TO:
Honorable Mayor Powell and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
David N. Carmany, City Manager
FROM:
Richard Gill, Parks & Recreation Director
Idris Jassim Al-Oboudi, Recreation Services Manager
SUBJECT: Title
Request to Conduct a Symposium on the History and Future of Manhattan Beach in December 2012 at the Joslyn Community Center
APPROVE
Body
____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding a request to conduct a City-sponsored event in the Joslyn Community Center on December 1, 2012: “Reflect on the Past, Give Meaning to the Future,” a community discussion celebrating the 100th anniversary of Manhattan Beach.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The event is estimated to cost $2,392.00:
Facility rental: $582.00
Staff support for the event: $482.93
Publicity: $827.00
Supplies/Refreshments: $500.00
BACKGROUND:
During the June 5, 2012 City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem David Lesser suggested holding an event to reflect on the history and future of the City of Manhattan Beach. The objective was to supplement events sponsored to date by the Centennial Foundation, encourage awareness of the City’s history, and provide a forum for residents to discuss opportunities and vision for the City’s future as it approaches its 100th anniversary. This topic returns to the City Council for direction.
DISCUSSION:
Following the June 5, 2012 City Council meeting, Mayor Pro-Tem David Lesser formed an event planning group which includes community members and an advisory staff member from the City Parks and Recreation Department. The planning group consists of former Mayors Jan Dennis and Russ Lesser, former Manhattan Beach Unified School District Trustee and Mayor’s Youth Council Director Nancy Hersman, retired Cal State Dominguez Hills Professor Judsen Grenier, Manhattan Beach Historical Society President Gary McAulay, a Mira Costa High School student, City Recreation Services Manager Idris Jassim Al-Oboudi, and Mayor Pro Tem Lesser.
The event planning group has met five times to discuss potential dates, times, locations, topics, and formats, advertising, staff support, volunteers, supplies, and logistics. It now proposes an event which would be free to the public and include the following elements:
Date
Saturday December 1, 2012.
Time
Begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:45 p.m. (lunch will be 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.).
Location
The Joslyn Community Center (excluding the OASIS)
Event Format
The format as currently planned will consist of two sessions:
Morning Session (9:00 a.m. to 11:45 noon): History of Manhattan Beach
This session will include: A keynote presentation with key historic information about the City, screening of the Leadership Manhattan Beach Class of 2005 DVD “Bridging the Generations,” a moderated panel discussion of themes and trends of the past 100 years, and audience questions. Volunteer speakers are scheduled to include longtime residents and a local college history professor who will explore the role of the City within the region, what makes it unique, and how it has evolved among other subjects.
Afternoon Session (12:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.): Future of Manhattan Beach
This session will focus on future possibilities for the City and include break-out sessions where attendees will have an opportunity to share ideas regarding the future of Manhattan Beach. A general session will follow with the break-out groups reporting-back and engaging in a broader discussion with other attendees. The program is designed to include high school students and Mayors Youth Council members as well as adults. Wrap-up and closing remarks will conclude the event at 3:45 p.m.
Publicity
Publicity for the event would include:
1. Poster advertising the event;
2. News Release;
3. Half page ad in the Beach Reporter; and
4. Email notice of event to the community through the Parks and Recreation Department’s registration database.
Staffing
Parks and Recreation Department staff involvement with the event will be limited to offering ideas at planning sessions, assisting with marketing, and setting-up and breaking-down the Joslyn Center on the day of the event.
Volunteers
Volunteers will continue planning the event and work with staff in setting-up and breaking-down exhibits on the day of the event. Volunteer speakers have been included based on their expertise. To encourage youth participation, a special invitation will be sent to members of the Mayors Youth Council to assist with leading the break-out sessions.
Supplies
Beverages and hospitality service will be provided. Lunch is anticipated to be provided through a generous donation from an event sponsor and will not be underwritten by the City.
The planning group recognizes the subject matter is ambitious for a one-day event but hopes the discussions will inspire interest in further study. It is anticipated attendees will come and go throughout the day as their schedules allow.
CONCLUSION:
The proposed event promises to be a unique community discussion for residents to celebrate the City’s past while envisioning its future. The event would attempt to create greater awareness of the City’s history and explore future challenges and opportunities. If the City Council approves this as a city-sponsored event, costs of staff support and facility use are estimated to be $2,392.00.