TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Eve Kelso, Recreation Services Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Resolution No. 19-0003 Renewal of License Agreement for the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden Between the City of Manhattan Beach and the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden Nonprofit Corporation (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 19-0003
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commended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the renewal of the license agreement for the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden between the City of Manhattan Beach and the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden nonprofit corporation.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
The Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden (MBBG) nonprofit corporation has maintained the 2/3-acre parcel of land on the west end of Polliwog Park since 1992. MBBG is a nonprofit public education organization dedicated to promoting Earth-friendly gardening techniques, encouraging the use of drought-tolerant plants including California natives, and conserving our natural resources. Their mission is to promote Earth-friendly gardening for the conservation of water, wildlife and the well-being of our community. The last agreement was created in 2011 and will expire this year. Polliwog Park is owned by the Manhattan Beach School District and leased to the City under an existing agreement until June 30, 2024.
DISCUSSION:
This seven-year agreement shall continue through the 31st day of January, 2026, at which time the City and MBBG may review the existing agreement, and renew or modify the agreement as appropriate. The current term concludes two months prior to the expiration of the Polliwog Park lease agreement with the school district.
The MBBG continues to maintain and enhance the area, as well as act as a resource to the community. Eleven years ago after receiving a grant from West Basin Water District, MBBG designed seven interpretive signs and installed them throughout the garden. Since then, thousands of visitors annually have enjoyed a free self-guided educational tour on topics such as water conservation, creating a wildlife habitat, and composting in the home landscape.
The organization’s mission of resource conservation education has more recently focused on two areas: capital improvements to the garden, and community outreach. Improvements have included covering the decomposed granite paths with bricks to prevent erosion following heavy rains, and replacing the garden’s chain link perimeter fence with an attractive and biodegradable split-rail fence. Also, a Gold Scout project provided a succulent garden to one area of the garden and an Eagle Scout project provided a meditation deck to another.
A pond-less waterfall was installed to attract wildlife and provide them a place to bathe and drink. Over 130 different species of birds, some rare, have been documented since its installation. Native bunch grasses were planted around it to demonstrate a no-mow alternative to water guzzling, energy intensive traditional lawn. Most recently, a new tool shed has been in the making. It will use solar energy and demonstrate rainwater capture and containment. All improvements have used skilled volunteer labor with funds totaling more than $150,000 over the last 10 years, obtained through community donations, membership dues, and fundraising.
Outreach has focused on two areas, the local community and the garden located in Polliwog Park. MBBG has provided consultation around town for satellite Earth-friendly gardens such as the Leadership Manhattan Beach downtown post office garden, several Strand gardens, the garden at the lifeguard station on 26th and the Strand, the Downtown Gateway Gardens on Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Valley/Ardmore, and the landscaping around City Hall. Also, MBBG worked with the City to establish our local dune native, Beach Primrose, as the Official City Flower of Manhattan Beach.
In addition, the organization created an educational website and has hosted free classes each spring and fall related to sustainable gardening, such as “Replacing Your Lawn,” “Tree Trimming,” Drought Tolerant Fruit Trees” and “Composting.” MBBG board members have served on past and present environmental task forces. At the garden in Polliwog Park, outreach has been successful in recruiting hundreds of volunteers including groups of El Camino College students, scouts, seniors, Easter Seals adults, and many other individuals either needing volunteer hours or just wanting to help out.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST:
Staff determined that public outreach was not required for this issue.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
Attachment/Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 19-0003
2. Agreement - Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden