North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Minnesota Photography Utility Box Wrap Application Review
Autumn Arts Festival Planning
2027 Arts and Culture Commission Budget Proposal
City Updates from Council Liaison
Votes (3)
Minnesota Photography Utility Box Wrap Application Review
Dissent: None. Sharon Clark Williams initially proposed a counter motion to accept both, but amended her stance to second the original motion after staff clarified procedural limitations.
Moved by Tom Sonic [0:07:07] · Seconded by Carrie Neto [0:08:18]
The subcommittee selected two finalists from seven applications. Entrant one featured vivid nature photography (blueberries, fall leaves, monarch butterfly, tree bark). Entrant seven showcased natural prairie flowers and horizon pictures of the sky, emphasizing Minnesota's sky as powerful imagery. Commissioners expressed preferences, leading to a vote.
Autumn Arts Festival Art Activities Funding
Dissent: None
Moved by Carrie Neto [0:12:35] · Seconded by Laura String [0:12:47]
Discussion revolved around securing contractors for community art activities at the Autumn Arts Festival and the Art Cart, as previous plans for a spoken word event faced logistical challenges (noise, space). The need to reallocate budget funds for external vendors for art activities was identified.
2027 Arts and Culture Commission Budget Proposal Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Carrie Neto [0:18:28] · Seconded by Sharon Clark Williams [0:18:32]
The commission discussed its budget for 2027, maintaining the total $26,000 but considering reallocations. Focus was placed on moving funds from murals to the Art Cart for vendor payments and potential branding. The Council Liaison affirmed the reasonableness of maintaining the current budget while allowing for future ad-hoc requests for larger items.
Notable Quotes (5)
The one thing I will say that Minnesota is definitely known for beyond our lakes is our sky. And after all we are we are the land of the sky.
Um so I am not sure how this would work. Um I don't know if like we did another utility box since this wasn't a part of that original call if we would have to redo the call essentially since those other applicants wouldn't have had uh like fair opportunity to participate.
I propose that Ava take some of the bun the leftover money in the commission's budget to pay for art start to send two artists for 4 hours to do a community art event at the autumn arts festival. And if they are unavailable, backup plan is kidre studio.
I mean, we have a number of public art projects we do. We have a couple of events that we do. We have some art nights that we do. We have the arts festival that we do. And granted, you know, that's um part of AA's budget, but I think if we can focus on reallocating our line items a little bit better um within that 26,000, I would be comfortable putting that forward to council for um our request for this year.
Yeah, absolutely. I think it makes sense. And like Jordan said, if there is a big ticket item that comes up, I mean, absolutely come to the city council and we can review it and hopefully approve it depending on, you know, but at least review it and we can determine whether we can fit into existing money.
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
City budget being discussed in council workshops.
Arts and Culture Commission's budget proposal for the upcoming year.