Starlight Operator May Lose Contract Over Unpaid Rent

The operator of the Starlight Amphitheatre in Burbank may lose his contract with the city because of failure to pay rent and other bills, city officials said Wednesday.

Tim Pinch, who was awarded a contract to manage the city-owned facility last year, has been sent two notices of default for payments totaling $16,484. If Pinch does not pay at least $10,500, the amount of the first default notice sent Sept. 16, by 5 p.m. today, the city will take steps to remove him, said city Parks and Recreation Director Richard Inga.

“The city has certainly done its best . . . to be cooperative with Tim Pinch and assist him in making the Starlight a success,” Inga said. “But, if he is not able to cure his defaults, we will have no choice but to terminate his contract.”

Pinch, 33, said Wednesday that he will pay the first bill today and is arranging to pay the rest. But he said he feels that the city is unduly pressuring him.

‘Being Put Through Fire’

“They say they’re doing everything they can, and then they don’t give me any breathing room,” Pinch said. “This type of thing gives the impression that I’m just goofing off, not doing anything, and that’s just not true. I’m really being put through the fire.”

Pinch said he has faced an uphill battle all summer in trying to attract commercial shows to the outdoor theater while struggling to meet mounting operational costs and battling the Starlight’s reputation.

Difficulties ranging from poor ticket sales to efforts by city officials to bar “disruptive” rock music artists have plagued the Starlight in recent years.

Although the theater, which can seat 6,000, was dark most of the summer, Pinch has been staging free big-band concerts and “oldies-but-goodies” shows to give it exposure.

Rent Lowered to $15,000

As part of the arrangement with Pinch, the city lowered the first year’s rent from $25,000 to $15,000, Inga said. The rent was to be paid in five monthly installments of $3,000 each, with the first payment due Aug. 1, he said.

A certificate of deposit for $15,000 was also given to the city by Pinch to ensure payment of the rent. Inga said the city is waiting to see if Pinch pays his bills before cashing it.

But Pinch failed to pay rent for July or August, Inga said, and failed to pay more than $4,500 for police and fire services rendered at a benefit concert in June.

A second notice was sent Tuesday after Pinch failed to pay $3,000 for the September rent and $2,984 for police and fire services at two other shows, Inga said.

Sought Delay

Pinch said he had asked Inga in early August if he could delay his first payment until October. “Since they already had the money with the certificate, I did not see any problem,” Pinch said. “I wanted to generate some income through some of the shows. But the only response I got from the city was the notice of default.”

Several shows at the Starlight have been picketed by members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 33, which claims Pinch has not hired union help for any of the productions.

Pinch said he wanted to hire union personnel for the shows but that the cost, which he said could be as much as $15,000 a night, would be prohibitive.