City of Simi Valley
Staff Report
May 4, 2026
To:
From:
Subject:
City Council
Office of the City Manager
Luis Garibay, Assistant City Manager
Authorize staff to prepare and issue a Request for Proposal to solicit qualified consultants to assist in the creation of an Arts and Culture Master Plan and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with the selected consultant in an amount not- to-exceed $150,000
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize staff to prepare and issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit qualified consultants to assist in the creation of an Arts and Culture Master Plan (ACMP); and
2. Authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute an agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with the selected consultant in an amount not -to- exceed $150,000.
Background
The City has long recognized the value of arts and culture in enhancing community identity, economic vitality, and quality of life. To advance these priorities, in October 2024, the Simi Valley Arts Commission (Arts Commission) requested staff to develop a scope of work for an ACMP.
During the Fiscal Year 2025 –26 budget discussions, the City Council considered developing an ACMP; however, no funding was allocated in the adopted budget . Staff committed to the Council to track expenditures and identify any potential savings that could be reallocated to support the development of an ACMP. Staff recently evaluated spending and revenue projections for the remainder of the fiscal year and identified available funds for an ACMP.
Discussion
An ACMP will serve as a comprehensive strategic framework to guide the City’s investment in and support of arts, culture, and creative initiatives over the next five to ten Agenda Item No.
9A
years. The Plan will establish a cohesive vision and define priorities, goals, and actionable strategies to support a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive arts and culture environment.
The development of the ACMP will include robust community engagement to ensure that the perspectives of residents, artists, businesses, and other stakeholders are incorporated. The selected consultant will conduct extensive outreach and meet with a broad range of community stakeholders, including residents, local artists, arts organizations, educational institutions, and community partners, to gather input and help shape the ACMP’s goals and recommendations.
The scope of work and deliverables will include, but not be limited to:
• Development of vision, mission, goals, and priorities based on community input • Implementation of a community outreach program, including public meetings and surveys
• Inventory and assessment of existing cultural assets, organizations, and opportunities
• Creation of short and long-term strategies with implementation timelines and high level budget estimates
• Public art policies, programs, and potential locations for art projects • Strategies for expanding arts and cultural events and positioning the City as a cultural destination
• Evaluation and f easibility analysis for potential new cultural facilities that could accommodate classes, arts exhibits, and meetings.
• Identification of funding mechanisms, partnership opportunities, and organizational or staffing models
Issuing an RFP will allow the City to select a qualified consultant with expertise in arts and cultural planning to guide this process. The final scope of work will be refined through the RFP process and memorialized in the consultant agreement prior to initiation of work.
If approved by the City Council, the RFP will be issued before the end of May 2026, and the consultant is anticipated to begin work in Fall 2026. A draft plan will be presented to the Arts Commission and City Council, with final adoption expected in Fall 2027.
Financial Impact
The total cost is estimated between $75,000 and $150,000. Sufficient funding is available within the General Fund (Fund 100) budget, specifically in the City Manager’s Office professional services a ccount. If proposals exceed the $150,000 authorization amount, the contract will be brought to the City Council for consideration.
City Council Priority
This item supports the Thriving Community and Economic Vitality Pillar of Excellence Goals, which promotes a high quality of life through housing, inclusive programs, vibrant public space and opportunities for community connection and services.
2 Suggested Motion
I move to:
1. Authorize staff to prepare and issue an RFP to solicit qualified consultants to assist in the creation of an Arts and Culture Master Plan, and
2. Authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute an agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with the selected consultant in an amount not -to- exceed $150,000.
Summary
The City has long recognized the value of arts and culture in enhancing community identity, economic vitality, and quality of life. To advance these priorities , the Arts Commission formally requested that the City initiate development of an ACMP and recommended issuing an RFP to engage professional consulting services.
During the Fiscal Year 2025 –26 budget discussions, the City Council considered developing an ACMP; however, no funding was allocated in the adopted budget . Staff committed to the Council to track expenditures throughout the year and identify any potential unspent funds that could be reallocated to support the development of an ACMP.
Staff recently evaluated spending and revenue projections for the remainder of the fiscal year and identified available funds to support the development of an ACMP. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council a pprove the development of an ACMP and authorize staff to prepare a Request for Proposal to solicit qualified cons ultants to assist in the creation of the Plan.
Prepared by: Anna M. Medina, Deputy Community Services Director 3