HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6e. Approval of Updated Operating Agreement for the Perfoming Arts Center Item 6e
Department: Administration
Cost Center: 1001
For Agenda of: 1/14/2025
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
Prepared By: Natalie Harnett, Policy and Project Manager
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF UPDATED OPERATING AGREEMENT FOR THE
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the updated operating agreement between the Foundation for the Performing
Arts Center, the City of San Luis Obispo, the California State University Board of Trustees
on behalf of Cal Poly, and the Central Coast Performing Arts Center Commission for the
operation and governance of the Performing Arts Center.
POLICY CONTEXT
The City of San Luis Obispo is a partner in the operation of the Performing Arts Center
(PAC) located at Cal Poly, and the changes to the operational agreement are subject to
approval by all parties. The PAC benefits the City by attracting audiences from the local
community and beyond. The events generate tourism and increase the area's appeal as
a cultural destination, in alignment with the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan
Pillar 2.4 – Cultural Vitality.
DISCUSSION
Background
The PAC was a joint venture between the City of San Luis Obispo (City), the State of
California acting through the Trustees of the California State University on behalf of
California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), and private
fundraising through the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center (FPAC) to create a
large community performance space. Located on the Cal Poly campus, the PAC is a
world-class event venue that hosted 300 events and over 100,000 visitors in 2023 -241.
More than a dozen local arts organizations perform at the PAC each year, along with
national and international touring acts presented by Cal Poly Arts and other event
promoters.
1 Performing Arts Center – 2023/24 Year in Review: https://issuu.com/pacslo/docs/year-in-review-23-
24_final_reduced
*This Item has been removed from
consideration at the request of the Foundation
for the Performing Arts Center (FPAC) who
requested additional time to review the
proposed changes and potentially consider
other revisions*
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Item 6e *This Item has been removed from consideration at the request of the
Foundation for the Performing Arts Center (FPAC) who requested additional
time to review the proposed changes and potentially consider other revisions.
The PAC primarily relies on revenue generated from events to support its operations.
However, as a partner, the City contributes funding to cover expenses n ot fully offset by
event revenue. In accordance with the agreement and as established when the
agreement was first approved in 1993 and amended in 2002 (Attachment B), the annual
funding contribution is assessed two-thirds to Cal Poly, one-sixth to the FPAC, and one-
sixth to the City. This funding formula is based on the City’s original contribution of
approximately $5 million, or one-sixth of the cost to construct the $30 million facility, in
1996. One of the public benefits from the City and FPAC contribution is that approximately
one-third of the PAC’s occupied dates are reserved for use by local arts and community
organizations such as Opera SLO, Ballet Theatre SLO, SLO Symphony, and SLO Master
Chorale. Because the City is a partner, these community organizations receive a
discounted rate for events at the PAC. It also hosts a School Matinee Program that
welcomes over 9,700 local students to the PAC to experience free performances.
The Central Coast Performing Arts Center Commission (CCPACC) was established
under the original operating agreement to advise Cal Poly and the PAC Manager on
operating policies, scheduling, and maintenance policies. The CCPACC, with the
concurrence of the Cal Poly president, adopts the annual operating budget and
amendments. The CCPACC is governed by a nine-person board of directors, two of
whom are appointed by the City. The City’s representatives on the CCPACC are the
Mayor and the City Manager.
Updated Operating Agreement
The current operating agreement has not been amended since 2002. Since January
2023, Cal Poly, the FPAC, and the City have been collaborating on changes to update
the agreement, and the final version is included as Attachment A.
The changes were collaboratively drafted and reviewed by all of the parties and CCPACC
subcommittees (see Concurrences). While there are not any major changes, the updates
aim to align the agreement with current operations and ensure that the Center is operated
cooperatively for the mutual benefit of Cal Poly and the local community. Attachment C
includes a red-lined version that includes most of the edits and notes significant changes.
Included below is a summary of the changes which are accompanied by var ious minor
clarifications and language changes:
1. Budget and reserves: The annual subsidy for the PAC’s operations and reserves will
continue to be divided the same, but the updated agreement introduces new sections
to clarify the types of projects that should be funded by reserves. The current
agreement broadly states that “reserves shall include but not be limited to, operations,
major maintenance, replacement, and repairs”. In the current agreement, the PAC
Manager is responsible for presenting quarterly financial reports and setting reserves
in consultation with the CCPACC. This has allowed the CCPACC to review upcoming
projects and put aside funding in the Major Maintenance/Repair and Replacement
Reserve Program (MMRRP) fund for anticipated replacements and repairs. The
MMRRP was established by the CCPACC shortly after the PAC was completed and
when it experienced a malfunction of the lighting control system. Since that time, the
reserve has funded major maintenance projects without needing ad hoc funding
requests from each of the partners.
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Item 6e *This Item has been removed from consideration at the request of the
Foundation for the Performing Arts Center (FPAC) who requested additional
time to review the proposed changes and potentially consider other revisions.
The new agreement formally defines this reserve fund, the annual contributions, the
types of projects that should be funded under it, and the procedures for managing
projects that exceed the threshold of $250,000. The new agreement states that such
projects will be addressed on an as-needed basis, with costs divided among the
partners using the same distribution as the annual operating budget (two-thirds, one-
sixth, one-sixth). This approach is similar to the agreement between the City and
County for major maintenance projects at the City/County Library.
2. Risk Mitigation Fund: A new section formally introduces the Event Presentation Risk
Mitigation Fund, which is designed to help cover potential losses from events. This
existing fund is replenished using net revenue from subsequent events before those
funds are directed toward normal operations. The current balance of the fund is
$50,000, and the CCPACC can decide whether additional funds should be allocated
from the Operating Reserve as needed.
3. Event Presentation Priority and Scheduling: The agreement clarifies the order of
priority for presenting events at the PAC. Cal Poly Arts will have the first opportunity
to propose events, and Cal Poly will retain the venue for key university events.
Additionally, two-thirds of the schedule must support the Cal Poly’s educational
mission. One-third of the event dates are reserved for local arts and community
organization use and will be charged at a lower rate than other groups. The City also
receives a lower rate for any City events at the PAC.
4. Commission Policies: The existing commission policies and procedures that are not
relevant to the operating agreement are removed and established as a separate
“bylaws” document (Attachment D), which will be adopted concurrently by the
CCPACC with the updated operating agreement.
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
The initial agreement for constructing the PAC at Cal Poly was approved by the Council
on November 13, 1989. The Operating Agreement was later approved on March 31,
1993, and was subsequently amended on April 15, 2002.
Public Engagement
Notice of this agenda item was provided through the meeting's posted agenda. The public
may submit comments in writing before the meeting or share their input during the public
comment portion of the meeting.
CONCURRENCE
The updated agreement has been thoroughly reviewed by the CCPA CC Budget and
Finance Subcommittee, the Facilities Subcommittee, the City Attorney’s Office, FPAC
legal counsel, and Cal Poly’s legal team. Recommended changes from these reviews
were incorporated into the agreement, and all parties concur with the final ver sion. The
agreement is scheduled for presentation to the FPAC at the January Board Meeting. Once
the updated agreement is approved by both the City Council and FPAC, it will proceed to
the CCPACC for final approval and be signed by all parties, with the City Clerk attesting
to the document.
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Item 6e *This Item has been removed from consideration at the request of the
Foundation for the Performing Arts Center (FPAC) who requested additional
time to review the proposed changes and potentially consider other revisions.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended
action in this report because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA
guidelines Section 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2024-25
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $342,652 $ $ $342,652
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $342,652 $ $ $342,652
This recommendation has no fiscal impact, as the City's share of the costs remains
unchanged, and the updated agreement does not increase the annual operating
expenses. The City includes its portion of the annual operating cost in the base budget,
which increases by approximately 3-5% annually to align with the CPI. For FY 2024 -25,
the budgeted amount is $342,652.
Based on the existing and amended operating agreement , the City is responsible for
covering one-sixth of the PAC’s budget requirements including major maintenance
projects. While not included in this recommendation, Cal Poly has recently submitted a
funding request to the City for significant roof and gutter repairs at the PAC. The PAC has
had consistent and invasive water intrusion issues due to a deteriorating roof and gutter
system for over a decade, and repairs need to be made as soon as possible.
The total cost of the project is about $1.6 million, which exceeds the Major Maintenance
Reserve threshold of $250,000 and under the new agreement, would be split between
the partners. The City’s share of this cost would be $263,797, which represents one-sixth
of the total project cost. Cal Poly plans to finalize a contract in spring 2025 and complete
the work in summer 2025. Since this is not included in the City’s current budget, staff
plans to recommend that the Council appropriate this one-time funding during the mid-
year budget review in February 2025 using the year-end fund balance, consistent with
the City’s policy on the use of those funds to maintain infrastructure.
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Item 6e *This Item has been removed from consideration at the request of the
Foundation for the Performing Arts Center (FPAC) who requested additional
time to review the proposed changes and potentially consider other revisions.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Council could decide not to approve the updated operating agreement. This
action is not recommended by staff because the current agreement is outdated and
should be updated to reflect current operations.
2. Council could advise staff to return to the PAC Manager with recommended
changes to the agreement. Any directed changes would be subject to the review
and negotiation with the other parties to the agreement.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Updated PAC Agreement
B - Current PAC Operating Agreement (2002 Amended Version)
C - Red-lined Version of Operating Agreement Changes
D - Copy of CCPACC Bylaws
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A-51-93-CC
OPERATING AGREEMENT for the
Performing Arts Center – San Luis Obispo
This Operating Agreement (Agreement), dated this __________________ day of _______________. 2024 (the “Effective Date”), is made and entered into by and among the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center, a California non-pro�it public bene�it corporation (“FPAC”); the City of San Luis Obispo, California (the “City”); the Board of Trustees of the California State University (the “University”) on behalf of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and the Central Coast Performing Arts Center Commission, a non-pro�it public bene�it corporation (the “Commission”) to provide for the operation and governance of the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo (aka San Luis Obispo County Performing Arts Center, aka Christopher Cohan Center, and hereinafter the “Center”) which FPAC, the University, the City and the Commission (collectively, the “Parties”) have built, maintained, and/or operated. From this date forward, this Agreement is the governing document for the Center, and supersedes and replaces all prior versions of any and all operating agreements for the Center, including but not limited to that certain operating agreement dated March 31, 1993, and amended on April 15, 2002. Any prior operating agreements in effect as of the Effective Date are hereby terminated by mutual agreement of the Parties hereto.
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Statement of Facts and Purposes On or about December 5, 1989, the FPAC, City and University entered into that certain Development Agreement for the Center (the “Development Agreement”). (For clari�ication, the Development Agreement states it is entered into on 13th day of November 1989 but was signed by the last party on December 5, 1989.) The Development Agreement called for its parties to enter into an agreement for the operation of the Center, consistent with the executed Development Agreement. All other obligations of those parties laid out in the Development Agreement have been ful�illed and this Operating Agreement is the only continuing agreement. It is the intent of the Parties that the Center be operated cooperatively for the mutual bene�it of the University and the people of San Luis Obispo County, on a permanent basis. The Parties af�irm that the operation of the Center has ful�illed this intent during its existence. This Agreement replaces prior operating agreements in order to re�lect current operating practices of the Center and allow it to respond to current and anticipated future performing arts industry practices and local market conditions in order to continue to ful�ill the intent of the Development Agreement. Section 1 – Center Mission and Policies 1.01 The Intent and Mission. The Parties intend that the Center present a wide array of events from community, University, and nonpro�it organizations, and commercial producers. The Center functions primarily as a host/rental facility for other organizations to present events. However, to make a diverse array of events available
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to San Luis Obispo County, as well as generate revenue, the University may present or co-promote certain events each season. 1.02 Policies on Use and Access. Center policies shall be developed and implemented by the Commission for use of and access to both interior spaces and exterior spaces of the Center, and in compliance with applicable policies of the University. As used in this Agreement, “exterior spaces” mean plazas and courtyards constructed as part of the Center. Such policies shall be consistent with the Parties’ intent that the Center be available to a diverse group of users. The Director, the Commission and the Parties shall respect the lawfully exercised artistic and other rights of expression of users of the Center. 1.03 Role and Goals of the Partners. The University shall have access to the Center as a venue for key University events, and two-thirds of the Center’s overall schedule must enhance the education mission of the University. The University will provide an appropriate number of staff to manage �iscal operations and custodial needs for the Center. The University shall be responsible for facility projects and improvements. This work will be paid for through the University’s annual operating budget or major equipment maintenance/repair reserve fund, or as otherwise determined by the University. The City, FPAC, and Commission will provide guidance and support to the Center and its staff to provide the citizens of San Luis Obispo and the surrounding area with a world class facility for the performing arts. These Parties are committed to providing local non-pro�it arts groups an equitable share of time in the Center. (Terms laid out in Section 4.01)
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Section 2 – Center Governance and Management 2.01 Commission. In consideration for the non-state funding provided by the City and FPAC for the Center, the Parties previously agreed to and did create a nonpro�it public bene�it corporation known as “The Central Coast Performing Arts Center Commission.” The purpose of the Commission is to advise the University and the Center Director on operating, scheduling, and maintenance policies. The Commission, with the concurrence of the University President, shall adopt the operating budget and budget amendments. 2.02 Management. All aspects of the management and operation of the Center (including both interior and exterior spaces, furnishings and equipment) shall be the responsibility of the Director. The Director shall be a person quali�ied to perform the duties required to ful�ill the Mission of the Center. Quali�ications of the Director shall include, but not be limited to, professional training, experience in performing arts and/or public assembly venue management, and the personal traits necessary to work effectively with a diverse group of University and community groups and individuals. The Director shall see to the wise use of the Center for the ultimate bene�it of both the University community and the people of the City of San Luis Obispo and San Luis Obispo County. Prior to hiring a new Director, the Commission and the President of the University shall review and amend, as necessary, a detailed job description for the Director. Representatives of all Parties shall participate in the hiring process and provide a recommended selection of the Director to the President of the University. The �inal selection of the Director is under the sole and exclusive purview of the President of the University. The Director shall be an employee of the University or a University
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auxiliary organization, as the President of the University shall determine. Early each academic year, in accordance with guidelines established by the President of the University in consultation with the Commission, the Commission will review the past year’s operations, including an assessment of the Director’s performance. The employer of the Director (University or the University Auxiliary) shall be responsible for ensuring that the Director operates the Center as contemplated by this Agreement, and in accordance with the budgets and policies of the Center adopted by the Parties or the Commission, as provided in this Agreement. The Director shall be responsible to and serve at the pleasure of the University President and shall serve as liaison to the Commission on broad policy matters. The Director shall be responsible for all administrative and operating matters. The President shall consult with the Commission in the review of the Director and prior to terminating the Director. The fact of this consultation shall be re�lected in the Director’s appointment letter. 2.03 Other Center Staff. Operating staff of the Center will be employees of the University or a University auxiliary. The Commission shall reimburse the University or University auxiliary, as appropriate, each year, in the amount set forth in the �inal approved Center budget, for compensation and bene�its for the operating staff of the Center, consistent with Section 3 of this Agreement and the Development Agreement. The Director and certain other Center Management staff will be employees of the University or a University auxiliary, and their compensation and bene�its expense will be paid by their employer as part of its annual assessment to cover Center operating costs, as set forth in Section 3 below. The Commission will contract with the California Polytechnic State University – Cal Poly Partners or some other entity suitable to the Commission and the
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University President, for its accounting and �inancial management and facility support services. The Director shall be responsible for the appropriate use and operation of the Center, and for the hiring, training, retention, control and, as needed, the discipline and termination of Center employees reporting to the Director. The Director will report to the University President and inform the Commission on these matters if permitted by the employee. Section 3 – Center Fiscal Matters 3.01 Financing of Center Operations. The assessments to cover the budget requirements of the Center shall be shared by the Parties as follows: two-thirds (2/3) assessed to the University, one-sixth (1/6) to FPAC and one-sixth (1/6) to the City (collectively, the “Partners’ Contributions.”) The Partners’ Contributions shall be equal to the sum of the Center annual budget for operations and contribution to reserves, less revenue derived from operations. For purposes of calculating the budget, operating costs shall include all costs of operation, including but not limited to management and staff compensation, marketing, �iscal management and bank fees, staff travel and training, insurance, contracts for services, supplies and equipment, interest expense, routine maintenance and utilities, and other miscellaneous operating expenses deemed appropriate by the Commission. Reserves shall include, but not be limited to, operations, promotion or co-promotion risk mitigation fund, major maintenance, and repair and replacement. Center operation revenue shall include facility use rent, administrative fees for University events, reimbursement for event related labor expenses (plus contribution to overhead), per-ticket fees on tickets sold for events at the Center and through the Cal
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Poly Ticket Of�ice, net ticket sales from Center presented and co-promoted ticketed events, grant support from FPAC and other donors for the Center’s Outreach (youth arts-in-education) Program, interest income, and other revenue items as agreed by the Parties. The Center’s �iscal management (i.e. procurement, cash handling, etc.) shall follow policies established by the Cal Poly Partners, who currently support the Center’s �iscal services. 3.02 FPAC Support for the Outreach Program. In addition to its annual Partner Contribution speci�ied above, the FPAC will provide an annual grant to the Center to fund a portion of the Center’s Outreach Program. FPAC staff will collaborate with the Director during the development of the annual operating budget each year to determine the scope of, and associated costs for the Outreach Program for the upcoming �iscal year, and therefore the size of FPAC’s grant to support the Program. The Center, through the Parties, will provide appropriate recognition for FPAC’s support of the Outreach Program in marketing and publicity materials associated with the Program. 3.03 University Support and Maintenance. The University will provide the Center with utilities, routine building maintenance and minor repairs/upgrades, and custodial services consistent with state criteria and reasonable industry standards for professional performing arts center facilities. The University’s maintenance staff will consult and cooperate with the Director as to maintenance and service needs and scheduling occasioned by the Center’s schedule and uses. Costs associated with these items will be included in the operating costs of the Center and shared by the Parties per section 3.01 above. Maintenance and repair of the grounds and landscaping adjacent to the Center, including the full Plaza in front of the Center, and loading dock
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area, shall be the responsibility of the University and not a cost to the Center’s operating budget or major maintenance fund. 3.04 Major Maintenance/Repair and Replacement Reserve Fund. The Parties shall establish and maintain a dedicated Reserve Fund for costs associated with maintenance, repairs, upgrade and/or replacement of Center equipment, systems, furnishings, �ixtures, interior �inishes, and structures that exceed the scope and costs of “routine maintenance and minor repairs/upgrades” covered by the Center’s annual operating budget, as speci�ied above. In general, such “major maintenance, repair or replacement/upgrade” projects shall have a minimum estimated cost of $7,500, and a maximum estimate cost of $250,000. (2024 dollars) These minimum and maximum cost thresholds will be adjusted annually by the percentage increase in the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (“CPI-U”) applicable to San Luis Obispo County, or as the Parties deem appropriate. 3.04.1 Projects Above the Maximum Cost Threshold. Major maintenance/repair/replacement projects for internal and external building systems (External systems that connect to the PAC, Roof/Physical Shell failure and Internal Systems like Electrical HVAC, Security, Life Safety, Lighting, Utilities, Telecom, and Energy Management) whose estimated cost exceeds the maximum amount of $250,000 shall be funded by an alternate method and resources. Once a project is determined to be above the maximum cost threshold, the Partners will meet within 30 days and determine the speci�ic funding sources to move forward with the project. The assessments to cover the funding of these projects shall be as
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follows: two-thirds (2/3) assessed to the University, one-sixth (1/6) to the FPAC and one-sixth (1/6) to the City. 3.04.2 Annual Contribution to the Major Maintenance/Repair and Replacement Fund. The Major Maintenance/Repair and Replacement Fund will be funded by an annual contribution from the Center’s operating budget, and from other resources as the Commission may determine. The Director will prepare an annual budget of Major Maintenance/Repair and Replacement Fund project expenses for review and approval of the Commission and University President concurrent with the annual operating budget review and approval process. The Director will provide the Commission not less than quarterly updates of actual expenses compared to this approved annual Major Maintenance/Repair and Replacement Fund project budget. 3.05 Operating Budget and Reserves. The Center will be budgeted to operate on a balanced, �iscally viable basis. The Director will be responsible for preparing an annual balanced operating budget and setting reserve needs in consultation with the Commission. The Director shall not materially exceed the authorized budget limit without the prior consent of all three Parties represented on the Commission. The Commission and the Director shall conduct no less than quarterly reviews of actual results compared with the budget. If appropriate considering those results, the Commission may adopt, with concurrence of the University President, and the Director shall implement revision to the budget and to Center operations in order to avoid a de�icit. The budget will be effective when approved by the Commission and the University President (speci�ied in section 3.01). Any operating budget surplus at the end of the �iscal year will be allocated to the Operating Reserve, or as the Commission determines.
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3.06 Event Presentation/Co-Promotion Risk Mitigation Fund. The Commission shall establish and maintain a Risk Mitigation Fund separate from the Operating Reserve and Major Maintenance/Repair/Replacement Reserve to supplement/offset any unbudgeted �inancial losses that may occur from the Center’s presentation and/or co-promotion of events during a �iscal year, as provided for in section 4. Any resources drawn from this Fund will be replenished �irst by net revenue from subsequent presentations/co-promoted events, before such net revenue is accounted for/credited to the annual operating budget. If all Risk Mitigation Funds are exhausted, the Commission will determine whether or not to allocate additional funds from the Operating Reserve to replenish the Fund. 3.07 Fundraising, Sponsorship for Center Presentations, Outreach Program Support and Named Gifts. The Parties may agree to pursue the establishment of a Commission endowment when the spendable earnings of the FPAC’s endowment are suf�icient to cover the FPAC’s obligations under this agreement. When established, this Commission Operating Endowment Fund shall be held by a trustee approved by the Parties with the spendable earnings transferred for inclusion in the Center’s operating budget. Other funds held by the FPAC are not subject to this Agreement. FPAC will be the primary fundraising entity for the Center, including, but not limited to securing sponsors for Center presentations/co-promotions, donations to support the Center’s Outreach program, and donations for speci�ic special or capital projects. As a result of being the primary fundraising entity, the FPAC agrees to provide the University and the Commission annual 990’s and audited �inancial statements. The University, Commission and the Director shall coordinate with the FPAC to ensure that fundraising
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is as ef�icient as possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, FPAC shall consult with the University’s Advancement Department, and obtain the University’s approval (not to be unreasonably withheld or denied) before soliciting and obtaining a “naming gift” for any portion of the Center. The University will collaborate with FPAC to assist with this process to facilitate its success, while ensuring that this solicitation/donation does not con�lict with the University’s pre-existing plans to solicit a gift from the same donor. 3.08 Hold Harmless for University. The Commission shall release and hold harmless the University from any debts the Commission may incur. Failure to �inance a de�icit or to agree to a budget are grounds to terminate this Agreement. Section 4 – Center Use and Access Scheduling 4.01 Use and Access Scheduling. The Director, in consultation with the Commission, shall develop, update and maintain an “Event Scheduling and Booking Policy,” consistent with the Center’s mission outlined in Section 1 and the requirement that the Center operate on a balanced, �iscally viable basis outlined in Section 3. This Policy will recognize and facilitate the City’s and community’s entitlement to fair and equitable access to and use of the Center. The Director will ensure that approximately one-third of occupied dates are reserved for City and community organization (FPAC) events appropriately re�lecting their combined approximate one-third share of capital costs (in excess of revenue) of the Center; and that approximately two-thirds of the occupied dates at the Center, including University-presented public events, shall be activities that enhance the University’s education mission. The University shall have priority scheduling for up to twelve (12) of�icial University functions (such as faculty
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convocations and graduations) each �iscal year/season (July-June). This list is provided by the Of�ice of the President. The Director will work with the University to schedule these functions by October 15th of each year for events in the subsequent �iscal year (July 1 – June 30). Once the dates for these of�icial functions are received, the Center will next afford priority scheduling for the following �iscal year for annual ticketed public performances/events hosted by the University’s Music Department and the Center’s Resident Arts Organizations (as de�ined in the Scheduling and Booking Policy). Once those events are scheduled, the scheduling for the University’s arts-presenting organization (Cal Poly Arts or its successor) begins, and it shall have access to booking until May 1. After May 1, the Center’s commercial presentations/co-promotions can be booked for a reasonable period before con�irming date requests for other events in the following �iscal year. The Director will make every effort to accommodate the needs and schedules of local performing groups (campus based and community based) including organizations which present touring performers. The Parties recognize certain users may best be served by scheduling more than one year in advance. The Director shall determine the means to adjust to that need while maintaining opportunities for �lexibility in scheduling. All use of the Center shall be subject to the Director’s scheduling decisions after consultation with the Commission. In the event of a scheduling con�lict or perceived unfairness in the allocation of Center usage for city and community sponsored events, the Director, the University and the Commission shall use their best efforts to resolve the con�lict and/or the perceived unfairness of date allocation. After good faith consultation, should the parties be unable to resolve said con�lict/incidence of perceived unfairness, the matter shall be referred to the
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University President, whose decision in the matter shall be �inal. Community and campus non-pro�it groups will be charged at a lower rate for use of the Center than other groups. The Director shall develop and maintain a schedule of facility use fees and event related charges for use of the Center in consultation with the Commission, consistent with the mission of the Center, per Section 1, and �inancial management expectations, per Section 3. This schedule shall provide the most favorable/lowest facility use fee rate for University, City and FPAC events; with the Center’s Resident Arts Organizations receiving the next most favorable/discounted facility use rates; then other community non-pro�it, educational, and government organizations; before non-discounted facility use rates for events presented by commercial, for-pro�it entities. 4.02 Resolution of Usage Con�lict. The only matter subject to con�lict resolution shall be the fairness in the allocation of Center usage for city and community sponsored events. In the event the City or FPAC takes exception to the fairness of Center usage allocated to city or community sponsored events in the proposed annual calendar developed by the Director and after review by the Commission, either the City or FPAC may write the University President, specifying the perceived unfairness. The writing must be submitted to the President within one week of receipt of the Director’s �inal schedule. The President shall mediate between the complaining party or parties and the Director. As speci�ied in Section 4.01, the decision of the President on the matter shall be �inal. Section 5 - Concessions 5.01 Concessions. The sale or other distribution of food and beverages will be an integral part of events which occur in the Center. Therefore, it is important that the Center’s
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users and patrons have available a �irst-class, diverse, food and beverage offering. The California Polytechnic State University – Cal Poly Partners Campus Dining and Catering Department will be the primary food service provider for the Center, subject to a mutually agreeable Service Level Agreement that de�ines service, staf�ing, qualitative and �inancial expectations. Should this Department be unavailable, or unable to provide food and beverage catering services acceptable to the Center’s client for a particular event, the client may seek and secure catering services from another University-approved caterer for the event. The Director, in consultation with the Commission, shall develop concessions and catering policy guidelines and a Service Level Agreement. This Agreement will de�ine opportunities and parameters by which certain revenues from concessions and catering operations are shared with and accrue to the Center and be used to cover Center operations through the Operating Budget. Section 6 – Acquisition and Display of Art 6.01 Acquisition and Display of Art. The display of art at the Center is an important function of the Center, which will be governed by the Art Acquisition and Display Policy established by the Commission. This Policy will be reviewed periodically by the Commission upon request of the Director or Commission and may be modi�ied as the Commission determines is necessary to ensure it appropriately honors and protects the free expression of ideas; and adequately considers its ability to preserve, protect and display pieces it may acquire consistent with available resources.
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6.02 Art Acquisition Committee. Any works intended to become part of the permanent collection of the Center, must go through the approval process of the University’s Art Acquisition Committee. Section 7 - Parking 7.01 Parking Management Program. The University’s parking management program, policies and procedures will provide public access to campus parking facilities for events scheduled at the Center. The University agrees that providing adequate, though non-exclusive parking is a part of its responsibility. The Center and the University will execute a Service Level Agreement de�ining staf�ing, procedures, and �inancial aspects of parking for event patrons and Center/client personnel involved in events, (including rehearsals) scheduled at the Center. The University recognizes that safe, convenient, ef�icient access to and egress from parking before and after events for Center patrons is an important component of quality of the patron experience and will work collaboratively with Center staff to achieve this, to the greatest extent reasonably possible with available resources. Section 8 – Miscellaneous Matters 8.01 No Borrowing. The Commission shall not pledge as collateral the Center building, �ixtures or land they are situated upon for any loan, debt, or contract. 8.02 Insurance. The Commission, or the University on the Commission’s behalf, shall maintain the following types and amounts of insurance, subject to periodic adjustments to recognize in�lation and changes to industry standards:
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8.02.1 Liability Insurance. The Commission shall obtain and keep in force a policy or policies of liability insurance for bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury with a single, combined liability limit of not less than $5,000,000 insuring against all liability of the Commission arising out of and in connection with use of occupancy of the Center. The Trustees, the City and FPAC, and any supporting auxiliary shall be named as additional insureds. The Commission shall maintain such other policies of liability coverage as the Board determines prudent. 8.02.2 Property Insurance – Premises. The Commission shall obtain and keep in force a policy or policies of insurance covering loss or damage to the Center, including �ixtures, equipment, and improvements to the extent of at least one hundred percent (100%) of full replacement value, providing protection against all perils included within the classi�ication of �ire, extended coverage, vandalism, malicious mischief, special extended perils (“all risk”, as such term issued in the insurance industry). These shall include demolition, increased costs of construction, and change in building law endorsements. 8.02.3 Policy Form, Content, Insurer. All insurance required under this Agreement shall be issues by responsible insurance companies quali�ied to do business in California and reasonably acceptable to the Parties or under coverage provided by CSURMA/AORMA. All such insurance shall be issued as primary, not blanket, policies. No such policy shall be cancellable or subject to reduction of coverage or other modi�ication except after thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Parties. 8.03 Term and Renewal of Agreement. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, unless terminated or further amended as provided for below, for a period of ten (10)
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years from the Effective Date. The Agreement shall be automatically renewed for another ten (10) year period upon its expiration, unless any of the Parties provides notice to the other Parties at least one-hundred and twenty (120) days prior to such expiration of its desire to modify or terminate the Agreement. 8.04 Termination. This Agreement shall terminate, and the relation among the Parties shall be dissolved upon the happening of any of the following: 8.04.1 Agreement of all Parties. 8.04.2 Failure of the Commission to adopt, in a timely manner, an Operating Budget with appropriate provision for reserves, as established by Commission policy, for a period of one year: after expiration of the most recent budget. 8.04.3 Failure of any of the Parties to deliver on the obligations outlines in this Operating Agreement after having been given written notice and a reasonable period to remedy any de�iciencies. Termination under this subsection shall no give rise to any claim for damages by any non-de�icient Party 8.05 Amendment. This agreement may be amended at any time, in whole or in part, once or more often by written agreement executed by the University, the City, FPAC, and the Commission. In the event of dissolution, the University will give recognition to the City’s and FPAC contributions to the Center by guaranteeing community access to the facility at a rental rate and on a schedule no less favorable than what is available to University-af�iliated groups for a minimum of ten (10) years, consistent with the community’s expectation of fair and equitable access to and use of the Center as set forth in Section 4.01 above.
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8.06 No Assignment of Liability. No provision of this Agreement shall be used to assign liability for any claim or loss, damage, or injury which may occur at the Center, its facilities, or any University campus facilities. Section 9 - Execution 9.01 Due Authorization. Each of the Parties represents by executing this Agreement that he or she has been fully and completely authorized to do so and that he or she is empowered to bind the entity on whose behalf the Agreement is signed. 9.02 Third Party Bene�iciaries Clause. This Agreement is made solely and speci�ically for the bene�it of the Performing Arts Center and its partners, and no other Person or Entity shall have any rights, interest, or claims hereunder or be entitled to any bene�its under or on account of this Agreement as a third-party bene�iciary or otherwise.
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Date: ____________________________ BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA By:________________________________ Date:______________________________ CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO By: ________________________________ Mayor Date: ______________________________ FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER By: ________________________________ President; Board of Directors Date: ______________________________ CENTRAL COAST PERFORMING ARTS CENTER COMMISSION By: __________________________________ Chair Attest: FOR THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
City Clerk
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_, r
# I
A-51-93-CC
OPERATING AGREEMENT for the -.
Christopher Cohan Center – Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo
This Operating Agreement (Agreement), dated this is made and entered into and
is effective this _____________ day of April_______, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), is .
This Agreement is made and entered into by and among the Foundation for the
Performing Arts Center, a California non-profit public benefit corporation ("FPAC”); the
City of San Luis Obispo, California (“the “City"); and the Board of Trustees of the
California State University (the “University”) (“the Trustees") on behalf of California
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (“the University"), and the Central Coast
Performing Arts Commission, a non-profit public benefit corporation (the “Commission”),
to provide for the operation and governance of the Christopher Cohan Center –
Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo (aka San Luis Obispo County Performing Arts
Center, aka Christopher Cohan Center, and hereinafter “the “Center") which theFPAC,
the University, Trustees, the University, the City and the Commission FPAC
(collectively, the "Parties") have built, maintained, and/or operated.
From this date forward, this Agreement is the governing document for the Center,
and supersedes and replaces all prior versions of any and all operating agreements for
the Center, including but not limited to thoseat certain operating agreement dated March
31, 1993, andas amended on April 15, 2002, and further amended on July 25, 2023.
Any prior operating agreements in effect as of the eEffective dDate of this Agreement
are hereby terminated by mutual agreement of the Parties hereto.
This agreement is made and entered into this 31st day of March, 1993, amended
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on April 15, 2002, and further amended on July 25, 2023 by and among the Foundation
for the Performing Arts Center, a California non-profit public benefit corporation
("FPAC”), the City of San Luis Obispo, California (the "City") and the State of California
acting through the Trustees of the California State University (the "Trustees") on behalf
of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (the "University") to provide
for the operation and governance of the Performing Arts Center (the "Center") which the
Trustees, the University, the City and FPAC (collectively, the "Parties") have built.
Statement of Facts and Purposes
On or about December 5, 1989, the Parties FPAC, City, and University entered
into a that certain Development Agreement, for the Center
Performing Arts Center (“the “"Development Agreement"). (For clarification, the
Development Agreement states it is entered into on the 13th day of November 1989, but was
signed by the last party on December 5, 1989.)
. .
The Development Agreement called for the Pits parties to enter into an aAgreement for the
operation of the Center, consistent with the Development Agreement. All other obligations of
all those partnersPparties laid out in the Development Agreement have been fulfilled and this
Operating Agreement is the only continuing agreement.
It is the intent of the Parties that the Center be operated cooperatively for the
mutual benefit of the University and the people of San Luis Obispo County, on a
permanent basis. The Parties affirm that the operation of the Center has fulfilled this
intent during its existence. T, and the Parties seek to amend this Operating Agreement
replaces prior operating agreements in order to identify the terms and conditions agreed
to by the Parties and to reflect current operating practices of the Center, and allow it to
respond to current and anticipated future performing arts industry practices and local
market conditions in order to continue to fulfill theis intent of the Development
Agreement.
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Section 1 - Center Mission and Policies
1.01 The Intent and Mission. The Parties intend that the agree to operate the
Center presents a wide array of events from as a facility where a broad mix of community,
and University, and nonprofit organizations, and commercial producers will present a
diverse array of events. The Parties intend to accomplish this through a Director (as
hereafter defined) and a professional staff, and through the Central Coast Performing
Arts Center Commission (“the “Commission”), all as more specifically provided in Section
2. The Parties intend that tThe Center functions primarily as a host/rental facility for other
organizations to present events. However, in order to fulfill its mission to make a diverse
array of events available to a broad demographic cross-section of San Luis Obispo
County, as well as generate earned revenue, the Center management may present
and/or co-promote certain events each season.
1.02 Policies on Use and Access. Center policies shall be developed and
implemented by the Commission for use of and access to both interior spaces and
exterior spaces of the Center, and in compliance with applicable policies of the Trustees
and the University. As used in this Agreement, “exterior spaces” mean plazas and
courtyards constructed as part of the Center. Such policies shall be consistent with the
Parties’ intent that the Center be available to a diverse group of users. The Director, the
Commission and the Parties shall respect the lawfully exercised artistic and other rights
of expression of users of the Center.
1.03 Role and Goals of the Partners. The University shall have access to the
Center as a venue for key University events, and two-thirds of the Center’s overall
schedule must enhance the educational mission of the University.
The University will provide an appropriate number of staff to manage fiscal operations
and custodial needs for the Center. The University shall be responsible for facility
projects and improvements. This work will be paid for through the University’s annual
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operating budget or major equipment maintenance/repair reserve fund, or as otherwise
determined by the University. In the event of the failure of large internal or external
building systems (terms laid out in Section 3.04), the University shall cover two-thirds of
the expense and the City and FPAC shall each cover one-sixth of the expense to fix the
affected system and keep the Center in operation.
The City, FPAC, and Commission will provide guidance and support to the Center and
its staff to provide the citizens of San Luis Obispo and the surrounding area with a world
class facility for the performing arts. These Parties are committed to providing local non-
profit arts groups an equitable share of time in the Center. (Terms laid out in Section
4.01)
Section 2 – Center Governance and Management
2.01 The Central Coast Performing Arts Center Commission. In consideration for the
non-state funding provided by the City and FPAC for the Center, the Parties previously agreed
to and did create a nonprofit public benefit corporation known as “The Central Coast
Performing Arts Center Commission.” that the City, FPAC and the University shall create a
nonprofit public benefit corporation. The purpose of the corporationCommission shall beis to
advise the University and the Center manager on operating policies, scheduling, and
maintenance policies. The Commission, with concurrence of the University President, shall
adopt the operating budget and budget amendments.
2.01.1 Name. The nonprofit ꞏpublic benefit corporation formed by the
Parties shall beis known as the Central Coast Performing Arts Center Commission (the
“Commission”).
4.01.2 Board of Directors. The Commission shall be governed by a
board of directors consisting of nine persons (“the "Board”).
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2.01.3 Membership. The Commission shall haveꞏ no members, as
provided in California Corporations Code Section 5310.
2.01.4 Powers and Responsibilities of the Commission. The
Commission shall be advisory to the University and the Manager of the -Center as to
operating policies, scheduling; and maintenance policies. The Ccommission, with
concurrence of the University President, shall adopt the operating budget and budget
amendments of ꞏ the Center all as set forth herein.ꞏ,
2.01.5 Selection of Directors. The President of the University shall
appoint five directors and five alternates. The City shall appoint two directors and two
alternates. FPAC shall appoint two directors and two alternates.
2.01.6 Compensation of Directors. No director shall be compensated
for services as such, except that directors may be reimbursed for actual expenses
incurred as permitted by California Corporations Code Section 5236, and approved by
the Board.
2.01.7 Terms of Office. Directors shall be appointed for a three-year
term. Directors’ terms may be renewed for one or more additional three- year terms at
the discretion of the Party for whom they serve as a director. A Director may be
removed at any time without cause by the Partyagency which appointed them.
2.01.8 Quorum. A quorum shall consist of five members of the Board,
including at least one representative from each of the three Parties.
2.01.9 Officers. The Board shall select one of its members as Chair, one
member as Vice-Chair, one member as Treasurer/CFO, and one as Secretary to serve at
the pleasure of the Board. All officers, with the exception of the Treasurer/CFO, shall serve
two -year terms, commencing and rotating in January. The Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary
shall not be from the same organization/Party. Upon expiration of the Chair’s two- year
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term, the Vice-Chair shall succeed him/her as Chair for the succeeding two year term, and
the Secretary will move into the Vice- Chair position. The then vacant Secretary position
shall be filled by a member from the same organization/Party as the departing Chair. The
Treasurer/CFO position shall be filled by a member from the University, and shall serve in
that position for a period of time determined by the University President.
2.01.10 2.01.10 Voting. All actions of the Board other than adoption of a
budget or changes to a budget require the approval of five (5) members with at least one
vote from each of the Parties. Adoption of a budget or changes to aꞏ budget require the
approval of seven (7) members with at least one vote from each of the Parties.
2.01.11 2.01.11 Regular Meetings. The Board shalI hold regular meetings, on a
schedule to be agreed upon by the members; but, in any event, not less often than quarterly.
2.01.12 2.01.12 Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the
Chair or by any two members.
2.01.13 2.01.13 Emergency Meetings. Emergency meetings
may be called by the Chair or by the Director when there are exigent circumstances that
threaten the mission, operations or physical assets of the Center that are managed by the
PACarties.
2.01.14 2.01.14 Public Meetings. Commission meetings,
being those of a California State University auxiliary organization as defined by California
Education Code § 89901, shall be conducted in accordance with Education Code Section
89920 et seq. All meetings shall be held in the Center, unless some other meeting place
providing convenient public accessibility is specified in the notice of meeting.
2.01.15 2.01.15 Bylaws. The Board shall, from time to time,
adopt such bylaws, rules and policies not inconsistent with this Operating Agreement and
the Development Agreement as it determines to be best suited to the internal operation of
the Commission and its advisory role to the Manager of the Center and the President of the
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.
ꞏ•
University_. Proposed bylaws and proposed bylaw amendments shall be submitted to each
of the three Parties for review and comment, all in a timely manner.
2.02 Management. All aspects of the management and operation of the Center
(including both interior and exterior spaces, furnishings and equipment) shall be the
responsibility of a Director. The Director shall be a person qualified to perform the duties
required to fulfill the Mission of the Center. Qualifications of the Director shall include, but not
be limited to professional training, experience in performing arts and/or public assembly
venue management, and the personal traits necessary to work effectively with a diverse
group of University and community groups and individuals. The Director shall see to the wise
use of the Center for the ultimate benefit of both the University community and the people of
the City of San Luis Obispo and San Luis Obispo County. Prior to hiring a new Director, the
Commission and the President of the University shall review and amend, as necessary, a
detailed job description for the Director. Representatives of all three Parties shall participate
in the hiring process and provide a recommended selection selection of the Managing
Director to the President of the University. The final selection of the Director is under the
sole and exclusive purview of the President of the University. The Director shall be an
employee of the University or a University auxiliary organization, as the President of the
University shall determine.
Early each year, in accordance with guidelines established by the President of the
University in consultation with the Commission, the Commission will review the past
year’s operations, including an assessment of the Director’s performance. The
employer of the Director (University or the University Auxiliary) shall be responsible for
insuring ensuring that the Director operates the Center as contemplated by within this
Agreement, and in accordance with the and budgets and policies of the Center adopted
by the Parties or the Commission, as provided in this Aagreement. The Commission
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shall advise the President in the selection of the Director. The Director shall be
responsible to and serve at the pleasure of the University President and shall serve as
liaison to the Commission on broad policy matters. The Director shall be responsible for
all administrative and operating matters. The President shall consult with the
Commission in the review of the Director and prior to terminating the Director.
2.022.01 Other Center Staff. The balance of the oOperating staff of the Center will
be employees of the University or a University auxiliary. The Commission- shall
reimburse the University and orthe University auxiliary, as appropriate, each year, in the
amount set forth in the final approved Center budget, for compensation and benefits for
the operating staff of the Center; consistent with Section 3 of this Agreement and the
Development Agreement. The Director and certain other Center Management staff will
be employees of the University or a University auxiliary, and their compensation and
benefits expense will be paid by their employer e University as part of its annual
assessment to cover Center operating costs, as set forth in Section 3, below. The
Commission will contract with the California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly
Partners or some other entity suitable to the Commission and the University President,
for its accounting and financial management and facility support services.
The Director shall be responsible for the appropriate use and operation of the
Center, and for the hiring, training, retention, control and, as needed, the discipline and
termination of Center employees reporting to the Director. The Director will report to the
University President and inform the Commission on these matters.
Section 3 – Center Fiscal Matters
3.01. Financing of Center Operations. The assessments to cover the budget
requirements of the Center shall be shared by the Parties as follows: two-thirds (2/3)
assessed to the University, one-sixth (1/6) to the Foundation for the Performing Arts
CenterFPAC and one-sixth (1/6) to the City of San Luis Obispo [(collectively, the
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“Partners’ Contributions.”] .”) The assessment requirement is caPartners’ Contributions
shall be lculated asequal to the sum of the Center annual budget for operations and
contribution to reserves, less revenue derived from operations. For purposes of
calculating the budget, The operating costs shall include all costs of operation, including
but not be limited to, management and staff compensation, marketing, fiscal
management and bank fees, staff travel and training, insurance, contracts for services,
supplies and equipment, interest expense, routine maintenance and utilities, and other
miscellaneous operating expenses deemed appropriate by the Commission. Reserves
shall include, but not be limited to, operations, promotion or co-promotion risk mitigation
fund, major maintenance, and repair and replacement. Center operation revenue shall
include facility use rent, administrative fees for University events, reimbursement for
event related labor expenses (plus contribution to overhead), per-ticket fees on tickets
sold for events at the Center and through the Cal Poly Ticket Office, net ticket sales from
Center presented and co-promoted ticketed events, grant support from FPAC and other
donors for the Center’s Outreach (youth arts-in-education) Program, interest income,
and other revenue items as agreed by the Parties. The Center’s fiscal management
(i.e. procurement, cash handling, etc.) shall follow policies established by Cal Poly
Partners, who currently supports the Center’s fiscal services.
3.02. FPAC Support for the Outreach Program. In addition to its annual Partner
Contribution specified above, the FPAC will provide an annual grant to the Center to
fund a portion of the Center’s Outreach Program. FPAC staff will collaborate with the
Director during the development of the annual operating budget each year to determine
the scope of, and associated costs for the Outreach Program for the upcoming fiscal
year, and therefore the size of FPAC’s grant to support the Program. The Center,
through the Parties, will provide appropriate recognition for FPAC’s support of the
Outreach Program in marketing and publicity materials associated with the Program.
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3.03. University Support and Maintenance. The University will provide the
Center with utilities, routine building maintenance and minor repairs/upgrades, and
custodial services consistent with state criteria and reasonable industry standards for
professional performing arts center facilities. The University’s maintenance staff will
consult and cooperate with the Managing Director as to maintenance and service needs
and scheduling occasioned by the Center’s schedule and uses. Costs associated with
these items will be included in the operating costs of the Center and shared by the
Parties per section 3.01 above. Maintenance and repair of the grounds and landscaping
adjacent to the Center, including the Plaza in front of the Center, and loading dock area, shall
be the responsibility of the University and not at a cost to the Center’s operating budget or major
maintenance fund.
3.04 Major Maintenance/Repair and Replacement Reserve Fund. The Parties
shall establish and shall maintain a dedicated Reserve Fund for costs associated with
maintenance, repairs, upgrade and/or replacement of Center equipment, systems,
furnishings, fixtures, interior finishes, and structures that exceed the scope and costs of
“routine maintenance and minor repairs/upgrades” covered by the Center’s annual
operating budget, as specified above. In general, such “major maintenance, repair or
replacement/upgrade projects shall have a minimum estimated cost of $7,500, and a
maximum estimate cost of $250,000. (2022 dollars). These minimum and maximum
cost thresholds will be adjusted annually by the percentage increase in the Federal
Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (“CPI-U”) applicable to San Luis
Obispo County, or as the Parties deem appropriate.
3.04.1 Projects Above the Maximum Cost Threshold. Major
maintenance/repair/replacement projects for internal or external building systems
(External systems that connect to the PAC, Roof/Physical Shell failure and Internal
Systems (i.e. Electrical, HVAC, Security, Life Safety, Lighting, Utilities, Telecom, and
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Energy Management) whose estimated cost exceeds the maximum amount of $250,000
shall be funded by an alternate method and resources. Once a project is determined to
be above the maximum cost threshold, the Partners will meet within 30 days and
determine the specific funding sources to move forward with the project. The
assessments to cover the funding of these projects shall be as follows: two-thirds (2/3)
assessed to the University, one-sixth (1/6) to the FPAC and one-sixth (1/6) to the City.
3.04.2 Annual Contribution to the Major Maintenance/Repair and Replacement
Fund. The Major Maintenance/Repair and Replacement Fund will be funded by an
annual contribution from the Center’s operating budget, and from other resources as the
Commission may determine. The Director will prepare an annual budget of Major
Maintenance/Repair and Replacement Fund project expenses for review and approval
of the Commission and University President concurrent with the annual operating budget
review and approval process. The Director will provide the Commission not less than
quarterly updates of actual expenses compared to this approved annual Major
Maintenance/Repair and Replacement Fund project budget.
3.05 Operating Budget and Reserves. The Center will be budgeted to operate
on a balanced, fiscally viable basis. The Director will be responsible for preparing an
annual balanced operating budget, and setting reserve needs in consultation with the
Commission. The Director shall not materially exceed the authorized budget limit
without the prior consent of all three Parties represented on the Commission. The
Commission and the Director shall conduct no less than quarterly reviews of actual
results compared with the budget. If appropriate in light of those results, the
Commission may adopt, with concurrence of the University President, and the
Director shall implement revisions to the budget and to Center operations in order to
avoid a deficit. The budget will be effective when approved by the Commission and
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the University President. (Specified in section 3.01) Any operating budget surplus at
the end of the fiscal year will be allocated to the Operating Reserve, or as the
Commission determines.
3.06 Event Presentation/Co-Promotion Risk Mitigation Fund. The
Commission shall establish and maintain a Risk Mitigation Fund separate from the
Operating Reserve and Major Maintenance/Repair/Replacement Reserve to
supplement/offset any unbudgeted financial losses that may occur from the Center’s
presentation and/or co-promotion of events during a fiscal year, as provided for in
Section 4. Any resources drawn from this Fund will be replenished first by net
revenue from subsequent presentations/co-promoted events, before such net
revenue is accounted for/credited to the annual operating budget. In the event that all
Risk Mitigation Funds are exhausted, the Commission will determine whether or not
to allocate additional funds from the Operating Reserve to replenish the Fund.
3.07 Fundraising, Sponsorship for Center Presentations, Outreach Program
Support and Named Gifts.
The Parties to the Commission may agree to pursue the establishment of a
Commission endowment when the spendable earnings of the FPAC’s endowment are
sufficient to cover the FPAC’s obligations under this agreement. When established,
this Commission Operating Endowment Fund shall be held by a trustee approved by
the Parties with the spendable earnings transferred for inclusion in the Center’s
operating budget. Other funds held by the FPAC are not subject to this
agreementAgreement. FPAC will be the primary fundraising entity for the Center,
including, but not limited to securing sponsors for Center presentations/ co-promotions,
donations to support the Center’s Outreach Program, and donations for specific special
or capital projects. The University, Commission and the Managing Director shall
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coordinate with the FPAC to ensure that fundraising is as efficient as
possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, FPAC shall consult with the University’s
Advancement Department, and obtain the University’s approval (not to be
unreasonably withheld or denied) before soliciting and obtaining a “naming gift” for any
portion of the Center. The University will collaborate with FPAC to assist with this
process to facilitate its success, while ensuring that this solicitation/donation does not
conflict with the University’s pre-existing plans to solicit a gift from the same donor.
4.01 Hold Harmless for TrusteesUniversity. The Commission will shall release and hold
harmless the Trustees of the California State UniversityUniversity from any debts
the Commission may incur. Failure to finance a deficit or to agree to a budget may
beare grounds to terminate this Agreement.
Section 4 – Center Use and Access Scheduling
4.01 Use and Access Scheduling. The Director, in consultation with
the Commission, shall develop, update and maintain an “Event Scheduling and
Booking Policy,” consistent with the Center’s mission outlined in Section 1 and the
requirement that the Center operate on a balanced, fiscally viable basis outlined
in Section 3. This Policy will recognize and facilitate the cCity’s and community’s
entitlement to fair and equitable access to and use of the Center. The Director will
ensure that approximately one-third of event dates are reserved for City and
community organization (FPAC) events appropriately reflecting their combined
approximate one-third share of the capital costs (in excess of revenue) of the
Center and that approximately two-thirds of the event dates at the Center,
including University-presented public events, shall be activities that- enhance the
University’s educational mission.
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The University shall have first priority scheduling for up to twelve (12) official
University functions (such as faculty convocations and graduations) each fiscal
year/season (July-June). This list is provided by the Office of the President. The
Director will work with the University partners to schedule these functions by October
15th, of each year for events in the subsequent fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Once
the dates for these official functions are received, the Center will next afford priority
scheduling for the following fiscal year for annual ticketed public
performances/events hosted by the University’s Music Department and the
Center’s; Resident Arts Organizations (as defined in the Scheduling and Booking
Policy).; Once those events are scheduled, the scheduling for the University’s arts-
presenting organization (Cal Poly Arts or its successor) begins, and theyit shall have
access to booking until May 1.; and After May 1, the Center’s commercial
presentations/ co-promotions can be booked for a reasonable period of time before
confirming date requests for other events in the following fiscal year. .
Once an event and date is identified, the University’s presenting department, will be
given the first opportunity to present the proposed event.
If the University’s presenting organization decides not to add the event to the
schedule, the Center will then have the opportunity to move forward with presenting or
co-promoting the event with a different presenter. Proposed events should aim to
provide different genres than the Center’s resident tenants and Campus presenting
organization so there is no direct competition for fundraising dollars and ticketing
revenue. Events cannot be confirmed until after the Campus presenting department’s
season is confirmed. Artist offers must be in line with the Campus presenting
department’s show budgets (i.e. venue, labor and tech rates, and ticket fees) as to not
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.
weaken the shared negotiating power in the performing arts industry.
The Center will not be the exclusive home for any user group. The Director
will make every effort to accommodate the needs and schedules of local performing
groups (campus based and community based) including organizations which
present touring performers. The Parties recognize that certain users may best be
served by scheduling more than one year in advance. The Director shall determine
the means to adjust to that need while maintaining opportunities for flexibility in
scheduling. All use of the Center shall be subject to the Director’s scheduling
decisions after consultation with the Commission. In the event of a scheduling
conflict or perceived unfairness in the allocation of Center usage for city or community
sponsored events the Director, the University and the Commission shall use their
best efforts to resolve the conflict and/or the perceived unfairness of date allocation,
pursuant to section 4.02 of this Agreement. After good faith consultation, should
the parties be unable to resolve said conflict/incidence of perceived unfairness, the
matter shall be referred to the University President, whose decision in the matter
shall be final.
Community and campus nonprofit groups will be charged at a lower rate for
use of the Center than other groups. The Director shall develop and maintain a
schedule of facility use fees and event related charges for use of the Center in
consultation with the Commission, consistent with the mission of the Center, per
section 1, and financial management expectations, per section 3. This schedule
shall provide the most favorable/lowest facility use fee rates for University, City and
FPAC events; with the Center’s Resident Arts Organizations receiving the next most
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j
favorable/discounted facility use rates; then other community non-profit,
educational, and government organizations; before non-discounted facility use rates
for events presented by commercial, for-profit entities.
4.02 Resolution of Usage Conflict.
4.02.1 Issues Covered. The only matter subject to conflict resolution shall be the
fairness in the allocation of Center usage for city or community sponsored events.
4.02.2 Complaint Procedure. In the event the City or FPAC takes exception to
the fairness of Center usage allocated to city or community sponsored events in the
proposed annual calendar developed by the Director and after review by the
Commission, either the City or the FPAC may write the University President,
specifying the perceived unfairness. The writing must be submitted to the President
within one week of receipt of the Director's final schedule. The President shall use his
"good offices” to mediate between the complaining party or parties and the Director. If
the entity cannot accept the President's decision in mediation, it or they may appeal
the matter to a dispute resolution committee.
4.02.3 Dispute Resolution Committee. The dispute resolution committee
shall be composed of three members with each Party having one representative. If
agreement can’t be reached, dispute resolution will go to an external arbitrator to decide
upon the dispute. The arbitrator will be paid for by the appealing party.
4.02.4 Time Limit. It is expected that the dispute process shall be
completed within thirty (30) days of the time it is begun.
Section 5 - Concessions
5.01 Concessions. The sale or other distribution of food and beverages will be
an integral part of events which occur in the Center. Therefore, it is important that the
Center's users and patrons have available a first-class, diverse, food and beverage
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offering. The California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly Partners Campus Dining
and Catering Department will be the primary food service provider for the Center,
subject to a mutually agreeable Service Level Agreement that defines service, staffing,
qualitative and financial expectations. Should this Department be unavailable, or
unable to provide food and beverage catering services acceptable to the Center’s
client for a particular event, the client may seek and secure catering services from
another University-approved caterer for the event.
The Director in consultation with the Commission shall develop concessions and
catering policy guidelines to be incorporated into this Service Level Agreement. All
concessions and catering at the Center will be operated within these policy guidelines
and Service Level Agreement. This Agreement will define opportunities and parameters
by which certain revenues from concessions and catering operations are shared with
and accrue to the Center and be used to cover Center operations through the Operating
Budget.
Section 6 - Acquisition and Display of Art
6.01. Acquisition and Display of Art. The display of art at the Center is an important
function of the Center, and which will be governed by the Art Acquisition and Display Policy
established by the Commission. This Policy will be reviewed periodically by the Commission
upon request of the Director or Commission, and may be modified as the Commission
determines is necessary to ensure it appropriately honors and. protects the free expression
of ideas; and adequately considers its ability to preserve, protect and display pieces it may
acquire consistent with available resources.
6.02 Art Acquisition Committee
Any works intended to become part of the permanent collection of the Center, must go
through the approval process of the University’s Art Acquisition Committee.
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Section 7 - Parking
. 7.01. Parking Management Program. The University’s parking management
program, policies and procedures will provide public access to campus parking facilities
for events scheduled at the Center. The University agrees that providing adequate,
though nonexclusive parking is a part of its responsibility. The Director Center and the
University will execute a Service Level Agreement defining staffing, procedures, and
financial aspects of parking for event patrons and Center/client personnel involved in
events, (including rehearsals) scheduled at the Center. The University recognizes that
safe, convenient, efficient access to and egress from parking before and after events for
Center patrons is an important component of quality of the patron experience, and will
work collaboratively with Center staff to achieve this, to the greatest extent reasonably
possible within available resources.
Section 8 - Miscellaneous Matters
8.01. No Borrowing. The Commission shall not pledge as collateral the Center
building, fixtures, or land they are situated upon for any loan, debt, or contract.
8.02. Insurance. The Commission, or the University on the Commission’s
behalf, shall maintain the following types and amounts of insurance, subject to periodic
adjustments to recognize inflation and changes in industry standards:
8.02.1 Liability Insurance. The Commission shall obtain and keep in force
a policy or policies of public liability and property damage insurance for bodily injury,
property damage, and personal injury with a single combined liability limit of not less
than $5,000,000, and property damage limits of not less than $500,000 insuring against
all liability of the Commission arising out of and in connection with use of occupancy of
the Center. The Trustees, the City and FPAC, and any supporting auxiliary shall be
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named as additional insureds. The Commission shall maintain such other policies of
liability coverage as the Board determines prudent.
8.02.2 Property Insurance - Premises. The Commission shall obtain and
keep in force a policy or policies of insurance covering loss or damage to -the Center,
including fixtures, equipment, and improvements to the extent of at least one hundred
percent (100%) of full replacement value, providing protection against all perils
included within the classification of fire, extended coverage, vandalism, malicious
mischief, special extended perils ("all risk", as such term issued in the insurance
industry). These shall include demolition, increased costs of construction, and change
in building law endorsements.
8.02.3 Policy Form, Content, Insurer. All insurance required under this
Agreement shall be issued by responsible insurance companies qualified to do business
in California and reasonably acceptable to the Parties or under coverage provided by
CSURMA/AORMA. All such insurance shall be issued as primary, not blanket,
policies. No such policy shall be cancelable or subject to reduction of coverage or
other modification except after thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Parties.
8.03. Term and renewal of Agreement. This Amended Agreement shall remain
in full force and effect, unless terminated or further amended as provided for below, for
a period of 10 (ten) years from the Effective date Dateof its execution. The Agreement
shall be automatically renewed for another 10 (ten) year period upon its expiration,
unless any of the Parties provides notice to the other Parties at least 120 (one hundred
twenty) days prior to such expiration of its desire to modify or terminate the Agreement.
8.04. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate, and the relationship among
the Parties shall be dissolved upon the happening of any of the following:
a. Agreement of all three Parties.
b. Failure of the Commission to adopt, in a timely manner, an Operating
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Budget with appropriate provision for reserves, as established by
Commission policy, for a period of one year: after expiration of the most
recent budget.
c. Failure of any of the parties to deliver on the obligations outlined in
this Operating Agreement after having been given written notice
and a reasonable period to remedy any deficiencies. Termination
under this subsection shall not give rise to any claim for damages
by any non-deficient partyParty.
8.05. Amendment. This agreement may be amended at any time, in whole
or in part, once or more often, by written agreement executed by the University,
Trustees of The California State University, the University, the City of San Luis
Obispo, and the Foundation for the Performing ArtsFPAC, and the Commission. In
the event of dissolution, Trustees the University will give recogniti,on to the City's
and FPAC's contributions to the Center by guaranteeing community access to the
facility at a rental rate and on a schedule no less favorable than what is available to
University- affiliated groups for a minimum of ten years, , consistent with the
community's expectation of fair and equitable access to and use of the Center as
set forth in Section 4.01 above.
8.06. No assignment of liability. No provision of this Agreement shall be used
to assign liability for any claim of loss, damage, or injury which may occur at the
Center, its facilities, or any UniversityCal Poly campus facilities or facilities of the
Trustees, which shall be assigned under general principles of liability.
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.-Section 9 - Execution
9.01. Due Authorization. Each of the Parties represents by executing this
Amended Agreement that he or she has been fully and completely authorized to do
so and that he or she is empowered to bind the entity on whose behalf the Agreement
is signed.
9.02 Third Party Beneficiaries Clause. This Agreement is made solely and
specifically for the benefit of the Performing Arts Center and its partners, and no
other Person or Entity shall have any rights, interest or claims hereunder or be
entitled to any benefits under or on account of this Agreement as a third party
beneficiary or otherwise.
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Date: _______ BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE
UNIVERSITY
By: _____________________________
RE : A-51-93-CC
Operating Agreement for theꞏ Christopher Cohan Center-
Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo
Date: CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC
STATE UNIVERSITY
By: President
Date: CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
By:
Mayor
Date: FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING
ARTS CENTER_
By:
President; Board of Directors
Date: CENTRAL COAST PERFORMING ARTS
COMMISSION_
By:
President
ATTEST:
FOR THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
City Clerk
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Central Coast Performing Arts Center Commission Governance and Bylaws
As of 10/3/24
1.01 The Central Coast Performing Arts Center Commission. In consideration for the
non-state funding provided by the City of San Luis Obispo (City) and Foundation
for the Performing Arts Center (FPAC) for the Performing Arts Center (Center), the
Parties agree that the City, FPAC, and the California Polytechnic State University
(University), shall create a nonprofit public benefit corporation. The purpose of the
corporation shall be to advise the University and the Director of the Center on
operating policies, scheduling and maintenance policies. The Commission, with
concurrence of the University President, shall adopt the operating budget and
budget amendments each fiscal year.
1.02 Name. The nonprofit public benefit corporation formed by the Parties shall be
known as the Central Coast Performing Arts Center Commission (Commission).
1.03 Board of Directors. The Commission shall be governed by a board of directors
consisting of nine people with nine additional alternates.
1.04 Membership. The Commission shall have no members, as provided in California
Corporations Code Section 5310.
1.05 Powers and Responsibilities of the Commission. The Commission shall be advisory
to the University and the Director of the Center as to operating policies, scheduling
and maintenance policies. The Commission, with concurrent of the University
President, shall adopt the operating budget and budget amendment of the Center
and approve the annual schedule.
1.06 Selection of Board of Directors. The President of the University shall appoint five
directors and five alternates. The City shall appoint two directors and two
alternates. The FPAC shall appoint two directors and two alternates.
1.07 Compensation of Directors. No director shall be compensated for services as such,
except that directors may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred as permitted
by California Corporations Code Section 5236 and approved by the Board.
1.08 Terms of Office. Directors shall be appointed for a three-year term. Directors’ terms
may be renewed for one or more additional three -year terms at the discretion of the
Party for whom they serve as a director. A Director may be removed at any time
without cause by the agency which appointed them.
1.09 Quorum. A quorum shall consist of seven directors or alternates of the Board,
including at least one representative from each of the three Parties.
1.10 Officers. The board shall select one of its directors as Chair, one director as Vice -
Chair, one director as Secretary and one director as Treasurer/CFO to serve at the
pleasure of the Board. All officers, with the exception of the Treasurer/CFO, shall
serve two-year terms, commencing and rotating in July. The Chair, Vice-Chair, and
Secretary shall not be from the same organization/Party. Upon expiration of the
Chair’s two-year term, the Vice-Chair shall success him/her as Chair for the
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succeeding two-year term, and the Secretary will move into the Vice-Chair position.
The then vacant Secretary position shall be filled by a member from the same
organization/Party as the departing Chair. The Treasurer/CFO position shall be
filled by a member from the University and shall serve in that position for a period
of time determined by the University President.
1.11 Voting. All actions of the Board other than the adoption of a budget or changes to a
budget require the approval of five (5) members with at least one vote from each of
the Parties. Adoption of a budget or changes to a budget require the approval of
seven (7) members with at least one vote from each of the Parties.
1.12 Regular Meetings. The Board shall hold regular meetings with meetings in October,
February, May and June.
1.13 Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Chair or by any two
voting Directors.
1.14 Emergency Meetings. Emergency members may be called by the Chair or by the
Director of the Center when there are exigent circumstances that threaten the
mission, operations or physical assets managed by the Center.
1.15 Public Meetings. Commission meetings, being those of a California State
University auxiliary organization as defined by California Education Code 89901,
shall be conducted in accordance with Education Code Section 89920 et seq. All
meetings shall be held in the Center, unless some other meeting place providing
convenient public accessibility is specified in the notice of meeting.
1.16 Bylaws. If any of the Board of Directors would like to amend/change the Bylaws,
proposed changes or amendments shall be submitted to each of the three Parties
and all voting members and alternates for review and comment, all in a timely
manner.
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