1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
September 19, 2022
Meeting by teleconference (Zoom) and in person in accordance with procedures on agenda 1400 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Rubino called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Karger, Marcy, Tokashiki, Vice Chair Spackman, Chair Rubino
Absent: Attam
Staff present: Eilen Stewart, Cultural Arts Manager, Rosemary Lackow, Recording Secretary.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 15, 2022
It was moved and seconded (Karger/Marcy) to approve as submitted.
Roll Call:
AYES: Marcy, Karger, Vice Chair Spackman, Chair Rubino
NOES: None
ABSENT: Attam, Tokashiki
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed 4-0-2.
D. CEREMONIAL - None
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Work Plan item updates
a. MBAC Revamp Project
Wayfinding sign committee (Karger/Spackman): Commissioner Karger, using slides , showed four locations where new wayfinding signs be installed to direct visitors onto and around the site:
1) entrance driveway, 11th Street, facing east-bound cars (1 sign) 2) entrance driveway, Manhattan Beach Boulevard facing west-bound cars (1 sign) 3) on the site, near a palm and facing the parking lot, directing pedestrians to building entrance (1 sign) 4) 3 street light poles in median on Manhattan Beach Boulevard (banners/pennants hung from stanchions)
Regarding number 4 (light pole banners), Commissioner Spackman indicated that, while these types of signs may not be currently included in “Phase 1”, it seems reasonable to include them in the current project, as a package.
CAM Stewart provided input: it would be appropriate to merge similar signage items so that the council can review similar items together, and she noted that the current street banner policy is that display is limited to two weeks maximum. Council has authority to approve a longer period; concerns for street banners have included potential traffic impacts due to lane closures needed when banners are
2 installed/removed by Pubic Works. She has started to work with Public Works on the on-site directional signs and it seems possible that the driveway entrance signs may fall within approved wayfinding sign types, however, the building entrance sign (number 3 above) may need to be treated separately.
Vice Chair Spackman felt the banners would be relatively simple to implement and could be useful in drawing attention to the MBAC as a stop-gap measure until the permanent front pole sign can be fabricated and installed. He sees the banners/pennants more as semi-permanent, displayed for months, not just days or a couple weeks.
It was moved and seconded (Karger/Marcy) that the CAC work plan for the MBAC Revamp go forward to finalize with City Council, the wayfinding signs for the front and rear driveway entrances, and pedestrian building entry, and at a later date, the Commission will consider the Manhattan Beach Boulevard median light pole banners.
There being no public input, Chair Rubino called for a vote.
Roll Call:
AYES: Marcy, Karger, Vice Chair Spackman, Chair Rubino
NOES: None
ABSENT: Attam, Tokashiki
ABSTAIN: None
CAM Stewart noted this motion passed 4-0-2.
CAM Stewart advised the committee that the installation of the wayfinding signs cannot occur until a full recommendation for the entire MBAC sign program (recommendations from both committees) is finalized with City Council approval. The next step is for the committee to solidify the building door entrance sign specs; she will check to see if there is an available approved catalogue or style guide that would apply to any or all of the proposed wayfinding signs and will report her finding at the next (October) meeting.
Front free-standing sign committee: (Tokashiki, Marcy, Rubino) CAM Stewart noted that, for clarity the signs types being considered could be consistently and uniformly named, consistent with city sign regulations. For example, a free-standing sign that is up to six feet in height would be a “monument sign” while a free-standing sign exceeding six feet would be a “pole sign” or “pylon sign”.
Community Development staff has advised that the center’s front sign should conform to zoning standards, however, zoning regulations applicable to the MBAC site do not allow “pole signs”, and limit the site to lower profile “monument” signs only unless a sign exception is granted (review and approval by Planning Commission, to be affirmed by City Council).
The existing sign, supported by two posts, is believed to be approximately 6 feet or perhaps a little taller, if taller than 6 feet, it would fall into a category of a “legal, non-conforming” sign. If determined to be non-conforming, there would be constraints as to what improvements can be made or what can be replaced without obtaining special (“sign exception”) approval. CAM Stewart will continue to work with planning staff for a final determination of applicable code parameters. Once she gets this, she will contact the committee to discuss hopefully in advance of the next meeting.
CAM Stewart noted the next step for th e front sign committee is to get a f inal determination from Community Development on sign parameters. She emphasized that the zoning constraints apply to physical (height, size, setback, etc.), not creative/aesthetic attributes.
3 2. Other work plan items. CAM Stewart reported:
Red “O” sculpture-“Tranquil lounger”- in Polliwog Park (City purchase and replacement): Staff is working with the artist to fabricate an entirely new piece that will be more durable in the city’s marine climate (price tag: $25k). City Council will consider at its meeting on October 18. The rainbow surface treatment at the Polliwog Park gazebo will be installed in time for October recognition of LGBTQ history month and will inform of ribbon cutting, if planned.
G. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Manager Stewart reported:
Cultural Arts Division: updates were provided: Concerts in the Park (ended; encouraged participating in online survey); MBAC Community exhibit: (ending soon, will prep for next Time 4 Art, opening October 21); 50th Old Hometown Fair: (October 1-2, staff to host open house); North End sculpture: (proposal to come to CAC soon); Bo Bridges mural (timeline expected very soon); Bruce’s Beach art piece: (APPC being formed, to convene in October); MB Education Foundation commemorative wall: (planning begun).
PATF update: no significant change, detailed update in October. Council updates: nothing beyond already reported.
H. COMMISSION ITEMS
1. Chair Rubino inquired and it was clarified that the Concerts in the Park program is funded through the General Plan (with commercial sponsors) and not the PATF.
2. Commissioner Karger requested status; discussion followed on two follow up issues from the last meeting: 1) the physical maintenance of the MBAC and 2) whether/how the CAC can incorporate diversity/inclusivity policy into the MBAC project through signing.
MBAC maintenance: CAM Stewart reported she has discussed with Public Works; non-operable visible wiring has been removed; the Public Works has a schedule for weekly maintenance (lawn mowing).
Diversity: CAM Stewart shared the existing Cultural Arts mission statement wording from the city website and shared her understanding that the statement wording is strictly handled at the staff level and is not within the oversight of the commission. She does not believe modifying and then applying the statement to the signs of the MBAC is within the scope of the approved MBAC work plan item, therefore it cannot be agendized for a regular meeting. Commissioners Rubino, Karger and Marcy expressed support pursuing, if possible, incorporating language promoting diversity into the current sign update program of the MBAC (to enhance a welcoming feeling of the site). Vice Chair Spackman suggested, following established process, the CAC could propose an amended or new MBAC work plan item that captures this intent at the next joint workplan meeting with city council.
CAM Stewart will investigate further and report back.
3. Vice Chair Spackman requested clarification regarding meeting start time; CAM Stewart affirmed all meetings, now hybrid, will start at 4:00 p.m. Staff will correct two agenda/minutes typos: 1) August 15 minutes - in Adjournment section – change the adjournment time to the September 19 meeting from 6:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 2) On page 2 of the agenda template, change start time to 4:00 p.m.
I. ADJOURNMENT
4 At 5:53 p.m. with no objection, Chair Rubino adjourned the meeting to September 19, 2022 at 4:00 p.m., via a hybrid format (Zoom and in person).