TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Martin Betz, Cultural Arts Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Proposal from the South Bay Boardriders Club to Donate a Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race Bronze Sculpture (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction on the proposal from the South Bay Boardriders Club to donate a Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race bronze sculpture.
Body
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The sculpture and installation costs will be gifted to the City by the South Bay Boardriders Club. Based on previous proposals, the electrical infrastructure, basic concrete work and bicycle rack replacement was estimated at $12,000. However, cost estimates for the concrete work will vary based upon City Council approval on the scope of the project, which may include stairs and an expanded concrete pad. The fabrication, installation and concrete work will be paid for by the South Bay Boardriders Club. If needed, the Club may begin a fundraising campaign to cover all project costs.
Additionally, the City would cover the ongoing maintenance costs for the monument at $1,200 twice annually, for a total of $2,400, including the inspection, photographic documentation, detergent cleaning, and renewal of the wax coating.
BACKGROUND:
On July 11th, 2018, a proposal was made to gift a statue to the City of Manhattan Beach in honor of the Catalina Classic Paddle Board Race. At the October 15, 2018, Cultural Arts Commission meeting, members of the South Bay Boardriders Club presented a comprehensive proposal to locate a sculpture commemorating the beginning of the sport of paddleboarding in Manhattan Beach, and its premier event, the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race.
There is a rich history of this event and it has deep connections to Manhattan Beach. In 1932, Tom Blake wanted to prove and promote his new-patented paddleboards (now under construction by Rogers). Blake convinced Santa Monica Lifeguards, Pete Peterson, Wally Burton and Chauncy Granstrom to train hard and paddle from the Palos Verdes Peninsula to Catalina Island. Blake said he wanted to, “prove the paddleboard was a good rescue device.” His hollow boards were in production from 1932 to the early 1950’s.
In 1955, the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce created and conducted the Manhattan Beach International Paddleboard Race. The 32-mile marathon would start at Isthmus Cove on Catalina Island and finish on the south side of the Manhattan Beach Pier. The Chamber’s goal was to bring positive attention to our growing beach community. The first couple of years, competitors used boards of the hollow Blake design, which had been lent by the Santa Monica Lifeguard Service. All boards were supposed to be the same, but their condition differed. This original event was held five times from 1955 to 1960. The event was cancelled in 1959 due to pier construction and in 1961 due to dangerous ocean conditions. With the death of Cliff Webster, the driving force and biggest promoter of the race, the City fathers decided to abandon the race.
In 1982, LA County Lifeguard Lieutenant, Karl “Buddy” Bohn was approached by the Manhattan Beach Historical Society to find and donate a 1950’s style paddleboard for the museum’s exhibition. While searching for a good example of a racing board, Buddy was convinced by many of the original paddlers to re-start the race. The rules were updated, changing the stock class board length from 14 feet to 12 feet. All else was kept as close to the original race as possible. With the help of friends from the Catalina Channel Swim Federation, they were able to garner valuable advice on the subject of logistics and safety as it related to channel crossings. The race has been held consecutively since 1982 with the tireless help of consistent and committed volunteers.
August 25, 2019, will mark the 41st year of the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race. The event is organized and conducted by the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Association, Inc., a volunteer 501(c)4 non-profit organization. The Association promotes a traditional and original paddleboard race from Catalina Island to the pier of Manhattan Beach. The Catalina Classic is the oldest and most celebrated endurance paddleboard race in the world. This historic 32-mile marathon, which starts at Catalina’s Isthmus cove and ends at the Manhattan Beach Pier, attracts paddlers from all over the world and is known as the “Grand-Daddy of all paddleboard races.”
DISCUSSION:
To honor this important cornerstone of Manhattan Beach history, at the February 26, 2018, and October 15, 2018, Cultural Arts Commission meetings, members of the South Bay Boardriders Club presented proposals to gift to the City, a sculpture commemorating the Catalina Classic Paddle Board Race. The sculpture will be funded exclusively by the South Bay Boardriders. The design and fabrication is being led by a team of South Bay Boardriders members. Artist Cris Barela (77’Mira Costa Graduate) is being retained to fabricate the sculpture.
The location of the sculpture (see attached map) is proposed at the south end of the lower pier parking lot as part of the current stair and bike rack installation (see attached presentation).
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST:
At the February 26, 2018, meeting of the Cultural Arts Commission, a presentation was made by Tom Horton, South Bay Boardriders Club, and Michael Lee, local architect. Mr. Horton explained that they are looking for support for the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race Commemorative Statue. At the October 15, 2018, meeting of the Cultural Arts Commission, members of the South Bay Boardriders Club presented a comprehensive proposal to gift to the City, a sculpture commemorating the Catalina Classic. The Commission unanimously supported the project.
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction on the proposal from the South Bay Boardriders Club to donate a Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race bronze sculpture.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Class 1 categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301- Existing Facilities of the State CEQA Guidelines since project is a minor alteration to the existing parking lot area with the addition of the sculpture outside of the vehicle parking area with no reduction in parking or impacts to circulation. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary.
The project is exempt from the requirements of a Coastal Development Permit in accordance with Section A.96.050B. of the City’s Local Coastal Program since the sculpture project is a minor alteration and addition to the existing parking lot outside of the vehicle parking area with no reduction in parking or impacts to circulation.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
Attachments:
1. Catalina Classic Presentation
2. Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - February 26, 2018
3. Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - October 15, 2018
4. Installation Renderings (Images 1-5)