Simi to Consider Groups to Run Center : Government: A commission, foundation and board of directors would be responsible for the cultural arts complex.

As the transformation of a 70-year-old church into a 300-seat cultural arts center begins, the Simi Valley City Council on Monday will consider forming a commission, foundation and board of directors to run the center.

According to the plan proposed by city staff members, a five-member cultural arts center commission would be appointed to meet monthly and manage the center and its finances.

The foundation also would promote the center and directly handle its funds, while the five-member board of directors would oversee the operation of the center, scheduled to open early next year.

The city’s Planning Commission on Wednesday approved construction of the center, clearing the way for more in-depth planning.

If the council approves the plan to form a commission, the city’s Ad Hoc Cultural Center Committee will begin seeking volunteers to serve four- and five-year terms.

Councilwoman Judy Mikels, who serves on the committee, said she was eager for the commission to start planning activities for the center at 3050 Los Angeles Ave.

“Even though the center itself is a ways away from completion, it takes a lot of hard work to put a season together,” Mikels said. “It’s not just one grand opening and it’s over.”

One of the commission’s first tasks, Mikels said, will be to hire a theater manager to oversee day-to-day operations of the center, which was purchased by the city in 1991 for $821,000.

Renovation is expected to cost the city $2.8 million. When completed, the center will include a theater, a banquet hall and a 78-space parking lot.

Irene Silbert, who serves on the board of the Simi Valley Cultural Assn., said she hopes to be involved in plans for the new center. The association runs a temporary 90-seat theater next to the city’s Police Department.

“This is an exciting time for all of us,” Silbert said. “A center like this is long overdue.”

Initial approval to design and plan the center was granted by the City Council last August, despite the objections of council members Sandi Webb and Barbara Williamson, who did not want to spend city money on the project.

A consultant’s study showed that in a worst-case scenario, the center could run up a $95,000 annual operating deficit by its fifth year.

But the majority of the council agreed to go ahead with the project, saying it is badly needed and is supported by most residents.

At the Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, neighbors of the center said they were concerned that the planned 78-space parking lot would not be adequate for the 300-seat theater.

The commission urged the city to make an agreement with a nearby school that would allow an additional 60 spaces.