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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/5/2026 Public ArtsCommission Meeting August5,2026 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 Kara Ruwart Gary Osterbauer Frank Sedzielarz Councilmember Ann Bolkcom Jessica Nelson-Roehl, Recreation Coordinator Alex Metchnek, Customer Service Representative Tara Rogness, Manager, Springbrook Nature Center Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director Scott Lund, Fridley Creative Arts Foundation 1.Approve Public ArtsCommission Minutes for July1,2026 Motionby CommissionerOsterbauerto approvethe July1,2026meeting minutes. Secondedby Commissioner Maija Sedzielarz.The motion passed unanimously. New Business 2.Springbrook Nature Center Mural Bench Project Proposed Workflow Mike Maher and Tara Rognesspresented an overview of a project and process to incorporate three recycled wind turbine benches with applied murals to the Fridley Public Art program at Springbrook Nature Center. The Commission discussed the process and advised: That the three benches be placed together and that a complementary mural be completed on all three benches by a single artist Public Art Commission 8/5/2026 Minutes Page 2 A hand-painted mural is preferred over a vinyl art wrap That staff develop possible themes and that a recommendation is provided by the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation, who is contributing financially to the project No residency restrictions be placed upon artists submitting qualifications That the call for art specifies that the artist is responsible for purchasing paint and protective finishes, and should follow material recommendations of the bench manufacturer That an artist award of $8,000 be requested from the Fridley Creative Arts Foundation That the call for art be a request for qualifications and that the artist work with stakeholders to create an artwork design based on an established theme Commissioner Ryan Fugleberg made a motion to request funding in the amount of $8,000 from the Fridley Creative Arts Foundation for a hand painted mural to be applied to three recycled wind turbine benches to be installed at Springbrook Nature Center using the proposed project workflow (below). The second was made by Commissioner Osterbauer. The motion was passed unanimously. Workflow: • Springbrook Nature Center Foundation (SNCF) Funds Project, Staff Determine Location • Determine interest of Fridley Creative Arts Foundation to fund commissioning of art • SNCF/Staff Identify themes or educational outcomes • Staff and Public Arts Commission draft call for art • Public Arts Commission recommends artist, recommendation provided to SNCF, Council for approval • Staff coordinates agreement with artist • Staff coordinates installation of artwork • Ribbon cutting event in partnership with City of Fridley, donors, SNCF 3. City of Fridley Arts Programming Discussion Recreation Program Coordinator Jessica Nelson-Roehl was present at the meeting to provide an overview of arts programming and partnerships that are being planned by Fridley Parks and Recreation and to get feedback from the Commission. Discussion areas included performing arts, partnership programming with Creative Flow Art Center and cultural programming to celebrate the new sculpture, Manoomin, installed at Commons Park. Comments from the Commission included a suggestion to incorporate nature-based programming into the celebration of Manoomin and to connect with the Mille Lacs Indian Museum for resources. No formal action was taken on this item. 4. Sylvan Hills Public Art Bench Update Staff provided an update on the Sylvan Hills Public Art Project Bench to be installed at Sylvan Hills Park in 2027. Creative Flow Art Center is committed to community engagement to create clay/ceramic tiles for the project at community events throughout 2026. No formal action was taken by the Commission on this agenda item. 5. Utility Box Art Wrap Program Update Staff provided updates on the utility box art wrap program including receipt of VARA waivers from all awarded artists and submission of an application to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for art installation in their right of way. Staff have also sent designs to a printer/designer for confirmation that they can be laid out for installation on the utility boxes. The Commission asked if selected artists for the program could be highlighted by the City and requested that artists be invited to an upcoming City Council Meeting to be recognized. No formal action was taken by the Commission on this agenda item. Old Business None Other Items Commissioner Maija Sedzielarz made a motion to add a debrief of the Utility Box Art Wrap Program process to the November meeting of the Public Arts Commission. The second was made by Commissioner Frank Sedzielarz. The motion passed unanimously. Adjournment Commissioner Fugleberg made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The second was made by Commissioner Ruwart. The motion was passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director Recording Secretary