Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
October 20, 2025
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
October 20, 2025
Location: Manhattan Beach City Council Chambers
1400 Highland Avenue. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Commissioner Tokashiki - Per Government Code §54953 (b) 50 Canyon Road, Mammoth, CA 93546 Hybrid (in-person/Zoom)
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Karger called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: (7) Dickey, Rosenberg, Tokashiki (remote), Colmey, Torrey, Vice Chair Patterson, Chair Karger.
Absent: None
Staff present: Senior Recreation Supervisor (SRS) Eric Brinkman, Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Cultural Arts Commission Regular Meeting Minutes: September 15, 2025 It was moved (Rosenberg) and seconded (Patterson) to approve the September minutes as submitted.
Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote: 7-0.
E. CEREMONIAL – None
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS – None
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
2. Cultural Arts Commission Work Plan for 2025/2026
a. New Art Initiatives
i. Public Art Brochure (Karger, Tokashiki, Dickey): Using a PowerPoint, Chair Karger updated on the committee’s progress: it has developed and mapped a proposed art tour, led by one or more commissioners with stops at upwards of twenty existing public artworks in the downtown/beach area. The proposed route starts at the Veteran’s Memorial (15th and Valley), winds through civic center plaza towards Metlox, through downtown to the beach/pier area, ending at the Light Gate sculpture where attendees can view the sunset t hrough the sculpture keyhole. Two or three 45- minute tours are envisioned each led by one or two commissioners. The Committee will next do a “dry run” to vet the route for duration (45 minutes maximum desired) and any physical constraints. The committee will also develop a narrative and marketing plan. The committee hopes to have the first tour on Saturday, January 31st. The Commission discussed; the committee will consider whether a map should be made available to tour participants or available as a self- guided option. It was noted that there will be some gaps between artwork locations, which provides an opportunity to provide information or promote discussion about the city’s public art program, its future and conservation efforts. The committee may organize a n additional full-
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
October 20, 2025
2 commission dry run tour (possibly prior to the November meeting), or alternatively report on its findings and receive additional input from the full commission in November. It was emphasized that each commissioner’s input about the artworks is very valuable in creating the narrative.
Commissioner Tokashiki suggested that the rainbow crosswalk near the pier be included in the narrative. SRS Brinkman advised that as soon as possible, the committee request any city resources that will be needed for a January tour as marketing materials and publicity need some time to prepare. Chair Karger encouraged all commissioners to walk the route and make note or advise the committee of anything they feel may be relevant. ii. Poet Laureate (Patterson, Colmey) SRS Brinkman hopes to meet later this week with Library Manager Sargent who is researching how this program might be developed for Manhattan Beach within the County system.
b. Memorial for the Fallen (Tokashiki, Torrey, Krager) SRS Brinkman updated: at its October 7 th meeting, city council approved 2 of 3 asks put forth by staff as recommended by the commission, including the project parameters/ RFQ issuance, and $150k allocation. Approval of the memorial location was deferred to a future date, to enable the council to further consider the location, both as recommended, or some other viable site. This will cause some delay but staff hopes to still publish the RFQ, receive applications and meet with the APPC. The date for council selection of the monument location has not been determined. SRS Brinkman recognized t hat if an alternative to the recommended locations is selected, this may cause a need to go back to council for a higher allocation which would delay the project further. c. Public Art Master Plan Revision (Colmey, Rosenberg) Commissioner Colmey updated: the committee had a presence at the Hometown Fair Parks and Recreation booth where it handed out t-shirts and postcards publicizing the master plan project and people were able to sign up to become involved or kept informed about city art programs. Positive community feedback was received especially for the utility box murals. The APPC specific to this project was discussed; the sub -committee hopes it will be formed by the end of this year, to be composed of 8 -15 persons, including key city staff (e.g. Public Works, Community Development) city art consultants (funding to be requested) , and a number of local professionals with relevant expertise. Commissioner Rosenberg reported that the postcard will be revised to be more generally soliciting interest, and an information handout is being developed to describe the Public Master Plan Revision program.
SRS encouraged the commissioners to become familiar and direct interested persons to the “Get Involved in Public Art” Cultural Arts website page that provides two links 1) to APPC application) and 2) to subscribe to an MB Public Art mailing list to receive information regarding the city cultural arts programs. Postcards have been revised and will be available at the Art Center on MB Boulevard – SRS Brinkman suggested that commissioners can email him with a request for postcards, and he will ensure that the cards will be available. Commissioner Colmey thanked the commissioners for their assistance and emphasized that this will be an ongoing campaign.
d. Bruce’s Beach Public Artwork . (Commissioner Karger, Commissioner Patterson ) SRS Brinkman updated: The RFQ/RFP phase was completed in late September and the APPC has met and narrowed the candidates to 6 who then further developed and presented their proposals at a community Open House on October 3 rd. The Open House invited engagement between the community and artists and was attended by 150 persons. The next step will be to take all 6 finalist proposals to the APPC and CAC (meeting independently) for their recommendations for the top
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
October 20, 2025
3 3 candidates. The CAC will be reviewing and making its selections at its next (November ) meeting. The proposals of all six finalists, with independent recommendations from APPC and CAC will ultimately be taken to city council for a final artist selection.
SRS Brinkman noted that public input continues to actively being sought on the six finalists.
Interested persons can, through a portal on the Parks and Recreation, Cultural Arts webpage, view the applications and submit feedback through a survey link. He strongly encouraged each commissioner to view the proposals through the link in advance of the November meeting , keeping the expressed project goals in mind (those goals, embedded in the survey will be emailed to the Commission). He clarified that the selections of the Commission could differ from those of the APPC and both will be considered in a final selection by council.
The commissioners complemented staff on an excellent and very positive Open House event.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates: SRS Brinkman reported:
• Bruce’s Beach Open House: SRS Brinkman shared photos from the event. • Historical Collection Rehousing: photos were displayed showing how the collection is being rehoused in the new storage trailer (a big step for the collection) but also will allow the start (next week) of repairs to the Red House.
• Last Friday the opening reception with 300 attendees, for “Continuation” newest exhibit at MBAC, a collaboration with Homeira Goldstein, artist Charles Arnoldi.
City Council updates: see approval 10/7 for Memorial of the Fallen project.
PATF budget update: PAF currently has total balance of approximately $1.6 million, with $1,000,000 allocated and approximately $704,000 unallocated; no funds nearing expiration until end of 2026.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Commissioner Colmey noted that November 13 is “World Kindness Day”. Commissioner Tokashiki noted former Library Commissioner Janet Jones’ efforts in promoting kindness through children’s library book donations made by her non-profit.
Commissioner Rosenberg noted: Pier Lighting on November 19 and holiday fireworks on December 14 - both present opportunities for attending commissioners, to promote Public Art Master Plan Revision and cultural arts in general (wear t-shirt, bring postcards).
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:55 pm Chair Karger adjourned the meeting to November 17. No objection, so ordered.