1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
December 19, 2022
Hybrid format: 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 4:02 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Karger, Marcy, Tokashiki, Attam (remote), Vice Chair Spackman, Chair Rubino
Absent: None
Staff present: Eilen Stewart, Cultural Arts Manager, Rosemary Lackow, Recording Secretary.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – None (November minutes will be reviewed at next meeting)
D. CEREMONIAL – CAM Stewart introduced and the Commission welcomed Andrew Booras, new full time Cultural Arts Coordinator.
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Work Plan Item updates
a. MBAC Revamp Project. Commissioner Tokashiki reported the committee and staff met with Community Development staff to share the proposal to replace the existing sign with a new programmable LED lit sign with mural (funded through PATF) with possibly an iconic sculpture placed nearby on the ground; two options were discussed:
1) replace existing with new, identical size sign in the same location, with general fund money; or 2) replace existing with new, larger, more versatile non-art piece with general fund money.
Discussion included: height/size, monument vs. pole signs, lighting and programmability, and location, including removal of a brick wall. At the meeting it was determined: lighting will be difficult, if not prohibited (Com Dev to further study); maximum height allowed is 6 feet; and a sign by definition is not an art piece, an important issue if signs are to be funded by the PATF.
Acting Community Development (Com Dev) Director, Talyn Mirzakhanian will check into issues further; possibly the funding could be split with the mural portion being funded by PATF and the “sign” portion funded by the General Fund. Also warranting further research is how the proposal fits in with citywide way finding program.
The Commission discussed options; thoughts included: desire that signs: be cohesive with existing building frieze mural and other site graphics/signs; not create too busy/c luttered feeling; and be acceptable in terms of citywide signage. The best approach in terms of both effectiveness and process of approval, may be a proposal for a main identity signage that is a c ombination of wall sign on the building facing Manhattan Beach Boulevard and an iconic sculpture/art piece. While two queen palms may be currently obstructing visibility of building wall, they may likely be able to be relocated on the site. The discussion also included whether the area of the wall to be used for wording (approximately
2 20 square feet, 10’ x 2’) would be sufficiently sized. The issue of whether a graphic might activate a commercial use and the impact on the allowed amount of signage would also need to be reviewed by Com Dev, which historically always holds city projects to the same standards as non-public.
Chair Rubino polled the group as to what the proposal should look like, it was a consensus that it would include a new confirming monument sign (funded through the General Fund) and a wall mural, with or without wording which may in part or wholly be funded through the PATF.
CAM Stewart note d that this will still be a Cultural Arts project unless some of the signs ( e.g., directional) are able to be fabricated through a standard sign program in which case that would be a Public Works project (but unlikely to be fully handed off to Public Works).
Staff will need to go to City Council for non-PATF funding allocation and CAM Stewart envisions needing to take to Com Dev staff again including Building and Safety and eventually to the Planning Commission. She anticipates a lead time of 18-24 months.
The next step will be for the Committee to get more information from the acting Com Dev Director and then meet themselves. This will be brought back to the Commission, perhaps at a regular meeting in January.
b. Other work plan items: no updates as all are paused. In discussing briefly, priorities were set in this order: 1) MBAC revamp (in process); 2) Art Grant, Sculpture Garden (now paused); 3) Art Grant, Digital Art ( now paused ); 4) Art Grant, Utility Beautification (now paused); 5) Art Grant, Permanent Sculpture (now paused); and lastly Art Grant, School/Education (now paused).
2. Future work plan items for 2023
CAM Stewart led discussion covering status of various project, suggesting that Commission should identify top 2 projects with a third as a backup. Discussion covered: digital art timeline (PW will install monitor in Q3 - Q4, 2023 after which the grant will be implemented. Restoration of cultural assets: on hold, but maintenance aspect is a staff item, not a Commission work plan item. Bruce’s Beach art installation: this will come to the CAC for review and recommendation January, 2023. The Polliwog bandshell project is currently with Parks and Recreation Commission and when further developed, will be reviewed by CAC.
CAM Stewart clarified: the development of general parameters for grants is not a separate work plan item; an idea raised by Chair Rubino (joint project with Parks and Recreation Commission, involving musical instruments in the park) could not be eligible for the 2023 work plan, perhaps could be a Leadership Manhattan project; and the Commission cannot discuss business not already on the agenda and to do such would require petitioning the Council to add to the Work Plan.
The Commission was polled as to priorities with the following getting the highest support , after MBAC revamp: 1) resume work on the Digital Art Grants; 2) resume work on Utility Beautification Grants; and 3) resume work on Murals Art Grants.
The Commission next reviewed how to prepare for the January 9 th meeting including the PowerPoint presentation content.
G. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Manager Stewart reported/updated on
3 Cultural Arts Division updates: Public Works has power washed the art center, looks good; and the Lynn Aldrich exhibit closing is December 30th. Public Works will be slurry sealing Highland Avenue in North Manhattan Beach, and there will be a decision as to reinstalling crosswalk art works, using PATF money; this will be reviewed by council on January 17th, 2023. PATF update: no new information.
Council updates: none
H. COMMISSION ITEMS - none
I. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:31 p.m. with no objection, Chair Rubino adjourned the meeting to the joint Council meeting on January 9th 2023 at 6:00 p.m.