TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jaime Boscarino, Finance Director
DATE:January 13, 2026
SUBJECT: Lease Agreement with New West Symphony Association RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Lease Agreement with New West Symphony Association (New West), for a month-to-month agreement term of January 1, 2026, 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 and Lease Agreement is included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 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 Preforming Arts Organization since then. New West’s mission is to inspire a passion for music through live performance that attract, engage, educate, and enrich diverse audiences. New West has leased approximately 1,320 square feet of office space on the second floor of the Civic Arts Plaza (CAP) since July 1995.
Lease Agreement with New West Symphony Association
January 13, 2026
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 re-apply. One of the Resident Company benefits is the use of office space at the CAP if available, at or below market rate. At the July 8, 2025, City Council meeting, City Council approved a new Lease Agreement with New West and the other two Resident Companies.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
At the January 28, 2025, meeting, City Council adopted the FY 2025-26 Operating Budget and Information Technology Strategic Plan. City Council authorized the creation of a stand-alone Information Technology Department (IT) and approved the addition of several new IT positions. These actions created the need for dedicated office space to support the expanded department. As a result, staff identified the existing City Clerk Department (City Clerk) space as the most suitable location for IT operations. In evaluating a new location at CAP for City Clerk, the proximity to the County Clerk and other City operations was a major consideration. The space currently occupied by New West was determined to meet the City’s needs. Staff from the City Manager’s Office and Cultural and Community Services met with New West on October 22, 2025, to verbally inform them of their relocation. Staff later sent a notification, on November 18, 2025, via mail and email that their leased office space on the second floor of the CAP must be vacated by December 31, 2025. On this same date the City offered Suite C303, located on the third floor of the CAP by the BAPAC Box Office, as the potential new leased office space for New West.
This new month-to-month Lease Agreement (Attachment #1) will 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 recommends approval of the Lease Agreement which will support New West in offering symphony performances 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 Lease Agreement with New West Symphony Association
January 13, 2026
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- 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.
PREPARED BY: Joshua Koenig-Brown, Facilities Manager
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – New West Symphony Association Lease Agreement FIN: 201-10\jkb\H:\COMMON\Council\2025\Facilities\01132026 New West Symphony Lease Agreement.docx