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3-5-2025 Public Arts Commission March 5, 2025 6:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E. Minutes Call to Order 6:00 PM Present Josh Collins Ryan Fugleberg Kara Ruwart Frank Sedzielarz Maija Sedzielarz Gary Swanson Gary Osterbauer Guest: Scott Lund, President, Fridley Creative Arts Foundation Staff Liaison: Scott Hickok Absent Ann Bolkcom, Council Liaison Approve of Meeting Minutes of February 5, 2025 1. Approve February 5, 2025, Meeting Minutes. Minutes were approved with the following modifications identified by Frank Sedzielarz. The name Maija was misspelled in one location. Maija Sedzielarz indicated that the reference to Silverwood should say, Silverwood was not able to commit, and they suggested the City of Fridley may be interested. The artist sent his information to Commissioner M. Sedzielarz, and she forwarded it to the staff liaison Scott Hickok. On the Rice Creek Watershed a correction to read rather than instead of the, was noted. With those modifications Kara Ruwart made a motion to approve, seconded by Gary Swanson, to approve the minutes with amendments suggested. The motion passed 5-0. New Business 2. Review Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Commons Park Sculpture Artist Chair Joshua Collins stated he reviewed the RFQ draft and asked when the responses were due to the Commission. A general discussion ensued regarding the timeline and what Commission expectations should be. Gary Swanson looked at the schedule in the draft RFQ and suggested that the following schedule might be best: Public Arts Commission Minutes Page 2 Meeting 5/9/2025  Publish the RFQ April 2, 2025  Hold Information Meeting April 7, 2025  RFQ Responses Due back by May 2, 2025  Regular Meeting of the Commission Reviews Finalists May 7, 2025  May 14, 2025, Potential Special Meeting of Commission to further discuss artists  Finalist Notification May 21, 2025  Finalist Full Proposal to Commission June 18, 2025  Recommendation to Council July 8, 2025 A general discussion ensued, including the question, do we give the artist a stipend. Scott Hickok responded that we would build payment language into the contract and discuss first payment, etc. Artists often need the upfront money for the materials with additional payments to follow. Josh Collins re-emphasized the Commission needs to select only one artist to be the finalist. That is when they will go all-in for their design when they know they are no longer competing they’ve been selected. Scott Lund agreed with the single artist final design concept as it will be easier to fundraise once it is clear what their money is going toward. Josh Collins indicated that he liked the idea of the site history and description of the project in the information meeting. Ryan Fugleberg agreed to provide a detailed description of where their art will be located, and the other investments being made in the redevelopment of the park. Chair Collins suggested that a budget be given also, artists will want to know what it is they would be working towards. Maija stated that a $20,000 minimum is what she gathered from research. Scott Lund indicated that a range of $20,000 to $50,000 would be comfortable, if we needed to state that. Chair Collins then continued that in the contract it will need to be clear that the budget includes time materials, installations, etc., unless there is an agreement on the City assisting with installation, etc. A general discussion ensued regarding what should be in the instructions to the artist as they apply to be our artist that will be selected. The artist should:  Complete the Application  Include a cover letter  Identify what unique talents will be demonstrated in the work (especially important if this is their first piece of public art).  Brief project description  Maximum 10 photos of applicant’s previous projects  Maximum of 3 publish articles about your work  Provide all materials listed above in a sealed packet Public Arts Commission Minutes Page 3 Meeting 5/9/2025 Commissioner Collins asked, “Are we comfortable with procurement rules? “ A discussion commenced regarding ownership, maintenance of the art and intellectual property rights. Commissioner M. Sedzielarz indicated support for the $50,000 cap on this budget. She continued by providing a set of examples of art the recently was awarded in West St. Paul $30,000 and in Hopkins, a $50,000 mural was awarded. In any case we want a budget and an understanding that art needs to be built to last, we want it to last. Organizations that publish RFQ’s include Springboard for the Arts, Forecast Arts, MN Artist, and City of Fridley on their website. Commissioners Sedzielarz agreed to call Rum River and research that and additional places where a call for artists can be published. 3. Facility and Assets Naming Policy Scott Hickok pointed the Commission to their packet where he included a policy document the City had recently adopted to consider naming rights of facilities, dedication to lost friends or loved ones, etc. Hickok continued by stating that the friends of Nathan Shiferaw still seek the opportunity to place a memorial in Commons Park and they had hoped to do it as part of the Park’s programmed improvements. Scott Hickok indicated that there now are policies in place that would help guide a donation such as this proposed contribution. Hickok continued that he had discussed with Mike Maher, Fridley Park and Recreation Director. They discussed the standard for monument placement and recognition. The mounted placard should be consistent with where other art will be placed and in this case since it is a group donating the mural (they have proposed for the center court), they should pay the $500 for the recognition placard. If then standards were set for the art provided, such as: 10-year minimum life expectancy, occasional refresh paint by artist, when necessary, approval of art and materials by the Public Arts Commission, Parks Commission and City Council. The donation could then happen. Thoughts? Ryan Fugleberg indicated in his research the City of Eagan had a good policy whereby there would be a public input opportunity when a proposal such as this comes forward for a public place. Fugleberg continued that it was also important that there was history element tying the art to that City that needs to be part of the dedication and its story. Chair Collins added that all elements of the review should then be in the discussion for Council approval. The council may have extra guidelines. Old Business Public Arts Commission Minutes Page 4 Meeting 5/9/2025 4. Public Art Mapping Precedents Staff Liaison Scott Hickok commented that he had included the research in the Commissioner’s packet that Ryan Fugleberg had provided earlier (October 2024). Hickok apologized the Ryan and knew that the rest of the Commission could benefit from Ryan’s findings as they get back into selecting the overall locations for public art, throughout the City. Adjournment: Meeting Adjourned 7:51 PM Respectfully submitted, Scott Hickok Recording Secretary