Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
January 21, 2026
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
January 21, 2026
Location: Manhattan Beach City Council Chambers
Hybrid (in-person/Zoom)
1400 Highland Avenue. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Per Government Code §54953 (b)
Teleconference by Commissioner Ellen Rosenberg - 633 Park Avenue, Park City, Utah 84060 and Commissioner Karen Tokashiki - 50 Canyon Road, Mammoth, CA 93546
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: (6), Rosenberg (remote), Tokashiki (remote), Colmey, Torrey, Vice Chair Patterson, Chair Karger.
Absent: (1) Dickey
Staff present: Senior Recreation Supervisor (SRS) Eric Brinkman, Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
D. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved and seconded (Colmey/Patterson) to approve the agenda, no changes. Motion passed unanimously by roll call: 6-0 (Dickey absent).
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Cultural Arts Commission Regular Meeting Minutes: November 17, 2025 It was moved and seconded (Colmey/Patterson) to approve the November minutes with one change: Pg 1, Roll Call: revise to show Commissioner Tokashiki was present in person, not remote (see top of page and in C. Roll Call). Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote: 6-0 (Dickey absent).
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS – None
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Cultural Arts Commission Work Plan for 2025/2026
SRS Brinkman, with input from the Commission, provided brief updates on each of the following existing Work Plan projects; all determined to be carried over into the next Work Plan
a. New Art Initiatives
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
January 21, 2026
2 i. Public Art Brochure (Karger, Tokashiki, Dickey): brochure complete; project expanded to include one or more 50- minute art walk tours in the downtown/beach area , with the first scheduled for January 31, 2026.
ii. Poet Laureate (Patterson, Colmey) needs more discussion between C ity and LA County as to whether some aspects can be incorporated into existing library programming.
b. Memorial for the Fallen (Tokashiki, Torrey, Karger): RFQ issued; application deadline February 23 – see online application portal: https://www.manhattanbeach.gov/departments/parks-and- recreation/cultural-arts/memorial-for-the-fallen.
c. Public Art Master Plan Revision (Colmey, Rosenberg) : next steps involve finalizing the formation of an APPC (Art in Public Places Committee) and schedule APPC meeting.
d. Bruce’s Beach Public Art Commission: at City Council meeting February 17, 2026, the City Council will consider the CAC recommended proposals and approve . In November the Commission recommended a proposal by artist Toni Scott, “Unity-Circle of Memory”, subject to the artist working with the city, to research and revise the proposal to incorporate specific references relating to the Bruce family and site.
2. Cultural Arts Commission Work Plan for 2026/2027
SRS Brinkman provided a high-level overview of the Work Plan process noting that all City commission work plans are embedded within the City Council Work Plan which can be viewed on the City website at https://www.manhattanbeach.gov/government/city-council/work-plan) – see Parks and Recreation Department section. SRS Brinkman encouraged the Commission to review online information.
SRS Brinkman has prepared a draft list of projects, as been discussed with the Chair, with input on new proposals received from commissioners and others. Staff developed a list, keeping in mind overall what is sensible or realistic in terms of resources, given what projects are already being done, and input.
SRS Brinkman read an email received from Kirstin Long Drew, Vice President of the Manhattan Beach Historical Society, describing difficulties and damages incurred to the C ity historical materials and requesting safe and appropriate permanent storage. To address, a new Work Plan initiative has been included.
SRS Brinkman presented the following proposed CAC Work Plan:
Existing 2025-2026
Work Plan (carry over)
New 2026-2027 Initiatives Notes
Poet Laureate Program Needs more discussion
Olympics-Related cultural
events
Olympics Related Events
• Public watch party
• Utility box beautification
Public Art Brochure Public Art Brochure & Walking Tour
• Annual walking tour
• Update art brochure annually
Public Art Master Plan (PAMP)
Film festival with Mira Costa Students
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
January 21, 2026
3 Assessment of historical
artifacts, Structural Review of
Historical Beach Cottage
Restroom Storage & Collections Space
Improvements:
• Revamp storage area, remove
trailer
• Improve space aesthetics
• Address health and safety
concerns (mold, below-grade
conditions)
• Keep all historical collections in
one place
Explore additional greenspace and
secure appropriate space for
historical items
Email from MB
Historical Society
Digitization & Archival Access
• Categorization and
continued digitization of
historical materials
• Improve newspaper
accessibility
• Continue coordination
with LA County on
hosting digitized
collections
Historical Society Partnerships
• Ongoing coordination
with Historical Society
Historical Society Partnerships
• Collaboration with LoveMB
Art in Public Places
• Sculpture Garden
• Lacy fence in Sand Dune
Park
• Bruce’s Beach Artwork
• Memorial for the Fallen
Art in Public Places
• Mural - Upper North Pier Parking
Lot
The Commission discussed; no changes were made.
Commissioner Colmey inquired as to whether it’s too late for a solution for permanent storage of historical materials to be incorporated in development options considered by the City Council as part of the downtown Project Pulse Program, discussed during last night’s City Council meeting and addressing two city-owned sites: 400 Manhattan Beach Blvd (former bank) and 1155 Morningside Drive (public Parking Lot 3).
SRS Brinkman commented while he does think it is too late for such to be considered, he feels it’s very important that a permanent storage site be carefully located, with appropriate physical conditions and ideally not isolated such that a lot of handling would be needed. Currently staff feels the best options is to upgrade the old Polliwog Park restrooms, relatively close to the “Red House”.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
January 21, 2026
4 SRS Brinkman clarified that historic materials storage and the Pulse project are two separate issues with different purview (historic resources under the purview of the Cultural Arts Commission and Project Pulse is under the purview of the city manager and Community Development Department. Last night the City Council directed staff to study and bring back some rough development options for both the Lot 3 and Manhattan Beach Boulevard sites based on certain narrowed categories of use with parking considerations.
SRS Brinkman concluded, advising that the proposed Cultural Arts Work Plan will be finalized by staff for presentation by Director Leyman and approval by City Council at the February 17th City Council meeting. All Commissioners are encouraged to attend that meeting; the final adopted Work Plan will be reported to the Cultural Arts Commission at its February 18th meeting.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates: SRS Brinkman announced:
• New classes: Ikebana workshop 1/21, 10 am to 1 pm, Live Anatomy Drawing, Thursday evenings, 1/22 through 3/26; and Intro to Photography, Sunday am, 2/8 thru 3/26. • New MBAC exhibit “Are You Seeing What I’m Seeing? (January 16 - end of March).
In discussing, it was suggested that cartooning classes be offered (Tokashiki) and live music be provided at the Art Center either more often during exhibit openings or, if not, perhaps independently (Patterson).
City Council updates: none
PAF budget update: Public Arts Fund has not changed: balance of $1.6 million, $1.1 million allocated and $580 thousand unallocated with no expiration until end of 2027.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Chair Karger reviewed preparations for the January 31 downtown art walk tour. There are 50 reservations, 20 wait-listed; meet at Joslyn before 4:00 pm. An updated script (12/10/25) and PowerPoint has been sent to commissioners. Commissioners can pick up guide t-shirts at Parks and Recreation from SRS Brinkman; Commissioner Colmey will bring 10 tour flags matching the tees, perhaps stagger in groups by 5 minutes, will play by ear.
Commissioner Patterson inquired, Commissioner Rosenberg clarified proposed Work Plan proposal for a film festival – that it would be a traditional film festival for viewing films, with involvement of Mira Costa students. It was noted that at last night’s City Council meeting, City Council adopted a city filming policy (Ordinance) and students will be exempted from Film LA fees.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 4:59 pm it was moved and seconded (Torrey/Tokashiki) to adjourn the meeting to February 18; approved unanimously.