CC SR 20251216 01 - Lighthouse CentennialCITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 12/16/2025
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consider commemorative merchandise for the 100th anniversary of the Point Vicente
Lighthouse.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1)Approve the commemorative logo design for the 100th anniversary of the Point
Vicente Lighthouse for promoting the event and related merchandise; and
2)Authorize staff to produce and sell merchandise commemorating the 100th
anniversary of the Point Vicente Lighthouse with all net proceeds (less costs and
staff resources) from the sales to be donated to the Friends of the Lighthouse for
restoration projects.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Matt Waters, Senior Administrative Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Dan Trautner, Recreation and Parks Director
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A.December 8, 2025 email from United States Coast Guard Base LALB Commander
Robert Poitinger (page A-1)
B.Friends of the Lighthouse Logo Approval (forthcoming as late correspondence)
BACKGROUND:
The Point Vicente Lighthouse (Lighthouse) is one of the most iconic and photographed
locations in Rancho Palos Verdes. The still-functioning Lighthouse, which is owned and
operated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), will mark its centennial in 2026. The
Lighthouse shined its first beam of light on April 14, 1926 and has functioned as a guide
for safe maritime navigation ever since. This anniversary is being marked by a celebration
on the Lighthouse grounds in April 2026. Event details are still being developed.
1
The Friends of the Lighthouse (FOTL), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, formed in 2024
to restore and preserve the lighthouse and its support structures to ensure that they
remain operational and can be enjoyed by generations to come. Its website notes that
the Lighthouse, three support buildings, and three lighthouse keeper residences have
fallen into disrepair in recent years. FOTL is actively raising funds for repairs and
restoration and is working closely with the USCG, which shares and supports FOTL’s
vision. The FOTL is currently working with the USCG both locally and at the District
Headquarters in Oakland to obtain the necessary licenses and permit approvals to work
on the lighthouse and associated buildings.
Rancho Palos Verdes has a long and close connection with the Lighthouse and the
USCG. Acquisition and preservation of the iconic and historic Point Vicente Lighthouse
property have been a long-standing goal of the City dating back to the adoption of the
City’s General Plan in 1975. The original lamp and French-built Fresnel lens was
decommissioned and reinstalled in the adjacent Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC)
in 2019 along with related artifacts and interpretive materials. A modern LED light system
was installed and activated at the lighthouse in 2020. The first temporary exhibit at PVIC
after it reopened in 2006 was focused on the history and mission of the USCG, featuring
a wide range of exhibits and photographs.
Tens of thousands of City residents and visitors admire the beauty of the Lighthouse and
take photographs of it every day. The Lighthouse grounds are open for visitors on the
second Saturday of each month, as well as during the annual Whale of Day Celebration.
On a smaller scale, a wide range of lighthouse-related merchandise including miniature
Point Vicente Lighthouses have been a staple item of the PVIC gift shop since its
inception. Lighthouse enthusiasts can receive a special Point Vicente Lighthouse stamp
to commemorate their visit.
To commemorate this milestone, this report outlines how the City can participate in the
centennial celebration in 2026 and also support the restoration of the Lighthouse.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has developed a proposed City logo that incorporates the lighthouse and references
its centennial anniversary, shown below.
2
The commemorative logo, which has been approved by the USCG and FOTL
(Attachments A and B), will be used by the City to promote the centennial anniversary.
Additionally, commemorative merchandise such as pins, sweatshirts, caps, and magnets
displaying the logo would be available for purchase at the PVIC gift shop and at special
events including Whale of a Day on April 11, 2026. Net proceeds, less manufacturing
and staff costs, from the sales would go to FOTL.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The City can promote the Lighthouse effort at upcoming special events including Whale
of a Day and the Fourth of July Celebration, providing booth space for FOTL to share
information, increase awareness and solicit donations to support the restoration effort. A
Lighthouse-inspired display would complement and promote the sale of commemorative
merchandise. The display would include non-commemorative Lighthouse items currently
for sale such as keychains, patches, thimbles and hiking stick medallions. The current
PVIC video showing the time-lapse installation of the Fresnel lens is planned to be
temporarily replaced with a video featuring the history of the Lighthouse and the current
restoration efforts. Furthermore, the City would continue to promote the centennial and
utilize the logo in its media outreach efforts, whether through a commemorative
production by RPVtv or social media campaigns highlighting the Lighthouse’s history.
The official United States Coast Guard celebration of the lighthouse’s c entennial will be
tentatively held in conjunction with Whale of a Day on April 11, 202 6. FOTL is planning
a separate centennial celebration and fundraiser in April or May. Details about both
events are still being worked out but they will be shared with the City Council when they
are determined.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve the proposed lighthouse logo
commemorative design and authorize donating net proceeds (less manufacturing and
staff costs) from the sale of commemorative items to support lighthouse restoration
efforts.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1.Do not direct staff to proceed with the proposed commemorative lighthouse logo.
2.Identify other ways to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the lighthouse.
3.Direct Staff to provide more details.
4.Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
3
Good Morning,
No issues on logo. On the centennial, I believe we have a tentative date in April or May. I
have to confirm, but we will be sure to send invites out to the city.
CDR Rob Poitinger
From: Matt Waters <MattW@rpvca.gov>
Sent: Monday, December 8, 2025 10:23 AM
To: Poitinger, Robert S CDR USCG BASE LALB (USA) <Robert.S.Poitinger@uscg.mil>
Subject: [Non-DoD Source] Lighthouse Logo
To Commander Poitinger:
Good morning. Below is a slightly modified version of the logo I sent you last week. Please
let me know if this version is also acceptable.
Thanks-
Matt Waters
Senior Administrative Analyst
____________________________________________
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Recreation and Parks Department
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
www.rpvca.gov
mattw@rpvca.gov - (310) 544-5218 p
A-1