SR-10-22-2013-8ACity of
City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: October 22, 2093
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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.
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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:
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• 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
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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
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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.
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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:
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Karen Ginsberg Rod Gould
Director, Communit and Cult ral City Manager
Services
Attachment A — Summary of all Civic Working Group Applications
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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.