Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
June 19, 2023
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
June 19, 2023
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 Spackman called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Spackman, Dohner, Karger, Patterson, Vice Chair Tokashiki (excused at 6:17 pm).
Absent: Erlich-Fein
Staff present: Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director, Eilen Stewart, Cultural Arts Manager, Eric Brinkman, Cultural Arts Supervisor, and Rosemary Lackow, Recording Secretary.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 15, 2023
It was moved and seconded (Tokashiki/Karger) to approve subject to revising the last sentence in the last paragraph of item F.e (New Art Initiatives) at the top of page 4 to read:
Going forward, CAM Stewart will provide the list (below) presented by Chair Spackman as background information attached to the staff report template (format to be determined) which will be updated on a regular basis per committee.
CAC WORKPLAN OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2nd HALF 2023
1) Art Walk/Art Exhibition
2) Digital Art/Performance
3) Instruments in the Park
4) Performing Arts at MBAC
5) Art Nights/MB Chamber
6) Intersection Decoration
7) Designated Street Art Area
8) Mural at Dorsey Field
9) Redo Pier Beach Wall (remove mosaic)
10) Small Downtown Performance Space
11) Polliwog Park Landscape Art (grass mound maze)
Prior to the vote, CAM Stewart pointed out that the approval of the minutes requires a majority vote (4 Commissioners) but there are only 3 commissioners on the Commission who were present at the May 15th meeting. Recording Secretary Lackow noted that she had researched Robert’s Rules of Order regarding the question of who may approve minutes, and found that that the applicable rule is simply that a quorum of the currently seated commission is required and all seated members can vote, regardless as to whether present at the meeting for which minutes are being approved. This could be verified by the City Clerk.
CAM Stewart noted that subject to confirmation of this, the commission can proceed with voting on the motion.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
June 19, 2023
2 Roll Call:
YES: Chair Spackman, Dohner, Karger, Vice Chair Tokashiki, Patterson NOES: None
ABSENT: Erlich-Fein
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed 5-0-1-0.
D. CEREMONIAL
Chair Spackman welcomed new Commissioners Dohner and Patterson and the new commissioners each gave introductions. Commissioner Dohner has worked in merchandising management and is a community artist. Commissioner Patterson moved to Manhattan Beach from Ohio where she was a member of her town’s cultural arts commission for 20 years.
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Selection of new Chair and Vice Chair (See minutes for May 15, 2023 meeting)
2. Work Plan Item Discussion
Chair Spackman suggested and with no objection, the order of agenda items was changed, switching item (c) Sculpture Garden with item (a) Utility Beautification.
a. Sculpture Garden
Commissioner Tokashiki provided new information received by staff after consulting with other city departments (Community Development, Public Works) . New parameters include : 1) Sculptures over approximately 5.5 feet in height (including pedestal) require a building permit and possibly a right of way permit; 2) installments west of Valley Drive will require Coastal Development Permit; 3) If the existing program moves forward with no changes, all artists will need to obtain any/all permits required including drawings (in particular, engineered plans for sculptures over 5.5 feet in height) to be evaluated by Public Works and Community Development. Also, a survey would be needed for locations within the coastal zone, west of Valley Drive and coastal clearances may take between 6 and 12 months.
Vice Chair Tokashiki outlined possible courses that can be taken and the staff recommendation. Options include: 1) establish a “blanket” permit process for pre -approved sites and fitting certain install ation parameters such as using a “pot and pole” method; or 2) streamline by limiting all sculptures to less than 6 feet in height with a common bolting pattern and restricting locations so they are east of Valley only, out of the coastal zone.
The Commission discussed the options for a streamlined process based on the following parameters: 1) limit the size of pedestal to about 3 feet in height (with possibly one other possible height) with common bolt pattern; 2) locate all in the Veteran’s Parkway greenbelt, creating a ‘walking gallery”; 3) reduce the stipend (due to smaller sculpture size) and increase the number of artworks; and, 4) rotate art annually. The benefits are that this would be the quickest approach and may be more consistent with city risk management objectives.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
June 19, 2023
3 The process and timeline going forward was discussed and it was emphasized that that City Council review and approval would be needed . Director Leyman outlined a possibly streamlined timeline that would continue the momentum without undue delay. This would require the ad hoc committee to work closely with staff over the next month to flush out details and then bring those details back for a robust Commission discussion at the July meeting. An RFP could be possibly developed for Commission review in August.
Director Leyman would keep the Council apprised through briefing notes.
b. Utility box beautification
After an introduction by CAM Stewart on jury criteria, the Commission reviewed all submittals listed on a provided spreadsheet and locations plotted on an accompanying map for Phase II of the Utility Box Beautification project. All locations have a single utility box with the exception of locations 13 and 18 which have three and 16 which has two.
Upon reviewing and discussing all submittals, it was moved and seconded (Karger/Tokashiki) to recommend that the council select the following list of artists per location. In discussing it was noted that location 16 is recommended for two separate artists (one per utility box) and as such, one additional stipend would be needed to be approved by the City Council.
Location No. Artist Description / Notes
12 Bulhozer. Ilana Beach volleyball (add volleyball players to a second side?)
13 (3 boxes) Tanaka, Emily Colorful “tie dye” (#s 1 & 2 on either side of #3) 14 Ngo, Vervialle Beach scene
15 Lobo, Drica Sunset, wave, flowers
16 (2 boxes) Lui, Isabella
Lui, Auden
Two separate submittals, request additional
funding to be placed at one location
17 Bragg, Charles Pelicans
18 (3 boxes) Black, Robert Hummingbird
19 Cardone, Ryan Downtown winter sunset
20 Garel, Joanna Butterfly
21 Casteneda, Elsa Floating sea life
22 Simon, Neli Pier and beach (#2)
23 Gonzales, Tony Vertical Surfboards
Alternate 1 Andrade, Vanessa South Bay botanicals (#1)
Alternate 2 Andrade, Vanessa Palm trees (#5)
Alternate 3 Cruz, Rosa Welcome to Manhattan Beach
Roll Call:
AYES: Chair Spackman, Dohner, Karger, Vice Chair Tokashiki NOES: None
ABSENT: Erilich-Fein
ABSTAIN: None
CAM Stewart announced that the motion passed 5-0-1-0.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
June 19, 2023
4 Vice Chair Commissioner
c. Murals
Commissioner Karger presented a draft RFP reflecting changes made by the Commission in June with a few minor tweaks suggested by staff. CAM Stewart asked whether any further changes are desired; none were requested.
In discussing, Commissioner Patterson inquired as to whether any anti-graffiti coating will be applied, citing her past experience with public murals; she is concerned that after a few years such coating can cause a mural to have a milky appearance. CAM Stewart stated that it has been the intent to use an anti -graffiti coating in accordance with City Council preference. Commissioner Patterson will look into this and provide further information to Commissioner Karger who will also look into the issue.
CAM Stewart recalled use of a nti-graffiti coating for other projects: 1) first round of murals (not used seem to be holding up well); 2) first round of utility boxes (used and recalls some issues); and 3) Leadership Manhattan mural at MBAC (used but not aware of any discoloration after about a year).
Commissioner Karger will look into this further and Commissioner Patterson will confer with her.
Commissioner Dohner suggested that all captions for the mural locations in the application, be aligned so that they correspond clearly to each location photo.
It was moved and seconded (Patterson/Dohner) to approve the mural program RFP including application form as presented.
Roll Call:
AYES: Dohner, Chair Spackman, Karger, Patterson
NOES: None
ABSENT: Erilich-Fein, Vice Chair Tokashiki
ABSTAIN: None
CAM Stewart announced that the motion passed 4-0-2-0. Once the document is revised it will be posted to appropriate outlets.
The makeup of committees was discussed and determined going forward as follows:
Murals: Commissioners Karger (Chair); Patterson
Sculpture Garden: Vice Chair Tokashiki (Chair); Chair Spackman.
New Initiatives: Commissions Dohner (Chair) and Chair Spackman
d. Velzy Plaque (see Staff Items, council updates).
e. New Art Initiatives – no update at this time.
G. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts update from Supervisor Brinkman:
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
June 19, 2023
5 Exhibitions at MBAC: “Swell” closes July 2 nd; has been the most popular exhibit to date and the annual Community Art Exhibit has received 200+ submissions (highest ever); opening reception July 28, 6:00 -9:00 pm.
Arts programming: at MBAC there will be summer camps for kids and more specialized ceramics classes are being offered: new drawing and painting classes are planned for the fall. Summer concerts in the park; Sundays July 2 untill September 3rd. Shakespeare by the Sea: Polliwog Park, Twelfth Night July 20, Hamlet, July 21st. Staffing: 4 new part time staff have been hired to help with increased programming (new classes and workshops).
PATF (Public Art Trust Fund) update from CAM Stewart
Total fund balance: just over $2 million
Allocated: about $1.4 million
Unallocated: approximately $649k unallocated
Projected expirations: 2023 - none; 2024 - $244k
City Council updates from CAM Stewart:
Velzy Plaque: City Council will consider revised plaque wording tomorrow (June 20, 2023) - “Dale “Hawk” Velzy developed his world-famous surfboard brand at this site in the early 1950’s.” Historical Assessment: City Council will consider a contract with HAI (History Associates Inc.) on the June 20 council consent calendar, covering Phase III, an accounting of historical/cultural assets at the Manhattan Beach Historical Society museum (the “red house”) in Polliwog Park. In July council will consider the Commission’s Utility Box Beautification recommendation. Manhattan Beach Public Works Department is starting a utility renovation project that could potentially lead to the future elimination of some of the utility boxes; the timing for the project currently is unknown but this may require in the future that the city decommission or possibly relocate art wrapped cabinets. Catalina Classic sculpture: staff is working with the South Bay Boardriders Club to finalize agreement with LA County and right-of-way permits are being worked out, but is anticipated that the artwork will be installed in time for this year’s race on August 27th. At the next (July) Commission meeting the overall city-wide arts assessment work plan item will be brought before the Cultural Arts Commission and, subsequently to City Council in August. MBAC Van Hamersveld frieze repair: being scheduled – possibly will start late June.
H. COMMISSION ITEMS
Chair Spackman advised that he will be “out of pocket” in July and will work out his schedule with staff.
I. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:43 p.m. with no objection, Chair Spackman adjourned the meeting to July 17th 2023 at 4:00 pm.