Discussing the Possibility of Rearranging 332 Chairs of Cerritos Council's CCPA, with an Estimated Expense of $420,000.
The city of Cerritos has made a significant investment in the comfort of its audience members at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA). The city council has approved a no-bid award for the purchase of 332 new armchairs, totalling $420,000.
These funds will be used to replace 206 standard-height armchairs and 126 tall armchairs at the CCPA. With an average cost per chair of $1,265, the city aims to upgrade the seating quality and comfort in its performance venue, enhancing the audience experience.
The purchase was conducted under the city's procurement policy, which allows for sole-source or emergency purchases when certain conditions are met. In this case, the city chose to work with Yamada Enterprises, a Huntington Beach-based vendor, due to their qualification as a "qualified vendor" through the California Multiple Award Schedule Cooperative Contract.
This procurement program, offered by California, aims to streamline purchasing for state and local government agencies. By using this contract, Cerritos City Council can ensure the quality and compatibility of the armchairs with the existing equipment at the CCPA.
Despite the controversy surrounding the lack of competitive bidding, such purchases are not uncommon in the performing arts industry. Investments in facilities like the CCPA typically aim to maintain high standards for patron comfort and facility prestige, which supports the venue’s ongoing ability to attract quality performances and audiences.
However, it is important to note that publicly available documents specific to this purchase’s justification or procurement process were not identified in the provided data.
Meanwhile, the CCPA continues to face financial challenges. Since its opening in 1993, the venue has lost over $112 million, including over $100 million since 2004. Despite this, the CCPA's projected budget for the 23-24 fiscal year is $11 million.
In other news, the Cerritos City Council tabled a proposal to spend $65,000 on a CCPA festival due to unbudgeted cost concerns. Additionally, Councilwoman Johnson has been criticized for violating the Brown Act and Roberts Rules of Order in the past.
The CCPA remains tight-lipped about individual show ticket sales and revenue, making it difficult to fully assess the financial impact of these investments in the facility. Nonetheless, the city's commitment to improving the patron experience at the CCPA is clear.
[1] Source: Cerritos Municipal Code's Purchasing and Contracting Policy, California Multiple Award Schedule Cooperative Contract
- The city council's decision to invest in new armchairs for the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) falls under the local government's procurement policy, which enables sole-source purchases when specific conditions are met.
- The purchase of 332 armchairs, totalling $420,000, will be used to replace the existing ones, and this investment aims to enhance the community news of improved seating quality and comfort at the CCPA, aligning with the city's goal of maintaining high industry standards.
- While the CCPA faces ongoing financial challenges, with a cumulative loss of over $112 million since its opening, the city council's commitment to financing events like the tabled CCPA festival highlights their dedication to the development and prosperity of the city's economic sectors, such as manufacturing, finance, and community events.
