Westminster's City Council voted unanimously Dec. 18 to authorize a six-month extension of the operating agreement for the Rose Center Theatre with the existing operator, Friends of the Rose Center, at $5,000 per month.

The action, taken at a specially called meeting, sets the term through June 30, 2026, and gives the council the option to extend the agreement for up to an additional 90 days. Staff was directed to return in April with an item to consider exercising that option. The motion carried on a 4-0 roll call: District 2 Council Member Monzo — yes; District 4 Council Member Win — yes; Vice Mayor Win — yes; Mayor Wynn — yes.

Why it mattered

The vote came after more than a dozen public commenters urged the council to preserve the theater and keep the current volunteer-led operator in place while the city completes a competitive selection process. Many speakers described the Rose Center as a community anchor for arts education, youth mentorship and affordable cultural programming.

"I'm truly grateful for your time, your thoughtfulness, and your willingness to reconsider this matter," Tim Nelson, a board representative for the theater operator, told the council. Several parents and teachers described the space as a training ground for students and asked for continuity so programming would not be disrupted.

What the consultant recommended — and what the council approved

A consultant hired by the city, Theater DNA, recommended modifications to the operating arrangement that included a higher monthly payment that the report characterized as covering utilities and operations. The consultant's written recommendation cited a figure of roughly $5,200 per month plus a surcharge per seat; council discussion repeatedly referenced that recommendation.

Council members agreed not to adopt the consultant's full financial package. Instead, the approved extension sets rent at $5,000 per month for the extension period and does not include the consultant's $2-per-seat surcharge.

Council debate and timing of a competitive process

Councilmembers spent substantial time debating how long an extension should run so the operator could schedule shows and the city could develop and run a fair request-for-proposals (RFP) process. City staff outlined the steps needed to prepare an RFP and said a complicated solicitation can take several weeks to prepare, followed by four to six months for proposals, review and selection depending on responses.

Several councilmembers said three months would be too short for the operator to plan and to complete an RFP; a compromise coalesced around six months with a council option to extend for up to 90 days and a staff report in April so that the council could assess progress.

Public concerns and calls for transparency

During public comment speakers pressed the council to release the full Theater DNA report and to explain why the consultant's recommendation was not followed in full. Tram Kamba, a parent and patron, asked the council to "pause, reverse the shutdown decision, release the full theater DNA study, and commit to a public town hall or working session before any permanent decision is finalized." Other residents said an RFP and an empty theater would disrupt programming and volunteer momentum.

Council response and next steps

Mayor Wynn and other councilmembers emphasized that the extension preserves the current use of the venue while allowing a fair and open selection process. Staff said it would engage consultants and stakeholders and return to council in April with an update to allow the body to decide whether to exercise the additional 90-day option.

The council's motion also includes standard contract language that property left at the end of the term may be deemed abandoned and subject to city disposition; it requires operator compliance with the amended terms.

What the motion did not do

The vote did not adopt the consultant's full pricing recommendation (the $5,200 monthly figure and the per-seat surcharge) and did not award a long-term contract to the Friends of the Rose Center. The council directed staff to run a competitive, open process and to return with results and a recommendation.

Meeting logistics

The council recessed for a closed session earlier in the afternoon and received a city attorney report stating there was no reportable action from that closed session. The next regular meeting of the council was announced for Jan. 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

The vote

The motion to authorize the city manager to enter into a first amendment to the operating agreement — extending the term, setting monthly compensation at $5,000, allowing the council an option to authorize up to an additional 90 days, and directing staff to return in April — carried 4-0.