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9-3-2025 Public Arts Commission September 03, 2025 6:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Ave N.E. Agenda Call to Order Roll Call Approval of Meeting Minutes 1. August 6, 2025 Public Arts Commission Minutes New Business 2. Project Kickoff Meeting with Artist Ken McCall 3. Moore Lake Park Sculpture Ribbon Cutting Discussion 4. Utility Box Wrap Program Next Steps 5. Proposed 2026 Meeting Dates of the Public Arts Commission Old Business Other Items Adjournment Accessibility Notice:  If you need free interpretation or translation assistance, please contact City staff.  Si necesita ayuda de interpretación o traducción gratis, comuníquese con el personal de la ciudad.  Yog tias koj xav tau kev pab txhais lus los sis txhais ntaub ntawv dawb, ces thov tiv tauj rau Lub Nroog cov neeg ua hauj lwm.  Haddii aad u baahan tahay tarjumaad bilaash ah ama kaalmo tarjumaad, fadlan la xiriir shaqaalaha Magaalada. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in any City of Fridley services, programs or activities. Hearing impaired persons who need an interpreter or other persons who require auxiliary aids should contact CityClerk@FridleyMN.gov or (763) 572-3450. 1 Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: September 3, 2025 Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director Title August 6, 2025 Public Arts Commission Minutes Background Attached are the meeting minutes of the August 6, 2025 Public Arts Commission. Financial Impact None. Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the August 6, 2025 Public Arts Commission minutes. Attachments and Other Resources  August 6, 2025 Public Arts Commission Minutes. 2 Item 1. Public Arts Commission Meeting August 6, 2025 6:00 PM Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE Minutes Call to Order Chair Collins called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present Josh Collins, Chair Ryan Fugleberg, Vice Chair Gary Osterbauer Gary Swanson Maija Sedzielarz Frank Sedzielarz Kara Ruwart Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician Scott Lund representing Fridley Creative Arts Foundation (arrived @ 6:15) Approve Public Arts Commission Agenda for August 6, 2025 Motion by Commissioner Ruwart to approve the August 6, 2025 meeting agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Swanson. The motion passed unanimously. 1. Approve Public Arts Commission Minutes for July 4th 2025 A correction to the minutes was noted by Commissioner Maija Sedzielarz that she had provided an update on the sculpture stroll program in Hutchinson, MN. Motion by Commissioner Swanson to approve the July 9, 2025 meeting minutes as corrected. Seconded by Commissioner Osterbauer. The motion passed unanimously. New Business 2. Discussion on Ordinance Update Allowing for Non-voting Youth Member of the Public Arts Commission. 3 Item 1. Park Commission 7/9/2025 Minutes Page 2 Staff stated that Fridley City Ordinance governing advisory commissions now allows for the appointment of a non-voting youth member to the Public Arts Commission. The City Clerk’s office will be preparing an application process, and appointments are expected to be made by City Council to begin around December of 2025. Commissioner Frank Sedzielarz shared a resource titled “Tips for Boards and Commissions Working with Youth” prepared by the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board. The Commission took no formal action on this item. 3. Moore Lake Park Frog Sculpture Ribbon Cutting Event Discussion Staff shared updates on the site preparation and delivery schedule for a public art sculpture to be installed at Moore Lake Park in mid-August. A ribbon cutting event will be held in mid- September and dates are being evaluated by Council. The Commission shared ideas for the event including speakers, donors, and activities. Commissioner Ruwart suggested that perhaps a good orientation of the sculpture is the have it facing the playground. Staff will announce the selected date and begin publicity as soon as possible. No formal action was taken on this agenda item. 4. City of Eagan Public Art Resources Staff shared a presentation developed by the City of Eagan highlighting their public art program including large and small-scale public art installations, art on loan, events and art education. Staff also shared Eagan’s Public Art Toolkit, which contains policies and documents relating to their program. No formal action was taken by the Commission on this item. 5. Utility Box Wraps Staff shared an update on research completed on the feasibility of installing artist-designed utility box wraps on new utility boxes installed along University Avenue. Staff indicated that the partnerships required to access and wrap the boxes seem feasible and that wraps could be printed and installed by Fridley staff for an estimated $810. A program calling for submissions and parameters for compensating selected designers would need to be developed. The commission asked staff to continue researching and working towards implementation of this program. Scott Lund reported that he has had some preliminary discussions with Fridley Public Schools to discuss the possibility of a community-based mural effort along Mississippi St., as this had been identified as a priority by the Public Arts Commission. 4 Item 1. No formal action was taken by the Commission on this item. 6. 2026 Meeting Dates Staff presented a slate of proposed meeting dates for 2026 as follows: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Wednesday, March 4, 2026 – Corrected from Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Wednesday April 1, 2026 Wednesday May 6, 2026 Wednesday June 3, 2026 Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Wednesday, August 5, 2026 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Wednesday, November 4, 2026 Wednesday, December 2, 2026 – Corrected from December 9, 2026 Two corrections were noted by the Commission and an updated calendar of meeting dates will be brought forward by staff for the Commission to review/approve at the September 3rd meeting. Old Business Other Items Commissioner Maija Sedzielarz reported that she and Commissioner Ruwart had attended several community concerts in Fridley for preliminary community engagement on public art. Two questions were used as prompts to gather input. “What is special about Fridley” and “If you made a list of 10 highlights of the Fridley community, what would be your number one?” A variety of answers were collected, and this information will be used in conjunction with future engagement to work with artists on future projects. Adjournment Commissioner Swanson made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Seconded by Commissioner Ruwart. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director Recording Secretary 5 Item 1. Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: September 3, 2025 Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director, Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician Title Project Kickoff Meeting with Artist Ken McCall Background Artist Ken McCall has been selected to create a work of sculpture for Fridley’s Commons Park. The agreement with the artist outlines that the conceptualization of the art piece will be done, in part, through a community engagement process. The Public Arts Commission will provide primary input to the artist but will also work with staff to gather input from Fridley residents and stakeholders. A kickoff meeting will be held between the artist and the Commission at 6:15 pm, central time. The Commission will connect with Mr. McCall from the Banfill Conference Room at Fridley City Hall through a virtual meeting platform, Microsoft Teams. Three questions were suggested by the artist to begin gathering input and will be made available on the City website for residents to share their ideas:  What themes or symbols do you feel represent Fridley or Fridley's community spirit?  Are there particular natural elements or local culture you would like to see reflected in the sculpture?  If you could see one feeling or idea brought to life in the sculpture, what would it be? Additional discussion areas with the artist include project schedule, next steps for community engagement and how the timeline will sync with the park improvement project at Commons Park. Financial Impact The sculpture being created for Commons Park will be funded by the non-profit Fridley Creative Arts Foundation. Recommendation None Attachments and Other Resources None 6 Item 2. Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: September 3, 2025 Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director Title Moore Lake Park Sculpture Ribbon Cutting Discussion Background Artist Jessica Turtle has created a sculpture of a Northern Leopard Frog that has been installed at Moore Lake Park. A landscaped garden around the sculpture is being prepared in advance of a scheduled September 10th ribbon cutting event to celebrate the new art piece. A variety of activities are planned, and several speakers including Mayor Dave Ostwald, Scott Lund, Josh Collins and Jessica Turtle will make remarks to thank donors and contributors and to celebrate Fridley’s public art program. Staff will review plans with the Commission and allow for discussion of any additional event details or plans the Commission may like to see included in the event. Financial Impact None Recommendation None Attachments and Other Resources  Ribbon Cutting Event Flyer 7 Item 3. Ribb-et Cutting Event Wednesday, September 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. MOORE LAKE SCULPTURE You’re invited to the 5890 Central Avenue NE Fridley, MN 55432 S c u l p t ure Sneak Peek!Join us for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the public art installation at Moore Lake Park! There will be activities, refreshments, music and more. This event is rain or shine! 8 Item 3. Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: September 3, 2025 Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director, Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician Title Utility Box Wrap Program Next Steps Background At the August 6th, 2025 meeting of the Public Arts Commission, staff presented an option to the Commission to implement a program where six newly installed utility boxes along University Avenue in Fridley could be wrapped with adhesive vinyl printed with designs submitted by artists. Staff estimates that material costs would be approximately $800 per utility box and reported that other communities have offered a $500 honorarium to artists selected to have a design applied to a box. With an approximate cost of $1,300 per utility box and six boxes being identified for the program, implementation of this initiative would start at $7,800. If the Commission would like to recommend implementation of this program, a request would be prepared for consideration by the Fridley Creative Arts Foundation to fund the project. If approved, staff would seek approval from Council and begin implementation of the program. Financial Impact This program would be funded by the non-profit Fridley Creative Arts Foundation and would begin at $7,800. Recommendation Staff recommends that the Commission considers making a recommendation to implement the utility box wrap program using the six recently installed utility boxes along University Avenue identified at the August 6th meeting. Attachments and Other Resources  Utility Box Location Maps 9 Item 4. UNIVERSITY LIGHTING PROJECT JULY 23, 2025 UTILITY BOX LOCATIONS 1 OF 4 10 Item 4. UNIVERSITY LIGHTING PROJECT JULY 23, 2025 UTILITY BOX LOCATIONS 2 OF 4 11 Item 4. UNIVERSITY LIGHTING PROJECT JULY 23, 2025 UTILITY BOX LOCATIONS 3 OF 4 12 Item 4. UNIVERSITY LIGHTING PROJECT JULY 23, 2025 UTILITY BOX LOCATIONS 4 OF 4 13 Item 4. UNIVERSITY LIGHTING PROJECT JULY 23, 2025 UTILITY BOX - INSTALLATION INFORMATION 14 Item 4. Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: September 3, 2025 Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director, Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician Title Proposed 2026 Meeting Dates of the Public Arts Commission Background A proposed schedule of meetings is presented to the Commission for the 2026 calendar year for consideration. A draft schedule was presented at the August meeting and several edits were suggested and updated for consideration by the Commission. Financial Impact None Recommendation Staff recommend the approval of the proposed 2026 meeting dates. Attachments and Other Resources  Proposed 2026 meeting dates of the Public Arts Commission 15 Item 5. Public Arts Commission 2026 Proposed Meeting Schedule Unless Indicated Otherwise, Meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at 6 pm in the Banfill Room (2nd floor) Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Wednesday April 1, 2026 Wednesday May 6, 2026 Wednesday June 3, 2026 Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Wednesday, August 5, 2026 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Wednesday, November 4, 2026 Wednesday, December 2, 2026 Revised. 8/26/2025 Fridley Civic Campus 7071 University Ave N.E. Fridley, MN 55432 763-571-3450 | FAX: 763-571-1287 | FridleyMN.gov 16 Item 5.