33/04-23
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
June 5, 2023
TO: City Council
FROM: Office of the City Manager
SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT OF SIMI VALLEY ARTS COMMISSIONERS
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve, and the Mayor appoint, the t wo applicants nominated to the Simi Valley Arts Commission (Arts Commission) for two-year terms.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The Arts Commission annually reviews both the operating budget and operating plan for the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center prior to City Council approval.
Additionally, the Commission is tas ked with reviewing capital purchase recommendations for the Center, grants, and other opportunities to make the arts accessible for all members of the community. Membership on the Arts Commission is comprised of seven members, including two City Council Members, one Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation represent ative, and four City Council-appointed public members, as well as one alternate member. All public members serve staggered two-year terms of office.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
The terms of service for two City Council -appointed public members (two regular members) of the Simi Valley Arts Commission (Commission) will conclude on June 30, 2023. The City initiated a recruitment to solicit applications to fill these vacancies on February 20, 2023 . The deadline for applications was March 17 , 2023. Recruitme nt efforts included a press release, cable television public service announcements, shares on social media, and postings on the City's website. A total of two (2) applications were received. On April 3, 2023, the City Council selected Council Member Litster to serve on the Interview Committee with a continuing Arts Commissioner.
On May 9 , 2023, Council Member Litster and Arts Commissioner Dantona interviewed the applicants and nominated t wo for appointment to two- year terms on the Arts Commission, commencing July 1, 2023 , and concluding June 30, 2025 . The nominees are as follows:
AGENDA ITEM NO.
3A(1)
2 33/04-23
Nominees:
Becky Savell
Burton Weinstein
The applications of the nominees are included as Attachment A beginning on page 3.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Approve, and the Mayor appoint, the two applicants nominated to the Simi Valley Arts Commission for two-year terms;
2. Provide staff with alternate direction.
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to approve, and the Mayor appoint, the two applicants nominated to the Simi Valley Arts Commission for two-year terms.
SUMMARY
The terms of service for two City Council -appointed public members (two regular members) of the Simi Valley Arts Commission (Commission) will conclude on June 30, 2023. The City initiated a recruitment on February 20, 2023, to fill these vacancies. On May 9, 2023, Council Member Litster and Arts Commissioner Dantona interviewed the applicants and nominated two for appointment to two-year terms on the Arts Commission, commencing July 1, 202 3, and concluding June 30, 2025 . Therefore, staff is recommending that the City Council approve, and the Mayor appoint, the applicants nominated to the Arts Commission.
____________________________________
Linda Swan
Assistant City Manager
Prepared by: Anna M. Medina, Deputy Community Services Director
INDEX Page
Attachment A .................................................................................... 3 Submission # 2295441
IP Address 172.112.5.115
Submission Recorded On 03/10/2023 10:47 a.m.
Time to Take Survey 42 minutes, 43 seconds
Thank you for applying to serve on the Simi Valley Arts Commission. The Arts Commission is responsible for reviewing the annual budget and operating plan for the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center prior to City Council approval. It also reviews recommendations for capital purchases, grants, and other opportunities to make the arts accessible for all members of the community.
Please complete the application below, answering all questions as thoroughly as possible. All applications are due by Friday, March 17, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Please note: All applicants will be asked to attend one of the mandatory orientations for prospective Arts Commissioners prior to the selection interview. The orientations are scheduled for March 28, 2023 and March 30, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. This orientation may be online.
The successful applicants’ terms of service will be from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025. Meetings are typically held on the third Wednesday of every other month at 3:30 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding the application or the selection process, please contact Anna Medina, Deputy Community Services Director, at [email protected]. *Full Name
Becky Savell
*Address
*Mobile Phone
**SKIPPED**
*
*
Prudential Investments and Insurance
*
Financial Advisor
*
Financial Educator servicing large corporations nationwide. *
Current or Past Board Member
*
I've worked professionally and as a volunteer in the art and media realm for most of my life. I've served on the Simi Valley Arts Commission and Foundation in addition to being a member of the Simi Valley Rotary Club for over 15 years. I have a degree in Photography from Art Center in Pasadena and have worked professionally in the United States and abroad.
*
My background as a Financial Advisor with over 15 years of experience provides me with the financial acumen valuable to the Commission. Additionally, in my positions in business development, marketing, and creative content development, in the field of media, the arts, technology, and performing arts allow for a unique perspective in serving on the Commission.
*
The opportunity for expansion of the arts in Simi Valley to include all mediums and emerging thought is very exciting. We have a rich and diverse community with a wide variety of interests and talents that would benefit from a platform for visibility and collaboration. Creativity in all forms can expand to public spaces, venues, and under-utilized locations. Partnerships with businesses in supporting the arts could be an avenue for symbiosis in our community as well as attracting visitors. *
Currently, I am producing a collaborative exhibit between Oaxacan artists and local artists in Ventura County. As Entertainment Chair for Simi Valley 4th of July for several years, my goal was to include musical artists from a variety of genres including Mexican, Irish, Caribbean, Hip-Hop, Soul, and Americana to name a few. As an executive in the music industry, artists came from diverse cultural backgrounds, and projects included live casts, concerts, interviews, and more.
Email
Current or Most Recent Employer
Current or Most Recent Job Title
Key Accomplishments at Current or Most Recent Job
How did you hear of this recruitment for the Simi Valley Arts Commission? Please share your background and experience in the arts, arts education, arts administration, and community outreach/engagement. ?
What about the Simi Valley Arts Commission is compatible with your experience and why does this compatibility motivate you to serve as an Arts Commissioner?
Please share your vision for the arts in Simi Valley. How can this vision enrich the quality of life for all residents? Please share your experience in producing or participating in multicultural programming?
ATTACHMENT A
3 *
As Rotary Club President I focused on including programs and projects that were culturally diverse, as well as educational in technology and offered entertainment. The convergence of technology and entertainment and the arts has been the crux of my interests and passions.
Attach a resume
Becky Savell Resume 2021.pdf
*
Becky Savell
Please share any other relevant work experience, volunteer work, community activities, or memberships. Feel free to list any significant accomplishments, awards, or impact that has resulted in these areas. You may also attach a resume (optional).
First and Last Name (by typing my name below, I acknowledge that this application and information contained herein is a matter of public record upon submittal):
4 Becky Savell
Becky has a unique talent for making exciting things come to fruition. She has held executive positions in Online, Multimedia, Advertising, and Entertainment companies domestically and abroad. As a Financial Advisor, many of Becky’s client’s are leading today’s entertainment and technology evolution. She launched into the Inter
net in 1992 when the Worldwide Web was introduced and
spearheaded the development of several music and entertainment properties.
She has been a commercial and fine art photographer working in New York, Los Angeles, and internationally
. Becky continues to volunteer as an online, media,
marketing, and social media advisor to several non-profits including Rotary District 5240. Becky grew up in Simi V
alley, travelled the world professionally
and returned home in 2003 and loves the Cultural Arts Center. She is a graduate of Art Center School of Design in Pasadena, Bachelors of Arts, Photography.
Financial Planner, Prudential Advisors
• Provide financial and investment services and advice to clients and companies for retirement, saving, debt, achieving life goals, and family and career planning.
• Assess financial needs based upon income, expenses, debt, and goals to create a plan for financial goals.
• Prudential Pathways Financial Educational speaker for corporations, professional groups, and
organizations on topics including Investing, 401k's,
Life Insurance and Annuities, Basic Finance, and other financial topics. • Proficient in utilizing Financial Planning software, online trading systems, marketing and social media software and platforms.
• Securities Licenses Series 7, 6, 63, 66, and Life & Health.
General Manager Los Angeles, ICrunch UK- Online Music Service based in Los Angeles and London
• Lead Los Angeles team to launch and introduce UK brand to US market. • Pursue business to business relationships with online outlets for featuring and selling music from the ICrunch catalog.
• Create licensing deals with online marketing and retail outlets. • Develop co-marketing partnerships in the music and entertainment industry. • Oversee press and marketing in US market for brand development. 5 President, College Broadcast- Media and Marketing for the College Market Service
• Oversaw staff of 50 employees including Video Content Creation and Licensing, Marketing online, on campus, and traditional methods, computer programming, public relations, and operations.
• Supervised strategic planning and raising funds from venture capital investors. • Managed licensing and distribution of content for broadcast on college campuses.
• Spearheaded Multi-tiered marketing avenues- Online, On-Screen, On- Campus.
Executive Producer Music, Liquid Audio- Digital Music Distribution Service • Developed relationships with prominent music celebrities to create events and market online music purchasing service.
• Create and implement marketing strategies for digital music service that included licensing, distribution, rights reporting, marketing, and payments. • Collaborate with technology and software vendors to set up marketing outreach programs and interface features for streaming music. • Coordinate with Sales, Marketing, and Technology Developers to build and monetize platform for digital music sales.
Executive Producer, Dreammedia/USWeb- High level technology for migrating businesses online
• Established strategic relationships between complimentary technology companies.
• Lead production and technology teams of music and entertainment websites comprised of revenue generation tools for selling music, product, concert tickets, and music subscriptions.
• Integral part of technology and management team to develop database driven platforms for websites and retail sales online.
Executive Producer, Big City Productions Print Division, New York- Advertising production company based in Manhattan with print and television divisions
• Managed staff of producers, photographers, and creative teams on high level advertising campaign productions.
• Supervised budgets, estimates, and reconciled billing for productions. • Coordinated with Sales and Production teams on scheduling, staffing, material and supplies, and expenditures for operations and productions. 6 Volunteer Experience:
• Communication, Branding, Public Image Chair for Rotary District 5240 2015-2020- Provide website development and content, marketing, social media, public relations, graphics, video, photos, and education for 3500 Members of 74 Rotary clubs.
• Website and Social Media Chair for Rotary Club of Simi Valley 2013-2021 • Entertainment Chair Simi Valley 4th of July 2013-2017- Booked entertainment, scheduled, negotiated fees, coordinated equipment and technology for stage, managed stage during event, tracked profit and loss for entire event. • Advisory Board Moorpark College Photography Department 2011-current • Past Board positions include Coalition for Family Harmony, Moorpark College Foundation, Simi Valley Cultural Arts Foundation and Commission. 7 Submission # 2265460
IP Address 107.184.135.147
Submission Recorded On 02/24/2023 9:27 a.m.
Time to Take Survey 19 minutes, 38 seconds
Thank you for applying to serve on the Simi Valley Arts Commission. The Arts Commission is responsible for reviewing the annual budget and operating plan for the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center prior to City Council approval. It also reviews recommendations for capital purchases, grants, and other opportunities to make the arts accessible for all members of the community.
Please complete the application below, answering all questions as thoroughly as possible. All applications are due by Friday, March 17, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Please note: All applicants will be asked to attend one of the mandatory orientations for prospective Arts Commissioners prior to the selection interview. The orientations are scheduled for March 28, 2023 and March 30, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. This orientation may be online.
The successful applicants’ terms of service will be from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025. Meetings are typically held on the third Wednesday of every other month at 3:30 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding the application or the selection process, please contact Anna Medina, Deputy Community Services Director, at [email protected]. *Full Name
Burton Weinstein
*Address
*Mobile Phone
Home Phone
**SKIPPED**
*
*
Lilikoi Agency
*
TV/Video Editor
*
Shoot and Edit commercials and informational films for agency clients. *
Current or Past Board Member
*
I have spent my entire career in the film industry. I am a two time Emmy winning Sound Supervisor. An award winning writer, a volunteer at the SVCAC when my grandson was in the youth program and I am a member of the current Arts Commission. *
Having served a first term on the Arts Commission, I see the need to balance both oversight of the budget and support for a very necessary cultural institution. *
I would love for the arts in Simi Valley to expanded beyond the walls of the SVCAC and to other venues, such as an art gallery, or an outdoor amphitheater. The Parks and Recreation district has a lot of land that may be utilized under the right cooperative agreements. *
My experience is not multi-cultural, so much as multi-generational and only if being a Scoutmaster counts. *
I have already mentioned my two Emmys and writing awards (Writers of the Future). I was also a member of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Liver Foundation in the 1980's and was a board member of the board of directors of the Motion Picture Sound Editors.
Attach a resume
**SKIPPED**
Email
Current or Most Recent Employer
Current or Most Recent Job Title
Key Accomplishments at Current or Most Recent Job
How did you hear of this recruitment for the Simi Valley Arts Commission? Please share your background and experience in the arts, arts education, arts administration, and community outreach/engagement. ?
What about the Simi Valley Arts Commission is compatible with your experience and why does this compatibility motivate you to serve as an Arts Commissioner?
Please share your vision for the arts in Simi Valley. How can this vision enrich the quality of life for all residents? Please share your experience in producing or participating in multicultural programming? Please share any other relevant work experience, volunteer work, community activities, or memberships. Feel free to list any significant accomplishments, awards, or impact that has resulted in these areas. You may also attach a resume (optional). 8 *
Burton Weinstein
First and Last Name (by typing my name below, I acknowledge that this application and information contained herein is a matter of public record upon submittal):
9