TO:City Council
FROM:Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts Board of Directors DATE:January 28, 2025
SUBJECT: Ratification of New Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts Board Director
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Ratify the appointment of Matthew Burke to the Board of Directors of Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts (TOArts) for a term of three years ending December 31, 2027.
2. Find that this action does not constitute a project, as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Staff time for providing administrative support to TOArts is included in the Adopted FY 2024-25 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 rebranded as Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts and is known as TOArts.
Per the organization’s bylaws and MOU, City Council ratification is required for the appointment of all new TOArts Board directors.
Ratification of New TOArts Board Director
January 28, 2025
1 1
9 2
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
In the Fall of 2024, the TOArts Board of Directors (Board) established an Ad Hoc Nominating Committee for the purpose of addressing expiring Director terms and officer positions. The committee also considered applications for an additional Board seat which had not yet been filled; the organization’s bylaws allow for up to 11 members of the Board. At the November 21, 2024, Regular Meeting, the Board approved the Nominating Committee recommendation to reappoint John Bradley and David Mead to their final three-year terms. Additionally, the Board approved the Nominating Committee recommendations for Al Lowe to serve a two-year term as Chair and for Keith Wintermute to serve a two-year term as Treasurer.
During the Annual Meeting on December 19, 2024, the Board approved the Nominating Committee’s recommendation, selecting Matthew Burke to join the Board for a three-year term, expiring December 31, 2027. Prior to the meeting, Elibet Valencia Muñoz resigned from the Board, leaving an unplanned vacancy of a term set to expire December 31, 2025.
As Managing Partner of Singer Burke Zimmer & Kogan LLP, Matthew Burke leads firm operations, drawing on decades of holistic financial planning expertise. He is devoted to championing humanitarian causes and supporting his local arts community, a passion he shared with his late wife, Donna, a talented artist and beloved Thousand Oaks teacher.
With ratification, Matthew Burke will join Chair Al Lowe, Vice-Chair Kyle Rohrbach, Secretary Janet Scherr, Treasurer Keith Wintermute, and at-large Directors John Bradley, Karen Davis, David Mead, Leanne Neilson, and Sean Rendineo on the Board.
The Board recommends City Council ratification of the appointment of Matthew Burke for a three-year term ending December 31, 2027.
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 and Community Services Director Ratification of New TOArts Board Director
January 28, 2025
1 1
9 2
CCS: 901-40\js\H:Common\Admin\StaffReport\01282025TOArtsRatification.docx