1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
December 20, 2021
Meeting by teleconference (Zoom) – in accordance with procedures on agenda 1400 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Marcy called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Manna, Spackman, Tokashiki, Chair Marcy
Absent: Ryan
Staff present: Eilen Stewart, Cultural Arts Manager (CAM), Linda Robb, Parks and Recreation Management Analyst, Rosemary Lackow, Recording Secretary.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -
November 15, 2021: Moved and seconded ( Tokashiki/Manna) to approve as submitted. The motion carried 4-1 (Ryan absent) by roll call vote.
D. CEREMONIAL – None
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
CAM Stewart noted that of the two business items, the main focus will be number 2, the 2022 Work Plan.
Slides submitted by the commissioners are being assembled into a presentation.
1. 2021 Work Plan Subcommittee Updates as Necessary
CAM Stewart urged that discussion be limited to “high level review” on programs. For 2021 Plan, the following updates were highlighted:
• MB Art Center Revamp: Commissioner Manna shared his concern that a digital sign may in front of the Art Center, may not be worth the cost, given MBB traffic speed, and suggested that there be more discussion and that such be incorporated into the presentation. After briefly discussing it was agreed that CAM Stewart will amend the presentation making this wording more vague and indicating that the Commission has been having discussion and will make a final proposal at a later date.
• Performing Arts Grant (Pilot Program): Commissioner Rubino led discussion on the draft PowerPoint and any possible changes. Discussion focused on limitations raised by staff including a suggested limit of stipend/monetary award of $500 (down from $5k for regular grant program) and the idea of excluding underage/minor applicants. Commissioner Rubino shared she favors not including minor applicants, but rather gear it towards adult professionals for the pilot program to have it run more smoothly. Other points covered were that the pilot doesn’t require a lot of work this year (first performance in January 2023) that proposals are proposed to be limited to 3 categories (music, musical theater and performance art ) and s taff is leaning towards background music, but this is open for discussion. Changes to the PPT presentation were: group size 1-3 as opposed to 2-3 persons; add later, the application deadline and city contact info.
2 Discussion followed. Chair Marcy noted that he wanted it to be clear that this is a pilot program and does not necessarily set in stone all parameters for the regular grant program. Suggestions/discussion for more changes included: 1) participant group size: simplify to say by “Individuals and groups of no more than 3 persons”; 2) after discussion, it was clarified that the intent was not to specifically exclude students but rather the applicant must be 18 or older and language from regular grant program draft eligibility can be used and clarified as needed and CAM Stewart gave a historical context to the applicant age issue, describing the utility box program which was open to younger people.
The focus turned to what action is required today by the Commission. CAM Stewart suggested that the specific for eligibility can be decided at a later time, and the focus should be on which Performing Arts Grants and which pilot programs should be included in the upcoming Work Plan. Discussion ensured about performing arts and moving forward; CAM Stewart emphasized that she is 100% behind performing arts but this issue relates to the big resource challenges staff is facing at this time – all factors need to be weighed and the Commission needs to pick most viable and impactful projects. The staff needs to defend time spent as well as the degree of participation by applicants to each grant.
Chair Marcy called for a straw poll to gauge who wants to include the performing arts proposal as presented by Commissioner Rubino as a pilot program in the Work Plan. Those supporting by a show of hands were Rubino, Spackman and Manna.
CAM Stewart noted no further discussion is needed today on specific language– that will be worked out. It was summarized that four programs to be recommended to be in the Work Plan as pilot programs (in addition to other regular Work Plan projects) are: utility beautification, murals, digital wall art City Hall, and now performing arts for the exhibit opening in January, 2023.
Commissioner Tokashiki explained her hesitancy is only that there are many projects in total and she is not clear that they can all be delivered in a timely manner; she requested a recap of all work plan projects.
CAM Stewart provided this status report for all work plan items (11 total):
Work Plan Item Status Investment/To do/Priority
MBAC Revamp Priority is frieze replacement (staff) then Commission working on signage
A lot of work done, a lot more to
do – go forward – high priority
PR for Cultural Arts Staff has recommended to CC to remove from Work Plan
none
Rainbow Crosswalk In staff’s hands; working with traffic engineer; expecting Q1/Q2 2022
High staff and commission – go
forward
General grants
guidelines
Almost done
Murals (art grant) In legal staff hands (develop template) Large amount of staff time needed.
Utility Infrasturcture In staff’s hands working on forms and RFP Much staff time needed Sculpture Garden
(Temp)
Staff recommends pause but purchase of red
circle, at polliwog
Paused
Sculpture Garden
(Perm)
Staff recommends pause, except will have 1
new sculpture (red circle)
Paused
Digital Wall Art – City
Hall
In staff hands; paused while wall being
built, then will work on content
City Council high interest-
possible pilot program
School/Education Art Not much work done on. Need to decide Lower interest and investment so
3 Grants pause or not? far, straw vote to pause
Performing Arts Pilot
Program
As discussed tonight need to decide. High investment staff and CAC – high interest CAC – go forward
Senior Management Analyst Robb clarified (will double check) that after a third absence a commisisonner must resign and she will check Commissioner Ryan’s absence record. Commissioner Rubino confirmed that if needed she will join the committee.
CAM Stewart noted going forward, it may be necessary that the CAC get further prioritization of the revised/slimmer Work Plan perhaps Jan/February coming up. Senior Management Analyst Robb informed that issues regarding getting more staffing should be directed to Director Leyman, not to Council directly.
2. Discussion of 2022 Work Plan
CAM Stewart informed about the joint Work Plan meeting with Council. Staff will finalize the PowerPoint presentation and then preliminarily send to the Chair and then minimally, 72 hours ahead of the meeting, send out to the Commission, trying to also send to the whole commission when sent to the Chair. The Chair Marcy will present on items the Commission working on, CAM Stewart will present on items in staff hands. The CAC portion will come second after the Library Commission. Because only one hour is allotted, it is best to focus on the purpose: to get input needed from City Council.
G. STAFF ITEMS
CAM Stewart reported:
• Exhibits at MBAC: current Time4Art exhibition is wrapping up and staff is preparing for the next one in January which will be the artwork of Charles (Chick) Lynn Bragg, longtime MB resident, look for opening notification.
• The Public Arts Trust Fund has had no significant change in the last month but a small amount went towards landscaping for the Bo Bridges mural on City Hall. • Staff had a small holiday/training event which went well. • Staff conducted a rooftop site visit for the Bo Bridges mural installation, which is expected to be installed in Q1, or Q2, 2022 as soon as permits are obtained. • City Council updates: none
• Upcoming meeting dates: Due to holidays, the next available meeting date is January 24 th. After discussion it was determined that the meetings in the future would be: 1/11 (joint meeting with Council and a mandatory meeting; then in February, the regular meeting will be on February 7th and will combine any regular business from January and February. A Leadership Manhattan Beach proposal for a mural wall was also discussed with Commissioner Rubino, and it was determined that Commissioner Rubino could present the LMB concept to City Council on January 18th and then this could be referred to the CAC at the February meeting.
H. COMMISSION ITEMS
• In response to Commissioner Tokashiki CAM Stewart reported on Council action regarding the South Bay Boardriders Club (SBBC) Catalina Classic Statue. She reported that there was overwhelming public support and the only public funding that will be needed is routine maintenance, which was approved by City Council. She will meet next month with a rep from the SBBC on going forward. • No further items, Chair Marcy wished all a happy holiday and all exchanged the same.
4 I. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:37 P.M, with no objection, Chair Marcy adjourned the meeting to January 11th, (joint meeting at 6:00 p.m.)