2025-06-24 Arts and Cultural Advisory MinutesREGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF THE EL SEGUNDO ARTS AND CULTURE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025
CALL TO ORDER — Chairperson Pickhaver called the meeting to order at 5:33
pm
ROLL CALL
Chairperson Pickhaver
Vice Chairperson Palmer
Member Bart
Member Burrell
Member Carroll
Member Haffley
Member Kennedy
Member Leach
Member Losasso
Member Mitchell
Member Schepps
- Present
- Present
- Absent
- Present
- Absent
- Present
- Absent (Arrived at 6:15 pm)
- Absent
- Present
- Present
- Present
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS — (Related to City Business Only — 5-minute limit
per person, 30-minute limit total)
None
A. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. MOTION by Vice Chairperson Palmer, SECONDED by Member Burrell,
approving Regular and Special Committee Meeting minutes of May 27, 2025,
MOTION PASSED. 7/0
B. NEW BUSINESS
2. Method Fest Film Festival Presentation
Don Franken, Director of the Method Fest Film Festival, presented the
Method Fest Film Festival Presentation. Director of Recreation, Parks, and
Library Aly Mancini inquired whether each activity would take place within the
city, the level of sponsorship being requested, and what specific support Mr.
Franken was asking from the committee. Committee members asked
questions regarding the festival being currently active, if the films presented
are original to the festival, and the film selection process. Member Schepps
suggested the possibility of including a reference to El Segundo in its
branding. Mr. Franken provided additional information.
Vice Chairperson Palmer expressed confusion about whether Mr. Franken
was asking the city to serve as a host or a sponsor. Council Member Michelle
Keldorf raised concerns regarding potential budget overruns related to the
venue. Director Mancini recommended placing the item on a future agenda to
EL SEGUNDO ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 24, 2025
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give Mr. Franken time to gather the necessary data for City Council review
and approval. Member Schepps suggested forming a working group for the
Film Festival. Chairperson Pickhaver and Member Mitchell volunteered to
participate in the working group.
3. Art Walk Update (Item moved after B5)
Chairperson Pickhaver provided the Art Walk update on behalf of John
McCullough. Vice Chairperson Palmer asked if any committee members
would be interested in volunteering as informational representatives during
the event. She also noted ongoing issues with vendor coordination and
insurance requirements. Member Losasso inquired whether the tour vehicles
had been arranged. Director Mancini provided additional information.
Member Losasso highlighted the contribution that Cali Smash is bringing to
the Art Walk and mentioned the need for an AR placard for the library.
Director Mancini asked whether the library would be included as a stop in this
year's event, noting that last year's Cultural Arts Coordinator had expressed
disappointment due to low attendance at the library, which negatively
impacted the participating artists. Chairperson Pickhaver and Member
Losasso provided additional information.
4. Women's Club Grant Application and Presentation
Linda Darna, President of the El Segundo Women's Club, presented the
Women's Club Grant Application and Presentation requesting a grant to
restore the historic Clubhouse. Member Haffley asked if they have met their
overall goal and raised concerns of the amount requested being too low. Ms.
Darna provided additional information.
MOTION by Member Haffley, SECONDED by Chairperson Pickhaver,
approving the Women's Club Grant Application and request for funding up to
$1,000, MOTION PASSED. 7/0 (Member Burrell recused herself from the
vote due to her affiliation with the Women's Club).
5. Plunge Mosaic Art
Recreation Supervisor of Aquatics Joseph Lormans presented the Plunge
Mosaic Art presentation. Committee members asked questions regarding the
mural's proposed location, whether it would be made from tile, the potential
inclusion of a tribute to Coach Saari, the possibility of the site being
designated a national historic place, and the primary purpose of the Plunge.
Director Mancini and Recreation Supervisor Lormans provided additional
information.
Committee members expressed concerns that the proposed artwork did not
adequately reflect the historic significance of the Plunge and offered feedback
accordingly. Council member Keldorf inquired about the specific concerns
that prompted the project to be brought before the ACC. Member Haffley
provided additional information.
EL SEGUNDO ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
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The committee agreed that revisions should be made to designs one and
three. Recreation Supervisor Lormans outlined the next steps in the process.
6. Appoint ACC Member to City's Major Events Ad Hoc Committee (Item Moved
before 83)
Director of Community Development, Michael Allen, spoke about the Major
Events Ad Hoc Committee and the appointment of an ACC member to serve
on it. Member Schepps inquired about the frequency of the committee
meetings. Director Allen provided additional information.
The Committee appointed Member Schepps as Primary and Chairperson
Pickhaver as Alternate to the Major Events Ad Hoc Committee.
7. Debrief of Joint Meeting of DEI and ACC
Chairperson Pickhaver provided a debrief of the joint meeting between DEI
and ACC. Member Mitchell expressed support for the collaboration.
C. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8. Staffing Update
Director Mancini provided the staffing update noting that interviews for the
Cultural Arts Coordinator position are expected to begin in three weeks. She
shared that there are many applicants thus far and mentioned meeting a
resident during the Ice Cream with the Director event who expressed interest
in applying for the position.
D. REPORTS — BUDGET & INITIATIVE COMMITTEE
I0=
E. REPORTS - SUBCOMMITTEES
Member Schepps reported that the El Segundo Music Festival Subcommittee is
currently on hold pending the hiring of a Cultural Arts Coordinator.
Chairperson Pickhaver announced that the next Park Renovation Subcommittee
meeting is scheduled for June 26t"
F. REPORTS — RECREATIONS, PARKS, AND LIBRARY DIRECTOR
Director Mancini introduced the new Senior Administrative Specialist Viviann
Gonzalez to the committee.
G. REPORTS — COMMITTEE MEMBERS
EL SEGUNDO ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 24, 2025
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Member Schepps thanked Member Losasso for organizing the Art Walk
Subcommittee meetings.
Chairperson Pickhaver announced that GUNDO Pride 2025 is scheduled for
June 29t" and expressed appreciation to the committee for their contributions in
helping make the event possible.
H. REPORTS — COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON
Council Member Keldorf announced the reappointment of Chairperson Pickhaver
and Member Schepps.
Adjourned at 7:32 PM
Viviann Gonzalez, Senior Administrative Specialist
EL SEGUNDO ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 24, 2025
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