TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Eric Brinkman, Senior Recreation Supervisor
Linda Robb, Management Analyst
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of the Cultural Arts Commission Recommendations for Utility Box Beautification Project Artwork Proposals and Locations and Allocation of $37,474 from the Public Arts Fund (Not Budgeted) (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
A) APPROVE
B) ALLOCATE FUNDS
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the Cultural Arts Commission’s recommended locations and artworks for Phase III of the Utility Box Beautification Project.
2. Allocate $37,474 from the Public Arts Fund (PAF) for project implementation.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
If approved, $37,474 will be allocated from the PAF. The PAF Ordinance became effective December 18, 2002. It set aside a 1% development fee on residential developments of four or more units, and every commercial and industrial building project with building valuation exceeding $500,000. The funds are restricted to public art projects. The PAF fund balance is $1,668,000, with $848,000 in allocated funds and $820,000 in unallocated funds.
BACKGROUND:
Launched in 2018, Phase I of the Utility Box Beautification Program installed 11 artworks by South Bay residents on utility boxes throughout the City in 2019.
The City Council directed the Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) to develop a work plan that included Phase II of the Utility Box Beautification Program on March 7, 2023. Phase II, completed in January 2024, installed 18 artworks at 12 utility box locations with an allocated budget of $38,400.
The completed boxes from Phases I and II have been well received by the community and have held up effectively to weather and environmental conditions, further demonstrating the sustainability and value of the project. The artworks have become recognizable neighborhood landmarks, and their visibility has sparked continued requests from residents, businesses, and community organizations for additional installations in new areas. Building on this momentum and responding directly to community feedback, Phase III is proposed to expand the program even further. This phase will include 20 utility boxes, strategically selected along high-traffic corridors, in the Downtown area, and near schools, parks, City Hall, and the Manhattan Beach Library.
At the January 16, 2024, City Council meeting, staff were directed to pursue Phase III of the project. Councilmember Franklin made a motion to expand outreach to LA County youth, which was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Howorth. Staff engaged with the LA County Arts Commission, LA County Arts Education Collective, LA Promise Fund, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, and the Los Angeles Unified School District. The outreach resulted in 40 total youth applications with 6 artists applying from the greater Los Angeles area.
Staff released and promoted a Request for Proposals (RFP) in February 2025, which closed on March 31, 2025. The CAC reviewed submissions on April 21, 2025, and selected 10 adult artists and 10 youth artists for this phase. The Cultural Arts Commission prioritized beach-themed artworks that thoughtfully balance artistic expression with the goal of welcoming visitors and highlighting the distinctive beauty of our community.
DISCUSSION:
Phase III of the Utility Box Beautification Project continues to enhance the visual environment of Manhattan Beach while supporting local and regional artistic expression. The CAC, with input from community members, identified twenty proposed locations for new artwork by focusing on several main thoroughfares of the City as well as areas of high traffic and visibility.
Proposed Locations
1. 2nd St & Sepulveda - near Debonair Cleaners
2. 15th St & Valley Drive - across from Fire Station
3. 14th St & Highland Ave - SW Side, across from Library
4. 11th Place & Highland Ave - South Side
5. Manhattan Beach Blvd & Manhattan Ave - SE Corner, by Creamery
6. Manhattan Beach Blvd & Ocean Drive - SW Side, next to Parking Lot
7. Manhattan Beach Blvd & Morningside Drive - SE Side
8. Pacific Ave & Manhattan Beach Blvd - NE Corner, near Pacific Elementary
9. Poinsettia Ave & Manhattan Beach Blvd - SE Side, in front of Church
10. Marine Ave & Highland - SW Side, 76 Station
11. Highland Ave, Between Rosecrans & 38th St - East Side
12. 1020 Manhattan Beach Blvd
13. 8th St & Sepulveda
14. Manhattan Beach Blvd & Peck Ave - NW Corner
15. Peck Ave & Artesia Blvd - NW Corner
16. Artesia Blvd & Sepulveda
17. Marine Ave & N. Meadows Ave - SW Corner
18. Marine Ave & N. Peck Ave - SW Corner
19. Marine Ave between Pacific Ave & John St - South Side
20. Manhattan Beach Blvd & Pacific Ave - NW Corner
Process Overview
1. Artists selected via a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process.
2. The CAC reviewed 90 adult applications and 40 youth applications and selected 20 finalists.
3. Artists will work with a vinyl installer to optimize designs for production.
4. Designs will be fabricated as vinyl wraps, tailored to the specific box dimensions.
5. Installation will be completed under the supervision of the Cultural Arts Division and Public Works staff.
Timeline
If approved, artists will begin collaborating with the vinyl installer immediately to prepare their designs for fabrication and installation. A phased installation schedule will be coordinated with the vendor, with the first boxes expected to be installed in late November 2025 and concluding in February 2026.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The Request for Proposals (RFP) was distributed to artists throughout the Beach Cities and greater Los Angeles area. Outreach included:
• Distribution to South Bay Artist Collective, FOLA, Redondo Beach Friends of the Arts, and Friends of the Manhattan Beach Art Center.
• Advertisement in the Easy Reader newspaper.
• Promotion via City and Cultural Arts social media channels and the City website.
• Inclusion in the Manhattan Beach Art Center electronic newsletter.
• Advertising also went out to Mira Costa High School, Mira Costa Booster’s Club, MB Middle School, Grandview Elementary, Meadows Elementary, Pacific Elementary, Pennekamp Elementary, and Robinson Elementary.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed utility box beautification project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (the “common sense” exemption) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the agreement is exempt from CEQA. Additionally, the project qualifies for a categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the State CEQA Guidelines, given that the project consists of minor alterations of existing private or public mechanical equipment, with negligible or no expansion of use. Furthermore, there are no features that distinguish this project from others in the exempt class; therefore, there are no unusual circumstances.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Utility Box Locations
2. Utility Box Artwork
4. Artist Agreement
5. Vendor Agreement