To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO INCLUDE AN LGBTQ-THEMED ART SCULPTURE IN THE ARTESIA BOULEVARD STRATEGIC ART PLAN
PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF ON THE PROPOSED SCOPE OF THE LGBTQ-THEMED ART PROJECT
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On December 16, 2025, the City Council reviewed and approved the Artesia Boulevard Strategic Art Plan and provided direction on several components related to the implementation of Phase I. As part of that discussion, the Cultural Arts Commission’s recommendation to include an LGBTQ-themed sculpture near the North Branch Library was also presented for Council consideration. Following the discussion, as part of a broad set of motions tied to the overall Plan, the Council directed staff to survey the community regarding the LGBTQ-themed project.
During the survey process, staff encountered two primary challenges. First, the online survey was significantly impacted by automated responses, resulting in a high volume of duplicative submissions within short timeframes, limiting the reliability of the data collected. Second, staff encountered challenges in clearly defining and articulating the intended scope of the LGBTQ-themed project and the associated survey. As such, staff is seeking clarification and more definitive direction regarding the Commission-recommended LGBTQ-themed project at the North Branch Library.
BACKGROUND
The direction provided by the City Council on December 16, 2025 regarding the Cultural Arts Commission’s recommendation to include an LGBTQ-themed sculpture near the North Branch Library was provided as part of a broad Council motion covering several projects proposed in the Artesia Boulevard Strategic Art Plan that were discussed concurrently and displayed together on the screen in the Council Chambers as follows:
Additionally, the final motion included direction for staff to bring forward a Resolution to amend the budget to include $35,000 in funding to support the proposed LGBTQ-themed sculpture near the North Branch Library. During Council discussion, Councilmembers also expressed a desire for additional community outreach related to the proposed artwork in order to gather broader public feedback, including feedback regarding the placement of the piece. This budget amendment has not yet been completed as staff is requesting clarification from the City Council regarding how it would like staff to proceed with the sculpture/project and related outreach efforts.
Based on the discussion and motion, staff understood Council’s direction to support moving forward with the proposed sculpture and associated funding, while also conducting additional community engagement prior to the selection of an artist or consideration of specific art submissions. In response, staff began developing and implementing a community outreach strategy, beginning with an online survey intended to gather community feedback regarding the proposed artwork.
Shortly after the survey was released, staff identified irregular activity indicating that the survey had been compromised by automated responses. The volume and frequency of duplicate submissions suggested that a single source, or limited number of sources, was able to submit multiple responses, thereby reducing confidence in the validity of the collected data. Staff has identified an alternative survey platform to prevent similar issues in the future, should further outreach efforts be directed.
In addition to these technical considerations, staff encountered challenges describing the intended scope of the LGBTQ-themed project. Accordingly, staff is seeking clarification from the City Council on the following items:
• Does the City Council wish to proceed with the Cultural Arts Commission’s recommendation to include an LGBTQ-themed artwork as part of the Artesia Boulevard Art Plan?
• If so, what specific type of artwork, topics and/or elements would Council like the scope of the project to address? Examples may include the type of artwork (e.g., sculpture, mural, tile installation, etc.), the proposed location of the artwork, the overall size and scale of the piece, and/or should it include a historic reference/context.
• Lastly, does the City Council want staff to seek any follow-up community feedback regarding the project?
Once direction is provided, staff will proceed with the identified actions and corresponding next steps.
COORDINATION
The Community Services Department developed this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action associated with this item. Should the City Council desire to move forward with an LGBTQ-themed project, staff would return with a budget amendment to appropriate the desired funding from the John Parsons Public Art Fund to support the curation and installation of the art piece.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• City of Redondo Beach Community Input Survey Released on March 16, 2026