Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Consideration of a First Amendment for the Theater Operation and Cultural Programming of the Rose Center with the Friends of the Abbey Center, dba Friends of the Rose Center Theater, a California Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Corporation.
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From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen
Prepared by: Shaunna Hunter, Senior Management Analyst
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Consider entering into a First Amendment to the Theater Facility Management Services Agreement for the Operation of the Rose Center Theater with Friends of the Rose Center Theater and provide direction regarding terms and conditions; and if approved, authorize the City Manager to execute the First Amendment to the agreement.
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BACKGROUND
Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen is requesting the consideration of a First Amendment to the Theater Facility Management Services Agreement for the Operation of the Rose Center Theater by the Friends of the Rose Center Theater.
At the November 12, 2025 City Council meeting, a motion was made by Mayor Nguyen and seconded by Council Member Mark Nguyen, District 3, to deny an extension of the lease agreement with Friends of the Abbey Center, dba Friends of the Rose Center Theater. This motion carried 3-2 (Noes: Vice Mayor Manzo, District 2; and Council Member Amy Phan West, District 1).
In the current agreement, the Friends of Rose Center Theater (“Friends”) do not pay facility rent, full building maintenance costs, or utility costs for their use of the Rose Center. The current agreement initiated in 2019 and expired in 2024; the Friends have been operating on a month-to-month basis while the city evaluated the operations and current needs for the facility.
The City initiated a study of the Rose Center operations in May 2025, which included a thorough analysis of the current management model, evaluation of facility operators, assessment of facility maintenance, analysis of usage trends, a review of market competitors, along with a recommendation operational plan and business pro forma. During the study, TheatreDNA conducted public outreach through stakeholder interviews, community surveys, and surveys of facility users. The report is publicly available on the city website along with the video of the study session held on October 15, 2025.
TheaterDNA’s study included a recommendation that the Friends pay $5,200 per month for rent, plus an additional surcharge of $2 for every seat sold or unsold for each event held at the theater. A First Amendment was presented at the September 10, 2025 City Council meeting, which proposed a $2,000 per month rent with no per seat surcharge. On a motion made by Council Member M. Nguyen, seconded by Mayor Nguyen (Vice Mayor Manzo voted no), the City Council voted to take no action and direct staff to bring this item back to the City Council after the consultant report was presented to the City Council on October 15, 2025. The First Amendment was denied on November 12, 2025.
At this time, Mayor Nguyen would like the City Council to consider terms and conditions for a revised First Amendment. For the purpose of creating a baseline for discussion at the special meeting, the staff report and previously denied First Amendment are attached (Attachment 1). However, Mayor Nguyen would like to discuss alternative terms and payments that are agreeable to both parties.
FISCAL IMPACT
A revenue increase, if approved, would be in the General City Revenue-Rental Income-Facilities account 20000-33560.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The City Council is requested to consider a First Amendment, and if approved, authorize the City Manager to execute it.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Staff Report and Attachments from November 12, 2025 City Council Meeting.
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager