Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
May 18, 2026
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
May 18, 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 4:00 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: (5), Tokashiki, Colmey, Torrey, Vice Chair Patterson, Chair Karger.
Absent: (2), Dickey, Rosenberg
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/Tokashiki) to approve the agenda, (no change). Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote 5-0-2 (Dickey, Rosenberg).
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes - Regular Meeting: April 20, 2026
It was moved and seconded (Karger/Torrey) to approve, subject to the following revisions:
Patterson:
Pg. 2: Under i.i. New Initiatives: strike “Colmey” and insert “Karger” (for the committee members) ¶ Pg. 3: 4
th paragraph from page bottom: replace “Petterson” with “Patterson”, Pg. 4: Commission items:
• second paragraph: strike “(not approved)” after “…and then withdrawn”. • Two sentences below, strike “perhaps”
Colmey:
Pg. 4: 4th line from end of paragraph d. Strike “project is a continuation of the community ” and replace with “success of the project will be enhanced by continued engagement with the community.” to read:
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”.
Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote: 5-0-2 (Rosenberg, Dickey absent).
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Patricia Blakemore, Leadership Manhattan Beach graduate, gave a brief background on a LMB
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
May 18, 2026
2 project “Volleyball Alley” wherein an Olympic mural in a downtown alley would be installed giving recognition to several local Olympic volleyball athletes. The project did not go forward (required more time than allowed in the LMB timeline) but would like to pass on the concept to the city for possible implementation. Vice Chair Patterson informed Ms. Blakemore that she can submit this information to a CAC Olympics committee which is being formed in this meeting.
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
2. Cultural Arts Commission Work Plan 2026/2027. SRS Brinkman gave brief overviews; each committee provided progress reports.
a. New Art Initiatives
i. Public Art Brochure. SRS Brinkman informed that the word “brochure” will necessarily remain in this year’s work plan item title. Chair Karger reminded of the next east MB tour date on Saturday Sept 19th, 2:00 pm. The Committee will meet with staff for a walk-through at the tour site and will report back to the full Commission . Commissioner Colmey shared a pocket map of the San Pedro Arts District which has a compact folding design , inquiring whether the MB brochure might convert to that design.
ii. Poet Laureate (Patterson, Karger, Torrey) SRS Brinkman updated that this proposal will likely go to council in late summer/early fall for two actions: 1) approve the project ; and 2) allocate funds for its implementation from the PATF.
b. Olympic Committee formation: Chair Karger nominated Commissioner Colmey to chair this new committee, noting that she is ideal in that she can comfortably take the lead with great logistical skills. Commissioner Colmey accepted and has already obtained a lot of information from the US Olympic Committee and through athlete connections. Chair Karger volunteered to serve, noting her connection with LoveMB. She encourages all to contribute by submitting ideas to them. The committee can also serve as a resource to guide persons to other resources such as the Chamber of Commerce and DTMB Business and Professional Association). The Committee will develop an action plan that will be brought before the full Commission for input . Also, a public brainstorming session will be held.
SRS Brinkman suggested a timeline:
1. Develop plan, bring to CAC → early Fall, 2026
2. Bring plan to City Council → late Fall, 2026
3. Implement plan → throughout 2027
SRS Brinkman cautioned the committee to be careful to budget sufficient time to both incubate and implement the plan ahead of the actual Olympic events.
c. Memorial for the Fallen (Tokashiki, Torrey, Karger): SRS Brinkman updated: Going forward, from the RFQ, three semi-finalists (in preference order) have been named; two out of the three are in southern California:
1) James Dinh (SoCal)
2) Sonarta/Shahla Reynolds (SoCal)
3) B.J. Krivanek/Joel Breaux (Illinois).
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
May 18, 2026
3 The RFP submittal window, now open closes 7/31/26; CAC will review applications in August.
Next steps: SRS Brinkman will meet with each of three semi -finalists to tour the site, go over parameters. City Council has indicated a preference for “location #1”, civic center plaza. In July, SRS Brinkman will do a “midpoint review” and advise artists. After CAC reviews and arrives at a finalist recommendation, the CAC recommendation will go to council for final approval.
d. Public Art Master Plan Revision (PAMPR) (Colmey, Rosenberg) : Commissioner Colmey updated: as staff continues to develop a contract and schedule, the project is moving into the community input phase; a second community meeting will be scheduled , a gain, with arts consultant Susan Gray and CDD Planning Manager Adam Finestone participating as resources.
It has been suggested that the city commission a mobile art bus to get the word out.
e. Bruce’s Beach Public Artwork (Karger, Patterson) SRS Brinkman updated: implementation is still in the contract phase, fabrication has begun.
Chair Karger called for public comment on the Work Plan items – no comments received.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Commission reorganization
It was moved and seconded (Karger/ Tokashiki) that Commissioner Patterson serve as new Chair, and Commissioner Colmey, Vice Chair; motion passed 5-0-2 by roll call.
Cultural Arts Division updates (2027): SRS Brinkman announced:
• MBAC Exhibit = “Ritual” continues through end of June. The tea ceremonies are still happening – check with MBAC for dates,
• ACE (Annual Community Exhibition) application window closed 5/15. There were about 200 applicants at close, staff will serve as blind jury.
• June 21st (Sunday) will be Juneteenth special event.
• America’s 250th birthday poster contest open until June 1. The main 250 th event will be July 5, Polliwog Park.
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:
I. COMMISSION ITEMS - None
SMA Robb noted that the meeting for September 21 has been cancelled (Yom Kippur).
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:29 pm Chair Karger moved to adjourn, seconded by Tokashiki, to June 15, 4:00 pm; motion passed 5-0 by roll call.