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07-10-2024 Public Arts Commission July 10, 2024 6:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E. Minutes Call to Order 6:00 PM Present Josh Collins Ryan Fugleberg Mayor, Scott Lund Gary Osterbauer Kara Ruwart Frank Sedzielarz Maija Sedzielarz Gary Swanson Staff Liaison: Scott Hickok Absent Council Liaison: Ann Bolkcom Approve of Meeting Minutes Maija Sedzielarz offered the correction indicating that Ryan Fugleberg’s comment regarding art selection criteria and priorities was missed. Also, the header template has the date of the minute preparation, not of the meeting. No other corrections or comments were received regarding the June 12, 2024, Minutes. New Business Contract Review for Artist, The Commission reviewed the language approved for the contract between the Artist and agencies of the City of Fridley and the Rice Creek Watershed District. A general discussion ensued. Commissioner Collins asked if Mary T. (crooner’s owner,) has asked to have some sort of recognition plaque for her donation. Collins indicated that may be a way to encourage other interested in making donations in the interest of art. Scott Hickok asked the commission to look at the provisions in the Code and if there was a way to shorten the 60-day timeframe between contract signing, art location, and artist concept approval. it might help st the artist in the timeline for preparing the art. It was written that the art would be ready by December 1. Public Arts Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 8/26/2024 A discussion of open meeting dates for commissioners and schedules ensued. Review of Public Input Map for Art Locations Commissioner Fugleberg began the discussion and pointed out the fact that the east west connections in Fridley could use art to draw attention to things like the Historical Society, Harris Pond, the Rice Creek Reginal Park. Commissioner Sedzielarz thought the places where Rice Creek crosses Highway 65, University Avenue, and East River Road, art calling attention to the creek would be good placement locations. Mayor Lund suggested the underpass at Mississippi Street and the Rail would be a good location for murals. Lund also thought the parklet by St. Williams Church would be a great location for placement. Commissioner Ruwart pointed out that music can be art, she suggested that there are some public art pieces that are interactive and can create music. Music performances themselves are a form of temporary public art. Commissioner Ruwart also mentioned the Maple Grove Chalk Art display as a good example of public art. Ruwart also suggested chess boards at Commons Park as interactive Art. A general discussion ensued regarding memorable art installations in Minnesota Communities such as Lindstrom, Coffee pot water tower, bobber water tower, Spring Lake Park’s water tower, Olivia’s Corn Cob Tower, a Rochester example and Pequot lakes. The question was asked when Fridley’s towers are going to be repainted. The Commission seemed to concur that an Ox Cart sculpture along East River Road, near the cemetery would be an appropriate location and installation. Commissioner Ruwart suggested a welcome sculpture or element on the Civic campus in various languages. Commissioner Sedzielarz indicated that the idea of an Egret or other sculpture at Springbrook came from Neal Hayford, Springbrook Nature Center Volunteer. Commissioner Sedzielarz reminded the Commission that a large Beaver lay structure has already been approved, yet to be installed, as a play structure at the Nature Center. Commissioner Collins suggested that it would be great if each of the parks had something to signify the City’s interest in art and further the Community interest. Commissioner Frank Sedzielarz suggested that the Dunes and the Meadowlands were locations that he was thinking of for a public art piece. He continued, the Northern Stacks has been such an important location to the City and its history. Seven thousand employees at one time and so many significant things have happened there, an enormous environmental clean-up that a piece could/should be considered there. Commissioner Osterbauer suggested a location in the Innsbruck Nature Center. Sedzielarz said since we don’t have a Main Street, it would be good to have art that balances the City out. General Mills towers and the medians in our roadways may be good locations, he thought. Public Arts Commission Minutes Page 3 Meeting 8/26/2024 Speaking of balance, he continued that a second piece of art in Moore Lake Park may be nice, to create symmetry. Review Each Commissioner’s top 3 Locations for Public Art A general discussion ensued as each commissioner had voiced their interests and location ideas in the previous agenda discussion (above). Old Business None Other Items Mayor Lund indicated that he would like to invite Sue Jens from the State Arts Board to discuss our foundation, Grants, State Funding. He suggested the September meeting and indicated he would like to invite the newly appointed Board of Directors to meet the Commission. Commissioner Maija Sedzielarz indicated that she is researching several sources, organizations, and influential people in the public art world such as; Metropolitan Regional Arts Board, Minnesota Arts Board, Silverwood Sculpture Commissioning, Public Art St. Paul, Mary Altman, Springboard for the Arts. She indicated she would share the information as she accumulates it. Adjournment 7:43 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Scott Hickok Recording Secretary