Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
July 17, 2023
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
July 17, 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
Vice Chair Tokashiki called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Dohner, Karger, Patterson, Vice Chair Tokashiki
Absent: Erlich-Fein, Chair Spackman
Staff present: Eilen Stewart, Cultural Arts Manager, Rosemary Lackow, Recording Secretary.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 19, 2023
It was moved and seconded (Karger/Patterson) to approve the June 19th minutes as written.
Roll Call:
YES: Dohner, Karger, Vice Chair Tokashiki, Patterson
NOES: None
ABSENT: Erlich-Fein, Chair Spackman
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed 4-0-2-0.
E. CEREMONIAL - None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Work Plan Item Discussion
a. Utility Box Beautification
CAM Stewart updated that a staff report to the City Council transmitting the Commission recommendation was to be on a July council agenda, however, it has been now scheduled for August 1st. The project timeline may need to be extended by a month.
b. Murals
In response to a comment by Co mmissioner Karger regarding difficulty in finding the RFP on the city website, Director Leyman will inquire with the city’s communication team to see if the RFP can be more
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
July 17, 2023
2 accessible on the website. CAM Stewart described the artist outreach that has been done so far and, as suggested, she will also reach out to the artists on the utility box project list. The submittal window will close on August 6th.
The program timeline was discussed; CAM Stewart noted that she believes that staff can bring the submittals to the Commission for review at its August 21, 2023 meeting as has been scheduled.
Commissioner Patterson reported on her research into using an anti-graffiti coating. She spoke with former art commission colleagues in Ohio and former Cultural Arts Commissioner Rubino who is familiar with the Leadership Manhattan mural installed behind the MBAC parking lot . Commissioner Patterson will continue to look into this issue. No problems have been detected so far with the Leadership Manhattan mural, but it was suggested that this should be monitored.
c. Sculpture Garden
CAM gave an update and stated that, while at the last meeting, the Commission came to a consensus to implement a streamlined process with some very basic parameters, a more robust discussion is needed at this meeting to flush out details. Once a recommendation has been more fully vetted, this information will be brought to the City Council with a staff report.
CAM Stewart shared with the Commission for discussion purposes, a summary of the original program structure (as approved by City Council for the current Work Plan) and three additional options that have been identified after new info rmation regarding zoning and permitting issues ha ve arisen through discussions with the Community Development and Public Works Departments. CAM Stewart went over each of the listed options, including the benefits and challenges as well as issues that need more discussion.
The Commission proceeded to discuss four options , including: Option 1: Original Structure; Option 2:
Permanent Sculpture; Option 3: Pot and Pole or Other Blanket Permit; and Option 4: Multiple Sculptures Under 5.5 feet Tall – No Permits Needed (see summary attached to minutes). In discussing, considerations included budget, number of locations, permitting and related engineering requirements; artwork ownership including loan duration; timeline; and overall benefits and challenges.
In discussing pedestals, it was noted that the installation could be funded through the PATF and, while it would be complicated, the program could provide for pedestals of varying heights. Director Leyman emphasized that he felt that the Commission should choose an option they felt was the best, even if it meant it would take more time and that based on past experience, he believes the City Council likes having the option of being able to purchase a sculpture.
After discussing in length, the Commission came to a consensus to recommend modification of the Sculpture Garden Work Plan item as a hybrid approach, incorporating Options 1 (Original Structure) and 4 (Multiple Sculptures Under 5.5 feet Tall) based on the following parameters:
Option 1 – Original Structure:
Budget – $25,000 per artist per 2 year loan, with need to increase stipend to offset costs Locations – 3 locations as presented to City Council
Permitting – each artist to obtain own permits at own cost Engineering – each artist to obtain own engineering at own cost
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
July 17, 2023
3 Ownership – artist owns artwork, on loan for 2 year periods (artwork available for purchase) Timeline –
create artwork – up to 6 months
vet locations – staff to work with other depts
obtain engineering – up to 2 months
obtain permits – 3 to 6 months
Option 4 – Multiple Sculptures Under 5.5 Feet Tall – No Permits Required
Budget – $5,000 per artist per 2 year loan TBD
Pedestal - $3,000 - $5,000 each (round, clusters of 3, 30” tall pedestal, roughly 20” around) Locations – 9 pedestals, 3 locations (clusters of 3)
Permitting – not necessary (keep east of the coastal zone) Engineering – not necessary, staff to work with Risk Management for additional safety requirements Ownership – artist owns artwork, on loan for 2 year periods Timeline –
create artwork – readymade or up to 2 months to create obtain engineering – not necessary
obtain permits – not necessary
create, post, solicit RFP – 1 to 2 months
design, engineer, create pedestals – 4 to 6 months, staff assess and prepare locations – 2 to 4 months, staff (done concurrently with pedestals) CAM Stewart advised that additional vetting will be done to further refine cost estimates for both options.
Director Leyman thanked the Commission for this information which will be provided to City Council as a staff report.
d. Velzy Plaque
CAM Stewart updated that the City Council has approved the plaque wording that will read “Dale Hawk Velzy opened one of the world’s first known surfboard shops on this site in the early 1950s.” A photograph will accompany the wording. The plaque has gone into production and installation is expected to occur sometime after August 1st. Likewise, the South Bay Board Riders Club has received permits for its Catalina Classic commemorative sculpture and the plan is to have both the plaque and sculpture installed and acknowledged with ribbon cutting/unveiling on August 27th, the date of the next Catalina Classic race.
e. New Art Initiatives
Vice Chair Tokashiki thanked staff for including the list of initiatives in the minutes for June 19th. This list will serve as a reference point until some future date once significant progress has been made on major projects.
H. STAFF ITEMS
CAM Stewart provided updates:
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
July 17, 2023
4 Concerts in the Park; Sundays, through September 3rd are going very well Exhibitions: the sixth Annual Community Exhibition (ACE) is being installed presently and the opening reception will be on July 28, 6:00-9:00 pm.
John Van Hamersveld frieze restoration has begun. The deteriorated vinyl material has been removed and the contractor, RLA Conservation , will soon begin work on recreating the frieze using paint directly onto surface.
Catalina Classic sculpture is scheduled to break ground for installation as early as this Thursday. Project RFPS: the murals RFP window has now closed and those proposals will come to the Cultural Arts Commission on August 21, 2023; the utility box RFP with Commission recommendations will be scheduled for the August 1st City Council meeting for approval and allocation. PATF (Public Art Trust Fund): the total fund balance remains at just over $2 million; with about $1.4 million allocated; and approximately $655,213 unallocated; projected expirations: 2023 - none; 2024 (on December 31st) - almost $244k; and in 2025, approximately $46k will expire if not allocated.
CAM Stewart commented that the above PATF numbers are expected to change soon as council makes allocations expected for three projects: the Utility Box Beautification, the Murals program, and a City-wide public arts inventory and assessment.
Vice Chair Tokashiki expressed concern regarding the impact to the PATF fund balance ($655+k unallocated) in that multiple projects soon are expected to receive funding allocations. CAM Stewart and Director Leyman advised that the City Council routinely considers fiscal impact with each allocation they make. Staff will provide an update on what potential new development may be expected to be paying into the trust fund.
Make-up Parks and Recreation Tour: In response to Commissioner Karger, Director Leyman commented that staff is planning to arrange a make-up tour after the summer months. City Council updates from CAM Stewart:
In addition to updates already noted, staff will b e scheduling a staff report to City C ouncil on the Sculpture Garden program; the Commiss ion will be informed of the date when that has been scheduled.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS - None
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:04 p.m. it was moved and seconded (Karger/Dohner) to adjourn the meeting; with no objections, it was so ordered to adjourn to August 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm.