Agenda Item No: P.5
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: June 16, 2026
TO: Acting Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 202 6-122 CD Management Contract for the Fairfield Center for the Creative Arts (Downtown Theatre)
Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Management Agreement with the Fairfield Center for the Creative Arts Between the City of Fairfield and the Downtown Theatre Foundation for the Arts
Funding Source: $190,000; General Fund
Contact: Dave Zellers, (707) 428-7436
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The proposed resolution would allow the city manager to execute a new contract between the city and the Downtown Theatre for the Arts (DTFA) for the management of the Fairfield Center for the Creative Arts (commonly referred to as the Downtown Theatre).
DISCUSSION
At the conclusion of a proposal solicitation process in December 2025, council directed staff to negotiate a new contract with the DTFA to manage the Downtown Theatre. Following a period of negotiations and additional council direction, a new contract has been prepared for an initial three year term with the possibility of two extensions of up to eighteen months each (and each requiring council approval). The new contract includes provisions for additional reporting by DTFA, the development of a new market ing plan by DTFA (with city and stakeholder input) for the facility’s utilization , and updated insurance requirements . The new contract also requires DTFA to make changes to its operatio ns to improve its transparency and better model best practices for non-profit entities managing a city facility.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The annual cost of the management contract is estimated to be $190,000 annually from the General Fund. $120,000 of this will be paid in the four installments of $30,000 per quarter to DTFA. Per the contract, the city contributes towards the payment of the utilities and based on past billing this expense is estimated to cost approximately $70,000 per year.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
City Council may vote not to give its authorization to execute the contract at this time.
COORDINATED WITH
City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, and Parks & Recreation
STAFF CONTACT
Dave Zellers, Director of Community & Economic Development (707) 428-7436
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: Proposed Management Agreement