Meeting Time: March 16, 2021 at 6:00pm PDT
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Agenda Item

12. 21-0092 Consideration of Recommendations from Bruce's Beach Task Force (City Manager Moe). DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION

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    WILLIAM CORVALAN over 3 years ago

    I appreciate the the hard work that the BBTF has done with their report and fully support their recommendations. However, I believe that community engagement and programming at Bruce's Beach should be an essential part of extending the proverbial hand to underserved communities to ensure equitable access to the beach.

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    Maureen Denitz over 3 years ago

    Thankyou BBTF for your time and it’s expected that the 3 items the TF was formed to do is complete. Plaque, artwork and gathering accurate factual history. Now it’s time to conclude this effort. 4 months was an adequate timeframe. No need for a DEI commission, no need for Appendix 5. Acknowledgement for the wrongs our city leaders,a century ago, caused the Bruce family among others but an apology is a no. We residents did not cause this. We are an inclusive and welcoming town. Please end this TF

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    ami wuschnig over 3 years ago

    I support the activities and recommendation of the BBTF in issuing an apology and support an art piece/work. The bold letters yelling that we are not a racist town, is quite frankly doing the opposite. We are becoming that by shouting that we are not that. The Beach Reporter ad is embarrassing to say the least. Facing these truths can be challenging for many who have not personally experienced systemic inequality and injustice. I love our community, but also think we can do better.

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    YeaLan Chiang over 3 years ago

    The nation's eyes are upon us as last week's NYT article on Bruce's Beach shows. We have a chance as a community to push toward a more just course. It is noteworthy that Councilman Montgomery recognized that an apology was in order even back in 2006. Now here we are 15 years later. We should be role models to our children on how to take responsibility and set about making things right. It's not important if we were personally involved in the harm. What matters is that we can make it better.

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    Lloyd Bookman over 3 years ago

    I fully endorse and support the BBTF's report and recommendations in their entirety. I urge the City Council to adopt them. We have an historic opportunity to address an unconscionable wrong visited by our city in a meaningful way, through education, cultural programs and yes, by apologizing. If we fail to act, what are we telling our kids, people of color, and the public at large? That inclusivity is OK so long as it is not pursued in our community? Please do not allow this moment to pass.

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    Diane Hembacher over 3 years ago

    I strongly support the recommendations of the Bruce's Beach Task Force. Our willingness to examine our history with a critical lens and to consider ways to address past injustices does not harm us; rather, it reflects positively on our community. I hope that the City Council will consider each of the recommendations and allow the work of the Task Force to continue. Thank you to the Task Force and City Council members for your service and dedication to making MB the best that it can be!

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    Henry A over 3 years ago

    The BBTF had a defined scope and a clear task. Once the report and recommendations are complete, the BBTF should be concluded. Thank you BBTF for your service to our community.

    I do not support ongoing extensions of BBTF mission or influence without each recommendation being clearly presented and voted upon by residents. The BBTF does not get to recommend itself into permanence. Each council member needs to state their position on this during our meeting tonight. Thank you.

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    dani ziff over 3 years ago

    I was raised in Manhattan Beach, ashamed of its role in making the City an unaffordable, white community. These recommendations are the bare minimum to begin healing the harm the City and MB community have done to BIPOC. The City Council must support the recs and direct the task force to go further. Please also request the report be amended to acknowledge that many residents are not just "complicit," but actively harm others with locals-only attitudes and explicitly racist words and actions.

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    Margie Luong over 3 years ago

    I support the good work the BBTF members and co-chairs have done so far. I personally would like to see the data MBPD collects for RIPA (AB953) ( listed in Appdx 5) be easily accessible to the public and I hope the CC seriously considers the many recommendations put forth by the BBTF. With the divisive attacks by some residents against the BBTF, it is clear the work of BBTF needs and should continue. Don’t let the divisiveness of these residents silence the BBTF and the residents who support it.

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    Amanda Charney over 3 years ago

    I support the important work of this task force and the continuation of such action in the future. 2020 brought a difficult but important reckoning for America, and our beloved beach community is not excluded from this. Facing these truths can be challenging for many who have not personally experienced systemic inequality and injustice. The task force is an important means of continuing the nationwide conversation and action on a local level. It’s a step on a path we can walk as a community.

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    Joseph Fusco, Mr over 3 years ago

    A. Stated: all of today's Manhattan Beach citizens are complicit in systemic racism. NO facts to back this up. No documents, no policies, no procedures, no directives.
    B. Do not sign the Task Force recommendation/report or the Steve Napolitano alternative.
    C. The Task Force far exceeded its scope.
    D. We will remember those who represented the residents of Manhattan Beach and those who kowtowed to outside political interests.
    E. Apologize to the Tungva from who the land was actually stolen.

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    Lyn Fisher over 3 years ago

    I have lived in MB since 1972. I cannot remember a time when I have been so disappointed in our city council.

    You, by not defending our community but rather appointing a task force which, no surprise, has decided we are a rotten community. And even expanded their scope without (as far as I can tell) any public input.

    I am so embarrassed for all of you and how our community is now being branded. I am still a proud citizen of MB but I am having a very hard time defending your counsel in this.

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    Michelle Tran over 3 years ago

    Thank you to the Bruce's Beach Task Force for your unwavering commitment to racial justice and bettering the city, esp. in light of disturbing comments and acts of opposition from fellow community members. I support all your recommendations, and agree that it is important to hold the city accountable for past actions and set an example for younger generations. This is a step in the right direction to make Manhattan Beach a better city for all to live and grow. Keep fighting the good fight

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    Talia Fragner over 3 years ago

    I am in 100% support of the task force’s report and the original resolution of apology. Holding Manhattan Beach accountable is the only way to move forward and grow from our past. To pretend racism doesn’t exist here (when it was publicly on display at the pier mere weeks ago) only hinders this community and the generations that follow. Show your love for this beautiful home we have by supporting the Bruce’s Beach task force.

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    Michelle Murphy over 3 years ago

    I support the recommendations and more please. I am proud that my town is willing to find out about its history and take responsibility for reprehensible past conduct. We can do more (Mira Costa land/racial covenants in deeds) and we need to examine our current practices. Please ignore those who claim being honest is being divisive. Pretending all is well is bad governing. Our town and our City Council has been courageous and they can continue on that path. It will make MB better.

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    Alicia Marshall over 3 years ago

    I support
    1. The art, plaque and history
    2. An Apology - I do believe that an apology will also be important, especially one along the lines of what Council Member Stern wrote. I do believe that it needs to be written taking into consideration the different concerns that the community has expressed.
    3. An ongoing commission

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    Ted Iantuono over 3 years ago

    The TF was authorized to document the history of the Bruce's eminent domain case and revisit the artwork at the Park. The draft historical document includes facts and hearsay; the hearsay should be removed or validated. A recommendation for amending the artwork is needed and within scope, but the other recommendations appear to be mission creep. While it may be the case that the efforts of the TF were well intended, their impact has been highly divisive.

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    Debra Van Ness over 3 years ago

    I am opposed to an overt apology as I think it would bolster a case for monetary pay outs should this go forward in court. I am in favor of an acknowledgement of past wrongs by past city councils in past times. The city should also commit to adopting inclusive policies moving forward. No monetary payouts should be made. If payouts were to be made, where would it start and where would it end? It is ludicrous to go down that path.

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    Gary Osterhout over 3 years ago

    Thanks to all TF efforts, though think TF apology wording as presented is misunderstood to the point of unproductive divisiveness. I like Steve's version, which reflects excellent issue awareness, but prefer something along the line of what Hildy just advanced (wonder why the delay). Would not mind use of a professional to edit, subject to review. Community needs reminded of the events and impetus as to why the BBTF was formed.

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    Shereen Lavi over 3 years ago

    150% Support
    Shocked that so many vocal residents oppose anything here. I like both Steve's and the recommended apologies, Steve's seems much more informational.
    Two things stand out that I would assume certain people I have seen post on Next Door and here are worried about:
    4. Facilitate and encourage development of affordable housing units and attendant
    entitlements within the City.
    5. Incentivize City property owners to dedicate rental units and ADUs/JADUs for
    use as affordable housing.