TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Erick Lee, Public Works Director
Linda Robb, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of a Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding with the LoveMB Foundation (LoveMB) to Identify, Evaluate, and Fundraise for Programs, Facilities, and Projects that Enhance the Quality of Life of the Residents and Community of the City of Manhattan Beach; Consideration of Four Fundraising Projects; and Appointment of a Councilmember to Serve as the City Council Delegate to the LoveMB Board (No Budget Impact) (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
(Estimated Time: 45 Mins.)
A) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-0051
B) APPROVE
C) APPOINT
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 25-0051 approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the LoveMB Foundation (LoveMB) to identify, evaluate, and fundraise for programs, facilities, and projects that enhance the quality of life of the residents and community of the City of Manhattan Beach;
2. Direct staff to explore four fundraising projects; and
3. Appoint a Councilmember to serve as the Council delegate to the LoveMB Board.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications for the recommended actions. Fiscal implications for each fundraising project will be considered by the City Council at future meetings.
BACKGROUND:
The Parks and Recreation Department donation policy was approved by the City Council on June 30, 2020, to generate funds primarily to support the planting of new trees and the addition of park benches and other park amenities. At the January 4, 2021, Joint Commission meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission was instructed to explore a legacy donation program.
At the January 11, 2022, Joint Commission meeting, the City Council discussed concerns with the current donation programs and directed the Commission to explore establishing a park non-profit to potentially replace the existing donation programs. The commission ad-hoc committee met with City administration, MBX (Manhattan Beach Foundation, Inc.) administrators, local and national organizations specializing in procuring funds for municipal improvements, and professionals with experience in private/public fundraising for civic improvements, to gain a better understanding of non-profit operations and structure.
In the past, larger donations to the City have been made through 501(c)(3) corporations established for specific projects, such as installation of the Catalina Classic sculpture and the upcoming renovation of the Manhattan Beach Senior and Scout Community Center.
At the February 6, 2024, City Council meeting, the City Council approved the formation of the LoveMB Foundation and appropriated $50,000 for the first year of operating and establishment expenses. LoveMB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established to receive tax-exempt donations from individuals, business enterprises and other interested parties in order to support and enhance City programs, services, facilities and initiatives. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all residents through strategic investments in a broad range of municipal priorities, including - but not limited to - recreation, public spaces, public safety, the arts, and community health and wellness.
Initially, the concept focused on establishing a non-profit organization specifically to support Parks and Recreation initiatives, including the community pool. However, through further evaluation, it became evident that a broader scope would allow the non-profit to support a wider range of City programs and services, providing greater flexibility and community impact.
The objectives of LoveMB are:
• To educate and promote the benefits of the wide variety of City activities, programs, parks, and open spaces to the community and its residents.
• To collaborate as a public/private partnership with the City on those projects deemed worthy of fundraising. These projects may include renovations, restorations, new construction, services, programming or activities within the City.
• To develop partnerships with individuals, regional/local organizations and enterprises interested in collaborating in service and support of the Manhattan Beach community and LoveMB.
• To pursue new sources of funding, which may include grants and sponsorships.
• To market awareness of LoveMB’s existence as a tax-deductible, simple means by which community members can donate to support projects within Manhattan Beach.
DISCUSSION:
After City Council approved LoveMB at the February 6, 2024 meeting, LoveMB board members began meeting regularly with City staff to develop a comprehensive MOU and identify potential launch projects. Over the course of several months, the City Manager, Public Works Director, Parks and Recreation Director, and City Attorney worked extensively and collaboratively with LoveMB on multiple iterations of the MOU. This included numerous review sessions, detailed feedback exchanges, and revisions to ensure the MOU properly addressed the partnership and process for project implementation and approval. The high level of engagement from senior City leadership underscores the City’s commitment to a strong, transparent partnership and a successful program launch.
Separately, LoveMB board members have officially filed paperwork with the State of California to receive tax exempt status, established a bank account, secured insurance, and enlisted legal, financial, and communications expertise to prepare for ongoing operations, fundraising and marketing.
The MOU articulates the partnership between the City of Manhattan Beach and LoveMB. The MOU provides for a staff liaison to work directly with LoveMB, collaborative cross marketing and communications, provides the City sole authority for project approval, provides for ownership and maintenance of all projects by the City, annual reporting of finances from LoveMB, a three-year MOU initial term and project approval process, and identifies a City Council delegate.
Per the draft MOU, project identification and approval will follow a process beginning with notification from each party of project proposals within 30 days. LoveMB and City staff will meet for project feasibility discussions, receive recommendations from the City Council delegate (for which staff is requesting an appointment), introduce the item at a future City Council agenda, receive a second vote for the item to return, receive support from a third Councilmember needed to agendize the item, and finally staff will present the item for full City Council consideration.
If approved by LoveMB and City Council, it becomes an “Approved Project.” The approved project implementation process includes collaborative marketing through established communication teams. The City will be responsible for project planning, oversight, completion of the project and accounting of funds while LoveMB will be responsible for fundraising.
For each Approved Project, LoveMB will maintain the fundraised monies in its bank account and be responsible for accounting of those funds. Once the funding goal is achieved by both the City and LoveMB, and the project is set to begin, LoveMB will transfer funds to the City.
In the event that insufficient funds are raised to carry out a specific Approved Project, or a specific Approved Project is not completed for any reason, the City Council may, following consultation with and approval by LoveMB, abandon and/or reallocate the funds to other Approved Projects.
The four projects requested by LoveMB for City Council consideration to launch their fundraising efforts are the following:
1. Security Camera Trailer ($100,000)
• The Police Department currently has two rapid-deployment surveillance camera trailers in its toolkit: one leased and one purchased. These camera trailers are equipped with two-way speakers, floodlights, thermal and optical cameras, live-streaming capabilities, and solar batteries that can power the trailer for several weeks. The camera trailers can be deployed to monitor crowds and security threats at special events, or in problem areas for investigative and/or deterrent purposes. Acquiring additional camera trailers would enhance the Police Department’s ability to protect and serve the community.
2. Dog Bone Benches ($4,000)
• The recently renovated dog run at Polliwog Park currently has two dog bone benches, which are a favorite amenity among patrons. Two additional benches may be added on the south side of the dog run for additional seating.
3. Pour in Place Playground Surfacing ($250,000)
• Plans are in place to provide resilient rubberized surfacing for upper Polliwog Park and Marine Avenue Park, replacing the rubber mulch that is currently in place. The new surfacing will provide ADA access, remove the rubber pieces that continue to spill out of the play areas, and provide a smooth, aesthetically pleasing surface.
4. Veterans Parkway (Mariposa) Fitness Station ($300,000)
• The fitness station on Veterans Parkway is in need of replacement, but costs have escalated significantly to meet the planning and permitting requirements and ADA access requirements at the current site. LoveMB is interested in a partnership with the MB10K to move this project forward.
• $200,000 is available in FY 2028 in the CIP Fund for this project.
Benefits provided by LoveMB to the community include: tax exempt status, the ability to fund and expedite Capital Improvement Projects, allow for purchases that would be infeasible without external funding, provide public private collaboration, community engagement and trust, and possible grant opportunities.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 25-0051 approving the Memorandum of Understanding with the LoveMB Foundation to identify, evaluate, and fundraise for programs, facilities, and projects that enhance the quality of life of the residents and community of the City of Manhattan Beach;
2. Direct staff to explore four fundraising projects; and
3. Appoint a Councilmember as the City Council Representative to the LoveMB Board. With this appointment, staff will amend City Council assignments as needed and will not need to bring the matter back to the City Council for further approval.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Development of the LoveMB Foundation was discussed at multiple Parks and Recreation Commission meetings from 2021-2024, and at the City Council Meeting on February 6, 2024. Furthermore, it was included on the agenda for the May 20, 2025 meeting, which was posted in accordance with applicable law.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary. However, each Council approved LoveMB project will be subject to CEQA review and assessed individually.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has approved the agreement as to form.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 25-0051
2. Memorandum of Understanding - LoveMB Foundation
3. PowerPoint Presentation