Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
April 21, 2025
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
April 21, 2025
Location: Manhattan Beach City Council Chambers, 1400 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Tokashiki called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Colmey, Patterson, Torrey, Padnos, Chair Tokashiki
Absent: Vice Chair Karger
Staff present: Senior Recreation Supervisor (SRS) Eric Brinkman, Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Cultural Arts Supervisor (CAS) Randy Niessen, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 17, 2025
It was moved and seconded (Tokashiki/Patterson) to approve the March 17, 2025 minutes as submitted; motion passed by voice vote: 5-0-1 (Karger 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 led the Commission in 3 rounds of reviewing and ranking submittals, noting those that did not meet minimum requirement and are ineligible.
Staff will check various submittals to confirm ineligibility (e.g. Sponge Bob copyright issue for Number 10).
The Commission arrived at a consensus to recommend the following submittals to City Council:
Youth: (10 total) 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 15, 19, 24, 27, 30
Adult: (10 total) 11, 12, 19, 26, 28, 30, 54, 72, 73, 93
Commissioner Colmey expressed appreciation to all artists for submitting and requested that staff send a thank you notes, perhaps with a note as to why their submittals were disqualified. SRS Brinkman noted the next step is to take all 20 submittals to City Council ; council may note specific utility boxes that should be targeted for specific proposals.
b. Murals. Per SRS Brinkman: no new information: the 3-D shark artist is out of the country and is expected to commence his work in May.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
April 21, 2025
2 c. Sculpture Garden. Per SRS Brinkman: project remains paused.
d. New Art Initiatives
i. Public Art Brochure: SRS Brinkman reminded that the brochure can be presented to the public by the Commission rep (Chair Tokashiki) during public participation/community announcements, and if any graphic material, e.g. a slide, is to be presented, staff needs 2 days’ notice prior to the council meeting. ii. Poet Laureate. (Patterson, Colmey, Padnos) Commissioner Patterson noted that April is National Poetry Month, and feels that it’s fitting that the committee and Commission can now conclude their deliberations. The latest version of the prospectus (4/21) was discussed and there was a consensus that the stipend amount should be as stipulated; otherwise, content looks great. SRS Brinkman stated that staff will format the prospectus and present to the city administration internally and at the next Commission meeting, a final version will be prepared for a council recommendation.
Action: It was moved and seconded (Tokashiki/Patterson) that the Commission approve the 4/21/25 prospect us for content for the Poet Laureate initiative. Motion passed (5-0-1 – Karger absent)
e. Memorial for the Fallen – Chair Tokashiki updated: An APPC has been formed consisting of:
James Gill (former CAC commissioner) , Gary McAulay, SRS Brinkman, Chair Tokashiki and Commissioner Karger and Torrey. The committee will schedule an APPC meeting; and an RFQ will be developed.
f. Surf Ascension. SRS Brinkman gave an overview, noting the Commission’s work is to consider basic options including removing the sculpture by artist Domisi Keven Parham, keeping by purchase or lease extension in some form, or some other option. SRS Brinkman noted the fiscal implication (no new funding requested). Options identified include: 1) accept sculpture as a permanent donation; 2) decline sculpture donation and direct coordination of removal; and 3) extend the existing loan agreement.
Discussed: maintenance (led lighting, e.g.), public notification (input was solicited from neighbors within a 500-foot radius with one response and more expected). Questions were responded to by SRS Brinkman:
If the lease is continued, artist could continue to maintain, however with a different compensation amount; the light show would be curated and occur nightly, on a timer dusk to 9:00 pm; maintenance so far by the artist includes wrapping the piece with a film to protect the surface; and a Commission recommendation could go to council in June. The Commission could recommend a strategy of extending the lease a certain amount to enable the city to negotiate with the artist.
SRS Brinkman clarified options ranging from removal and deaccessioning, to accepting as a donation until due to maintenance, no longer viable in collection. It was noted that a definition for “maintenance” is needed.
Chair Tokashiki called for public comments; none received.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates: SRS Brinkman reported:
• Exhibitions: “Ripple Effect’ has closed after a successful run; The opening for the new exhibit, artist Keith McGruder, was held last Friday (April 18). The annual community exhibit will follow the Magruder exhibit.
• Staffing: two new part time staff for the MBAC gallery have been welcomed. • Juneteenth: will be held weekend of June 22, same format including festival in Polliwog Park.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
April 21, 2025
3 • Concerts in the Park bands have been booked and will be announced soon. • Public Art:
o Bruce’s Beach: APPC will meet Wednesday evening to discuss the RFQ and there is a lot of excitement for this project as a timeline is being developed. o Public Arts Master Plan: Staff are currently developing a timeline for revisions. An APPC will be formed and the commission will be advising during the process. • Earth Day: MB will celebrate on April 29th.
PATF budget update - SRS Brinkman reported (approximately) • Total trust fund: 1.7 mil (approx.)
• Allocated: $914,000 (approx.)
• Un-allocated: $789,000 (approx.)
I. COMMISSION ITEMS –
• Commissioner Tokashiki: upcoming Mira Costa production: “Bright Star” • Commissioner Patterson: Commissioner Padnos will have one last meeting in May. As to new Commissioner appointments, SMA Robb will inform Commissioner Patterson as to when scheduled for City Council.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:04 p.m. it was moved and seconded (Colmey/Padnos) to adjourn to 4:00 pm, May 19, 2025