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Council votes to pursue rental-focused partnership at Ukipa Performing Arts Center
Summary
After a lengthy public debate about costs and community role, the Yucaipa City Council voted 3–2 to pursue a rental-first public–private partnership with Props AV for the Ukipa Performing Arts Center; staff will return with contract details and required procurement findings.
The Yucaipa City Council voted 3–2 on April 27 to pursue a rental-focused public–private partnership at the Ukipa Performing Arts Center (YPAC), authorizing staff to negotiate a services agreement with Props AV and to waive a formal competitive procurement based on staff findings.
Staff said YPAC’s most recent full year of operations carried a net general-fund cost of about $580,000 and that visitation data showed the venue increasingly retains local attendees. Council heard competing views at the meeting: arts instructors, promoters and rental clients urged preserving the venue and improving its business model, while some council members and residents warned the city must control costs and protect public-safety priorities.
Megan Wolf, city staff lead for YPAC, summarized the fiscal picture and the options before the council, and said the proposed partnership would change YPAC’s emphasis to a “rental-first” model intended to increase bookings and revenue. When asked who would pay for new production lights and upgrades, Wolf said, “Props AV has installed the lights. They own them. They pay for them,” and added staff would include equipment and maintenance details in any contract returned to the council.
Local rental clients and production partners who spoke in favor of a partnership argued the venue could bring more outside patrons when marketed and sold as a turnkey rental space. Event producer Kathy Bennett told the council, “They want to be in UKA,” describing schools and regional groups that she says book the venue and then support nearby restaurants and shops.
Props AV representatives described a three-part plan of people, process and product: add sales capacity, deploy marketing and CRM tools, and rebrand the venue to improve perceived value and vendor revenue-sharing. Company partner Brady Westbrook told the council the shift would “focus marketing and resources on targeting high-return sectors such as corporate events, schools and performance rentals.”
Opponents asked for more time for city staff to pursue cost recovery and recommended an open RFP so the city could compare offers. Councilmembers who voted against the motion said they preferred to let the current in-house team try additional revenue tactics before committing to a single partner.
Under the 3–2 vote, staff will return with a proposed services agreement spelling out scope (booking, sales and production support), insurance and vendor requirements, alcohol controls, utility responsibilities, and cancellation/existing-contract risk. The agreement will include the council’s required findings for any waiver of competitive procurement.
The council’s decision keeps YPAC open under a new rental-first approach while asking staff to document the protections, revenue assumptions and performance metrics that will be included in any executed agreement.
