10/03-25
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
March 31, 2025
TO: City Council
FROM: Office of the City Manager
SUBJECT: SELECTION OF ONE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TO SERVE ON A
SELECTION COMMITTEE WITH A CONTINUING ARTS
COMMISSIONER TO INTERVIEW AND NOMINATE PROSPECTIVE SIMI
VALLEY ARTS COMMISSIONERS
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council select one City Council Member to serve on a selection c ommittee with a continuing Arts Commissioner to interview and nominate prospective Simi Valley Arts Commissioners.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The Simi Valley Ar ts Commission (Commission) is responsible for promoting greater public participation in, and access to, arts and culture; exploring alternate sources of arts and culture funding; planning arts programs and events; developing a master cultural plan; applying for grants; reviewing the annual financial and operational plans for the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center; and reinforcing the art s as a vital, integral, and necessary component of life for all members of the community. The Commission is comprised of eight members: two City Council Members, five City Council-appointed public members, and one Director from the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation. All public members serve stagg ered two -year terms of office. Commissions may serve two consecutive terms and additional terms provided 12 months have lapsed between appointments beyond two successive terms.
The terms of service for t wo City Council-appointed public members of the Commission will conclude on June 30, 202 5. The City Council regularly appoints public members to the Commission to fill vacant positions. Staff requests that the City Council select one City Council Member to interview and nominate prospective Simi Valley Arts Commissioners with terms commencing July 1, 2025, and concluding on June 30, 2027.
Council Member Litster last served in this capacity in May of 2024.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
The City initiated a recruitment on February 12, 202 5, to solicit applications for the upcoming Commission vacancies. The application deadline was March 14, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Recruitment efforts included a press release, cable television public service
AGENDA ITEM NO.
3A(2)
2 10/03-25
announcements, social media, and the City's website. Three (3) applications were received,and orientations for prospective applicants were held on March 2 5, 2025, and March 27, 2025. Based on the number of applicants , it is estimated that approximately one hour will be needed to conduct the interviews. Staff recommends that the City Council select one City Council Member to serve with a continuing Arts Commissioner to interview and nominate two applicants for the Commission for appointment by the City Council.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Select one City Council M ember to serve on a selection committee with a continuing Arts Commissioner to interview and nominate prospective Simi Valley Arts Commissioners;
2. Provide staff with other direction.
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move that [Council Member name] serve on the selection committee to interview and nominate prospective Simi Valley Arts Commissioners for the upcoming vacancies.
SUMMARY
The terms of service for two City Council-appointed public members of the Commission will conclude on June 30, 2025. The City initiated a recruitment on February 12, 2025, to solicit applications for the upcoming vacancies. The deadline for applications was March 14, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Three (3) applications were received. Staff recommends that the City Council select one City Council Member to serve on a selection committee with a continuing Arts Commission er to interview and nominate prospective Simi Valley Arts Commissioners.
_____________________
Luis Garibay
Assistant City Manager
Prepared by: Sandee McGee, Assistant Community Services Manager