Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
April 20, 2026
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
April 20, 2026
Location: Manhattan Beach City Council Chambers
Hybrid (in-person/Zoom)
1400 Highland Avenue. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Karger called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: (5), Rosenberg, Colmey, Torrey, Vice Chair Patterson, Chair Karger.
Absent: (2) Tokashiki, 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 ( Rosenberg/Patterson) to approve the agenda (no change) . Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote 5-0-2 (Dickey, Tokashiki absent).
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes - Regular Meeting: March 16, 2026
It was moved and seconded ( Colmey/Rosenberg) to approve , subject to revision of the first sentence, second paragraph, G. c. noted below. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote: 5-0-2 (Tokashiki, Dickey absent).
Revised to read:
c. SRS Brinkman informed that at tomorrow’s City Council meeting he will be requesting exploring funding for one PAMP……
In discussing the above motion to approve the minutes , SRS Brinkman clarified that the Work Plan discussion in G.3 on the agenda is for 2027-2028.
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS – None
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
2. Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) Work Plan 2026/2027. SRS Brinkman confirmed that this item concerns projects for next year (2027/2028) and going forward. Starting at the next meeting, the Commission will report on the Work Plan based on direction from the City Council at its recent meeting.
SRS Brinkman, along with sub-committee chairs, reported as follows.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
April 20, 2026
2 a. New Art Initiatives
i. Public Art Brochure. Chair Karger summarized: committee, coordinating with staff, developed a draft plan for next tour: Saturday Sept 19th, 2:00 pm, for 60 attendees; Commissioners to lead a loop starting at Manhattan Beach Art Center (MBAC) at Dragon Tales, going across Manhattan Beach Boulevard to Polliwog Park and adjacent area, capturing e.g. StoryWalk and utility boxes, ending back at MBAC to view current exhibit and snacks. The general intent is to continue this program while changing each tour. Chair Karger confirmed that publicity for the next tour will be the same as the first.
Staff will administratively change the program name to reflect the expansion from a brochure to a tour, and staff with the Committee will discuss how reservations are made, whether through Eventbrite or a city registration system. It may look at the reservation data from the first tour.
ii. Poet Laureate (Patterson, Karger, Torrey) SRS Brinkman clarified that the City Council is unable to act until the Commission makes a recommendation. He presented a revised prospectus, which the Commission reviewed, that contains: Mission Statement, Program Goals, Scope of Work, required Deliverables, Selection Process, Application Requirements, Finalist Requirements, Terms & Conditions, Copyright, and Additional Provisions.
The Commission discussed content and asked about potential funding impacts to existing programs, finding it very desirable to know this before recommending approval. SRS Brinkman noted that estimating program costs is difficult and explained several reasons, primarily that this is a completely new program that can change significantly depending on the laureate chosen.
SRS Brinkman believes that if a funding impact arises, it w ould likely affect new initiatives rather than core continuing programs.
Commissioner Patterson suggested that the Commission consider, in the Laureate selection process, how independent a candidate might be, which, in turn, can impact staff costs.
Staff confirmed that this matter has been properly placed on the meeting agenda. Staff advised that two actions are needed: 1) approve the program content, and 2) approve as a recommendation that will be forwarded to the City Council.
The Commission discussed the prospectus, and there was consensus for:
1. Two-year term
2. Money to be allocated: honorarium $8,000; up to $5,000 for materials
3. Deliverables: a) 4 items per year (8 over two years ) with collaboration with county branch library staff in developing poet laureate programming for teens. b) Participate as Poet Laureate in at least one City event; c) Design and implement programming for all ages, including older adults (work with the Senior A dvisory Committee, Older Adult Poetry Club).
In discussing, comments included: hasn’t captured ALL discussion but is better organized and clearer; likes the emphasis on creative freedom, the age-group targets, and that the laureate will develop the program. It was clarified that the laureate will report to staff, but this will be fleshed out more.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
April 20, 2026
3 Two motions were made:
Motion 1: (Rosenberg/Torrey) approving the Prospectus as discussed, including that the Poet Laureate will report to staff.
Motion passed 5-0-2, by roll call (Tokashiki, Dickey absent)
Motion 2: (Patterson/Torrey) approving presentation to the City Council of the revised Prospectus.
The Commission discussed the main issue: whether this should go to the City Council without more information on whether the city has adequate resources to fund it alongside existing programs.
SRS Brinkman advised that, upon being sent to City Council, the council will be re-prioritizing Cultural Arts (CA) programming, and it is difficult to say how th at will be done. There will be some growing pains (mostly with staff) as this and other new initiatives (e.g., Olympics-related activities) roll out, but he believes the existing core programs would not be impacted; adjustments would be made to other new initiatives.
Commissioner Rosenberg commented that this new initiative could also enhance other existing programs and that advocates should send the recommendation to approve based on the content developed. SRS Brinkman emphasized that when the City C ouncil considers the matter, the accompanying staff report can address this concern. Commissioner Colmey emphasized that she would like more information on whether and what existing CA programs may be affected. SRS Brinkman reiterated : this information is hard to provide at this time, but clearly , the Poet Laureate will be operated as a “pilot program” like the other new initiatives. While it is a benefit to other programs, it should not be expected to save money.
Vice Chair Patterson pointed out that being a pilot program is an advantage – the council will not be voting on a permanent program beyond two years; also, the CAC can guide implementation in selecting a good candidate. Chair Karger stated at first that she wants more information about the impacts. that she is reconsidering and would like to see this go forward.
Commissioner Rosenberg noted that , as is routine, any new program runs the risk of being modified due to circumstances that may arise.
Vice Chair P atterson called for the question on the pending motion to present the approved content to the City Council for approval.
Motion 2 approving sending the content of the program to council, passed by voice vote 5-0-2 (Tokashiki and Dickey absent)
b. Memorial for the Fallen (Tokashiki, Torrey, Karger): SRS Brinkman updated: the APPC will meet and review 21 submissions, for a short list of three semi -finalists. The semi-finalist submittals will be presented to the CAC for review, and the CAC will recommend a finalist for council consideration and funding.
c. Public Art Master Plan Revision (PAMPR) (Colmey, Rosenberg) : Commissioner Colmey updated, noting that the sub-committee recently held a kick-off meeting, led by the CA team of
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
April 20, 2026
4 Eric/Randy, with participation by Community Development (Adam Finestone, Planning Manager) and others, including art consultant Susan Gray. The committee will next meet on May 4th, then monthly.
d. Bruce’s Beach Public Artwork (Karger, Patterson): SRS Brinkman updated: Staff is working on the contract and fee schedule, dates for deliverables, and milestones for releasing funds. T he close-out has been extended to the end of 2027. A community reception was held, hosted by Dr.
Lee, presenting the artist, April Banks. Commissioner Colmey’s takeaways about the artist were twofold: the artist is enthusiastic about interacting with the community, and the success of the project will be enhanced by continued engagement with the community. Commissioners Colmey and Patterson both commented on the efficacy and higher quality of the RFQ (Request for Qualifications) process, compared to an RFP (Request for Proposals).
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates (2027): SRS Brinkman announced:
• MBAC Exhibit = “Ritual” opening reception April 17, runs through the end of June. • ACE (Annual Community Exhibition) application window is 4/6 - 5/15. Commissioners may apply; a blind jury will judge the exhibit, and it will be open until late July. NO requirement for when the piece was created.
PATF budget update: SRS Brinkman updated: Public Art Trust Fund has not changed: balance of about $1.6 million, about $1 million allocated, and about $600 thousand unallocated.
City Council updates: The City Council will review the final report on the Library Needs Assessment on April 21. The report suggests updating or enhancing items: parking, storage of historic materials, and exploring ways to enhance the outside library patio to enable more programming.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Commissioner Rosenberg noted in the future meeting section of the agenda that S eptember 21 is a standing meeting date and that it coincides with Yom Kippur. Will this meeting date change? SMA Robb informed that this agenda section indicates regular meeting dates, and holidays are adjusted closer to the meeting date.
Vice Chair Patterson announced or brought up: 1) a collection of poems published by the Poetry Circle (a program of the Parks and Recreation Department Older Adults Services) - a lovely presentation was made to older adults at a luncheon at Joslyn; 2) Kudos to newly wrapped utility boxes. 3) A proposal for an Olympic volleyball-related mural in an alley was proposed and then withdrawn. She suggested that this might be a good project for the city’s public art program, emphasizing local Olympic volleyball athletes. She will endeavor to get more information. Chair Karger noted that the Olympics committee will be on the next CAC agenda.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:29 pm Chair Karger called for adjournment, with no opposition, to May 18, 4:00 pm.