He is an active member of the Santa Monica Conservancy. He lived in Santa Monica for five years, and currently residess in Pacific Palisades and works in Santa Monica. Marlene Pappas: Ms. Pappas is a media strategist at Phelps, a Santa Monica integrated marketing firm and advertising agency. Her professional expertise is in areas such as strategic planning, digital media planning, social networks, cross - platform technologies and promotions. Her volunteer activities include Vice President for Toastmasters Club, Sand and Sea Speakers group, and National MS Society, Southern California Chapter. She has lived in Santa Monica for 17 years. Stephen Rubin: Mr. Rubin's professional background is in adaptive media and display advertising. His community involvement includes volunteering for MySpace to film the Twilight Concert Series, Health the Bay, recycling and homeless meal programs. Mr. Rubin has lived in Santa Monica for nine years. Perry Schroeder: Mr. Schroeder is a land use, real estate development and asset management adviser to public and private property owners. His company Perry Property Group is based out of Santa Monica and his experience includes project management on multiple adaptive re -use projects, re- zoning, finance and asset repositioning. His community activities include OPCC and the Westside Thanksgiving Community Dinner & Celebration. Mr. Schroeder has lived in Santa Monica for 17 years. Carol Sevilla: Ms. Sevilla is experienced in film, theatre production, real estate development, law and philanthropy. Her experience includes 15 years of stage management for local theatre and opera, and over 15 years of film script supervision. She has volunteered in community arts outreach for prisons and schools. Real estate development experience includes residential tract processing and solar generation development. She attends arts events extensively, including Santa Monica Civic Auditorium performances, Cultural Affairs programs, Zocolo and summer concert series throughout Southern California. Ms. Sevilla has lived in Santa Monica for 11 years. Gina Simas: Ms. Simas is a business litigation attorney with 10 years of experience in the field. She has provided pro bono legal services via the Domestic Violence Project and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, served as a political and fundraising volunteer and has completed a year -long women's leadership training program. She has lived in Santa Monica for 11 years. Jodi Summers: Ms. Summers is the founder of the SoCal Investment Real Estate Group, a top producing team with Sotheby's International Realty in the Los Angeles area. Her specialty is investment properties and coastal real estate. Additionally, her background includes music journalism, where she worked as a senior editor and photo editor for various industry magazines. Ms. Summers currently serves as Communications Chair and as a member of the Zoning Subcommittee for the Ocean Park Association, and is an active member of the Save the Civic community group. Ms. Summers has lived in Santa Monica for 17 years. Carey Upton: Mr. Upton is the Director of the Facility Use Department for the Santa Monica - Malibu Unified School District, with primary responsibility for the operations of Barnham Hall. Mr. Upton's background includes 34 years of experience working in theater, performing arts and entertainment. Prior to SMMUSD, Mr. Upton managed historic theaters in downtown Los Angeles and managed regional theaters. His community involvement includes membership on the Santa Monica Performing Arts and Field Sports Advisory Committees, Santa Monica Chapter of the American Red Cross Board of Directors and Santa Monica Rep Theatre Company. He has worked in Santa Monica for eight years and lives in Los Angeles. D'Lynn Waldron: Dr. Waldron is a media creator and producer, developer and technical writer. Her volunteer and community activities include Advisory Committee for the Visual & Performing Arts /SMMUSD, LA County Museum of Art Sunday concerts, Santa Monica Symphony concert production and promotion. Ms. Waldron has lived in Santa Monica for 40 years.