TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Mark Danaj, City Manager
FROM:
Robert D. Espinosa, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:Title
Leadership Manhattan Beach's Pier Telescope Replacement Project Alternative Location of New Device (Continued From the 4-7-15 City Council Meeting) (Fire Chief Espinosa).
APPROVE
Line
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Leadership Manhattan Beach's alternate binocular telescope location near the Manhattan Beach Pier Comfort Station (bathroom/shower facility) for the group's 2015 community project.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Leadership Manhattan Beach's class of 2015 raised enough money to replace the two telescopes on the pier and purchase two additional binocular telescopes that will be located in proximity of the pier. The coin-operated device cost users 25 cents for approximately 90 seconds of viewing. The two telescopes on the pier generate approximately $2,000 per year. It is expected the two additional devices will return the same. Revenue received from use of the devices is used for care and repair of the telescopes and other pier maintenance.
BACKGROUND:
The Manhattan Beach Leadership is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop and unite community leaders. Since 1992, each year a class has developed and completed a project for the benefit of the community. The deadline for the class project is May 6,2015. Class of 2015's mission statement is to enhance the Manhattan Beach pier as the place where the community and visitors can be inspired by the scenic beauty of the South Bay.
The original planned locations were approved by City Council on February 17, 2015 (staff report 15-0093).The locations of the two telescopes were in the upper Strand parking lots. These sites are dedicated to art pieces. So not to interfere with artwork, the device in the north upper Strand parking lot can be located 15' south. This spot will not impede pedestrian traffic. The south upper Strand parking lot cannot accommodate a telescope and maintain the required width of the sidewalk for pedestrians. The alternate proposed location for this device is north of the pier near the bathroom and shower facility.
The new locations will offer vistas and views similar to the first planned locations. These devices will have "stops" that prevent users from turning the devices towards nearby Strand homes. The manufacturer does not have an option for limiting vertical rotation to prevent viewing individuals on the sand.
At the February 17, 2015 city council meeting, staff was directed to submit the educational panels design and content to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Staff and the Manhattan Beach Leadership 2015 project leader presented conceptual designs and content to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commission requested staff bring back more detailed content and design to a future Parks and Recreation Commission meeting for review and approval. Prior to the March Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the 2015 Leadership project executive board and all project sub-committees reviewed and approved educational panels.
On March 23rd, 2015 staff, the Leadership project leader, and education panels design team leader presented three designs and five content options to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The commissioners commented and recommended one format design and chose four of the five content language options for the panel story boards. A Parks and Recreation commissioner offered and performed a copy edit of the panel language for grammatical, spelling, punctuation, and readability. The Commission asked the group to have local historians review the panels for accuracy. Jan Dennis and Gary McAulay reviewed the four panels' information and made comments. Many, but not all of these comments were incorporated into the story boards before Leadership sent them to the vendor for production. On April 7, 2015 the Leadership group contacted the panel vendor and halted production until the panels, by City Council direction, can be reviewed by City Council.
If approved, the education panels will be delivered and installed after the project deadline and after the May 9, 2015 ribbon cutting ceremony.
The two new locations do not require state or county approval.
DISCUSSION:
When the first telescope sites were considered, it was not known the ground and surroundings were art locations. Commissioned by the City in 1994, Beyond This Point Lies the Rest of the World by artist Roberto Salas includes the railing design and floor surface insets.
Staff surveyed other areas for alternative locations. The north lot telescope can be moved 15' to the south of the original location, near the corner railing. The second device can be placed along the west rail near the pier's comfort station (shower and restroom facility north of the pier). The device can be positioned so as not to interfere with pedestrian traffic and stairway access to and from the beach.
ALTERNATIVE #1:
Along or near the Strand sidewalk
PROS:
Locations along the Strand walkway offer users an abundance of potential great vistas, views of sea life and ocean recreational activities.
CONS:
Locations along the Strand walkway require additional ground and site modifications not within the project budget or do not accommodate the project completion timeline.
Alternative #2: Adjacent to the bike path south of the pier
PROS:
Like the locations along the Strand walkway, this site offer users an abundance of potential great vistas and views of sea life and ocean recreational activities.
CONS:
Locations adjacent to the bike path require additional ground and site modifications not within the project budget or do not accommodate the project completion timeline. Additionally, bike path locations have the hazard of having to cross the active bike path. This can be especially dangerous for small children and the riders on the bike path.
Alternative #3: The end of the pier
PROS:
Like the other locations, this offers users an abundance of potential great vistas and views of sea life and ocean recreational activities.
CONS:
Additional telescopes on the pier would require full Coastal Commission permits that, if approved, would not allow time for installation of the telescopes or panels before the May 6, 2015 deadline. The site could possibly interfere with fishers and could be easily vandalized due to the remote location from the public.
CONCLUSION:
Moving the telescopes to the alternate location will offer great views of the pier, ocean, beach, and the surrounding environment. The new locations are situated to enhance the public's experience when visiting the City of Manhattan Beach and the Pier.
Attachments
1. Alternative Pier Locations
2. Four Panels April 6 Layout Proof