TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, Acting City Manager
FROM:
Erick Lee, Public Works Director
Katherine Doherty, City Engineer
Ken Rosenfield, Consultant Project Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Information Related to the Wayfinding Phase I Vehicle Parking and Pedestrian Sign Improvement Project (Public Works Director Lee).
RECEIVE AND FILE
Body
_________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council consider information related to the Wayfinding Phase I Vehicle Parking and Pedestrian Sign Improvement (Wayfinding Phase I) Project.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
On October 3, 2017, upon consideration of three design themes for the Signage and Wayfinding Master Plan (Master Plan), the City Council selected the “Beach Classic” design theme, including the driftwood pattern and color for sign background imagery.
On November 19, 2019, City Council approved the Master Plan and appropriated funds for a Phase I Project.
On July 18, 2023, City Council discussed and directed certain revisions to the Master Plan relative to the Font, Pier Symbol and Blue Color for signage, and approved the addition of the Business Directory Signs in the Phase I Project.
On March 19, 2024, City Council authorized the Phase I Project to be advertised for construction bids, and on July 16, 2024, City Council awarded a construction agreement to Square Signs LLC for this project.
On August 20, 2024, a presentation to City Council provided updates to the Master Plan. The City Council directed the following:
1) Monument Signs/City Identity Signs A01: Do not utilize vertical monument signs and return at a future City Council meeting with an example similar to the City identity sign at the northwest corner of Artesia Boulevard and Aviation Boulevard, a horizontal sign.
2) Street Identity Overhead Signs A03: Utilize illuminated double-sided white signs, with black Spartan MB font and the color logo; and return at a future City Council meeting with an example showcasing the sign with the addition of block numbers.
3) Street Identity Post Mounted Signs A04: Utilize blue signs, with the full color logo without text, remove the wave that exists on current signs, keep “Manhattan Beach” to the right of the logo, and include block numbers.
4) Freestanding Parking Identity Signs A05: Return at a future City Council meeting with a mockup of the sign with a white background and provide other background color options.
5) Vehicle Direction Signs B01: Return at a future City Council meeting with mockups of the sign with a white background and a larger parking symbol in the following sizes: 6’x3’-3” and 3’-6”x3’-3”. Abbreviated destination names on the smaller sign are acceptable.
DISCUSSION:
The August 20, 2024 City Council discussion regarding the Master Plan included City Council concern with the driftwood sign background pattern and color. The Wayfinding Phase I plans and specifications approved by City Council on March 19, 2024 include some signs with the driftwood sign background pattern and color. The signs that have the driftwood background are:
• 26 each A12 Parking Identity Signs on Posts
• 20 each B07 Parking Direction Signs on Light Poles
• 4 each C01A Pedestrian Business Directory - Downtown
• 3 each C01B Pedestrian Business Directory - North
Attachment 1 illustrates the A12 Parking Identity Signs in both the current driftwood pattern and plain white. Staff has consulted the Downtown Business and Professionals Association (DBPA) about this issue. The DBPA has indicated a preference of the plain white background.
It is noted that the Federal Highway Administration Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices provides direction on sign colors as follows:
• Black on White: Regulation
• Blue: Road user services guidance, tourist information, and evacuation route
• Brown: Recreational and cultural interest area guidance
• Fluorescent Pink: Incident management
• Red, white, and black: Used for regulatory signs such as STOP and YIELD signs
A full presentation of the other open items associated with the Master Plan will be brought back at future meetings.
CONCLUSION:
The Phase I Project is currently in the pre-construction submittal phase, which will be followed by production of signage. Installation of signage is anticipated to begin in late October and continue into November 2024. Staff is proceeding with the Project per the approved plans and specifications, which includes the driftwood background, unless further direction is provided by City Council at this time.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Extensive public outreach, consisting of online surveys, email surveys, community member interviews, multiple City Council meeting agenda items, multiple Commission meetings and Business Community meetings were held spanning June 2015 to May 2018, leading to the approval of the Signage and Wayfinding Master Plan.
Public outreach activities related to the proposed business directories were conducted through “look and see” events in conjunction with the DBPA on July 11, 2023, and the North Manhattan Beach Business Improvement District on July 15, 2023. Notice of the events was provided through the City’s social media and postcards.
Targeted outreach will occur before the start of construction for residents and businesses located near and/or adjacent to construction activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the Project and associated contract for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Staff has determined that the Project qualifies for a Class 1 categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301(c), which exempts the operation, repair, maintenance, and permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public structures involving negligible expansion of existing or former use. The Project consists of placement of new signage and replacement of existing signage on which is a negligible expansion of the existing use (public streets and sidewalks). Therefore, the Project is exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. A12 Parking Identity Signs in Driftwood and Plain White
2. Location Map