The committee approved a pilot specialty‑umbrella program and directed the administration to pursue sponsorship opportunities and an FY26 budget line for the project. Staff provided cost estimates for branded umbrellas: roughly $500 each for multicolored/rainbow umbrellas and about $350 each for pink umbrellas. For visible impact, the committee chose a 100‑umbrella pilot on a beach block around 13th Street and asked staff to explore commercial sponsorship to cover costs and potential concessionaire sales (for example, branded rosé or beverage partnerships) to offset and/or amortize the expense.
Staff noted typical beach concessionaires deploy hundreds of umbrellas across multiple blocks and that amortization and useful life (several years) make the unit cost a city asset if purchased. The committee asked staff to pursue sponsorships and return with contract or RFP options and, separately, to include a budget enhancement proposal in FY26 if private sponsorship does not cover the planned pilot.
Ending: The committee asked staff to coordinate with beach concessionaires on logistics, check permitting and service rules (including alcohol service rules if a beverage sponsor is part of the plan), and return with a sponsorship and/or procurement approach for Commission approval.