Firm selected to streamline arts disorganization
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

A chart that "organizes" the city's art services will no longer be impossible to decipher after Jerry Allen and Associates take a good look at it.

The group was recently approved by the City Council to review arts issues and strategies for Thousand Oaks.

Their final report is expected by December or early 2008, according to Assistant City Manager Linda Pappas Díaz.

The cost is not to exceed $80,000. Expenditures include consultant fees of $62,800, $9,695 for travel, $6,200 for overhead and miscellaneous changes of $1,305.

"We really need some help here," Councilmember Dennis Gillette said.

The company is from Soquel, Calif. Others who bid on the job included a company in Agoura Hills and one in Thousand Oaks.

Councilmember Claudia Billde la Peña asked why city staff chose that particular company when there were six applicants from the region.

"These gentleman provided a very comprehensive interview and seemed to grasp what we need," Pappas Díaz said.

Jerry Allen has been an executive director of cultural affairs in King County, Wash.; Dallas, Texas; and San Jose. His associate, David Plettner, has more than 20 years' experience in cultural and facilities planning. Also consulting will be David Dial, who's currently vice president of operations at the Computer History Museum in San Francisco.

During an April council meeting it was decided a consultant was needed to review and analyze the city's arts services and suggest ways the city could improve its services and use revenue more wisely.

The city owns and operates the Countrywide Performing Arts Center at the Civic Arts Plaza. It also provides financial support to arts and cultural programs through boards, commissions, committees and contracts with nonprofit organizations.

The council wants clarification of the city's responsibilities to these organizations in order to increase staff productivity and benefit the arts and cultural programs, a city staff report said.

The council approved the consultant 4-0, with Mayor Andy Fox absent.