HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-4-2026
Public ArtsCommission Meeting
February4,2026
6:00 PM
Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Ave.NE, Fridley, MN 55432
Minutes
Call to Order
Chair Collinscalled the Public Arts Commissionmeeting to order at 6:00p.m.
Present
Josh Collins, Chair
Maija Sedzielarz, Vice Chair
Ryan Fugleberg
Gary Osterbauer
Kara Ruwart
Gary Swanson
Frank Sedzielarz
Mike Maher, Parks and RecreationDirector
Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician
Councilmember Ann Bolkcom
1.Approve Public ArtsCommission Minutes for January7,2026
Several corrections were noted in the minutes including a spelling error changing “hosing” to
“hosting” on item 5 and to add the following update items to the workplan; Sacred Water, Shared
Future, Springbrook Nature Center art project, programs and special events.
Motionby CommissionerSwansonto approve, with corrections, the January7,2025meeting minutes.
Secondedby CommissionerRuwart.The motion passed unanimously.
New Business
2.Art Trail Concept Refinement
Staff presented two concepts for an art trail in Fridley. One concept concentrated artwork into a
walkable trail loop extending from the Fridley Civic Camps to Locke Park. The second concept
focused on artwork installations in upcoming park projects with a wider geographic distribution
of art installations across the City.
Public Art Commission 2/4/2026 Minutes Page 2
The Commission discussed that both concepts have merit and that opportunities to include art
in new park projects should be explored. However, the group agreed that they should define a
focus area so that more specific fundraising efforts can be undertaken and that the Civic
Campus/Locke Park concept was the preferred area of focus.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gary Swanson to:
Focus the Commission’s next project on a sculpture walk
To define the area as being the Civic Campus and Locke Park
To start with art on loan, but create a trail plan that can be expanded and include permanent
art installations in addition to art on loan
To request that staff develop a policy document to guide the program
To set a goal for program implementation during the summer of 2027
Second by Commissioner Frank Sedzielarz. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Draft Call for Art – Utility Box Wrap Program
Staff presented a draft of a call for art document to request submissions for a pilot program for
artist-designed vinyl wraps for six utility boxes in Fridley. The Commission made the following
suggestions:
To add additional clarity around youth submissions and to make sure that it was clear if
an applicant was submitting as an adult (18 years or older) or youth (Under 18 years of
age).
To have the program documents reviewed by the City Attorney
To prohibit the use of designs created through artificial intelligence (AI)
A motion was made by Commissioner Gary Swanson to approve the Call for Art pending completion
of legal review and clarification of age requirements. Second by Gary Osterbauer. The motion passed
unanimously.
Old Business
None
Other Items
th
Commissioner Maija Sedzielarz shared details of an upcoming March 16 concert performance by
the Fridley City Band and Fridley High School Band. An update was provided by staff on discussion
with community partners to explore a public art project at Sylvan Hills Park as part of the Sacred
Waters, Shared Future initiative taking place in 2026 to celebrate the Mississippi River.
Adjournment
Commissioner Gary Swanson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. A second was made by
Commissioner Gary Osterbauer. The motion was passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director
Recording Secretary