Council receives CCPA update and directs expedited hiring of budgeted positions

Jeff Tilke, executive director of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, reported programming and operational changes that staff said are improving financial performance. Tilke told the council ticket sales rose from about 64,000 and $4.98 million in fiscal 2023–24 to roughly 89,000 tickets and $6.79 million to date this fiscal year; he also said ticket‑related fee revenue increased from about $214,000 to $833,000 so far.

Tilke said the theater has pursued a rolling programming model, modernized ticketing and marketing systems, increased rentals and partnerships, and adopted new food and beverage revenue‑sharing arrangements.

Councilmembers discussed forming a focused CCPA review task force; Councilmember Jennifer Hong proposed a small resident task force of arts, business and resident stakeholders to explore efficiencies and strategic options. Councilmember Frank Yokoyama suggested any deep dive should be balanced with similar reviews of other cost centers such as the library and senior center.

Mayor Linda Johnson moved to receive and file the report and to direct the city manager to work with human resources to expedite hiring of currently budgeted vacant positions at CCPA; the motion was seconded and passed on a 4–1 vote. Councilmember Hong and others argued a resident task force could be considered after the city’s economic impact study is released later this summer.

The council also discussed the recent Ube Fest events and the CCPA’s rental activity, including a large prom rental that generated building rental revenue and visitor spending.