Monrovia approves multiyear lease and $785,000 operating agreement with Community Media of the Foothills

The Monrovia City Council approved a multiyear lease and operating agreement for Community Media of the Foothills (CMF) on Tuesday, authorizing city staff to execute the documents in a form approved by the city attorney.

The agreement covers CMF’s use of city facilities to operate the public‑educational‑government (PEG) channels, maintain an open access community studio and provide telecasts of city council and planning commission meetings. The contract term approved by the council is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025 and runs through June 30, 2028, with options for two one‑year extensions.

Key financial terms approved by the council include a total contract amount not to exceed $785,000 plus consumer‑price‑index adjustments in later years, and an annual contingency pool of $5,200 (for a contingency total not to exceed $18,200) for additional event programming and impromptu requests. The contract reduces the city’s prior annual flat payment level and ties a modest performance incentive—up to $10,000 total— to CMF increasing the share of non‑city revenue in its operating budget.

The agreement also includes a one‑time City‑funded governance and bylaws update grant for CMF of up to $20,000 to help bring nonprofit bylaws and financial policies into alignment with California nonprofit best practices. Staff said the city will retain the right to inspect CMF financial records and that an annual audit requirement was adjusted to a less‑costly fiscal review, at CMF’s request.

David Paul Morris, CMF’s executive director, addressed the council and described CMF as a longtime local nonprofit dedicated to local media training and civic coverage; he thanked the city for its support and asked for contract renewal.

The motion to approve the agreement passed on a roll‑call vote: Councilmember Edward Belden — yes; Councilmember Spicer — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Kelly — yes; Mayor Becky Shevlin — yes.

Why it matters: CMF records and broadcasts local governmental meetings and operates an open‑access studio that provides training and equipment to local producers. Council and staff said the contract balances continued public‑access coverage with reduced city subsidy and incentives for CMF to diversify revenue sources.

Clarifying details: the staff presentation noted long‑term declines in PEG fee revenue from cable providers and a shift toward streaming services with no PEG fees. Staff said PEG fees and franchise fee revenue have declined and that the city’s annual subsidy had remained essentially flat for more than four years despite rising CMF costs. The contract includes hourly‑rate coverage for special or extra meetings beyond the regularly scheduled city council and planning commission coverage.