--- ## title: Tagged PDF date: D:20260529200003+00'00' --- ## Public Arts Commission Meeting June 3, 2026 at 6 p.m. ## Fridley Civic Campus 7071 University Avenue NE ## Agenda ## Call to Order ## Roll Call ## Approval of Meeting Minutes 1. May 6, 2026 Meeting Minutes ## New Business ## 2. 57th Avenue Bridge Presentation ## 3. Sylvan Hills Park Community Art Project ## 4. Utility Box Art Wrap Program Updates and Next Steps ## 5. Manoomin Sculpture Sign Style Review ## 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 cove 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. Page 1 of 26 ## AGENDA REPORT ## Meeting Date: June 3, 2026 ## Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission ## Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director ## Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician ## Title: May 6, 2026 Meeting Minutes ## Background Minutes of the May 6, 2026 meeting of the Public Arts Commission are presented for review and approval by the Commission. ## Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the May 6, 2026 meeting minutes. ## Attachments and Other Resources ## 1. PA_ Commission Minutes- May 6 2026 ## Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. Page 2 of 26 ## Public Arts Commission Meeting May 6, 2026 ## 6:00 PM ## Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Ave. NE, Fridley, MN 55432 ## Minutes ## Call to Order Chair Collins called the Public Arts Commission meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. ## Present ## Josh Collins, Chair ## Maija Sedzielarz, Vice Chair ## Ryan Fugleberg Kara Ruwart (Arrived at approximately 6:25) ## Gary Swanson ## Gary Osterbauer ## Frank Sedzielarz ## Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician ## Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director ## 1. Approve Public Arts Commission Minutes for April 1, 2026 Motion by Commissioner Frank Sedzielarz to approve the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Osterbauer. The motion passed unanimously. ## New Business ## 2. Utility Box Art Wrap Submission Evaluation A total of 54 design submissions were received in response to the call for art for the Utility Box Art Wrap Pilot Program. Prior to the meeting, staff laid out printed copies of each submission along with submission information with the names of artists redacted. A scoring sheet was used by commissioners to assign a submission evaluation score to each design. One hour of time was allotted for this process. Upon completion of scoring, the Commissioners facilitated discussion to select six finalists and two alternate selections for the art wrap pilot program. Tabulated scoring was used as a primary evaluation tool but additional consideration was given to adult/youth art submissions, artwork style, and artwork subject. Alternate selections are to be used in the event that an artist does not Page 3 of 26 ## Public Art Commission 5/6/2026 Minutes Page 2 complete the necessary agreements or does not provide suitable final versions of artwork that can be scanned for digital printing. A motion was made by Gary Swanson for the Commission to recommend “Brighter Days Ahead” by Paul Diederich, “The Historic Schoolhouse” by Cathy Gottwald-Thunberg, “Community” by Annabelle and Brigitta Anderson, “Wetland Waltz” by Emma Adams, “Ganders Gone Wild” by Amber Dalton, and “Fridley in Motion” by Yusuf Maragha with alternative selections of “Orange Cosmos” by Jeanne Gallaher and “Fridley Welcomes You” by Brigitta Anderson. Seconded by Ryan Fugleberg. The motion passed unanimously. ## Old Business ## None ## Other Items ## None ## Adjournment Commissioner Osterbauer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The second was made by Commissioner Maija Sedzielarz. The motion was passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, ## Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director ## Recording Secretary Page 4 of 26 ## AGENDA REPORT ## Meeting Date: June 3, 2026 ## Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission ## Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director ## Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician ## Title: 57th Avenue Bridge Presentation ## Background The City of Fridley has the goal of extending 57th Avenue, from Main Street to East River Road, over the BNSF right-of-way to relieve existing congestion, improve pedestrian safety, and promote commercial development. The 57th Avenue extension would be a two-lane roadway overpass of the BNSF Northtown Yards with bike and pedestrian facilities. As part of this design, there is an opportunity to include artistic or aesthetic components. However budget is limited. Representatives from the project design team, including the Landscape Architect and the City of Fridley Engineer/Public Works Director will be presenting options for the current design direction in an effort to prioritize elements as they work through the total project construction budget. ## Recommendation ## None ## Attachments and Other Resources 1. 2026_57thAve_BridgeStructurePalette 2. SturgeonLakeRd_23 ## Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. Page 5 of 26 57 th ## Ave Extension visual quality|urban design 05/13/26 Page 6 of 26 ## Visual Quality Elements ## Generalized Bridge Section ## Piers 3 ## Lighting Fixtures 4 ## Abutment Paint / ## Texture 6 ## Metal Railing 1 ## Concrete Parapet 2 1 4 687 ## Abutment Formliner 7 ## Abutment Corner ## Pylons/Mask 8 ## Overlook 5 3 2 5 visual quality | urban design palette 57 ## TH ## AVENUE EXTENSION 05/21/26 Page 7 of 26 ## Railing ## Metal RailingConcrete Railing ## Critical to Design: Yes ## Visual Priority: High ## Critical to Design: Yes ## Visual Priority: High visual quality | urban design palette 57 ## TH ## AVENUE EXTENSION 05/21/26 Page 8 of 26 ## Lighting ## Fixtures ## Critical to Design: Yes ## Visual Priority: High visual quality | urban design palette 57 ## TH ## AVENUE EXTENSION 05/21/26 Page 9 of 26 ## Overlook ## AmmenitiesForm ## Critical to Design: No ## Visual Priority: Med-High ## Critical to Design: Yes ## Visual Priority: Medium visual quality | urban design palette 57 ## TH ## AVENUE EXTENSION 05/21/26 Page 10 of 26 ## Pier Shape & Form ## Texture/Formliner ## Critical to Design: No ## Visual Priority: Low visual quality | urban design palette 57 ## TH ## AVENUE EXTENSION 05/21/26 Page 11 of 26 ## Walls & Abutments ## Abutment Paint/Texture ## Abutment Corner Pylons/ ## Mask Walls ## Abutment Formliner ## Critical to Design: No ## Visual Priority: Low ## Critical to Design: No ## Visual Priority: Medium ## Critical to Design: Yes ## Visual Priority: High visual quality | urban design palette 57 ## TH ## AVENUE EXTENSION 05/21/26 Page 12 of 26 ## Piers ## Lighting Fixtures ## Abutment Paint / ## Texture ## Metal RailingConcrete Parapet ## Abutment Formliner ## Overlook ## High Impact Visual Priority Items ## Medium Impact Visual Priority Items ## Low Impact Visual Priority Items ## Abutment Corner ## Pylons/Mask visual quality | urban design palette 57 ## TH ## AVENUE EXTENSION 05/21/26 Page 13 of 26 Page 14 of 26 ## AGENDA REPORT ## Meeting Date: June 3, 2026 ## Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission ## Submitted By: Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician ## Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director ## Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner ## Title: Sylvan Hills Park Community Art Project ## Background In 2024, following a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Fridley City Council entered into a grant agreement with the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) to incorporate stormwater features into the planned reconstruction of Sylvan Hills Park. The constructed features included a series of above-ground infiltration basins connected by a swale as well as two below-ground infiltration system. The features can store a combined 375,000 gallons of water and provide regional treatment for the 65-acre surrounding drainage area. It is expected that the system will keep over 16 pounds of phosphorus and 5,000 pounds of sediment out of the Mississippi River each year in addition to needed flood storage for the neighborhood. The MWMO grant also funded the planting of 23 new trees and creation of over a half-acre of new pollinator habitat. As part of the grant agreement, the MWMO will provide up to $50,000 for interpretive planning and educational components to connect park users to these stormwater features. The project team, comprised of staff from the City and MWMO, met with Creative Flow Art Center to help vision a high-impact piece that could be permanently displayed in the park. They recommended a mosaic structure comprised of community member-made tiles. The project team recommended working with Jessica Turtle of Treehaus studios due to the ecology-focus of her work and experience with outdoor mosaics. At the request of the project team, Ms. Turtle submitted a preferred design in which the tiles would be mounted to a custom river- shaped bench. Next to the bench would be a cluster of three mosaic fish heads emerging from the ground to emphasize the connection between the underground stormwater system and improving the River’s aquatic ecosystem. Under the proposed project, Ms. Turtle will provide guidance on the fabrication of custom tiles (including tiles shaped like insects and plants specific to the River) to Creative Flow Art Center. Creative Flow Art Center would then facilitate up to six public events in which participants will draw on their connection to the River to create the tiles. Ms. Turtle would then mount the tiles and facilitate the installation of the bench in Sylvan Hills Park. Planned engagement would occur this year as part of the Sacred Water, Shared Future movement. Sacred Water, Shared Future is a metro-wide initiative occurring throughout 2026 to celebrate the River and inspire continued action to improve its water quality. Bench Page 15 of 26 installation would occur in 2027. ## Recommendation Staff asks the Commission to consider a recommendation to proceed with the Sylvan Hills Community Art Project. ## Attachments and Other Resources 1. sylvan-hills-park_landscape-rendering ## 2. Mississippi River Bench — Design 1 ## Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. Page 16 of 26 02.06.2024 ## City of Fridley, MN ## Sylvan Hills Park Improvement Project ## N 01530 60 ## BIOSWALE ## RAIN GARDEN ## BASIN ## RAIN GARDENBASIN ## RAIN GARDEN ## BASIN ## BIOSWALEINFILTRATION ## AND HABITAT ## CULVERT ## CROSSING ## FLUME/BRIDGE ## SIGN TO REMAIN ## GRASS SWALE ## TREE PRESERVATION ## AREA ## NATURE PLAY MOUNDS ## NATURE PLAY AREA ## NATURE PLAY AREA ## CLIMBING BOULDERS ## TREE GROVE PLANTING ## WILDFLOWER ## MEADOW ## PARKING AREA ## WILDFLOWER ## MEADOW ## UNDERGROUND ## STORM WATER ## INFILTRATION ## UNDERGROUND ## STORM WATER ## INFILTRATION ## PAVILION ## EXISTING SPORTS ## COURTS ## WALKING TRAIL ## IMPROVED ## ADA PARK ## ENTRY ## BENCH SEATING ## IMPROVED ## PLAYGROUND ## ASPEN GROVE ## CURB CUT ## CURB CUT ## BIKE RACK ## IMPROVED ## ADA ENTRY Page 17 of 26 Page 18 of 26 ## AGENDA REPORT ## Meeting Date: June 3, 2026 ## Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission ## Submitted By: Title: Utility Box Art Wrap Program Updates and Next Steps ## Background ## Recommendation ## Attachments and Other Resources 1. Public Arts Commission Recommendations for Utility Box Art Wrap Pilot Program 5-18- 2026 ## Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. Page 19 of 26 ## City of Fridley Utility Box Art ## Wrap Recommendations ## Public Arts Commission, May 6, 2026 Public Arts Commission Recommends Selections for Utility Box Art Wrap Pilot Program ## Summary of Process: The Public Arts Commission met on May 6, 2026, to review over 50 design submissions from artists who responded to the call for art for Fridley’s Utility Box Art Wrap Pilot Program. Scoring criteria was used to assist in the selection process based on the call for art. The Commission also was deliberate about selecting a variety of artwork styles, subjects, and submission types (adult vs. youth). The Commission passed a motion at their May 6, 2026, meeting to recommend six design submissions with an additional two selections to be considered if any of the six primary selections are not successfully converted to digital files or the artists do not follow up with an artwork agreement. Recommendations of the Public Arts Commission will go to the Fridley City Council for final approval prior to formal notification of artists, preparation of final artwork or preparation of artist agreements. Anticipated review by City Council is May 26. Upon approval, staff will contact artists to receive final artwork as needed and manage artist agreements. Awards will be provided once final artwork and all agreements are in place. The six recommended designs are: ## 1. “Brighter Days Ahead” by Paul Diederich Page 20 of 26 ## 2. “The Historic Schoolhouse” by Cathy Gottwald-Thunberg 3. “Community” by Annabelle and Brigitta Anderson 4. “Wetland Waltz” by Emma Adams Page 21 of 26 ## 5. “Ganders Gone Wild” by Amber Dalton 6. “Fridley in Motion” by Yusuf Maragha (youth submission) Alternative Selections: (To be selected by Commission only in the event of selection(s) 1-6 failing to submit proper artwork or signed agreement) 1. “Orange Cosmos” by Jeanne Gallaher Page 22 of 26 ## 2. “Fridley Welcomes You” by Brigitta Anderson ## Summary Staff Contacts: ## Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director mike.maher@fridleymn.gov (763)572-3575 ## Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician ## Jesslyn.quiram@fridleymn.gov Page 23 of 26 ## AGENDA REPORT ## Meeting Date: June 3, 2026 ## Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission ## Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director ## Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician ## Title: Manoomin Sculpture Sign Style Review ## Background Manoomin by Ken McCall will be installed at Commons Park in July of 2026. A proposed sign style to highlight the artwork, artist and project sponsors is attached for review and comment. There are two variations, one of which will allow additional space for donor or sponsor names. The design was based on a previously approved sign style used for the public art installation at Moore Lake Park in 2025. ## Recommendation Staff recommends that the Commission approve one of the two proposed sign styles to be used for the Manoomin sculpture project. ## Attachments and Other Resources ## 1. Manoomin Sign Style Example ## 2. Manoomin Sign Style Example 2 - Additional Donor Space ## Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. Page 24 of 26 Page 25 of 26 Page 26 of 26