Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
July 15, 2024
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
July 15, 2024
Location: Manhattan Beach City Hall and Hybrid (remote) format: by teleconference (Zoom) City Hall: 1400 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Tokashiki called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Dohner, Padnos, Colmey, Patterson, Vice Chair Karger, Chair Tokashiki
Absent: None
Staff present: Parks and Recreation Director Mark Leyman, Senior Management Analyst Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 17, 2024
It was moved and seconded (Dohner/Patterson) to approve subject to one change: Page 2, bullet for City Art Tour, last paragraph, first line: strike “Commissioner Karger”, replace with “Chair Tokashiki”.
The motion passed unanimously by voice vote: 6-0
E. CEREMONIAL - None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit)
Debrah Henderson, resident, 1) suggested that a newly installed cinderblock stairway/walkway providing access from the Manhattan Villa s senior apartments to the lower soccer field /park area would be an opportunity for a mural, perhaps with an intergenerational theme ; and 2) recently attended some poetry events in El Segundo led by that city’s Poet Laureate and suggested that the Commission could look into that program.
Tony Antich, engineering consultant, introduced himself stating he has been hired by Public Works to provide assistance in matters relating to the physical placement of improvements such as art in the public right of way. Director Leyman stated that Mr. Antich has a great deal of experience and will be a great fit for the city.
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. RLA Art Assessment Report Update
Director Leyman distributed a report prepared by RLA Conservation, Inc. dated June, 2024, “City of Manhattan Beach Public Art Collection Survey”. The comprehensive report provides an accounting for all City-owned art and assesses the condition and cost estimates for maintaining. A presentation with
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
July 15, 2024
2 recommendations (repair, maintenance or decommission) will be made by RLA at the September 16th Commission meeting. The role of the Commission will be to review and make recommendations to the City Council for each artwork.
The Commission received the report and Director Leyman briefly responded to questions, including that the report covers works installed prior to 2020 and will be updated as there have been a handful of artworks added after 2020; staff will be looking into what resources are needed and what work can be done in-house by city employees.
2. Work Plan Item Discussion
a. Utility Box Beautification (Phase III) – Director Leyman noted that Phase III is on hold but staff is working to bring an outside contractor on board to implement; meanwhile Phase II is complete.
b. Murals Update – Director Leyman noted most are installed. The pier comfort station and shark murals are outstanding: staff is working with artist Charles Bragg for a start date on the comfort station and installation of the shark mural requires discussions with LA County in that it will be located on county property.
c. Sculpture Garden – Director Leyman confirmed this project is still paused until staff resources are in place.
d. New Art Initiatives
• City Art Tour (Tokashiki, Karger, Dohner): Chair Tokashiki reported that the committee has met and her notes summarizing their discussion and progress is attached to this meeting’s agenda. The Chair highlighted the project objective and anticipated phases/products including an updated website, a physical pamphlet, installing QR codes installed at artworks providing background information and possibly a guided bus tour. Chair Tokashiki noted they have identified source documents and are developing a plan to proceed; a spreadsheet provided by Recreation Supervisor Brinkman has been very helpful. While there is a lot of information on the city website currently, it will need to be checked and updated. The committee has divided up tasks: 1) draft brief descriptions of the art (Commissioner Karger); 2) update spreadsheet (Chair Tokashiki), and 3) identify artwork locations on a map (Commissioner Dohner). Director Leyman affirmed that artist bios are on file and can be provided through Recreation Supervisor Brinkman.
• Poet Laureate (Patterson, Colmey, Padnos): Commissioner Patterson has some basic information on the committee’s thoughts on this project and she has provided info first to the two new commissioners and now to the other commissioners. She feels that Manhattan Beach already has a key ingredient in that there is an existing poetry group that meets regularly at Joslyn Center but would like to see younger people exposed to and participating in poetry. She has begun to develop an outline of things that need to be determined such as the main program elements and the manner in which the Poet Laureate would be chosen. Commissioner Patterson feels that a Poet Laureate should be somewhat known, with experience to offer in support of classes or programs that are offered. Commissioner Patterson will contact the City of El Segundo to obtain information about their program in advance of the September meeting.
Discussion, the Commission expressed enthusiasm to have a program more performance based and
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
July 15, 2024
3 it was suggested that the committee explore having both an adult and a younger laureate.
Chair Tokashiki invited public comment.
Debrah Henderson, older adult poetry group member, stated that the group (through Bob Perkins) collaborates with Mira Costa High School for intergenerational poetry activities. She has contact info for both Bob and Sam Lee, at the City of El Segundo.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates – Director Leyman reported:
• Cultural Arts Division staffing update: 1) full-time Cultural Arts Senior Recreation Supervisor— application filing closed today; 2) project manager , Bruce’s Beach artwork—contract is being processed; and 3) Phase III utility box beautification project manager —contract has just been signed.
• City Arts and Facility tour: Monday July 29th, leaving from the Art Center on Manhattan Beach Boulevard, 4-6 p.m. If the date does not work, can look at potentially rescheduling, or arranging one-on-one tours.
• New Fallen Memorial Work Plan Item: the Parks and Recreation Commission has completed its work on a memorial honoring residents, men and women, who have given their lives while serving for their country (approximately 26 names identified). The Parks and Rec Commission identified three locations within the civic center plaza for a memorial and the council has approved potentially a public art piece as opposed to a plain wall. The Cultural Arts Commission will explore and make a recommendation as to the artistic design.
• Concerts in the Park: continuing at Polliwog, the new food trucks have been popular. • Shakespeare by the Sea: this Thursday, July 18 features Cardenio and on the 19th Henry the IV – in Polliwog Park
• North End surfboard artwork has been installed on west side of Highland, there will be monthly light shows; more to come.
• Community Art Exhibit opening reception will be July 26, 5-7 p.m.
At Director Leyman’s suggestion, the Commission formed a new ad hoc committee for the Fallen Memorial project consisting of Commissioners Colmey, Tokashiki and Patterson. The committee will meet with Director Leyman and report back to the Commission in September.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Commissioner Dohner recommended an exhibit of Leonardo da Vinci open through the Labor Day weekend at the California Science Center.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 4:38 p.m. Chair Tokashiki adjourned the meeting, with no objection, to 4:00 pm, September 16, 2024.