STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: August 23, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Daren Grilley, Assistant Director of Public Works Teresa Revis, Associate Project Manager
Laura Biery, Marketing and Economic Sustainability Manager Subject: Recommendation of the Beverly Hills City Council Liaison Rodeo Drive / Special Events / Holiday Program Committee Regarding the Citywide Holiday Décor and Community Services Holiday Programming for Winter 2022
Attachments: 1. Presentation
INTRODUCTION
This item provides a recommendation of the Beverly Hills City Council Liaison Rodeo Drive / Special Events / Holiday Program Committee regarding the Citywide Holiday Décor and Community Services Holiday Programming for Winter 2022.
DISCUSSION
Each year the City creates a signature Holiday Décor Program designed to celebrate the season and attract visitors from around the region to shop, dine and stay in Beverly Hills.
On August 1, 2022, the Liaisons provided staff direction related to various elements of the holiday décor program. An additional Liaison meeting was held on August 18, 2022, at which staff provided updates on the new décor items for the 2022 holiday season including Community Services. This report summarizes the selected décor for the 2022 winter holiday season, including the feedback from the Liaisons.
Décor items for 2022:
Street Spans and Santa Display
Tree Canopy and Sidewalk Décor
Beverly Garden Park
Background Audio
Signage
Beverly Cañon Gardens
Projection Mapping
Key Dates
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Meeting Date: August 23, 2022
Street Spans and Santa Display
One part of the City’s ongoing holiday décor includes light spans over Wilshire Boulevard, N. Beverly Drive and N. Cañon Drive as well as the iconic Santa and Reindeer Display at the intersection of Wilshire Blvd. and Beverly Drive.
While the N. Cañon Drive spans and the Santa and Reindeer display were created in 2021, and the Wilshire spans were created in 2019, the N. Beverly Dr. spans were purchased and first installed in 2017. Due to normal/ongoing maintenance and repair of the spans, replacement lights were purchased in 2020, but in 2021, the N. Beverly Drive spans experienced significant maintenance issues, which resulted in expending the remaining replacement lights. For 2022, staff recommends extending the use of the N.
Beverly Drive spans for one more year by reducing the number of spans from ten spans down to eight and using the light tubes from the unused spans as replacements. Staff anticipates recommending replacement of the N. Beverly Drive spans (with a new design) in 2023. For comparison, there are currently nine spans installed on N. Cañon Drive and six spans installed on Wilshire. The N. Cañon Drive and Wilshire spans each have separate maintenance schedules based on the 2021 and 2019 original fabrication dates and are scheduled to continue in use unaltered for the 2022 holiday season.
Tree Lights, Tree Canopy and Sidewalk Décor
In addition to the warm white twinkle lights on Wilshire Blvd. and throughout the Business Triangle, there are also colored lights and tree canopy décor on La Cienega Blvd. and Robertson Blvd., while the west side of S. Santa Monica Blvd. has warm white lights and snowflakes in the tree canopy. There are also lighted sculptures installed during the holidays on the sidewalks of La Cienega Blvd. and S. Beverly Drive and over 100 streetlight poles wrapped in garland and topped with red bows on S. Santa Monica Blvd. and portions of Brighton Way and Dayton Way.
The garland and bows were purchased in 2016 and have been refreshed each year with some replacements in 2018 and 2020. The Liaisons agreed with the staff recommendation to replace the garland and bows this year with a more elevated, sophisticated product that has more branches and possibly includes pine cones. In the past the garland was not illuminated consistently on poles due to the lack of access to electrical power. Since the main purpose of this décor item is to provide daytime décor, staff recommends not lighting any of the garland. The cost estimate of $90,000 in 2022 is only for procurement of the garland; installation, removal and storage is included in the existing scope of work budget for the contractor. The lifespan of the new garland and bows is estimated to be five years. Any garland and bows that are still reusable from the previous batch will be repurposed elsewhere in the City including possibly as part of Community Service programming and holiday décor at Greystone Mansion.
This year the Robertson Boulevard Sidewalk Improvement Project is anticipated to begin construction in the fall of 2022. The project includes removal of trees that are damaging the sidewalk. Due to the uncertainty of the construction schedule and possible impact to the trees, staff recommends installing the colored tree light wraps on the trunks but not installing the light tubes within the canopy of the tree(s) along Robertson Blvd. This would allow the holiday decor contractor to easily remove lights from tree trunks if needed as construction progresses. Staff has conducted outreach to affected businesses on Robertson regarding the upcoming construction project and this outreach will continue throughout the project. This results in a savings of $50,000, which is reflected in the ongoing scope in the fiscal impact section of this report.
Meeting Date: August 23, 2022
The Liaisons were also presented with a proposal to install tree wrap and canopy décor at the east and west City limits on Wilshire Blvd. The Liaisons provided direction that this was not a necessary investment at this time and could be reviewed after Metro construction is complete.
Beverly Gardens Park
The décor in Beverly Gardens Park includes the Glowing Reeds audio and light show, a 14-foot tall Christmas tree and a Menorah. In the five years since its purchase, there have been an increasing number of electrical issues with the Christmas tree. The Liaisons recommend replacing the tree with a new tree of the same size and also enhance the Menorah with an upgraded base for better photo opportunities. The estimated cost of the replacement Christmas tree and Menorah base is $34,000.
This will be the second year of the Lily Pond Glowing Reeds Audio and Light Show and Staff will update the light show and music for an exciting new experience this year, including Hanukkah music blended into the show throughout the holiday season rather than solely during the week of Hanukkah. The investment in the Lily Pond Glowing Reeds Audio and Light Show was for five years starting with the 2021 holiday season.
Background Audio
The current temporary background audio system was purchased in 2017, and installed and removed each year on Rodeo, N. Beverly, S. Beverly, N. Cañon, and portions of S.
Santa Monica, Brighton and Dayton. During the 2021 season, the equipment had a number of issues requiring technicians to be onsite weekly to make repairs. After 2021, staff removed all of the equipment for assessment of operability by a qualified and experienced audio consultant. The consultant determined that the system is past its estimated life span and will not be reliable for use in 2022. Staff is working on engaging an audio designer for a long-term audio solution; however, that will not be ready for this holiday season.
Over the years, staff has received general feedback from businesses on S. Beverly and S. Santa Monica that the audio is not wanted. We have also received mixed feedback from businesses on N. Cañon. In the past, the speakers on Brighton have only gone to Rodeo but we have had requests to expand the music on Brighton to as far as Bedford.
This year, as in prior years, the Rodeo Drive Committee will be providing enhanced background music installed in the medians on Rodeo Drive during the holiday season. At the request of City Council, the Rodeo Drive Committee and City staff are exploring the cost for purchasing the audio equipment for Rodeo Drive. The update regarding that request will be shared as part of the Rodeo Drive Committee’s 2022 Holiday Lighting presentation.
Accordingly, staff recommends purchasing new equipment for N. Beverly, N. Cañon, Dayton, and Brighton. Staff also recommends expanding the speakers on Brighton to go to Bedford and on Dayton to Wilshire. Based on the business feedback mentioned above, speakers would not be installed on S. Beverly or S. Santa Monica. These new speakers are outdoor rated with an average expected lifespan of 5 years. The Liaisons agreed with this recommendation with the 5-year timeline. Staff will work with the audio consultant to either use the new equipment in an upgraded system or replace the system at the end of the life cycle of the new equipment. This estimate is for equipment cost only, since install, removal and playlist maintenance is already included in our ongoing annual scope. The estimated cost of replacement background audio speakers is $90,000.
Meeting Date: August 23, 2022
Signage
Staff works closely with the City’s in-house Graphics division and the City Manager’s office as well as our Partner Agencies (Rodeo Drive Committee, Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau and the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce) to make sure that residents and visitors know that Beverly Hills is a destination for shopping, dining and playing during the holidays. Annual signage includes street pole banners, GOBO (graphic that goes between optics) projection onto City Hall, signage on parking garage elevator doors, valet signs at the parking garages and maps of the décor locations. Additional outreach includes ads in local papers, social media posts and promotion by the City’s Partner Agencies.
This will be the second year for the new holiday street pole banner designs and GOBO lighting, which were designed for a 3-year use (2021, 2022, and 2023).
Beverly Cañon Gardens
In 2021, the décor for Beverly Cañon Gardens (Gardens) consisted of a 36-foot walkthrough Sequoia Tree customized to create The Elf Tree. A second walk through element in the garden was the lighted rings which were decorated in blue and silver. For 2022, staff proposes to elevate the décor with a completely custom and unique design in the garden. Four options were presented to the Liaison and the selected design is Scribbles.
This design transforms the garden into a playful, elegant destination with unique, custom RGB (Red Green Blue Light Changing Lights that may be changed to nearly any color of the rainbow including white) ‘scribbles’ strategically placed to engage throughout the park.
Scribbles range from 12’ to 14’ tall with minimal visible structure allowing the light ribbons to appear to float. A giant glowing heart sculpture is approximately 12’ tall and creates a fun photo spot with coordinated colors at night and a sophisticated brushed gold finish with a gray faux slate base for daytime appeal. Three large scribbles in abstract tree shapes create an impressive anchor in the grass on the Cañon side of the Gardens. The selected option does not include a traditional tree in the grass; however, there will continue to be a traditional tree at Beverly Gardens Park near the Lily Pond. The estimated cost of the scribbles design for Gardens is $475,000. This is a one-time use cost as the holiday décor in the Gardens is historically not repeated from year to year.
Projection Mapping
Projection mapping is a 3D video projection technique that uses light and colors to project virtual images onto buildings and other non-flat surfaces. Projection mapping allows an opportunity for an impressive, engaging light show. It is considered to be an extraordinary form of entertainment with an enormous wow factor. The show will be custom created to tell a festive and family friendly story and highlight the architecture and culture of the City, providing an opportunity for visitors and residents to be immersed in a captivating and totally unique light show.
The shows typically last 5 to 9 minutes with 15 to 20 minutes between shows. The setup includes a primary viewing area with speakers to have coordinated audio.
In determining the optimal location recommendation, staff looked at the entire City Hall building. The tower on N. Santa Monica is visible from the north and from far to the east and west. The Crescent side offers the clearest view from nearby, but the lower portions of the building are obstructed by trees and plants. Four options were presented to the Liaisons and the Corner option was selected, which includes the upper section of the tower only, on both the Crescent and N. Santa Monica sides. The upper tower is the most visible Meeting Date: August 23, 2022
area so visitors can easily be drawn in and view the show from across the street on Crescent or N. Santa Monica.
Staff reviewed options of three days, nine days (over Hanukkah and Christmas) or the full duration of the holiday period from November 17 through January 1 (a total of 46 days).
The Liaisons agreed with the staff recommendation of the full duration of the holiday season with the show running nightly for 46 show days. The timing of the show will be scheduled to not conflict with the Glowing Reeds Audio and Light show, which will run 4 days a week Thursday through Sunday. Both shows will end no later than 10 pm to comply with the City’s existing sound ordinance.
The content will be custom created for the City and be a unique show only seen in Beverly Hills. There are different categories of shows that can be created, some more art and architecture focused, some more experiential and others with a more clear storyline. Staff recommends a family friendly, engaging show that is festive and impressive, with a story that incorporates unique landmarks of Beverly Hills, such as the Lily Pond. The show should be artistic and elegant as well as non-religious and welcoming to all. Staff will work with the selected vendor on the development of the content of the show. The estimated cost is $750,000 and will be further defined as determine content requirements and finalize the logistics and details of the show.
Community Services Holiday Décor, Programming and Events 2022 For 2022, Community Services is focusing on the return of a full slate of programming and events, in-person, Citywide from mid-November through the New Year. These include multicultural winter holidays details and traditional fun for all ages for holiday-long programming:
Both Roxbury and La Cienega Community Centers (Centers) will be decorated in various themes, including Thanksgiving, Winter Holidays and Hanukkah, with trees and a menorah;
New for this year, refurbished décor, used in past years in other areas of the City, will provide additional festive elements to the parks and community centers; Beverly Hills Active Adult Club (BHAAC) activities include excursions, a luncheon and holiday dance, musical entertainment, dancing and refreshments for seniors at Roxbury Community Center;
City programs for youth will create crafts such as holiday cards in a multitude of themes, including Hanukkah, to be given to seniors;
Youth Winter Break Camp(s) and holiday craft workshops; Holiday book displays featuring various diverse traditions will be offered; Returning to the Farmer’s Market this year is a special Holiday Craft Market scheduled for December 11 with 10+ holiday vendors selling items perfect to gift family and friends, and a new holiday cookie contest featuring Hanukkah as well. Additionally, the Holidays at Greystone Mansion and Gardens event is proposed to make a full return to a weekend-long indoor and outdoor occasion, free to the public;
o This year’s Holidays at Greystone Mansion and Gardens is proposed to take place on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, during the daytime, and be open to the public through free reservations, up to 2,200 plus guests, Meeting Date: August 23, 2022
with priority reservations for residents and walk-ins accommodated whenever possible;
o A “Jolly Trolley” with stops at City Hall and Rodeo Drive will ensure that residents and guests can travel with ease to enjoy the complimentary festivities from the Civic Center and Business Triangle to Greystone; o Gardens, courtyards and Greystone Mansion will be decorated, bringing back updated family favorites as well as adding new and diverse décor. The décor will focus on multicultural holidays, including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Feliz Navidad and Yaldā night, photo opportunities and experiences like a treasure hunt that showcases the historic property’s beautiful architecture providing joy for all ages;
o The two-day event will also have a number of program elements to include live music from carolers with singalongs, live band or DJ for a family dance party, storytelling, live characters, kid-friendly crafts; and o Greystone Theatre will showcase special performances all weekend long from the classic Bob Baker Marionettes.
Liaisons recommended that reservations for Holidays at Greystone Mansion and Gardens open to the public in early November, with reservations available first to residents.
Community Services events and programming will be included in the Citywide Holiday promotion, with additional marketing of this event and others through the department’s registration services and email blasts.
The proposed Community Services décor at Greystone Mansion and Gardens and the Community Centers are proposed to be funded with $50,000 of the City Council-approved Fiscal Year 2022/23 CIP (No. 00635). The program elements and experiences that make up the weekend special event will be funded from the City Council-approved Community Services budget, for approximately $20,000.
Key Dates for 2022 Holiday Season Décor
All lights and décor installed by no later than – Saturday, November 12, 2022 (for review and punch list prior to Lighting Celebration)*
Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration – Thursday, November 17, 2022 Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 24, 2022
Holidays at Greystone Mansion and Gardens – Saturday, December 3, 2022 and Sunday, December 4, 2022
Hanukkah – Sunday, December 18, 2022 through Monday, December 26, 2022 Menorah Lighting Ceremony – December 19, 2022
Christmas Day – Sunday, December 25, 2022
Removal of lights and décor to begin - Monday, January 2, 2023 *Staff is working with the Metro team to determine install date for the Santa and Reindeer Display
Hanukkah
This year Hanukkah is celebrated between December 18th and 26th, overlapping with the Christmas Holiday. Therefore, staff proposes to incorporate Hanukkah into the Holiday Décor Program for the entirety of the season.
Meeting Date: August 23, 2022
For 2022, the Hanukkah elements will include:
Blue and white lighting in the spans along N. Beverly and N. Cañon along with other colors;
Glowing Reeds audio show to include Hanukkah and Christmas music in each show throughout the season;
Lighting the menorah each night of Hanukkah;
Incorporation of blue and white into the décor at Beverly Cañon Gardens; and Proposed Holidays at Greystone event to include:
o Hanukkah music in the overall event playlist;
o Hanukkah and multicultural themed rooms and performances ; o Hanukkah tales as part of a family storytime hour;
o Bob Baker Marionettes will include Hanukkah in the holiday show; and o Outreach to “Mostly Kosher” klezmer band has been requested for a family dance party.
Roxbury & La Cienega Community Centers are decorated in Winter holiday themes that include a menorah and other Hanukkah décor; Holiday book displays and recommendations in the library include Hanukkah; and Holiday Farmers Market activities include a holiday craft market with Hanukkah crafts, music and arts activities for youth.
The Rodeo Drive Committee median décor and Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration will be presented to City Council separately by the Rodeo Drive Committee.
Sustainability
The City strives to make our events sustainable with reusable items, including décor elements and hospitality items such as dishes and glasses. When reusable items are not possible, compostable versions are chosen. To further minimize waste, all holiday events are noticed digitally, minimizing printed notices whenever possible. Staff is also working with the Public Works Solid Waste Division to optimize location and type of zero-waste bins, including organic green waste and offsite sorted recyclables and trash that are used during single day and ongoing events and décor locations.
FISCAL IMPACT
Based on the staff and Liaison recommendations outlined in this report, there are no requests for additional funding at this time. The funding for the décor elements and programming noted in this report are budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2022/23 CIP (No. 00635) for Citywide Decorative Lighting and Holiday Decorations ($3,540,000 budget). No additional funds are requested at this time.
Annual Décor Items Continuing from 2021: $1,700,000
Additional Items this year in 2022:
Garland and Bows Replacement $ 76,000
Background Audio (Not including Rodeo Drive) $ 90,000
Christmas Tree and Menorah at Beverly Gardens Park $ 34,000 Beverly Cañon Gardens Scribbles Decor $ 475,000
Projection Mapping $ 750,000
Community Services Décor at Greystone and Recreation
Centers
$ 50,000
Total: $3,175,000
Meeting Date: August 23, 2022
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council provide feedback on the 2022 winter holiday décor.
Shana Epstein
Director of Public Works
Approved By
Attachment 1
Citywide Holiday Décor and
Community Services Holiday
Programing for Winter 2022
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
2022 Citywide Holiday Décor and Lighting
Community Services Holiday Programming & Events
CIP 635 for the Citywide Holiday Lighting and Décor ($3.54M) City Council Rodeo Drive/Special Events/Holiday Program Committee Liaison Meetings held on August 1, 2022 and on August 18, 2022 BEVERL
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ANNUAL DÉCOR CONTINUING
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UPDATED DECOR
NEW DECOR
BEVERLY CAÑON GARDENS
• Scribble sculptures range from 12’-14’ tall with
minimal visible structure allowing light ribbons to
appear to float, materials
• Heart sculpture is appx. 12’ feet tall, finished in
brushed gold laminate with gray faux slate
laminate base
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NEW DECOR
PROJECTION MAPPING
'
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COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGAMMING
› Includes multicultural winter
holidays & traditional fun for all
› Senior activities at Roxbury
› Youth camps & activities
› Displays, music & décor at
centers & libraries, including
Hanukkah
› Farmer’s Market Holiday Craft
Market & NEW Cookie Contest
A return to a full schedule of
events & decor
BEV~RN
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A return to a full schedule of
events & decor
CS - HOLIDAYS AT GREYSTONE
Dec. 3 & 4
Free to the
public
Décor,
crafts, live
shows &
more!
• Blue and white lighting in the décor
• Menorah lighting
• Hanukkah incorporated into the Greystone Holiday Event • Hanukkah themed holiday dance party
• Community Center decorations
• Library book display and recommendations
• Hanukkah crafts, music, arts at Farmers Market
HANUKKAH ELEMENTS
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KEY DATES
• All lights and décor installed by no later than – Saturday, November 12, 2022 (for review and punch list prior to Lighting Celebration)* • Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration – Thursday, November 17, 2022 • Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 24, 2022
• Holidays at Greystone Mansion and Gardens – Saturday, December 3, 2022 and Sunday, December 4, 2022
• Hanukkah – Sunday, December 18, 2022 through Monday, December 26, 2022 • Menorah Lighting Ceremony – December 19, 2022
• Christmas Day – Sunday, December 25, 2022
• Removal of lights and décor to begin - Monday, January 2, 2023 * Staff is working with the Metro team to determine install date for the Santa and Reindeer Display
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FISCAL IMPACT
No additional funding is requested at this time.
CIP 635 was approved in the Fiscal Year 22/23 Budget for $3.54M Annual Décor Items Continuing from 2021: $1,700,000
Additional Items this year in 2022:
Garland and Bows Replacement $ 76,000
Background Audio (Not including Rodeo Drive) $ 90,000
Christmas Tree and Menorah at Beverly Gardens Park $ 34,000 Beverly Cañon Gardens Scribbles Decor $ 475,000
Projection Mapping $ 750,000
Community Services Décor at Greystone and Community
Centers
$ 50,000
Total: $3,175,000
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council
provide feedback on the 2022 winter
holiday décor.