Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
June 16, 2025
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
June 16, 2025
Location: Manhattan Beach City Council Chambers
1400 Highland Avenue. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Hybrid (in-person/Zoom)
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Karger called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Rosenberg, Vice Chair Patterson, Colmey, Tokashiki, Chair Karger, Torrey, Dickey.
Absent: None
Staff present: Senior Recreation Supervisor (SRS) Eric Brinkman, Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Cultural Arts Supervisor, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 19, 2025
It was moved (Colmey) and seconded (Tokashiki) to approve the May 19, 2025 minutes, no changes.
Motion passed unanimously by voice vote: 7-0.
Chair Karger welcomed new commissioners Rosenberg and Dicky who gave self-introductions:
Ellen Rosenberg, resident since 1985, raised family, has love of arts, member (elected/9 years) of MBUSD board and LA County Board of Education (appointed/2 years); loves merging of the arts and education for all ages.
Alex Dickey, 17 and a Mira Costa junior, passionate and involved in civic engagement involving culture and art.
E. CEREMONIAL - None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – Deb Henderson, is present representing the MB Poetry Group.
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Work Plan Item Discussion
a. Utility Box Beautification – SRS Brinkman reported that the Commission’s recommendation will be considered by the city council on August 15 for final approval/allocation on the consent calendar of the agenda (no discussion unless pulled) . This phase of the program is expected to be completed (20 boxes wrapped) by summer end.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
June 16, 2025
2 b. Murals. SRS Brinkman reported that artist Eric Snyder has completed the last mural in the program - “Equanimity” – of an underwater shark with 3-D effect, on the side of the civic center parking structure facing 13th Street. He encouraged everyone to go see (sea) it!
SRS Brinkman has reached out for media coverage; other things can be considered such as an artist’s talk and possibly a mural tour for the public.
c. Sculpture Garden. SRS Brinkman noted that the original direction from council was to identify 20 artworks that the city council potentially purchase. That evolved into a “sculpture garden” program of sculptures changed out regularly that the city could potentially purchase, one of which is a lacy decorative fencing designed by a Swedish company. Council determined that the lacy fencing could be incorporated into a Sand Dune Park CIP renovation project which is a Parks and Recreation Commission work plan project.
The original project continues to be on hold until after the Public Art Master Plan is completed.
It was discussed, moved (Colmey) and seconded (Karger) that the following Commissioners will form a Sand Dune Park Lacy Fence Ad-Hoc Committee: Vice Chair Patterson, and Torrey. The motion passed unanimously 7-0.
Next steps: The new ad-hoc committee will be tasked with, to start, researching the lacy fence as a sculptural art piece and whether it can be commissioned by the original Swedish design company or some other firm/artist. SRS Brinkman will meet with Chair Karger to develop a plan to proceed.
d. New Art Initiatives
i. Public Art Brochure: SRS Brinkman updated: paper copies of the brochure are available at the MB Creative Art Center and Chair Karger presented it at the May 20 city council meeting. There was discussion as to whether the city might want to take this further, such as implementing a public art tour, as suggested in the past by former CAC commissioner Fred Manna.
SRS Brinkman will reach out to SRS Kari Bell, who oversees the Senior Advisory Group to see if that groups is interested in participating in an art tour, possibly using Dial -A-Ride resources; this could also serve as a pilot for possibly expanding to the public. Commissioner Dickey suggested a teen bike component and noted that having a tour would be helpful to residents (who aren’t aware of their city’s art) or visitors and tourists wanting to get to know the city.
Chair Karger noted concern that developing a tour could involve using a lot of staff resources.
Commissioner Colmey suggested that this could be simple e.g. self-directed walking tour. It was noted that there are two main approaches that could be intergenerational by engaging both the Senior Advisory Group and students at the middle and high school levels.
The issue of public liability was mentioned and possibly a need for a waiver. It was agreed that the CAC ad-hoc committee for now should not be disbanded and will continue, comprised of Chair Karger, and Commissioners Tokashiki and Dickey, and that once school resumes, engage with middle and high school students, discuss whether can be implemented as a Parks and Recreation sanctioned activity (walking tour), engage with the Senior Advisory Committee as well as see if it is a good fit with tourism.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
June 16, 2025
3 ii. Poet Laureate. (Patterson, Colmey) SRS Brinkman suggested public input be invited.
Deb Henderson, MB senior poets’ group, endorses the idea of the Poet Laureate program being moved to the Library Commission and wondered as such some more funding might be available.
SRS Brinkman noted two potential sources of funding if the program transfers to the Library Commission: the surplus library fund, as well as the public art trust fund; city council will decide the funding.
Next steps: SRS Brinkman to discuss with Library Manager Josh Murray and schedule an agenda item on a Library Commission agenda, and to facilitate such, he will convene a meeting of the CAC sub-committee and others as appropriate which would include Ms. Henderson. It is hoped that the project can be taken to council in the fall.
iii. Memorial for the Fallen . SRS Brinkman provided an overview and background including council referral in 2023, and council approval in 2024 of installation of a memorial in the Civic Center plaza to be incorporated into the city’s Memorial Day recognition. The CAC has formed an APPC (Art in Public Places Committee), tasked with developing a recommendation for memorial location and an RFP (Request for Proposals) and comprised of: Gary McAulay, James Gill, CAC Commissioners Tokashiki and Torrey and SRS Brink man. The committee has endorsed Mr.
McAulay’s preference for an obelisk structure, with room for several names that have been researched and found to be eligible (born, lived in or having some direct connection to Manhattan Beach ).
Plaques on the memorial with names, per disability regulations (ADA) are required to be accessible for those who are disabled – this is a very important issue.
Next steps: schedule APPC meeting at which artist recruitment documents (RFQ/RFP) will be reviewed with the RFQ identifying qualified artists and the RFP containing the project specs.
Location options will be identified, such as former “pot and pole” sculpture site near the entrance to the Police Department building. Cultural arts staff will also check viability of locations with Public Works. The goal is to have multiple location options available to the council.
iv. Public Art Master Plan Revision. SRS Brinkman, using a PowerPoint presentation, provided an overview and description of the Public Arts Master Plan Revision program covering the preamble, goals, and timelines and milestones. The project launch is in Q2 2025 and is programmed to end with adoption in Q1 2026. There will be extensive research and community engagement. The time frame could be longer if revision to the PATF ordinance is recommended.
The Master Plan revision will look at the 23-year-old existing document and aligning it with the future of art in the city including both existing portfolio and future art acquisitions.
The CAC will form an AP PC committee , with the composition at the Commission’s discretion.
Suggested members to include: 2 CAC commissioners, a city council member, a community member (professional public art background); and at least one government professional (e.g. City Public Works and/or Community Development Departments . Staff will be assisted by consultant Susan Gray who is also working on the Bruce’s Beach project.
Next steps: in two weeks SRS Brinkman will meet with consultant Susan Gray and then the APPC will be formed and meet. Community engagement will take place through townhalls and workshops.
SRS Brinkman reviewed how the 1% Public Art Trust Fund is operated and emphasized that it will be important to get the word out to building developers and architect s (hopefully a local architect familiar with the PATF can be on the APPC).
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
June 16, 2025
4 The Commission discussed that one goal for the project would be to look at the PATF ordinance that applies to new development and look for opportunities to, early on in the development planning process, identify options for the developer to incorporate artwork organically into the site/building plan. The concern is that as the ordinance is currently written, there is very little opportunity for early input regarding incorporation of public art within a development. Towards this end it was suggested that a representative from the Public Works and/or Community Development Departments also serve on the APPC.
Commissioner Colmey inquired as to the status of the replacement of Parking Lot 3 suggesting that this project could provide a good opportunity for public art. It was noted that that project is in the early stages of plan design development. It was request ed that SRS Brinkman find out what the timeframe is for the new parking structure construction.
The Commission discussed composition of the APPC; Commissioners Colmey and Rosenberg volunteered to serve. SRS Brinkman noted that all members of the APPC should be city residents.
Next Steps: staff will consult with Community Development for names of architects to serve on the APPC. Commissioners Rosenberg and Colmey will meet with art consultant Gray. The Commissioners in general should consider the goals of the project. .
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates: SRS Brinkman reported:
• Bruce’s Beach artwork: APPC will meet Wednesday night to finalize short list of 6 applicants, start process to review proposals (expected in the fall).
• Juneteenth planning is progressing (6/19 and 6/22).
• Daily Breeze article about artist Keith Magruder (current exhibit at MBAC); Keith will have a free artists talk event Friday, 7-8 pm, MBAC.
• Concerts in the Park: in two weeks (Sunday, June 29) first concert, then July 6, 13, 20, 27, and Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• Annual Community Art Exhibit 2025 opens mid-July, over 250 submittals (!). • Shakespeare by the Sea: As You Like It, July 17 and Julius Caesar July 18, Polliwog Park • Summer programming started today (many new art camps at MBAC)
PATF budget update - SRS Brinkman reported (approximately – no significant changes) • Total trust fund: 1.7 mil (approx.)
• Allocated: $905,000 (approx.)
• Un-allocated: $803,000 (approx.)
• Expiring: $253,000 (December, 2026)
City Council updates: none
I. COMMISSION ITEMS – Announcement: June 28th, 2 pm, Leadership Manhattan Beach Class of 2000 will be retrieving the contents of the Millenium Time Capsule located in the wave sculpture, just north of the veteran’s memorial.
J. ADJOURNMENT
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
June 16, 2025
5 At 5:30 p.m. Chair Karger called for adjournment, it was moved (Patterson), seconded (Rosenberg) and unanimously approved 7-0 to adjourn to 4:00 pm, July 21, 2025