call the August 6, 2025 North St. Paul Arts and Culture Commission meeting to order. All right. Uh Jordan, could you take role for us? >> Yes, I can. Um Tom Sonic >> here. >> Harry Neetto >> here. Amanda Black here. >> Sharon Clark Williams >> here. >> Raquel Sodto >> here. >> Laura Strang >> here. >> Eliza Verma is absent. And u Arosco Garcia >> here. >> Troy Woods >> here. >> And our staff representative Jordan Layman. Thank you Jordan. Uh now uh everyone has had a chance to review the agenda. I'll look for a motion to adopt the agenda as listed. >> I move to adopt the agenda as listed. >> Moves. I second that. >> Second by Laura. All All in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Agenda moves forward. Okay. Approval of minutes. Everyone get a chance to take a look at the minutes from last week's meeting. We discussed a lot. Remember we had a good meeting last month. Um any suggestions for edits, changes? Uh if not, we'll look for a motion to approve the uh minutes as listed. >> Motion to approve the minutes. >> I'll second. >> Sharon and Carrie. Seconds. All in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. >> Minutes approved. All right. Meeting open to public. Nobody here. Public hearings. None. Commission business action items. Subcommittee meetings. All right. Let's go. Okay. Public art project. Well, one of those things was the National Night Out event with snowy cutouts. >> Yes, we had a great time. I brought my props. We got together as a commission subcommittee and decorated uh samples in advance. We had a lot of This is my cultural snowy with my Welsh tartan plaid and polish flower and some sci-fi. >> I was going to say, is that Doctor Who? >> Doctor Who and my Those are important. They look like nothing. >> It should have a passport on there, too. >> I should have a pass. And then, of course, Skellygate. >> Yeah. So that's an important one. But people really really loved it. Um nobody actually came to decorate. So we had the supplies and um no one who picked up their snowies wanted to decorate. So um we sent them home with the little uh pamphlet of how to seal it once they were done decorating. And then I brought some extra cardboard just for kids who wanted an activity. Maybe in future if we do something we should have a art card activity or something. But um and then we got a ton of disappointed people wanting to buy them that um couldn't buy them at the event. So hopefully that was able to get reopened. >> Yes, it is reopened. Um only purchable purchasable at city hall just to make it easier to for staff to uh track who has actually picked theirs up, which I don't foresee to be a problem since you have to pick come to city hall to pick it up anyway. So, >> so would people still purchase them on the website and then go to city hall to pick it up or uh go to city hall? >> Yeah. Come to city hall and we'd process it um Gotcha. >> through the park rental thing. >> Could we like send a message out about that cuz we told a lot of people to use the QR code to order last night the wrong information. >> We gave them the wrong information because we didn't know better. Sorry. >> Yeah, I'll be for sure. I'll let Ava know. >> Okay, awesome. That'd be great. I feel bad for the people that are trying to order today and not having any luck. But >> um and then we were kind of talking it'd be kind of fun if we had these offered on in an ongoing basis >> since we haven't spent all our budget if we run out. Can we continue to sell them? >> I mean, yeah, we can definitely look into that. I mean, would it be I'm assuming essentially what we would do with the extra ones that we have >> and then once we run out, we can reorder them. Could we sell them at the Autumn Arts Festival? >> Could we sell them at the Autumn Arts Festival? >> Um, probably. I don't see >> Wouldn't that just be like selling them for National Night Out like we can't process it? >> I don't know. >> I I I still don't understand. >> So, yeah, I had asked um Ava about that, you know, like can we Venmo? Can we do something in the future, you know, if we were going to do this annually or something? Yeah. >> Um and she said that they do have the square or you know that handheld and so she was going to look into it because we had a lot of people that >> don't plan ahead. I'm one of them so I haven't purchased mine yet. >> Um that would have last night. >> Um and so I think if we can capture them in the moment we would sell a lot more. >> I think the thing with last night well one from my understanding the money needs to go through one of our systems. So, open gov baseline the parks website and also it has to be a staff member that processes the payment. So, automarts I will be there so I can at least process it. I don't think you guys are able to touch the money at all. Um, so I think that was the main, from my understanding, the main reason why you couldn't just take payment even cash >> because I know we used to sell things at some of the night um, not night out big fire truck night. Remember Lisa? Lisa was selling stuff out of the art cart. >> Oh, really? >> I can't remember what it was, >> but she was on staff, so that makes sense. So that explains why. H >> and ordering online is not possible because of the trackability of it all. >> Yeah, it'd be difficult to be able to discern if somebody had already picked it up. Um and then if they didn't come back or not, it would just be really clunky for staff. >> Um you can it's still on the website. It'll just say in the description purchasable at city hall only. >> Okay. Okay. >> So >> So at least they'll get a redirect there. Okay. >> And it shouldn't be a problem because they have to come in and get it anyway. >> Yeah. It's not like we're shipping it or anything to their host. So, >> it'll just make their stop at city hall maybe like five minutes longer if even. >> Yeah. >> Okay, cool. >> Did you guys want to add something? Sorry, I took over. >> Well, and then you said you were doing cash only or you can do cashless at the desk as well. >> Yeah, you can do card cash. Okay. >> Check if you really want to. Um, I think our card might be a processing fee, but so 20 30 cents, however much it is. But yeah, I do think it was a really great event though. Um, it wasn't exactly kind of what we had envisioned since people didn't want to create their um >> I mean kids did but on a smaller scale. But I think that moving forward if the you know fire station will continue to partner with us that would be a great annual event that we could also take part in. Yeah, >> they were so nice. They were just great great people. >> Yeah. And I like I said, I think it was a surprising number of sales. I thought that it went really well. How many did we buy total? >> 200. >> 200. Yeah. So, that's pretty good. >> Well, how many are remaining? >> Just under 100. >> Nice. >> Is that right, Jordan? Do I have >> Yeah, it should be about 94 because we had sold total of 106. >> Jordan did math. >> Yeah. It was really fast. It was >> great. Um, okay. Anything else for that? Uh, the public art. >> Do we know about the stamp? >> Oh, I dropped the ball on the stamp. I thought I had sent Troy. Um, the the final information um and I did not. So, my apologies. That will be going out um so that we can start adding those to sidewalks. Thanks. Great. >> Um, anything else on public art? That's pretty much I think that was the two things that we had going for this year so far, right? >> Okay. Um, murals. Uh, Sharon, do you want to give an update here? >> Okay. So, as it stands, we tentatively have an artist to do the mural on the wall of the history museum. Uh we have not uh seen the final submission that is going to be presented to the city council yet, but she is my understanding is going to proceed to work on it. We're hashing out some of the technical details of the who is responsible for the different steps that go into the creation of a mural and hopefully um this will move forward in you know short time and we can get that going with anticipation starting date right now not earlier than August 20 but um that should be plenty of time because uh weatherwise to get it completed. I don't know if anybody else has anything to add or has any questions. >> Still has to go through council approval. >> Can we see the image? >> She's working on the image. So, we don't I don't have one to share >> once it's ready. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. Any questions about the mural? All right. Utility boxes. Uh Laura, do you want to take this one? Yes. So, for the Heartands project, um we've changed boxes um to a box that is further into Casey Lake Park, um but it is a better location so that people can walk all the way around it and if they want to take selfies when they find their heart hand, um it will allow for that without them possibly getting hit by a car. So, um it's better and it will be kind of at the beginning of the the walking trails, right? Um, yeah, >> and there's some construction right now, but when it's cleared up, it will be beautiful. So, we were going to move forward with that. We just need the new dimensions of that location so we can move forward. And then I would love guidance on >> the original box um so that Sharon and I can move forward with getting some kind of art there. Maybe just not one that you'd want to stand next to um nonselfie one. >> Yes. That the neighborhood would um enjoy. So, um, once the heart hands are up, could Ava do a bit more of a social push on that so that the people know that it's available to view? >> I I was thinking that'd be a great idea, too. Yeah. Jordan, can you take that action item? >> Oh, yeah, for sure. >> Could we do something at um Autumn Arts Festival to have a selfie station there or something? >> Have people walk over to it? walk over and check it out. Or maybe if we do the um the walking book tour, maybe we could have it around the Heartands. >> I don't know how far it is. So, I'm looking. It's to the east, >> just it's on the other side of the park. So, >> and so if you drive there right now, you know, you're going through construction zone. Um, but it's right. I think it's if you take Mcnite and I think is it Shaunie that you take a left on and then Well, depending on which direction you're coming from, but you go go into the park there and you you see it immediately and then there's a parking lot to the left and then right there there's a that's where the trail begins for that asphalt trail that goes through the park. >> Cool. So, if you enter through the what I always considered the front entrance off of 17th there, >> it'll be east. >> Okay, perfect. >> Even if we just had balloons on the day for our Autumn Arts Festival, just to draw people to that location or >> like a QR code of like where should we Oh, that's nice. Awesome. That'll be really perfect. >> Yeah. >> You know, where should we wrap next or other input for the commission? [Music] >> Interesting. Oh, who should I reach out to to get the dimensions of that box? >> Um, I can probably reach out to Ron. Um, I'm sure Brian know. I'm not sure exactly which box. I'll I'm sure Brian know so I can confirm with him, but I can have Ron or ask Ron to see if someone get out there and measure it. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, >> I should have measured it when I was there, but you know, I failed again. >> Did I kick you a lot? >> Um, yeah. So I think that's a the good a good plan. And then so of the list, do we have we still have a list of where others exist? >> And so do you want to target then outside of the veterans park still the other the one on the other side of Casey? >> I think that would be great. Um I mean it gets a lot of visibility. I would just maybe something not as bright, but I would like some direction on kind of where we want to go if it's near >> um houses. So, if we're residential, what are our goals there? >> Like a natural theme or something. I don't know. I've seen some of these where it's it's literally just like blades of grass or irises or something like that. Something like that. But I don't again, I still think we should probably talk with Brian in advance about that because I mean, if we're going to do something that we think is pretty mild, um, do we still need to go get resident approval for that? you know, so I think that's something that we should maybe get some uh direction on before we move forward with that one even further. >> Yeah, I can for sure ask Brian about that. >> I should. Yeah. Okay. >> We could get um a list of suitable topics. Do you know what I mean? Like like you like deer or as you said something on floral or lake or that kind of thing. >> And then that would really help us decide is this something we are looking at photography for? versus something we're looking at a painting somebody to paint something or AI generated type art. >> Yeah, I can definitely look at like what would be the threshold or requirements that would maybe would need to be met for that box. So, for sure. >> Yeah. Or because otherwise then let's just not mess with it if it's if if everything is too >> uh touchy of a subject. >> Waste the budget. >> Yeah. >> So, we have it. That's right. >> Absolutely. If it's easier to then just, you know, pick photography like Sharon said, then we'll go in that direction. We just would love direction this time um before we start. >> Yeah. >> Or just giving you lots of action items tonight. Jordan, like that's new. >> Um anything else with utility boxes then? Sharon, do you have any updates on the vets one? >> Um um yeah. So, the veterans one, um, we've had an artist, uh, picked out. Um, we've got the images. The wrapping company has the images. I think we're just waiting on the weather to cooperate for them to get out there and, uh, get a wrap. But, >> everything is in place for it to work. Just need the weather to cooperate. >> Yeah. So, there's like two or three boxes kind of clustered there, right? Is that where is is it going to be just the biggest one >> we're going to do? Right now, we're just focusing on the largest box. Okay. a rather impressive work of art in honor of the veterans. >> And Gino is doing it, right? Yeah. Great. [Music] >> Anything else? >> I have a question. Um, so with the list of utility boxes that we currently have, do we >> have I mean, can we break them into Yeah. >> groups, so to speak? We should >> to say you know so if we come up with criteria we can say okay for a a box in a residential neighborhood you know this is criteria for a box in a park this is criteria for a box you know in a business you know can we break them in I guess you know >> so yeah I mean I think I think we could do it even just with those categories that you just said Troy so and maybe there's some guidance from Brian around that because I mean then we could go through the list and figure out which ones are pitch, >> but um just to say, hey, if it's if it's on someone's it's it's in front of someone's house, you know, it's just in the um the uh the city property right in front of somebody's house. Um that that's residential. Um if it's, you know, what how do we define that? And then what kind of things are acceptable in certain areas? And then who who is creating those guidelines? Like who should we go to, you know, is it a team of people? Is it one person that we need kind of to create those? >> Or do or do we want to try and define it and then give it to the city manager to react to, which I think is also a good way to go, right? >> Because it Brian's got plenty on his plate. Maybe can we do that as a utility box subcommittee? maybe put some recommendations together um and then we can present those to the city. That's a lot better. Um >> I think that would be a better option to, you know, start with something. >> Hey, can you you know because like you said, Brian's got a lot on his plate as a city council. Like we don't know what do you guys >> Right. >> So >> it's managing up a little bit too, you know? So like I try and go to my boss not to say hey what do you want me to do but how about if I do this and let them react to that. >> So most of the boxes of the original lists which I received they are along seventh are right off of seventh or they are are near the high school and there's one that is just not far from here on Margaret Street. So they're more in the central areas right of the ones that have been >> circled and identified. >> Yeah. >> Um so they're not in residential areas. >> So really this is >> business district areas. >> Yeah. This one by Casey was just an an odd one. >> Is there one on the map there, Sharon, that's kind of down by the like the Target area and the strip mall down there? >> No, not on the map that >> not the location. And I have this is just a initial list. >> Yeah, it's a short list. >> I Yeah, it's a very short list of compared to the number of boxes that we have available and the number of parks that are available. >> I I think that this was just an initial I I think C might have created this and worked with someone from the city to see if these were open. >> I think you're right. Yeah, because I wonder I mean I think maybe our scope was initially focusing on downtown. >> So there's probably there's a million of these things around. >> Yeah. So it's a total of one >> nine here and some of them are already I think done. They're already completed. >> So yes, we can work on categorizing those and recommendations. Great. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Anything else on utility boxes? >> Yeah. So, well, I will just add that I'd like to see I'd like to create a larger map of the city and the boxes of availability. >> Yeah. and you know have somebody from the city look at them and then we start planning out a long range plan of >> there you go >> these are the types of things we'd like to see and this is these are the ones so we don't have to keep going back every every >> every three months when we're ready to go on to the next box to take up your time for them so I think that you know Laura and I can get together and we can create kind of a master kind of catalog of these and then on to you That sounds great. Wow. >> Uh, art cart. Raquel, do you want to take this one? >> Um, our next event is next Thursday. >> Oh, great. >> I will be there doing canvas paintings. We've got a lot of those to use. So, >> is that a uh music in the parks? >> Yes. >> Where is it? At Howy >> Casey. >> Casey. Okay, great. Next Thursday. >> So, >> super. If anybody wants to help, Raquel, I'm not available. I don't know if you want a second person. >> I'll be out of town. >> Yeah, that'd be great. A lot of paint and water. >> Um, and then yeah, that's our last one until autumns. >> I can be there to help if you need help. >> Okay. >> Thanks, Troy. >> Thank you. have my calendar here. >> So that's the uh 14th, right? >> Yes. >> And that one starts at 6 o'clock and goes till 7:30. >> Okay. All right. Um, art night. >> That's going well. We kind of took a summer break. >> Yeah, we're on a pause until September. >> September. I can't register for it. >> I think it opens up a month before the date. Um, >> got to register for the blanket night and so I was and I receive after you said that I said I better check and see if my card even actually went through and it did. It did. And I got a receipt from the city for the 16th of October. >> I will ask Sarah about that. Um I think Yeah. Are we originally planned for it to be just like a month before? >> Makes sense. >> But >> totally. >> I will check with her. It might be bugged out or something, but I'm sure yours went through and maybe clicked the wrong thing. >> Popular programming we have here. >> I know. >> Well, so then would you end up closing that again until a month out >> or leave it open at this point? the blanket one. Yeah, >> maybe leave it open at this point. It's >> We won't really be pushing >> asking for a friend. >> Um, yeah. >> Don't promote it because >> Who's got the bag of pens? >> Do you have a bag of pens? >> So, there's not >> Oh my gosh. Yes. >> Okay, perfect. >> And snowy cards. >> Okay, I'll grab those from you. >> Yeah. >> Why don't we We got to distribute those. >> Yeah, >> we got a parade coming up in September. >> That's right. parade. >> Okay. Yes. All right. >> So, um a question on the art night. So, the terracotta pot night that is coming up or closed or >> I think that's is that November? >> Oh, I thought that wasn't >> We did terracotta. >> Oh, it already it already happened. >> It's the coasters. >> Coasters. >> Coasters. >> Okay. >> And then the card making I think is the next one. >> December or no November would be card making. Yeah. >> October is the blanket >> and then after that >> September must be coasters. The September coasters >> sounds good. >> Okay. Jordan knows. >> Oh, we've got the thing in our thing. >> I thought the cards were first. >> All right. >> I think they're closer to the holidays. >> Fault for not doing that. >> I Yeah, I thought cards were >> Somebody knows. Yeah, I think cards are September. >> Oh, okay. And then coasters are November. >> It's October. Coasters November. There we go. Perfect. Okay. >> And terracotta pots were in June. >> Yep. Sorry, Sharon. >> Okay. >> I think it was like sold out anyway. So, but I am ready for my blanket. Okay. >> Okay. Autumn Arts Festival. Um, everyone should have this list in front of them. this whole packet of exciting uh volunteer opportunities. So, Ava is looking for some help from us. Um Amanda, can you help us walk through this? I can't. So, I I I'm thinking that the main page we want to look at is this third page. >> Well, um I I'll start at the front here first. There's a few things. So the highlighted areas are where she really wants us to pay attention and not all of them are need to be done tonight. Uh commissioners assigned that's kind of what we're doing right now is having seeing who can volunteer for which aspects. Uh the volunteer schedule I don't know what that is actually. Uh the volunteer call Ava is asking for us to reach out to our friends and family to see if we can get more volunteers for the night or for the day. So, if anyone has other people that they can reach out to um to send them on to Jordan, are you taking volunteer requests or is Ava? >> Um I think you guys are sending it directly to Ava. >> Um I can ask her tomorrow morning and shoot you guys an email if that's >> Yeah. >> different, but I'm pretty sure it's to Ava. >> So, that's what that is. And then emergency and rain plan. Ava wanted us to discuss that what we would like to do if there's rain or if there emergency is usually I mean everyone knows what an emergency is >> tornado um >> yeah so like a serious emergency cancelling the event kind of >> right >> didn't started I thought >> Mai had one from last year maybe. >> I have no idea. >> I have not sure. >> Last year, >> what does the city do for other city events if there were something like that? There's got to be >> we canled the we canceled the parade >> and I think if it rains, this is Minnesota. I I just always just kept going. Rain or shine so hard that the artwork was getting wet, >> you know, >> right? >> Let me tell you, I've been through quite a few storms. Last year was a rainy year for art fairs. Um, usually in what the information that I received from planners is it's a rain or shine event. Um, they will ask you like the organizers typically pay attention to Noah and get updates on whether they need to close down because of lightning or more severe weather. Um, I think that's what I would say is that it's rain or shine and we will go on with what we can if there is rain. So, if there's some activities that can't happen, we'll shut those down. Um, otherwise, yeah, >> I believe it did rain last year. >> Yes, it did. >> Okay. >> It wasn't like heavy, but it was >> Yeah, >> it was like kind of consistent throughout the day. So, I mean, >> did rain snowed three years ago. >> I I've walked through puddles and >> bringing that up >> every time. >> So, it's not going to snow and it's not going to rain this year. We're due for good weather for an arts festival. >> I don't know if she wanted any more than that. >> Um I know at least before we move on to the other pages potentially the commission volunteer schedule. I think maybe you guys can just send that to me. It's just what your availability is that day. >> Oh yes. Yes. >> Maybe like all day. >> I don't know to 5 just kind of like so we can figure it out >> because she sent out an email. >> I did respond to it. We do have >> I think that I don't recall but I think I was CCd on those emails. I can't remember if those were like just general like oh we're available that day. >> I definitely didn't give a time frame. So I think if some of us did I just said I was available. >> Yeah, I'll touch I'll touch on that in a couple pages um because there is a spot that I can take notes on that. The next page here uh it's continuation I think. Yeah, kind of continuation of the prior page. Yard signs up around town. Uh Ava is asking for volunteer to set those up about a week beforehand. Those are the um like garage sale signs that we put up. Anybody willing? >> Uh and so this is assigned to Jordan or what what does that mean? I think it can be like multiple people. Okay. I put myself on there because it kind of sound >> How many yard signs are there? >> I'm not sure. I can ask Ava, but I'm not 100% sure. >> 10 plus, I want to say. >> Yeah. I mean, I can help with that. >> So, do we um put these on city property? Is that what you're looking for to go along the boulevards like by the sidewalks? Are we asking people to put these in their yards? >> No, like intersections and >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. I can help with that. >> Okay. So Jordan, if you're if you're kind of owning that, if you want to reach out so Sharon or I can both help some up. >> Okay. >> I'm sure there's not that many and it shouldn't take that long. >> The meal ticket vouchers for external volunteers. We have room in our budget and Ava was considering giving any volunteers who do come a meal voucher to use at the food trucks and she wanted us to discuss if that's something we wanted to do. >> I think that's a great idea. >> Love it. >> Love it. >> Absolutely. >> All right. Yes. >> Is there going to be like you have to do X number of hours to qualify or >> Well, that's up for us to discuss then. >> Well, I think you have to do some work. We need to see you suffer a little bit. >> And I'm I'm assuming these are our family and friends that we have asked to come volunteer. So, >> well, and anybody else who like we have when we have the high schoolers come out. >> Yeah. >> Cuz I'm like I I would just boss my family members around and say, "You guys got to work." >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. eat. [Music] >> Um, and I think Ava's going to work out how to make that work as far as payment, right? >> As far as I know. Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Do you know what the recap meeting scheduled is? >> No. I my best assumption is maybe like going to council and telling them how it went because I know they did that with the um >> what's the where we at public works they give all the the track people's junk. >> Oh yeah, the >> they did that like a recap in front of council. So I'm my best guess is that's what it is. >> Didn't we do kind of like a postmortem last year like how did it go blah blah you know like an event? I don't remember >> event postmortem. I think you were busy >> if she needs more from us at this time. Otherwise, yes, some of us >> I think maybe like an a commissioner or two who would be able to go is what she's looking for is my best guess. >> Tom and I could do that, >> especially as it grows, you know. So, it's good. Next page is really where uh we get down to specific tasks that Ava would like day of help with. >> Are there timelines related to those tasks? So that would be easier to fill in. >> Some yes, some no. Uh so like setup, that's clearly going to be the beginning of the day. And I think we had vendors showing up at 8:00 a.m. So set up would be from about 9:15 to 10:30 she has written down in our schedule. >> And is that signage? Is that a tent? Like what kind of labor intensive setup? I'm up early, but what how many how many muscles are you? So, chairs, tables, things inside the building, the city tent, changing tents is for the uh performers, I believe. Uh speaker microphone, there's a large tent. The parking we are putting some park the like vendor parking over by the hockey rink and so I think she wanted we need some signs signage over there, things like that. >> Um I I plan to be there the entire time. So yeah, set up tear down. >> Yeah. And tear down would be the opposite, >> right? >> So like I'll be there from like 9 to 7, I guess. >> I'll be there for setup for sure. >> Um I can do setup and early morning like art cart manning. >> Okay. I'll just be like last year. I'll just walk down there as soon as I can and I will just hang out. >> All right. >> Just I think the thing that made me leave last year was it was getting ready to storm. >> Yeah. >> And I had to walk. >> Um I think to emphasize too that the middle of the day needs less help. It's more the end and beginning if that helps. I guess clarify general time. >> Sure. >> Yeah. uh day of vendor layout director. My assumption here is it's directing the vendors to their spots. Correct. >> I believe so. Yes. >> Okay. I'll take care of that. >> I was hoping you would do that. >> Y >> I think that was written for you. >> Uh Laura's going to do the art cart in the morning and then I think Raquel, were you talking about doing that? >> Okay. And then a question about the art cart. Mhm. >> So, is there going to be an activity there that's different than the community craft project at the Ark? >> That would be the plan. Yes. >> Okay. So, there'd be two total projects. Okay. Just to clarify, that's what Sarah said. You guys did it in the Casey building last year. The craft project. >> That seems like >> community craft project was >> Yeah. >> It appealed to adults and the art cart was more focused on what kids would do. Um, I think and then another question stemming from that or thing to think about is what if you guys know what project will be at the art cart this year yet or at least start thinking about that. We will discuss. >> You could do and there's so much stuff in there now. You could just throw all kinds of stuff out. >> Yeah, we we did a nice clean out and we kind of have a better idea of what supplies are available. >> And like Raquel said, we have a ton of canvases we would like to use. So, I don't know if those are too big though for that day. >> Yeah, they are really big. >> Yeah. >> I have a question. There had been discussion before about doing the woven um coasters, but we're having a coaster night. Did you say for an art night? >> Yes. >> I mean, I think it's two different things. I think the coasters are painted for art night. And we were talking about we need >> coasters for >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. Just wanted to clarify >> the art night ones are like the mandala um paintings. Yeah. And then the coasters are like at the uh art festival are the felt ones. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> Um Manning and watching the city booth. We just would like someone to be available. Well, and you said that you will need to run Sorry. If we bring the snowies, then I'm assuming that those payments would be run probably at the city booth. >> Yes, that's if logistically it works out because like I said, it needs to go through one of our >> online systems and I don't know how that works, but there probably is a way I would assume, but I would just need to figure that out to confirm. But yes, >> what else are we having at the city booth? Do you know >> off the top of your head? To >> be frank, no, I don't. I think it's just a space because I know before they gave out air purifers last year. I don't think they light bulbs and stuff. >> Yeah. I don't know if they plan on doing anything this year. Maybe light bulbs. Um but I think just in general someone there to answer questions, >> info desk kind of thing if help with that too in the middle of the day >> and I can be there for that too. I'll be there all day. So >> Okay. >> Great. Thanks, Troy. Uh food truck contact. This is just to have somebody available if food truck vendors have questions, need to know where they need to park. And I think an example Ava gave me today was that last year people were unloading like vendors were art vendors were unloading where the food trucks were supposed to park and so there was like a little bit of like issues with that. So it just be like move along. This is for the food trucks. >> Sure. >> So apparently it's just kind of getting them there and then >> just for like setup. >> Yeah, they're pretty She said they're they run pretty once they Yeah. get set up they run themselves pretty well. So >> do they come at the same time that we're like there for setup? Cuz I'd be happy to help us out. Yeah, they're they're around the same time. >> Okay. Yeah, >> maybe we can even set out some cones or something like that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Signage >> those spots until they get there. So, >> yeah. The hard part is the we do use the food truck parking places for the art vendors to come before they park. >> So, we try to get them to unload and cart all of their art stuff to their booths before the art truck before the food trucks get there. It looked like on the map. Did she have it so that that the vendors could drive down that trail now so they don't have to cart it or >> Oh, I don't think so. >> That's what it looked like when I saw on >> Maybe she was just saying this is the path that's paved. >> Maybe it looked like >> Yeah, cuz we were given a big no on that before. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, because it looked like it was I'm sure they drive on it, but >> again, that's something I'd love in the future. Um, yeah, >> it is >> what I've done at parks like Loring Park just a couple weeks ago. We drive through the walking paths there in order to set up our tents. >> Um, I think some of the issue was some tents aren't on the paved path. So, they would have to just park on the paved path and avoid the grass and it might be hard to manage that. But also in the area where the vendors are, it's not by the path, is it? >> The So there are some along the path and then a little jut out towards the >> Okay. And this year actually we will have some around the uh volleyball tent area as well. >> Okay. Okay. Um handing out ribbons. This is uh those of you who were there last year, Tom and I didn't make it, but that we had like ribbon wands or something. >> Oh, yeah. We had them up at the the the desk. I guess that would have been the city desk area. >> Yeah. So, maybe we can just leave it at the city tent. >> Yeah. >> And then whoever is manning that at the time. I don't think it needs to be a walk around and hand out thing, right? And if I mean if even it' be someone maybe intermittently doing it once an hour just to if in case nobody comes by the city t just making sure it gets spread around or something. I don't think it's something that someone needs to do like for like four hours straight. >> No the kids see them and they they they'll find them. >> They will find Yeah. It's not a problem because it's not that far from the playground >> and we were playing with them and so they saw them. >> Even if we kept a stash by the art cart. I mean, they're gonna get past. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. True. >> So, at the city tent and or art cart um art tent line management, this is for the artists we have coming in like face painters, balloon, we have a ton of etc. Uh last year the we just needed someone to direct the lines and keep it organized to keep all the things moving. So, Ava wants someone in charge of that. And we do have those from Sorry, I lost my schedule page. >> Are they going to be inside the the face painter was inside the building? >> These are all going to be outside now. We'll have We have like a double tent set up for them. >> Okay. >> Uh 12 to 2 and then 3 to 5. I mean, that would be a great high school. kid gig. I don't know that one of us need to do that. >> We have a volunteer. >> All right. All right. >> Work two hours. Get a free meal. >> Free meal. >> Don't forget to bring all your friends. >> When is it again? This is the >> September >> 13th. >> 13th. >> Saturday. >> Can you make it? >> Be there or you're in trouble. >> Yep. >> Yeah. photography and videography. Ava just highlighted that as if anybody has someone who would like to take photos and videos at the event. She gets pretty busy and can't always keep up to take that for her social media and etc. Again, just a general if somebody can do it, great. >> Anyone on the commission or anyone you know who would like to also Yeah. >> volunteer their time. >> Uh put out take down yard signs. Again, we had the put out for Tom and Sharon. >> Is that the library ones? Cuz I did that last year. I can do that. >> No >> story. >> No, this is the um Oh, is it? >> Cuz those are on yard signs. >> I was going to ask because I didn't see the story listed on like the budget or anything. the story book like >> we had a path with signs and you went sign to sign and it told the story. >> Um as far as I know I don't think that has been planned for. >> So if we have room in the budget that is something that would be of interest. uh potentially. Yeah, she's um we haven't gotten to that section yet, but right >> she is looking for recommendations um >> because there is some money left other than she did want us to keep in mind that on the total item section on the far left of that uh sheet, the Everbrite ads, tablecloths, water, and granola bars, those haven't been purchased yet. So, that's not reflected in what's left, okay, in there. So, she just wanted everyone to keep that in mind when making recommendations. Okay. >> Was that story sign? Was that something that we paid a rental fee for? Was it checked out from a library? >> Check it out from the library. >> Okay. >> Right. >> I don't remember. >> I thought it was a county initiative. >> Ramsey County Library initiative because it would make sense because we have a library. >> Yeah, that's where I thought it came from. I don't >> Yeah. No, I think you're right, Sharon. >> Well, this task is for the marketing the marketing science then. Um, I can drive out and take them down afterwards. Just tell me where you put them. >> Well, I think we can come. >> Yeah, >> we'll come up with some locations in advance. >> I'll drive all of North St. Paul back and forth on the map. >> Well, that should take all of 20 minutes, but Okay. >> Right. Uh so then this next section would be where if you have a time that so if you're not going to be there all day, this would be the section that we would talk about what time you can come. Uh go down to Tom, you're planning on being there all day. >> Yep. >> And Carrie, >> um I'll do my best. I got really worn out last year. We'll see. >> Can I push you more towards the later part of the event? So, come like 11. No, even 100 p.m. >> Uh, yeah, let me check my calendar. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Have to be there. >> You would need to be there by, let's say, 11:30. >> So, I plan to be there all day. And Sharon, >> yeah, I just plan to be like last year. I got there as soon as I could after I woke up and I just kept going till the weather got, you know, where I was a little concerned about getting home. >> All right. So, I'll mark you in morning to midafter afternoon. >> I will be there >> as far as a for sure, Raquel. >> So, what time does that start? I got >> 8 o'clock is when vendors start showing up. >> So, when do we 8 would be fine or a little before? Um, I will tenatively say that I'll be there from 8:00 a.m. to close. >> Okay. >> Woo. >> I'll do my best. >> Thank you. And Laura, you'll be there. >> Um, but you can't be there all day, right? >> Probably not, but I'll say the first half for sure. >> Okay. >> Just depends on kid coverage because she won't last the whole day, >> right? She could be our ribbon wand hand. Great job. >> And Eliza's not here. You had you'll be there at least from 11:30 to what did I say those times were? >> 3:30. I think >> 12 to 2 and >> and 3 to 5. So at least 11:30 to 5. Okay. All right. >> You were higher on the list. Yes. The next page is the budget. Um, so this is where she would like us to give ideas on how else to spend the budget. So we do have those meal vouchers that we will give to volunteers, which could eat up a bit. Um, >> do we have a goal of how many volunteers we're looking for? >> I don't. >> I unfortunately do not know. Um, >> we might want to have one. >> Yeah. >> So, and um, how many hours are you expecting each volunteer to donate? So, it's a Are you looking like two-hour increments? And so, you can volunteer like two hours, four hours. >> I would say my hope would be two hours. >> Two hours. >> Yeah. And then, and like Amanda said, front load and back load. the >> in in the morning like even if it's from 10 to 12 you know even though the thing starts at 11:00 we're 11 to six right so I it would be great to have more people in that like 9 to 11 spot and then like 5 to 7 or something like that >> well and if we're going to do meal vouchers then just knowing how much money kind of that is going to and how many volunteers we're looking for. Is it 10 volunteers or 20 or it's going to add up? >> I didn't ask her on what she wanted to budget for that per se or even how many vouchers she wanted to give out. >> Um, >> even if you had 20 at 20 bucks a piece, that's 400 bucks. So, that's not that's not that bad. Yeah, we we have depending on which one you look at, we have about $1,500, >> right? >> And it ends at 6 PM. So, you're looking for people 8 to 12, mostly 8 to 12 and then maybe like 5 to >> seven. Yeah. And the after 6 p.m. would just be for tearing down city things and possibly helping vendors get their stuff to their cars. >> Yeah. see if I could bribe. >> Um, so I would like I'm going to put down the requesttor to look into the literary walk, but again, I don't know if that's going to cost us money. Is there any other It doesn't have to be an activity, but is there anything else you think we should spend money on? I think for this fun photo booth um or maybe at the city table some just somewhere having a QR code so that we can um survey attendees about what they thought of the event. >> Okay. Um, are we having any city provided decor such as balloons, more formal signage or anything like that on the day of to direct people or, you know, to make a welcoming entrance type in? >> I don't think so. >> Would didn't we make a sign a long time ago? >> Yeah, we had a very large sign my first year. Um, I don't know if we did that last year. Oh, it wasn't a like a reusable. >> No, it had the dates. >> Oh, okay. >> I felt like last year there was a comment for more signage. I don't know if it had to do with the story walk or just in general. >> Yeah. >> Um >> may maybe some like balloons at the entrance and a signage. >> I think it was the bouncy house. Uh a lot of parents they were like, "Yeah, we were on the way out and that is when we saw the bouncy house." Yeah. Oh, cuz that was for it had to be over in the other side. That's not going to be there this year. >> Okay. >> Everything's going to stay in the same area. >> Okay. >> And then maybe just like where we're having, you know, face painting and like where we're having each event to have >> and times >> balloons at that spot so people know what to look for. Even if it's like the North St. all blue like look for the blue balloons and we send everyone to blue balloons um just so that they have a place to go cuz last year I it was my first year with you know you all and I didn't know where to send people for face painting like I just I didn't know the drill and >> so if we could guide them to uh >> yeah I think that would be great. Yeah. And times because that was a question. I was working on the community art project and it didn't start at at the same time that the event opened and people were like when does the study do I paint? When when can I start painting? >> Yeah, I think that's going to be actually really important this year also because again we have face paint and balloon art from 12 to 2. Then we have crazy hair and airbrush tattoos from 3 to 5. And I don't know guys if you guys remember we have that sketch artist >> uh from 4 to 6. >> And will the face paint be inside the building as well again? >> Nope. We'll have a tent for that >> because that was part of it was >> there was two things happening in the same building. >> Sure. >> Popular things happening. >> What will be in the building this time? I think it's the community craft. As far as I'm aware, that's the only thing I've heard would be in the building, but >> and then the big canopy tent. Does does somebody else set that up or who? >> That's what I was looking. Okay. So, if we go to the next >> after budget >> Okay. Wow. >> Yeah. She has us setting it up as part of the >> 20 by 3010. >> I was like a boy. >> Okay. You know, I was discussing it with Ava before the meeting like what she means by the big canopy tent because apparently that requires like six people to put up. So, she's like looking for someone who maybe can um take like initiative and lead and helping people getting that thing. >> Me and Troy take the lead on that. >> There you go. >> But yeah, cuz I remember I helped take it down, but I was just following directions. >> Yeah. So, I think we need like a director of the big canopy tent. Yeah, that was not easy at the end. Um, if we have extra money, we had talked about previously maybe doing like a popup tent for the art cart just cuz last year we did have rain and we had to like put everything away really quickly. We were using paper plates and paints. >> Um, is it large enough for the double table? >> Yeah, we have a 10 x10 tent. >> Oh, great. Okay, >> that's >> never mind. I was like, oh no. Perfect. >> So, we could put it up for the art festival. >> That would be great. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We bought one for the art carter. >> Yeah. >> And this is not money related, but is it possible to do community service hours like for these high school kids that want to volunteer? So, we promote that somehow on our website or with a flyer to the school, >> especially if we're trying to get a lot of volunteers, like 20. I think last year we got volunteers from like National Honor Society that they were able to use this as volunteer hours for >> how did we promote that Troy? >> Um we can talk to I can talk to um because I'm on the 62 Foundation with some of the NHS advisors. So I can talk to them and just have them >> Awesome. Not anymore. >> They're not advisers anymore obviously. >> What are they? They're just teachers now. >> But I can Yeah. >> No, I I just sent emails last year to Sarah Martinez and the >> Okay. I was gonna say I don't know what they did last year. >> Yeah. So, >> it wasn't fancy. Okay. >> We'll figure out who to talk to and just let them know. >> Yeah. You know, >> anybody looking for volunteer hours? We've got this big event going on. We're >> Awesome. >> And who do they contact again? >> Send them to Ava >> for volunteers. Volunteers, I believe. Yes. Okay. Any questions so far? >> Just checking my notes from last year to make sure >> so organized. Um I'm not sure if we're moving away from the budget, but I do want to before I forget to ask these. Um, is there a time for like the art cart project or community craft project like when it's going to be running or >> a specific time last year where we did it and um this year we're doing just one. I >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> If the community craft project is the only thing that will happen inside, then I like to run it all day until supplies run out. Uh art. >> So start time. When would that >> probably about >> 11? Oh, 11. Okay. >> Yeah, let's start it right away. >> And the art cart since we can't really move it or close it. Same thing >> all day. Yeah. >> Yeah, I think. >> And then community craft project. Who is manning that one? >> I can do that. >> Okay. >> I'm going Did you get the felt in by the way? >> I do. Do I have it on my desk in the glue? I think that was the only two things that needed to be ordered. Yeah, >> it is. So, um I can make instruction signs for this. And I will also um if I can grab the felt from you, I'll pre-cut it into strips. So then we don't need to worry about that the day of and maybe just put it in each box as a color kind of thing. >> You definitely grab it. >> Okay, that's the plan there. >> Thank you. >> Of course. All right. Um, don't think there's anything there. The final page. Okay. So, Jordan, I might need your help with some of this. >> Okay. >> So, the big canopy tent. Tom and Troy are gonna be the captains. >> Yeah. >> And then kind of grab whatever volunteers that you can that are there is would be my assumption. >> Uh setting up chairs then. I don't think we need five people. But >> do we need um is do does AA need help a Friday night >> for for the setup? >> Yeah. No, this is all happening Saturday morning. >> Okay. As you see on the last page, there's some Friday. >> Oh, I see. Yeah. Uh that must be when they're arriving. >> Oh, that's when that stuff is showing >> like getting delivered. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Uh chairs, cocktail tables, art tent with sighting. I'll take on. You do not need four sick people. I got it all by myself. I don't know what's involved with the photo booth cuz she had stuff she was going to rent. Um I we talked about this before me. I'm trying to recall. I think she is wondering if you guys maybe wanted to take that on and like if you guys are interested in that idea still if there's any like so nothing's been officially purchased or rented or anything for that. >> Correct. I believe so. >> I almost want to say we have enough going on. >> I think so. >> Okay. So if if there's nothing done with it yet and it's whether we take on more stuff, it's a no. Okay. Okay. >> And then I think she's also looking for leads in particular which she highlighted to me was the giant lawn games and yeah, you already did the art tent with sighting. So yeah, giant lawn games is the last on my list. I think someone just to monitor it. >> And is that like so sticking around with it all day? Yeah, >> we'll have to plug in probably high school volunteers. >> High school kids would be great for that probably. >> What would you need volunteers for specifically >> stand there and make sure kids don't hit each other with >> Jenga? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. They don't damage it. >> Provide instructions if they don't know how to play the giant lawn game >> or if it gets out of control. >> Yeah. It's like just they push you where you're needed. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, I know like that we're assigning tasks right now, but last year I remember I was assigned to something and I didn't end up there. >> Okay. Okay. >> Exactly. And >> it's full. That's why I haven't said I'll do that because I know I just moved all over wherever someone needs to go to the bathroom, they need to eat, whatever. Then I'm >> and I'm I'm good at that moving around instead of staying in one spot all day. >> So Eva does list event signs on here. So I don't know which signs she has planned for, but I'll give her the recommendations of what we talked about uh like day of it looks like. Um yards around town. Got that. Is this just a re Oh, tear down. >> Tom, you're going to tear down the big tent, too. >> Yep. >> I'll just provide muscle. >> I think that's it. So, we will get a formalized in September because we do have one more meeting before this event takes place. So, >> y >> you'll be like typed out what you wrote down. >> I'm going to send all this information to Ava. She'll put it all She has these wonderfully organized spreadsheets, even more than what she gave us. Um, and I'm sure we'll get an update in September. >> Fantastic. >> So, uh Oh, never mind. Our meeting in September is the 3rd. So, that still gives us 10 days. >> Yeah. >> Prep after that meeting. And then you and I can decide where those signs are going to go around. >> Well, yeah. Right. >> Or if Ava has specific places she wants >> We'll get some direction from Ava. Yeah. >> That's >> cool. Lot that was a lot. Thanks for guiding us through that, Amanda. Um that's exciting. I I love I love that this is getting bigger um in a good way and I I love the involvement. Um so it's great. All right, that is it. So the only other thing was the passport. Um and so I think we're just I'll I'll just take this is just we're just still kind of in a holding pattern on that. city manager is talking to the city attorney and we're still waiting, >> okay, >> for some finalization on that, but it's uh still got some life to it. So hopefully we'll have a better update next month. >> Okay. Um that was a lot. We covered a lot. Um any old business >> or project planning discussion? Was that 2026 project planning? That was it. >> That was the next uh item on the agenda. Okay. >> Which, uh, if you want me to take. >> Yeah. Do you want to take that, Jordan? >> Um, so this is I think it's just a good time to maybe start thinking tenatively thinking about next year's projects. Um, I included the budget or the budget that we put to council, the proposed one, so it hasn't been approved, but just for reference. And then I just quickly made um a sheet with just some questions to think about for each of the projects that we're doing or like things to plan ahead. I'm not saying this needs to be done like anytime soon, but I think ideally and I have at the bottom, ideally I would like a lot of this stuff kind of figured out or at least moved forward with or we're in um made some good progress with some of these things that I put on here by the January 2026 um meeting. And ideally, I would also like to try to draft maybe like a proposal outline form so that we have like a clear understanding of what is needed from staff in order to present it to or especially for me to present to department heads to get approval so we can move forward on stuff. Um, ideally I would also like to make a flowchart maybe um to help like clarify things for me and uh the commission I think would be really helpful. Um, so you guys might be able to discuss some stuff on here, maybe not. Um, but it's definitely just stuff I want the commission to think about. And also feel free to add to this list if there's stuff that I didn't think about um that we can all think about for next year's projects. >> Thank you. >> You know, was that um bring Snowy Home outline helpful that we drafted up as a committee? >> I'm going be honest, I do not recall it. I think it might be buried in my stuff, but I can definitely look at it. Um, >> I feel like that's kind of what we were trying to get at. You know, here's the concept, here's why it's important, here are the pieces to it. And I don't know that I feel that that >> um was used. >> So, I um >> I can definitely look at it. >> Happy to do this. I just want to make sure this is um going to >> be productive for everyone. Mhm. >> And I think a lot of this will be I think a lot of this is work that each of the subcommittees is already doing. They do on a regular basis. So if it's a matter of timing that you just want the information sooner. Um, that's something that I think we can all take away this fall as we meet with subcommittees and talk about, you know, how can we try and be better prepared. That said, >> there's I I promise you that we won't have all this figured out by January just because some of these things don't they don't come together until during the year. So, but I think it's I think it's good for uh everybody to kind of think about these things. I mean the like for example the utility box wraps I think that's one where we've been doing this now for a few years and now as we've been talking about developing better guidance and everything that I think that one will be probably a lot easier to map that out for the year and I think that team has been doing well on that already. um uh murals, you know, that's something that, you know, we always struggle with that cuz you you think you get something. They're just they're big shots to take, you know, and so it's sometimes it's um you think you got something going and then it falls through or or whatever. So, um some of those things take a little time. I think we've done pretty well though, too, with like the art night um and the art cart, you know. So, I think those those are things that we're getting into a pretty good routine and rhythm with. And so, I think those ones will be a lot easier that I think that the team should be able to knock those out by January. Um, so I think it's this is work that we can all uh take away uh with subcommittees for the fall to try and keep in mind. >> Yeah, sure. Can I can I ask is this is it a a timing challenge or is it a direction challenge? What are we trying to solve here? >> Um, I mean, obviously I've only been your guys' liaison for seven, eight months. Um, I think timing is more what I'm trying to focus with because it can be a struggle when we are, it feels like we're planning when we also want to do the thing, if that makes sense. Because a lot of this stuff is weather dependent. Um, specifically murals and utility boxes. So it gets a little bit tricky especially when our whole >> a lot everything revolves around city council deadlines. Um so that makes things kind of clunky. So if like some of the heavy lifting for planning is possible to get figured out in the months of >> March through April, it would be really I think a lot >> less stressful for staff and for you guys in general. Um, I think yeah, just trying to get stuff get as many details figured out before the summer um is like the ideal. >> So, if we could get a list or maybe I I'm the only one who needs it, but a list of what needs to go before council and maybe a list of the council dates so maybe as we're planning we can think, yeah, >> oh, this is the when the council meets, we should have this figured out before the 13th. >> Yeah. So, council will always be the first and third Tuesday of the month. So, I think with the with the um I think the first question though is important is what needs council approval? Like does every utility box wrap need council approval? >> Um oh. Um as far as I know from what the process was with the veterans one is that that contract is a lot simpler and we just need to go to city council to get approved for the check versus something like the mural contract. The way it's set up is it needs to go to council, >> get approved for the project to even do anything and then it needs to go back to get the check. >> Yeah. >> Issued. And that's what happened with the the take-home noise as well. Um if that makes sense. Yeah. >> I didn't know that. So So the first the contract had to be reviewed and approved by council, then you could refine it and do the check that was reviewed and approved by council. >> But the the check any of the spending is just part of the consent agenda. I mean it just >> so it's not a huge deal but it's still going twice but it's part of that hey we're spending this money does anybody have any questions about it right >> okay >> okay >> move on to the things that we actually >> but the snowy was a two-part review and approve >> I think I understand is that oh we can start using some of that winter time to get prep work done in the first quarter >> of the year so that we can hit the ground running >> because so much of what we do is in warmer months. Yeah. >> Yeah. I guess the easiest way to think about it is anytime you need to spend money, it has to go through council approval. >> Yeah. >> That's >> which is >> but not like >> not approval. >> We've already you've already said like you guys know what to do for arts and culture, so go for it. And then we're like, okay, we're doing it. And then you're like, well wait, let me well because the check has to be written approval to write >> spending it in July versus >> the council doesn't there's not a presentation where the council discusses it and say well well what do we think about this project? It it's the approval is strictly just all of the checks that are being written are part of the consent agenda and it's all approved at one time. >> I guarantee you it's >> most of the council probably doesn't even see it. >> Yeah. Well, it's so that there's public knowledge of the dispersal of public funds and so that there's a record that anybody in the city can go back and see this is how the city determined these funds would be spent and it's publicly known. >> Maybe silly, but aren't these meetings recorded and available for all people to see? So then when we vote on them and we're voting within the realm of our approved budget, does that not count? I mean, I'm just trying to better understand. >> We are not writing the checks. It's the city council that's writing the checks. Yeah. And we only exist because they delegated authority to us to exist. But the but the ultimate authority is the mayor and the council. So >> it's like a business where you I mean each department has a budget that yes this is your budget for you know for the year but then when you need to spend that money you still need to get that check that contract signed the check sign check issued to buy the product or whatever. So that still needs to happen and like Sharon said because we are a public a government agency, you know, everybody needs to see, you know, in January we, you know, city the city spent $300 on this and $200 on this and we reimbured so and so for their deposit for Casey Lake Park and you know, things like that. So if anybody ever questions, what happened to that $5,000 that the city had? Oh, it's right here. >> And and technically the all the commissions really just make recommendations to the council. >> I think that's like a key thing is that this is a recommending body. >> Yeah. >> Um so you recommend that the city council sets aside this amount of money for your projects and then they approve it. And then you recommend every time you want to spend money that we want to spend money this way and they approve it. like ultimately I don't think we can't say yes this is exactly how the money is going to be spent you recommend to the city council that's at least the best way I've been able to learn how to understand this um >> the authority to make that decision has been vested in us but like she said once we've made all the decisions then we give it back to >> what would be the city council because all this could theoretically have been done by the city council >> and the goal of this document and the ask you're making of this commission is to to be a better partner to you in understanding the timing that it takes for you to do the planning and the the behind thes scenes work within the deadlines of the city council >> and and my understanding I think the ideal cuz it felt a little weird with the budget thing that kind of jumped on us wasn't you know staff turnover you guys didn't realize it was coming up I didn't realize it was just a thing um but like it's kind of hard to recommend a budget when we don't know what we're doing next, which kind of what happened is we recommended for 2026 >> and we don't have anything planned. So to me that just feels a little awkward. So like ideally we would have like a general idea on how what we want to do. Um but like also just for timing on how I can get contracts pushed through and >> get our stuff done um when we want it. It would be more ideal to do sooner than later. And that's the other thing that's frustrating because, you know, we were trying to do the the paint night stuff, but we weren't we couldn't engage with any artists until the budget was approved. So, it it feels like kind of a, >> you know, chicken egg thing sometimes. >> But I also think I mean to have put the budget proposal in the in the middle of the year for us to roll forward the budget that we had this year and it wasn't based on nothing. I mean, we have general ideas of how we're of the money that we need and and what we want to try and do. So, and then I think it's also in the early parts of the budget process, they're trying to, you know, trying to get a ballpark. This is what every business does too, right? It's like, well, what do you think you're going to need? Okay, let's throw everything in there that you think you're going to need. Then you start pairing it down from there, >> right? So, it's all okay. I mean, it's we don't know everything all the time and then things come into focus as you move on. And >> yeah, and I will say that just, you know, one thing that we noticed this year and I know Brian is um mentioned to staff is that >> we noticed that historically budgets would come in and then we would always be overbudgeted for everything. >> Yeah. >> It's like at the end of the year we'd have all this extra money. It's like >> yeah, >> we need to be better about budgeting. >> Yeah. >> You know, let's be more realistic about what we're actually going to accomplish versus >> throw a number out there and then, you know, come in half >> which is good, but when you're consistently like that, it's like you're not really thought it planning to do and I think that's what Jordan is getting at. If >> you know if we know >> as this commission we're going to do three murals and historically a mural takes blah blah blah money. Okay, three murals times that our budget for three murals is going to be about this much money. Yeah. >> You know, >> versus coming we need $12,000 for murals, but we don't know how many it might be five, right? Well, I think this commission is >> and I'm not saying that's the case at all, but you know, that's >> we're just um we're new. I think we're maturing to that stage now where there's a couple of things like we've pointed out the the utility box art night. We we have those are more mature projects. We'll be able to present things that are better. We're working on some of the other things to get it, you know, get a system down. >> So, but I I agree. We want to get a we want to get it out there so that we are actually using the budget which we have created and we have something demonstrable that we can say this is where the money's going and be able to give that to you so January 1 comes you're in hand ready to go >> and I guess also to clarify with timing as staff as your staff lay on the easiest time for me or the most time I can focus on you guys is the winter months once it hits summer it gets busy for me in other regards and Usually those things have to they're they take priority for me like because it's right here right now. So when we are moving on everything in the summer, it's hard for me to give your projects the amount of time that it needs to be successful. Um so if I were able to hit some of the work into the winter months, >> I can I I'll have plenty of time to work on it. >> Yep. >> Makes sense. But yeah, that's all >> it says um to have all proposals by January of 2026, but wouldn't we need that earlier than like I'm working on a budget for my building um which is senior living and vastly different than here, but we have to have everything we've been working on it for two months already and we have to have everything submitted by October 1st. So, >> um, is is that more of like the goal that you're looking for where >> we have everything as locked down as we can, um, with, you know, prices that we think it's going to cost and projects that we think we're going to do that we can fine-tune later or is the January actual goal? I mean, that's that's a lot of time, but seems >> my my how I'm reading it is it's not necessarily um financial proposals that she needs, but just project proposals. >> Okay. I thought they were intertwined. It didn't seem like I could separate one from the other. >> And this is also something I'm just trying to work. I haven't even been here or with the commission for a full cycle, so I'm still there's still plenty for me to learn. Um, this is kind of a date that I threw out as I thought maybe was a good date for yeah project proposals. I'm not necessarily guess looking for financials. It would be good to know like oh we want to do two murals this year and we are tentatively thinking this place this place and we're working on this or something. I don't know something like that. Um costwise yeah I mean probably maybe a general estimate but I don't think anything concrete and also project proposals it's good for I need some in order to get department head approval or approval a above me I need something to give them and sometimes it's confusing when I just hear it in the meetings and if I have like a piece of paper that I can reference and show it usually can make the case a little bit easier and makes it that's just what I'm thinking maybe would be a process And like I said, this is all learning process improvement is like what we like to say in community development department. So >> we can help you. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> But yeah, that's all I have. >> Okay. All right. Yeah. Thanks, Jordan. We'll do what we can to help you out there because we know it's I know we're an active commission and we put a lot of pressure on the staff. Um so we we can do what we can to make it easier. Um, okay. We're going to go to We don't have any old business, so we'll go from reports. >> Wait, can I just ask, are we in the parade? Do we know? >> I'm think Ava asked if you guys wanted to do your own float, like not with the city, but like arts commission. I don't I know the parade isn't run by the city this year, so I don't know >> because that's the other thing I heard is they're limiting the number of people that can be in it because it's such a long parade. Is the does the city have a spot in the parade yet? >> I believe so. I can revisit this with Ava and ask exactly what's going on, but I do remember her offering like a float for specifically arts. So, I'm assuming we have multiple spots, but >> I just on the calendar, so I want to make sure I save the date. >> Can someone remind me when it is? >> September. It's usually right around that arts festival, >> right? >> I want to say it was after this year. >> 9:18. >> Okay. >> That's right. We're twinsies. >> So, it's highlighted on the calendar, but not at the top. [Music] >> Oh, good. I Okay. Sorry. >> So, we want to walk in it. I don't know if we need to have our own float. >> Yeah. And I would I'd be interested to know what having our own float entails. Like, do do we have to go and decorate like a trailer or who's driving the thing? Like, I think decorating for sure would be involved. Um, the driving I'm not 100% sure, but I can check. >> City truck just pull. >> We did. >> We had a city pickup truck pull in a trailer with a snowy on it. The very first snowy one year and I drove it. But >> in your Elvis costume. >> In an Elvis costume. And I don't remember who did we decorate it. I don't know. It just had some fringe. >> Some fringe. Yeah. >> Yep. >> But I don't think we need to have our own thing. But if there's a city >> uh kind of presents or float or something like that that we walk along with other I know that's what we've done other times is >> we'll hand out snowy cards and candy. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So we should be walking so you can do that then. >> Yeah. >> Love it. >> Okay. >> Um budget and events calendar. >> Um I have nothing necessarily on those to comment but for reports from staff. I do want to bring up um that I believe Raquel and Amanda, your commission things are up for renewal this year. So, you don't need to give me an answer now, but I just need to know if you guys would like to renew by November. So, >> I had a question about mine. >> So, back when I started it, I think it was Sarah and then it switched to my but I was a student at the time. Yeah. And so I was only on there for a year. So I'm wondering could we just like amend mine somehow to be like the two what is it? Threeear term. >> Three year >> instead of me signing up for a new term and now I'm doing four years. >> I can ask um for sure. >> No thanks. Hard no. We can re-evaluate after three years and then >> yeah, I can definitely uh ask and follow up about that. I'm not really sure how the renewal thing works, but >> yeah, find out. >> Definitely find what the three years >> and then we'll see see what's you know what's in store for me. >> I can say I've decided to not renew. >> That's going to hurt. Love you guys. >> And that was it for me. >> Well, great. Well, on that note, um, okay, let's do reports from commissioners and you, I'll start with you. >> Oh, >> any news? >> Well, no, just I've been working outside. >> Yeah. This is by my house alley cuz we built our fence but we didn't know the other side was part of our our land too. So we let it and it overgrew and now there's like small trees, shrubs, so much weeds >> walk in there with the machines. >> Knock it all down. >> And then I'm doing a lot of yard work. Yeah. >> Did you get any takers for your subcommittee? >> Oh my. But I don't know about I don't know. I guess I got to still plan it. >> Okay. >> Or an idea out there without it having it planned. >> No, I think that's great. >> And then the storm. That was tragic. >> That was a bad storm. >> Yeah. I was playing Roblox in the morning and then like all the lights go out and uh oh >> and I look outside and then I see like these blue and greenish lights >> cross and I guess my mom told me that a power line >> oh no >> my phone was at 20%. And then I called I called here. I called the city hall office and I was like, "If I don't have power, why would they have power?" >> So then I hung up. I just went to sleep. >> Yeah. 20% battery. And my friends didn't believe me until they woke up. >> 8 and a half hour either. >> Oh, you were right. Cuz I did call and it did ring and then it went to a dial phone. I have not heard. >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah. >> But yeah, that's pretty much it. >> Oh, and my hip. I'm better from that now. >> Hip problem. >> Oh, no. I broke my hip. >> Oh, wow. >> Oh, >> I thought I was hear. >> No. >> Well, >> I remember the the ankle thing, right? You your ankle was broken like two two months ago. >> I broke my ankle. I thought you had a boot on. I remember you like twisting it. I thought maybe I made that up. >> You getting them confused with Dave McKenzie. >> I don't know who that is. >> That's pretty much it for me. >> All right. Thanks. You had Troy. We'll come back to you. Amanda, >> any other bad news you want to give us today? >> Nothing to add. >> Do you have some more pictures, Amanda? Some orange tents you can share? I have a request for future. Please never buy an orange tent. So move. >> Uh Sharon, anything? >> I do not have anything right now. >> Carrie. >> Nope. >> Laura, >> I was excited to see the new fire truck. It's that was awesome. So, um, yeah, that's my only news is I love our city and it was neat to see, you know, the new shiny things. >> Good. Raquel, >> no news is good news. >> No news. Okay. I just have one thing. I received an email from Ava. Um, community looking for a community partnership opportunity. So, there are a couple people who oversee the senior community education programs at 622 maybe. Do you know any of these people? um re and she recently connected with them about the possibility of partnering on future events such as paint nights, walking groups, or other community- based activities. This also went to Laura uh with the parks commission. Uh they currently collaborate with several surrounding cities, but noted there's a gap in senior programming within North St. Paul. Um, not sure where this will go, but I did I reached out and said, "Well, you you know, be happy to have you join us at one of our meetings here and they can kind of talk about what they do and and we can see how we can maybe find some things to connect on. >> Could we even find a community center to not looking so good >> given the last uh updates I've seen? On that note, >> Troy, >> I think we better call it. >> Yeah. >> Um, so I had to call in to the last city council meeting because I was on my way up to Grand Forks to take my daughter up for orientation. So that's and then I lost connection and so that's why everything sounded like the whole discussion got tabled until our next meeting, which was supposed to happen last night. But because of national night out didn't happen last night will be >> I'm sure it will picked up. >> Yeah, >> we did have an emergency meeting on Monday to talk about the uh cyber security breach that happened with police department just to sign a contract with a law firm and a cyber security firm to come in and do an assessment and make sure that everything is fine. Um, I will say that everything because this is my day job, you know, cyber security is what I do for day job. Um, I think I don't think there's unlike other than that, I just got back from an awesome vacation. >> Great. Where'd you go? >> Mediterranean. Italy, Spain, France. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> On a cruise. >> Oh, cool. >> That sounds great. >> All right. Well, that does it for this time. So, we'll look for a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. Amanda. All in favor say I. I. Opposed meeting is adjourned at 8:00.