TO:City Council
FROM:Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts Board of Directors DATE:February 13, 2024
SUBJECT: Ratification of Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts Board of Directors
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Ratify the appointment of Karen Davis to the Board of Directors of Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts (TOArts) for a term of three years ending December 31, 2026.
2. Ratify the appointment of Keith Wintermute to the Board of Directors of TOArts for a period of two years, ending December 31, 2025.
3. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Staff time for providing administrative support to TOArts is included in the Adopted FY 2023-24 Theatres Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
In November 2016, City Council consented to the statutory merger of the Alliance for the Arts (Alliance) into the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Foundation (Foundation). In addition, City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the Foundation detailing the public/private agreement with the combined new nonprofit entity. In May 2017, the State of California approved the statutory merger of the two entities and on May 19, 2017, the Alliance officially merged with the Foundation. The combined organization was re-branded and is now TOArts.
Per the MOU, City Council ratification is required for the appointment of all TOArts Board directors.
Ratification of Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts Board of Directors February 13, 2024
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
In Summer 2023, the TOArts Board was devastated by the unexpected passing of two Directors and long-time supporters of the arts: Kathy Jeffers-Volk and Eloise Cohen. TOArts joined the community in mourning the loss of these leaders and advocates. These losses created two vacancies on the Board. The term previously filled by Jeffers-Volk expired December 31, 2023; while the term previously filled by Cohen is set to expire on December 31, 2025.
In Fall 2023, the TOArts Board of Directors established an Ad Hoc Nominating Committee for the purpose of identifying candidates to fill Board vacancies and expiring terms. The committee considered recommendations of community leaders and individual members of the TOArts Board.
Based upon the Committee’s recommendation, the Board elected at its January 18, 2024, regular meeting (Attachment #1) to appoint Karen Davis to a three-year term, ending on December 31, 2026. Karen Davis is a 42-year Conejo Valley resident, recently retired from a career in nonprofit financial leadership in the healthcare and education industries. Most recently, Karen served as the Vice President for Administration & Finance at California Lutheran University (CLU) for 13 years; she has served on national accounting association boards and supported Board of Regents subcommittees at CLU. Karen earned a B.S. degree from Cal Poly Pomona and an MBA in Finance from Cal Lutheran. Karen is passionate about the arts as a means of bringing diverse communities together.
Based upon the Committee’s recommendation, the Board also elected at its January 2024 meeting to appoint Keith Wintermute to fill the remaining two years of Eloise Cohen’s term, ending December 31, 2025. In accordance with TOArts Bylaws, at the conclusion of the two-year remainder period, Keith Wintermute will be eligible for reappointment for a maximum of three, three-year terms.
Keith Wintermute and his wife Jody have been residents of Ventura County since 1985. He and his wife have been passionate supporters of TOArts since 2019.
Keith was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. Keith holds a Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and Master’s degree in Theology from Princeton University.
Keith has had a drive and passion for the Arts since elementary school. Recently semi-retired, he has had a varied career as a Presbyterian Minister, documentary writer and producer, Vice President of Lum Eye and Vision Center, and founding member and administrator for a Ventura multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center.
He currently serves as managing partner for two Ventura medical buildings, Vice President of Pacific Foot and Ankle Care, and Vice President and Treasurer for the Dos Vientos Ranch Homeowners Association.
Ratification of Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts Board of Directors February 13, 2024
With ratification, Davis and Wintermute will join Chair David Mead, Vice-Chair Kyle Rohrbach, Secretary Janet Scherr, Treasurer Al Lowe, and at-large Directors Leanne Neilson, John Bradley, Elibet Valencia Munoz, and Sean Rendineo on the TOArts Board of Directors.
The TOArts Board of Directors recommends City Council ratification of the appointment of Karen Davis for a three-year term ending December 31, 2026, and Keith Wintermute for the remaining two-year duration of Eloise Cohen’s term ending December 31, 2025.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
G. Continue City's commitment to community and cultural programs and services (such as Performing Arts/Theatres, Libraries, TOTV, Visual Arts, Youth and Senior Programs).
H. Participate in public-private and multi-jurisdictional opportunities to ensure residents have access to high levels of parks, recreation, education and leisure programs and services.
PREPARED BY: Jonathan Serret, Cultural Affairs Director Attachment:
Attachment #1 TOArts Meeting Agenda
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