## Public Arts Commission Meeting September 2, 2026 at 6 p.m. ## Springbrook Nature Center 100 85th Avenue NE ## Agenda ## Call to Order ## Roll Call ## Approval of Meeting Minutes 1. Unapproved Minutes of the August 5, 2026 Meeting of the Public Arts Commission ## New Business 2. Springbrook Nature Center Wind Turbine Mural Bench and Meditation Garden ## Projects Discussion and Site Walk ## 3. Utility Box Art Wrap Program Update ## 4. Sylvan Hills Park Community Art Bench Project ## 5. Proposed 2027 Meeting Dates for the Public Arts Commission ## Old Business ## Other Items ## Adjournment ## Accessibility Notice: If you need free interpretation or translation assistance, please contact City staff. Upon request, accommodations will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities or those needing interpretation services to participate in City of Fridley services, programs or activities. If you are in need of an interpreter or require auxiliary aids, contact the City at 763-572-3450 at least five business days in advance to ensure arrangements can be made. A solicitud, se darán adaptaciones para permitir que las personas con discapacidades o las que necesiten servicios de interpretación participen en los servicios, programas o actividades de la Ciudad de Fridley. Si necesita un intérprete o requiere ayudas auxiliares, comuníquese con la Ciudad al 763-572-3450 al menos cinco días hábiles de antelación para asegurar que se puedan hacer los arreglos. Markii la codsado, adeegyo caawimaad ah ayaa la siin doonaa dadka naafada ah ama kuwa u baahan adeegga turjumaadda si ay uga qayb qaataan adeegyada, barnaamijyada, ama hawlaha magaalada Fridley. Haddii aad u baahan tahay turjubaan ama qalabka caawiya dadka naafada ah, kala xiriir Magaalada taleefankan 763-572-3450 ugu yaraan shan maalmood oo shaqo kahor, si loo hubiyo in qabanqaabada laguu sameeyo. Page 1 of 11 Raws li kev thov, yuav muaj kev pab tshwj xeeb rau cov neeg xiam oob qhab lossis cov uas xav tau kev pab txhais lus kom lawv tuaj koom tau nrog Nroog Fridley (City of Fridley service) cov kev pab cuam, cov kev kawm, los sis cov dej num sib txawv. Yog koj xav tau neeg txhais lus los sis xav tau lwm yam kev pab, thov hu rau lub Nroog ntawm 763-572-3450 kom tsis pub tsawg tshaj tsib hnub ua hauj lwm ua ntej, xwv kom peb thiaj li npaj tau rau koj raws li lub sij hawm ntawv. Page 2 of 11 ## AGENDA REPORT ## Meeting Date: September 2, 2026 ## Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission ## Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director ## Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician Title: Unapproved Minutes of the August 5, 2026 Meeting of the Public Arts ## Commission ## Background Minutes of the August 5, 2026 meeting of the Public Arts Commission area presented for review and possible approval by the Commission. ## Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the Minutes of the August 5, 2026 meeting of the Public Arts Commission. ## Attachments and Other Resources 1. August 5, 2026 Minutes ## Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. Page 3 of 11 ## Public Arts Commission Meeting August 5, 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 6:00 p.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 Arts Commission Minutes for July 1, 2026 Motion by Commissioner Osterbauer to approve the July 1, 2026 meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Maija Sedzielarz. The motion passed unanimously. ## New Business ## 2. Springbrook Nature Center Mural Bench Project Proposed Workflow Mike Maher and Tara Rogness presented 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 complimentary mural be completed on all three benches by a single artist Page 4 of 11 ## 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. Page 5 of 11 ## 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 Page 6 of 11 ## AGENDA REPORT ## Meeting Date: September 2, 2026 ## Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission ## Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director ## Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician Title: Springbrook Nature Center Wind Turbine Mural Bench and Meditation ## Garden Projects Discussion and Site Walk ## Background Two projects are currently being planned for Springbrook Nature Center. One is an update of the Lawraine K. Beery Meditation Garden area located at the parking lot trailhead to the nature center trail system. The Springbrook Nature Center Foundation has pledged up to $50,000 to have this garden space improved, using the existing features and layout as a basis for improvements. The second project is to purchase three unique park benches made from recycled wind turbines and to have an artist paint a mural on the benches. The benches are funded in partnership between the Xcel Energy Foundation, Springbrook Nature Center Foundation, and Fridley Creative Arts Foundation. Staff will give the Commission an overview of the projects and request stakeholder input from the Commissioners. Staff will facilitate a site walk with the Commission to look at the project areas. ## Recommendation ## None ## Attachments and Other Resources ## Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. Page 7 of 11 ## AGENDA REPORT ## Meeting Date: September 2, 2026 ## Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission ## Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director ## Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician ## Title: Utility Box Art Wrap Program Update ## Background The utility box art wrap program is in the implementation phase with artwork being selected, artist awards being disbursed, and finalization of printing and site selection underway. Staff will provide an update on the process to finalize locations for each artwork design and the process for printing and installation. A final agreement with MnDOT is also working towards completion to allow installation of art in their right of way. ## Recommendation ## None ## Attachments and Other Resources ## Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. Page 8 of 11 ## AGENDA REPORT ## Meeting Date: September 2, 2026 ## Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission ## Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director ## Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician ## Title: Sylvan Hills Park Community Art Bench Project ## Background A community art bench project is being created for Sylvan Hills Park through grant funding from ## the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization. Additional partners Creative Flow Art Center and artist Jessica Turtle have collaborated on the design and the art center is currently engaging residents in opportunities to create clay tiles inspired by the Mississippi River that will become part of the project. Installation will be in the summer of 2027 and creation of community clay tiles is ongoing through the fall and winter of 2026-2027. Staff will provide updates and answer questions from the Commission on this project. ## Recommendation ## None ## Attachments and Other Resources ## Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. Page 9 of 11 ## AGENDA REPORT ## Meeting Date: September 2, 2026 ## Meeting Type: Public Arts Commission ## Submitted By: Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director ## Jesslyn Quiram, Engineering Technician ## Alex Metchnek, Customer Service Representative Title: Proposed 2027 Meeting Dates for the Public Arts Commission ## Background A slate of proposed meeting dates, following the traditional first Wednesday of each month schedule, is presented for review and possible approval by the Commission. ## Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the presented slate of meeting dates and times. ## Attachments and Other Resources ## 1. 2027 Public Arts Commission Meeting Schedule - Proposed ## Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly, and stable home for families and businesses. Page 10 of 11 ## Public Arts Commission ## 2027 Proposed Meeting Schedule Unless Indicated Otherwise, Meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at 6 pm in the Banfill Room (2 nd floor) Wednesday, January 6, 2027 Wednesday, February 3, 2027 Wednesday, March 4, 2027 Wednesday April 7, 2027 Wednesday May 5, 2027 Wednesday June 2, 2027 Wednesday, July 7, 2027 Wednesday, August 4, 2027 Wednesday, September 1, 2027 Wednesday, October 6, 2027 Wednesday, November 3, 2027 Wednesday, December 1, 2027 Revised. 08/26/2026 ## Fridley Civic Campus ## 7071 University Ave N.E. Fridley, MN 55432 763-571-3450 | FAX: 763-571-1287 | FridleyMN.gov Page 11 of 11