TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jaime Boscarino, Finance Director
DATE:July 8, 2025
SUBJECT: Lease Agreement with New West Symphony Association RECOMMENDATION:
1. If Resident Company status is granted, approve Lease Agreement with New West Symphony Association (New West), for a month-to-month agreement term of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, or through the corresponding period of Resident Company status, whichever is sooner.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: Yes
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time required to prepare the report is included in the Adopted FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget. New West to pay the City $1.00 per year for rent.
BACKGROUND:
In 1994, City Council designated three local performing arts companies, including New West, as "Resident Performing Arts Organizations" for the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza's Bank of America Performing Arts Center (BAPAC). New West has been designated as a Resident Performing Arts Organization since then. New West's mission is to inspire a passion for music through live performances that attract, engage, educate, and enrich diverse audiences.
In June 2012, City Council approved a formal Resident Company policy, establishing guidelines, criteria, benefits, and application procedures. Resident status is granted for three years, after which an organization must reapply. One of
Lease Agreement between City and New West Symphony Association July 8, 2025
1 3
0 7
the Resident Company benefits is the use of office space at the Civic Arts Plaza if available, at or below market rate.
New West has leased approximately 1,320 square feet of office space from the City since July 1995. This space, located on the second floor of the Civic Arts Plaza, is used for public outreach programs and business purposes. The previous lease, executed on June 8, 2018, ended on June 30, 2025. Currently, New West occupies the space on a month-to-month tenancy.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
In June 2025, the Cultural and Community Services Department received applications for Resident Company status renewals for the BAPAC for the term from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. Only if City Council approves New West as a Resident Company would staff execute an approved Lease Agreement. A new month-to-month lease agreement is needed to reflect the approved Resident Company status, ensure insurance requirements are met, and outline the rights and obligations of New West and the City. The agreement includes termination clauses that benefit both parties if future goals or operational needs change.
Staff recommend approval of the Lease Agreement (Attachment #1) which will support New West in offering a volunteer-based non-profit symphony to the region and continue the City's commitment to cultural programs and services. New West has been an asset to the community, focusing its outreach and educational activities on the greater Conejo Valley.
LEVINE ACT (California Government Code § 84308):
This item is subject to the Levine Act. City Councilmembers who have received a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) within the preceding 12 months from a party or their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant involved in this proceeding may do either of the following: (1) disclose the contribution on the record and recuse themselves from this proceeding; or if applicable (2) return the portion of the contribution that exceeds $500 within 30 days from the time the official knew or should have known about the contribution, and participate in the proceeding.
All parties and their agents/representatives must disclose on the record of this proceeding any aggregated contribution of more than $500 made to any Councilmember within the preceding 12 months. Councilmembers are prohibited from accepting, soliciting, or directing a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) from a party, their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. In addition, a party, their agent/representative, or a financially- Lease Agreement between City and New West Symphony Association July 8, 2025
1 3
0 7
interested participant is prohibited from contributing more than $500 (aggregated) to a Councilmember during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made.
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.
D. Maintain strong commitment to public safety (including Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and Emergency Management) to ensure City remains one of the safest Cities in the United States with a population over 100,000.
PREPARED BY: Joshua Koenig-Brown, Facilities Manager
Alexander Wallsten, Assistant Analyst
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – New West Symphony Association Lease Agreement FIN:201-10\aw\jkb\H:\COMMON\Council\2025\Facilities\06242025 New West Symphony Association Lease Agreement.docx