Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
February 19, 2025
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
February 19, 2025
Location: Manhattan Beach City Council Chambers
1400 Highland Avenue. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
and Hybrid (remote/Zoom)
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Tokashiki called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Patterson, Chair Tokashiki, Torrey, Padnos
Absent: Vice Chair Karger, Colmey
Staff present: Senior Recreation Supervisor (SRS) Eric Brinkman, Cultural Arts Supervisor (CAS) Randy Niessen, Senior Management Analyst Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 28, 2025
It was moved and seconded (Patterson/Torrey) to approve the January 28, 2025 minutes as submitted; motion passed by voice vote: 4-2 (Karger, Colmey absent).
E. CEREMONIAL - None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) - None
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Work Plan Item Discussion
a. Utility Box Beautification – Phase III. SRS Brinkman reported: the RFP submittal deadline has been extended from March 9 th to March 30 . Flyers advertising the project were taken by Commissioners Padnos and Torrey who were requested to report back where these were posted.
b. Murals update. SRS Brinkman reported: at the February 4, 2024 meeting, City Council approved (3-2, pulled from consent) allocation of $18,000 additional for the shark mural. Artist Eric Snyder will begin work in early March; this is the last mural in this phase.
c. Sculpture Garden. Project is still paused with the exception of a decorative, artistic fence at Sand Dune Park. The fence will be brought to the C ultural Arts Commission at the appropriate time, as this will be funded through the Public Arts Fund (PAF).
d. New Art Initiatives
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
February 19, 2025
2 i. Public Art Brochure: CAS Randy Niessen presented a first draft of the brochure which will be a tri -fold (8.5” by 11”) brochure and discussed with the Commission. The commission consensus was positive; CAS Niessen noted that while the brochure ’s two maps ( east and west sides of city) show only scu lptures and murals , a QR code will provide a pathway to the entire city collection viewable online. Artworks that will be deaccessioned will be included with future updates. Staff will work with the formatting and layout to ensure it is readable.
ii. Poet Laureate. (Patterson, Colmey, Padnos) Commissioner Patterson recapped research by the committee into other city programs and it is clear more discussion is needed on the honorarium amount and scope of the work. Commissioner Patterson noted also that per direction from last meeting, she has invited a member of the Manhattan Beach Poetry Circle to participate on the committee.
Commissioner Patterson concluded that the committee found that there is no template for a poet laureate (PL) program and there is a lot of variability. The amount of honorarium ranges from $2,500/year to $15,000 (over 2 years) and the programs have existed over varying lengths of time. For example: El Segundo, in only its second year recently raised its amount to $13,000 over two years; Malibu, which has had a program for five years pays $6,000 per year and provides much flexibility to the PL to design the program ; in Orange County there is one program privately funded that pays $15,000 over two years.
There was a consensus that Manhattan Beach, as a start, s hould use El Segundo as a model for the honorarium, but perhaps rais e the amount to $15,000 for two years plus $5,000 for materials. Commissioner Patterson recommended that in the prospectus, the word “materials” be replaced by “expenses.”
It was suggested that the city’s Historical Society be invited to participate in the process.
It was noted that it may be the City C ouncil’s preference for more of a prescriptive approach to the role and requirements of the PL. The benefits of having a less prescriptive approach were also pointed out , such as it may be less costly in terms of staff time required to monitor task follow -through. One option is to have a menu of options (e.g. holidays, events) but with a minimum requirement in terms of the number of events, with recognition that after the program is launched it can be adjusted.
Commissioner Padnos noted he ha s received input from the high school poetry club. Club members pointed out that although there are already some writing/poetry programs in the schools the poet laureate program could offer more collaboration including expanding poetry programs to the elementary schools through high school mentoring of younger students, writing workshops, events and panels wit h local poets and writers, musicians and songwriters and events at local bookstores, such as {pages}.
Commissioner Patterson noted that she has communicated with the MB Poetry Circle and has invited them to participate on the ad hoc committee.
Chair Tokashiki called for public comment.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
February 19, 2025
3 Deborah Henderson, MB Poetry Circle, attended many Poet Laureate events in El Segundo which were enjoyed by people of all ages; would love to see this happen in Manhattan Beach and highly encourages working with Bob, head of the Poetry Circle group.
Discussion focused on the student PL position and whether it should be included in the first year, and how much flexibility should be written into the requirements for what is expected of the PLs.
CAS Niessen provided his insights, noting that mentorship typically requires a lot of effort and can affect the program’s budget; he noted that the El Segundo program did not include a student PL. One effect of having a more prescriptive role (as in the current draft) is that it may involve more staff time to monitor to make sure the PL is following through on all requirements. He recommends loosening up the requirements somewhat.
Chair Tokashiki stated she likes the concept of integrating poetry with the schools including music, but leans towards r emoving the mentorship aspect from the desc ription for the initial rollout and re -evaluating later. Commissioner Padnos can see including integration into the schools in the initial rollout if the student role is kept relatively simple.
Commissioner Patterson commented that, as the prospectus is currently written, the student PL is more of an honorary position, to represent the City as a youth voice. The position involves recitation of the student’s original poetry at certain events, with mentoring by the adult PL and a teacher. The selection committee was discussed as an important element in the process but as yet, members of the selection committee have not yet been identified.
CAS Niessen suggested and the Commission agreed, to take some time to decide what its vision is for the PL position, and identify goals that are to be achieved, as having clear goals will: make the position more appealing to potential candidates; provide a framework to guide the development of specific programs; provide a way to measure success ; and facilitate integration of the programs into the community. While the overview in the project prospectus states specific requirements, it was suggested that the ad hoc committee consider questions like: how will this program inspire and impact the community, and what is the legacy that is desired.
Summarizing next steps, it was agreed that the honorarium amount should be modeled after the El Segundo program and the ad hoc committee will expand to include a member of the poetry circle group and meet to develop a broad vision and goals for the program that could be worked into a preambulatory statement (as opposed to a rigid list of requirements) with a description of the role for a student PL.
e. Memorial for the Fallen - SRS Brinkman clarified that PAF money can be used , if the written information being displayed is incorporated into the artwork. Accordingly, there are two options for the RFQ: 1) the onus for ADA compliance can be put on the artist; or 2) the artwork location itself can be predetermined to be ADA compliant by being close enough to a public accessible sidewalk with a large, read able font size. He cited the MB Education Foundation donor mosaic in Metlox Plaza as an example of an artwork that has an ADA compliant location.
An issue that affects the RFQ and is very important is (similar to the poet laureate project) is how prescriptive should the RFQ be? i.e. how much liberty should be given to the artist in designing the
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
February 19, 2025
4 artwork. SRS Brinkman stated he leans towards more flexibility and creative license and endorses using the APPC as this project was driven by community interest.
There are two main tasks for the Commission: 1) determine use of APPC and its composition and; 2) provide guidance to staff in developing the RFQ. In developing the RFQ important issues include: a budget, general qualifications for candidates; and the artwork location.
The Commission discussed with staff and directed as follows:
• Budget: $150,000 to include artist design and fabrication, as well as engineering and permit costs.
• APPC composition: Cultural Arts Commission Memorial of Fallen ad hoc committee (Colmey, Patterson and Tokashiki), Gary McAulay representing resident and veteran’s interests and one more community member, to be determined. SRS Brinkman will contact the community member who spearheaded the 9-11 memorial for a suggestion.
• RFQ qualifications: to be open, b ut an artist who is a veteran would be able to provide that background in the artist bio section of the application. • Memorial location: candidates to be allowed to suggest a location (which of the two being considered) with the caveat that the RFQ to include all information needed to provide context for an acceptable (ADA compliant) location.
f. 2025-2026 Work Plan - SRS Brinkman noted that he and Chair Tokashiki discussed the upcoming work plan. Accordingly, projects proposed include: the ongoing artwork maintenance plan (based on the RLA survey) with recommendations to City Council ; and, new to the plan, a major review and editing of the Public Art Master Plan, including establishing a deaccessioning policy; and the Sand Dune Park artistic fence. Carried over projects will include Bruce’s Beach, the Memorial for the Fallen, Poet Laureate and the art brochure. The Sculpture Garden, other than the memorial for the fallen, may likely be paused.
Chair Tokashiki reviewed the ad hoc committees; those for the Poet Laureate and Memorial for Fallen will continue with new ones to be formed for the Public Art Master Plan and Sand Dune Park artistic fence after the new work plan is approved by council. A maximum of three commissioners can serve on a single committee. Commissioner Torrey expressed interest in sculpture and is happy to serve where needed. It was suggested that a conversation be had with Commissioner Colmey regarding the possibility of Commissioner Torrey serving on the Memorial committee.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates: SRS Brinkman reported:
• January 30: APPC meeting held on Bruce’s Beach project. Direction given on draft RFQ which will be published end of February; open for 2 months. APPC to meet April 23 to review applicants. • Egrets in Flight sculpture in Polliwog Park has been moved a short distance to school district property to avoid further damage from pool maintenance delivery trucks; artwork to be repaired. • Summer programming progressing; new clay work camps being offered at Arts Center. • Live Oak Park kiln: staff has been trained successfully; official unveiling March 3, 2;30 pm. • Juneteenth 2025: Cultural arts staff has begun planning; community meeting being scheduled. • “Ripple Effect’ exhibit at MBAC closes March 30; next exhibit opening April 18.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
February 19, 2025
5 PATF budget update - SRS Brinkman reported (approximately) • Total trust fund: $1,700,000 M
• Allocated: $960,000
• Un-allocated: $777,000
• $254,000 expiring December 2026
City Council updates: SRS Brinkman reported:
• Polliwog Dog Run expansion approved
• Sand Dune Park redesign: construction documents approved February 18; staff will develop an RFQ for the decorative fence element; project finalists will come before the APPC and Commission for a recommendation to city council.
• Surf Ascension sculpture, Highland North end: 1-year lease is ending; City to solicit additional public input and explore future costs , make a recommendation on whether to keep sculpture on temporary basis or permanently in City collection. It was briefly discussed that under the agreement, the sculpture is to display light shows on a regular basis.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS - None
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:49 p.m. it was moved by the chair, and seeing no objection, it was so ordered to adjourn the meeting to 4:00 pm, March 17, 2025