2025-09-23 Arts and Culture Advisory Minutes
REGULARMEETING MINUTES OF THE EL SEGUNDOARTS AND CULTURE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TUESDAY,SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
CALL TO ORDER–Chairperson Pickhaver called the meeting to order at 5:34
pm
ROLL CALL
Chairperson Pickhaver- Present
ViceChairperson Palmer - Present
MemberBart - Absent
Member Burrell - Absent
Member Carroll - Absent
Member Haffley - Present
Member Kennedy - Present
Member Leach - Present
Member Losasso - Absent (Arrived at 5:41 pm)
Member Mitchell - Present
Member Schepps - Present
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – (Related to City Business Only – 5-minute limit
per person, 30-minute limit total)
Barbara Bolland, President of the El Segundo Blue Butterfly Conservancy,
provided public comment to follow up on the El Segundo Blue Butterfly Book and
announced the upcoming Hillside Maintenance event scheduled for Saturday,
th
September 27from 9 am to 11 am.
A. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1.MOTION by Vice Chairperson Palmer,SECONDED by Member Leach,
approving RegularMeetingminutes of August 26,2025,MOTION PASSED.
6/0.Member Kennedy abstained as she was not present atthe meeting.
B. NEW BUSINESS
2. November and December Meeting Dates (Moved after Item B10)
Chairperson Pickhaver led the discussion on the November and December
meeting dates. He proposed cancelling the November meeting and holding a
Special Meeting in early December, following the precedent set the previous
year.
MOTION by Chairperson Pickhaver, SECONDED by Vice Chairperson
Palmer, approving to cancel the November meeting and holding a Special
Meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, MOTION PASSED. 8/0.
3.Plunge Historical Display Working Group (Movedafter Item B4)
EL SEGUNDO ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
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AquaticsManager Joseph Lormans led the discussionof the Plunge
Historical Display Working Group. He shared that he had spoken with
Member Burrell who expressed interest in joining and assisting with the
project. Committee members inquired about the timeline for completing the
display and how many committee members would be needed for the working
group. Aquatics Manager Lormans provided additional information.
MOTION by Member Haffley, SECONDED by Vice Chairperson Palmer,
approving to recommend Member Burrell and Member Leach to serve on the
Historical Display Working Group, MOTION PASSED. 8/0
4. Center Street Talent Show (Moved before Item B2)
Whitney and Melissa led the discussion on the proposed Center Street Talent
Show. They suggested partnering to host a citywide event modeled after
Torrance’s South Bay’s Got Talent. Committee members raised questions
regarding whether this new event would replace existing school talent shows,
if the Torrance event is a show or a competition, whether it is organized by a
professional entity, whether funding would be requested, and whether adults
would be eligible to participate. Whitney and Melissa provided additional
information. They agreed to first consult with the PTA Council first before
moving forward with any plans.
5. Frolic Art Funding Request (Moved after Item B9)
Director of Recreation, Parks, and Library Aly Mancini presented the Frolic Art
Funding Request.
MOTION by Member Schepps, SECONDED by Member Losasso, approving
the Frolic Art Funding Request for up to $1,000.00, MOTION PASSED. 8/0.
6. Joy Around the World (Moved after Item B3)
Recreation Manager Linnea Palmer led the discussion on the upcoming Joy
Around the World event and requested feedback from the committee.
Committee members provided their input and raised questions about how the
event would recognize and represent the various holidays. Recreation
Manager Palmer and Director Mancini provided additional information.
7. Agenda Items (Moved after Item B5)
Chairperson Pickhaver led the discussion on agenda items. Director Mancini
clarified that, per City Council direction, committees are not permitted to call
joint meetings. She further explained that if a member wishes to add an item
to a future agenda, it must be brought up during committee member
comments and receive majority support from the committee. Additionally, the
Council Liaison is required to participate in the Governance meetings where
the agenda is finalized.
8.United Against Hate Week Funding Request
EL SEGUNDO ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
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Director Mancinipresentedafundingrequest in support of a cultural activity
for theupcoming United Against Hate Weekevent.
MOTION by Vice Chairperson Pickhaver, SECONDED by Member Kennedy,
approving the United Against Hate Week funding requestin the amount of
$500.00, MOTION PASSED. 8/0.
C. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
9.Staffing Update (Moved after Item B2)
Director Mancini provided a staffing update, announcing that a new Cultural
Arts Coordinator has been hired and will begin working with the city on
th
October 20. She also shared that she plans to go before the City Council
soon to request the addition of a new position: Administrative Services
Manager.
Council Member Michelle Keldorf announced the recent hiring of a
Communications Manager, a Management Analyst, and an Emergency
Operations Coordinator.
10. El Segundo Blue Butterfly Children’s Book Funding Request (Moved after
Item B6)
Chairperson Pickhaver led the discussion regarding the funding request for
the El Segundo Blue Butterfly Children’s Book. Committee members asked
questions about the distribution plan, the cost per book, and what would be
done with any remaining copies. Barbara Bolland provided additional
information.
Director Mancini raised a concern about the potential for book sales to
generate more revenue than the amount awarded through the grant. She
noted that this could present legal considerations and stated she would
consult with the City Attorney to determine whether the grant would need to
be repaid if proceeds exceed the original funding amount.
MOTION by Vice Chairperson Palmer, SECONDED by Member Mitchell,
approving to grant the El Segundo Blue Butterfly Children’s Book funding
request for up to $3,600.00, pending review and approval by the City
Attorney, MOTION PASSED. 8/0.
D.REPORTS – BUDGET & INITIATIVECOMMITTEE
Director Mancini provided an update on the committee’s budget. Committee
members inquired about the budget for the Festival of Holidays and thestatus of
theArt Walk reimbursement. Director Mancini provided additional information
and noted that the committee will need to begin preparing the budget for the
upcoming fiscal year.
E. REPORTS - SUBCOMMITTEES
EL SEGUNDO ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
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Member Schepps reportedthat the El Segundo Music Festival Subcommitteeis
currently on hold.
Member Kennedy volunteered to jointheGrants Review Subcommittee. Director
Mancininotedthat she plans to schedulea meetingwith the City Attorney to
review and clarifythe grants regulations.
Chairperson Pickhaver announcedthat the Park Renovation Subcommittee
th
meetingis scheduled for September 25.
F. REPORTS – RECREATIONS, PARKS, AND LIBRARY DIRECTOR
DirectorMancini shared thatshe wouldcontinueattendingcommittee meetings
followingthe arrival of the newCultural Arts Coordinatorbut noted that she plans
to step back once the new coordinatoris comfortable leadingthe meetings
independently. She also extended wishes fora Shanah Tovah and
recommended to avoidscheduling next year’s meetingduring Rosh Hashanah.
G. REPORTS – COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Vice ChairpersonPalmer sharedthatshe attended the “Creative Economy - El
Segundo and Beyond” panel discussion. She highlighted several key takeaways
from the event and noted that thecommitteereceiveda shoutout fromPreston
LewisofWarner Brothersduring the panel.
Member Haffley notedthat the paneldiscussion was well received and
suggested it could become an annualevent.
Member Losasso apologized for arriving late.
Member Schepps expressed concerns thatthe Center Street Talent Showmight
become overlyprofessionaland potentially diminishingthefunfor children. He
also mentioned uncertainty regarding what Whitney and Melissa were requesting
from the ACC.
Chairperson Pickhaver expressedenthusiasmabout welcomingthe new Cultural
Arts Coordinator.
H.REPORTS – COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON
None
Adjourned at 7:29PM
______________________________
Viviann Gonzalez, SeniorAdministrativeSpecialistII
EL SEGUNDO ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORYCOMMITTEEMEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
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