City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission SPECIAL MEETING October 17, 2024
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
Wednesday, October 17, 2024
4:00 PM
Location: Zoom and City Council Chambers, City Hall
1400 Highland Avenue
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Allen called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Allen, Zimbalist, Windes, Schreiner
Absent: Komatinsky, Doran, Jacobson
Others Present: Senior Recreation Manager Melissa McCollum, Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None
E. CEREMONIAL - None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) –
The following persons spoke in support of a North Manhattan Beach Business Improvement District Request (NMBBID) for a road closure on Highland Avenue for the annual Holiday Stroll:
David Curry , north MB resident, Chair of Board of Directors, M anhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce
David Archer, Executive Coordinator for NMBBID, President and CEO, Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Mike Simms, north end resident, Director of NMBBID, former chair and current Board member of the MB Downtown Business and Professional Association and business owner
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. 24/1017.01 North Manhattan Beach Business Improvement District Request for Road Closure for December 5, 2024 Holiday Stroll Event
Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb gave a staff report, noting the North MB Business Improvement District (NMBBID) requests closure to traffic on Highland Avenue between Rosecrans and 33rd Street, for the North MB Holiday Stroll, on December 5 th (Thursday) between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. The Highland closure, while requested for prior Strolls, has not been approved in the past because Highland is a main commuter route during weekday rush hour. A detour plan around the event has been submitted which
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission SPECIAL MEETING October 17, 2024
would route traffic to Manhattan Avenue.
The City’s Special Events Committee reviewed the request on October 2, 2024. The Committee, including Traffic Engineer Erik Zandvliet and MBPD Traffic Lieutenant Matt Sabosky, does not recommend approval of the Highland closure unless the event were to be moved to a Sunday when traffic volumes are lighter.
Staff recommend s that the Commissi on discuss , and approve or deny the requested closure of Highland Avenue . If the Commission approve s the closure, City Council will consider whether to approve the additional city costs required to implement the closure. If denied, the applicant may appeal to the City Council.
Commissioner Windes stated that she and Commissioner Schreiner have participated in the stroll event on multiple occasions as library commissioners hosting a book giveaway booth at various locations . She hasn’t observed any problems and does not see a compelling reason to close Highland.
Commissioner Schreiner stated her support for Commissioner Windes ’ comments emphasizing that this is a great local event that she felt worked wonderfully.
The Commission received input from City Traffic Engineer Erik Zandvliet and Traffic Lieutenant Matt Saborsky and the Applicant (David Archer, Mike Simms) and discussed the application covering the following:
• Use of Highland Avenue closed area: the center of Highland would be kept open to provide emergency access; curbside parking area would be utilized for activities (e.g.
Santa float and entertainment).
• Traffic concerns/potential safety measures: per Traffic Engineer Zandvliet , approximately 6,000 vehicles , most southbound, would be d iverted. The cost to implement the closure is estimated at $35,000 -$40,000. There will be significant delays and he recommends alternatively, that the event, if Highland is to be closed, be held on a weekend.
• Public notification: Mr. Zandvliet believes that even if advance notice of the closure is posted, only 20% of drivers being detoured will be aware in time to plan a bypass around the c losure (e.g. use Sepulveda) . Per the Applicant, the surrounding neighborhood has not been notified of the proposed closure. • Funding: M r. Zandvliet stated that a funding source for the costs needed to implement the closure has not yet been identified. The Applicant (Simms) advised that NMBBID is prepared to contribute up to $15,000 if this goes forward. Senior Recreation Manager McCollum clarified that the matter before t he Commission is only whether to approve or deny the closure request; funding is up to the City Council. • Benefit for businesses: The Applicant (Simms) estimated that the retailers might expect to have an increase of as much as $4,000 in sales but a major goal is to increase awareness of the North Manhattan Beach businesses. Thursday was preferred over a weekend in that it is typically a low revenue generating day . He has not received any negative feedback in the past from the neighborhood. • MBPD Traffic Lieutenant Matt Sabosky stated that he has not observed or received complaints about pedestrian safety related to past Holiday Strolls. A major concern is that traffic will be re -routed and because Highland is the main north-south through street in the north end, this will result in significant delays, and difficulties for drivers. • Event parking: Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated he has a concern that additional removal of parking at the curb on Highland would reduce the amount of parking available to the event participants and an alternate plan addressing event parking has
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission SPECIAL MEETING October 17, 2024
not been provided.
Public input was invited by Chair Allen.
Jill Lamkin, Executive Director, Downtown Manhattan Beach Business and Professional Association, stated her support, in that these types of special events are very important for the success of local businesses and noted that closing off Highland provides a relatively flat area to enable a live entertainment stage.
Chair Allen stated that his wife is a vendor that he expects will be participating in the event and inquired as to whether this creates a conflict of interest that requires his recusal in this matter. Senior Recreation Supervisor McCollum suggested that Chair Allen participate in the discussion to maintain a quorum, and staff will consult with the City Attorney after the meeting.
The Commission discussed.
Commissioner Schreiner expressed concern that there is little time to plan adequately for the street closure. Commissioner Zimbalist noted that there are many logistics to be worked out in order to properly re-route 6,000 vehicles. Vice Chair Windes reiterated her concern that, the benefit to be gained does not seem to warrant the disruption and potential problems that may result.
Chair Allen called for the question.
It was moved and seconded (Windes/Schreiner) that the Parks and Recreation Commission DENY the portion of the application by the NMBBID to fully close Highland Avenue from Rosecrans Avenue to 33rd Street.
Roll Call (on motion to deny request)
Ayes: Schreiner, Windes
Noes: Allen, Zimbalist
Abstain: none
Absent: Komatinsky, Doran, Jacobson
Senior Recreation Manager McCollum noted that the Commission’s tie vote will be communicated to the City Council and City Attorney.
H. STAFF ITEMS - None
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Commissioner Windes reminded of the upcoming Pumpkin Race.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 4:51 pm it was moved and seconded (Windes/Schriener) to adjourn the meeting to 4:00 pm, October 28, 2024; the motion passed 4-0 with a voice vote.