Okay. Can you hear me now? >> Okay. Okay, we're called to order the Arts and Culture Commission for April 1. Oh my gosh, I didn't prank anyone today. Thank goodness I wasn't pranked either. I would have lashed out terribly. Um, okay. So, we are here with the Arts and Culture Commission. Could we do a roll call, please? Jordan. >> Um Tom Sonic is absent. Uh Carrie Neto >> here. >> Ashley Perfect is absent. Uh Sharon Clark Williams >> here. >> Uh Raquel Sto >> here. >> And then Laura String, Eliza Verma, and you would Orosco Garcia are absent. And then Troy Woods >> here. >> And we have our staff member Jordan Layman. Thank you, Jordan. Uh can I just skip adopting the agenda since we can't? Yeah, we're not really. Yeah. >> Okay. We don't have quorum, so we're going to pass over. We're going to follow the agenda, but not vote on it. So, I guess that's what we do now. Um, we're everyone. Did you have a chance to look at the minutes? And did you have any feedback on the minutes? I thought they were fine. Looked great to me, but we can vote on those next time. Did you have anything, Raquel? No. Okay. So, we will um we like the minutes, but we'll wait to vote until next time. Meeting open to the public. We have nobody here. public hearings. Nothing. So, commission business action items and recommendations. And I got the smart sheet from Tom. So, first is the public art project. Uh Raquel or Raquel is here, but Laura is not, so we won't talk about the concrete stamps. We're out of our budget, so we won't talk about the sidewalk poetry. But, um, we did make a presentation to city council on March 17th, which was St. Patrick's Day. Look at us with the holidays this year. I wonder what that's about. Uh >> it was great. I think uh Tom did a fantastic job. He had some really great photos of the last couple of years of the commission and all of the work that we have created and put together so far um as a group. And then the plans for the penny press we talked about the council approved um that expenditure. So now we're in the process of getting the art collected to send to the vendor and have that uh go through that process. Anything else you want to add on that? Okay. Any questions or thoughts? Cool. Murals. Sharon, you want to give an update on that? >> On the murals. Let me see. What can I add? I know I can talk about the rock, but that's not >> That's okay. Talk about the rock. >> Okay. So, we have proposed that we take advantage of our unique geographical location and put a monument that we are at the 45th parallel halfway between the North Pole and the equator. We've gotten a thumbs up on that. So, I'll go ahead with getting more of the details down, buttoning down um how to get actual monument made, design ideas and so forth and get that going with the city. So, there's no numbers or anything for me to shoot out. Just wanted to see if the idea was a go-ahad, and it is. >> Yay. >> I think that sounds fun. >> When did this How did this manifest? >> Sharon just had that idea. She's she learned about it when she was a kid in school. She's like, "That's a cool fact and I never forgot it." >> Oh, >> did I capture that story, Sharon? >> That is the exact story. I learned about that at John Glenn Junior High that we were right on the 45th parallel. And I want I've always wanted my city to have a marker to say, "Hey, look at us. We are so cool." >> Yeah, I think that's really cool. >> Do you have any prelim ideas of where you want to put it? Um, it just depends upon I'd like more people here so we can discuss. Do we want to put it at a specific location within the city so people can readily find it? Are we intent on putting it and what would have to be the southern side of the city to get it on the exact spot that is the 45th parallel? >> It's quite close to Cow Elementary, right? Did we >> It is actually um close to Holloway. It's almost close to the border. So, it would be that water tower park area. >> Sure. >> It kind of goes at an angle through the city and it goes through the southern part of >> Casey Park and it goes along the Gateway Trail. So, those are like three key locations that are like right near that line. >> Fantastic. That's great. I love it. Yeah, >> that's cool. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, we'll just um have further discussion when we have a larger group of what people think about how we would like to have our city represented as one of the cities that has a monument to the 45th parallel. >> I love it. Um and then Jordan shared that the VFW expressed some interest. So, shared that with the mural committee. Did he understand the whole like they pay part of it and we cover part of it or >> um I think Ken was the one who talked to him and he brought that to me so I don't know if that was brought up but definitely worth just yeah reaching out and >> perfect >> getting some feelers. >> Thanks for sharing that Jordan. That's great. Awesome. Utility boxes. Okay, with the utility boxes, we are going to do one down at Casey, not Casey, I excuse me, Silver Lake, and that is going to be a photography project. So, it'll be something a little bit different than we have been doing recently. Uh, we've got the go ahead on that call for artists together and we will proceed with that. We've got the another idea, the the good life in Minnesota. That is a optional media except for photography. Obviously, if you want to do photography, you do the photography one. So, it could be any kind of media, any kind of style, but it has to be representative of Minnesota in a positive way. And so, that's all together. It's on Jordan's desk and um she'll go ahead and get the approval for everything. And then when that gets written in a way that's acceptable, it will go out to for a call for artists. >> Brilliant. >> Love it. Um, art cart. I feel like uh we're pretty caught up with art cart. Jordan, you were able to get those um contracts out to Kid Create. >> Yeah, I think the only thing I'm looking for is if there's It's kind of hard because not a lot of people are here is who's going to be at those two events. Um >> Oh, did we talk about I thought we did. I think everybody signed up. >> One. >> Yeah. And I think um Ashley was >> at the other one. >> I'll find my note. Jordan. >> Okay. Oh, >> perfect. >> Take a look here. Verify that >> Ashley's going to do May 22nd and Tom July 9th. >> Perfect. >> So, we are we should be all set up for events this year. the the one thing I think we have I guess we have to decide or commit to what activity we're going to do for big truck night, right? If we're going to do rocks or something else. And then I think we need to figure out if we can um or how it would work to do the community art event for Autumn Arts Festival, whether there's budget to do that with the festival slashevents city budget. I guess that's a Tom question or Ashley or Ava. >> All three >> probably. Yeah. >> So anyway, >> who's Ashley? >> You know, on our committee. >> Oh, is she on that committee, too? Yep. Oh, okay. Well, I I thought it was a different Ashley. I was like, we got a new person. >> New Ashley. Um, yeah. So, I think those are the last two things we've got to figure out, but I'm feeling pretty good about that this year, which will be great since, you know, you'll be busy with doing other things. So, oh, art night. We had um a lovely art night with Lisa Richie who um ran that. She volunteered her time and she had us do these uh canvases. She had a bunch of stencils and we painted on top of stencils which was very fun. Everyone got to do two canvases and she had the whole palette of colors. So, some people went really wild with the colors that they chose and um like purple with pink cheetah print on top or what it was just like a whole bunch of really cute stuff. So, and Ava put that together in a lovely social media post. So, that was great. Uh next is the cookie night decorating cookies April 16th. Are we full for that? >> Yes, that one and the candle making. >> Oh my goodness. >> Filled up. >> That's fantastic. Okay. Excellent. So, we've got that and then candles and then a break for summer. So, that'll be awesome. Anything else you need on that, Jordan? >> I don't believe so. >> Okay. And then Autumn Arts Festival, Tom, Ashley, and UD. That's September 13th. We will just be there to help out. And the community project, spoken word event at big truck night. >> Okay. Um, so I did send the proposal for that to Jordan and it came back that there is a preference that the spoken word happen at the Autumn Arts Festival instead of at the big truck night, which is fine with me. So, >> um, yeah, when that when I get together with Laura and Eliza, then we will work on some of the details for that and connect with it would be Tom and Ashley who would be the liaison to the autumn art festival. So we can get that drafted and put out there so enough people will sign up so we'll have like a good crew of people out there and maybe even connecting with some of like the English classes or whatever at North High to encourage some of the students to come out and participate in that would be like a great experience. >> I love that. >> That's awesome. >> I think too it'll be more of like a performance versus big truck night. you know, there's a lot of people and I guess kind of the festival people are walking around too, but we've got more of like a people usually expect that there's a sit down performance or something or the other. So, >> that's a really good point. Yeah. >> Versus like the big truck night, you're kind of just wandering. >> Yeah. >> Maybe that could be one of the acts, you know, instead of the music, it's spoken word. >> I think that's a good idea. We'll see how it grows. But I think it's a wonderful opportunity for members of our community. So if you are watching this and you have talent or no talent and you want to share a work of art with us, a poetry, a speech, whatnot, keep a eye on the city page so you know when to let us know that you want to be a part of the event. >> Beautiful. I love it. Awesome. Well, that was great for our committee updates. Now I have to flip back over here. Oh, old business. Do we have anything for old business? No. Okay. Reports from staff. >> Um just a few things. I think um I think there was discussion about combining the art cart and art night um budgets on the budget sheet. I think I realized this after um I posted it, but I think I'm going to reeparate them. Like we all know that they're pretty much the same thing, but like both of those are actually in they have different budget codes, so they're in different spots. So I don't want to accidentally overdraw on one of them. >> Smart. >> Um and then I guess with that being said is um I can't remember. The kids create uh payment. Would that be coming out of art night or art cart when I separate them or does it matter? >> Uh probably it's for an art cart event, right? Yeah, >> I guess take from the art cart first and then whatever like you know whatever if we go over the 500 then from the other bucket. >> Perfect. >> Perfect. Um and then the other thing um budgeting proposals are going to be due I think early July. I think last year I was totally blindsided and that was unfortunate. Um so I just wanted to make a note of that just to get everyone to start thinking. And I think maybe next meeting I'll have maybe something more to for like present or something. But just kind of wanted to throw that out there just that it's coming. It's so helpful to have this every month so we can see where we're at and because I was looking at this um in preparation for the meeting and I'm like wait a minute we have the kick create contracts. Where are those? And then I realized you put them together. So I was like oh they're in there. Okay great. So, it's it's so great to see this to know how we're doing. And then I think that really helps me as I'm thinking about next year and what kinds of things we might need for that. Um, that was a question that came up from the city council at the presentation as well is what's going to happen to um the money that's made off of the penny press. Um, and somebody brought up maybe it should come back to us separately and somebody said it should pay off the the cost of the machine before it comes back to us. But I think it sounds like everything that we are budgeted comes out of the general fund and everything that we bring in like the art nights and everything else also goes to the general fund. So it's sort of just all in and out of the same pot. I know that's just kind of been a constant question we've had recurring. So I just wanted to share that back with you guys. Yeah, that was a great question by Jason at that meeting. I was like, you know what, that is a great I wish I thought of that beforehand, but I think yeah, I think you said that it might have be similar to like, you know, the art nights where yeah, you know, that $10 that's coming in just goes back to the general fund, which I think is probably the most accurate um thing. I can maybe look into some clarification on that um and send that out in an email just because I I would like to know too just for reference but well and it makes sense right because it's all coming it you know I just think of it as like a little tiny bucket within the big bucket right and we just get like our proportion of it but yeah you're right having it having it documented would be helpful anyway just thought I would share that sorry to derail the conversation yet again as I like to do and then our events calendar we're set with our volunteers. So, I'm feeling good about that. And I think we've got activities set for everything except Autumn Arts Festival for what we said we would do. So, that's good. Oh, um I did find um the St. Paul Arts Collective has published a free coloring book. It's 100 different artists. One, our very own Amanda Black is included. Um you can download it for free from their website. I will try to download a copy for us for as our commission. Um or buy it off of Amazon, but it's a free just like come together, let's draw, let's color in these pictures made by Minnesota artists. Very cool. So, I think it'll be great resource for us as we're looking for more artists for projects and just want to have a fun option of coloring sheets for kids because they're making it available for free. Um Ava said they were at the 2024 um arts festival. I think I remember that guy. He was a fun person. So >> yeah, I think hers was right on the homepage preview. I could tell right >> really a >> I was like it's the wound. >> That's so perfect. I love that. >> So very cool. >> Yeah. Had some interesting coloring pages. >> I'm excited for that. >> All right. Uh reports from commissioners. >> I have nothing to report. >> Okay. Nothing, Cal. >> Not really. >> All right. >> Don't see me next two or three meetings. I hope >> you'll be great. It'll be fine. Uh, reports from Troy. >> Um, other than uh just wanted to thank Carrie and Tom and Raquel for coming to the city council meeting on the 17th for uh the presentation that they did. I had several people reach out to me and say that you guys did an awesome job. >> Good job. and remind everybody that I know it's just at just after our next meeting, but the the city cleanup day on May 9th, uh prior to that, the weekend of the 30th, 1st, and 2nd, I think, is the city garage sale days. And then the third, I believe, is the is it trash to treasure? Whatever they're doing this year. Um something new this year. So anything that you have that doesn't sell at your garage sale that isn't necessarily garbage, set it out on your curb and then people will go around and pick up what they want. So hopefully we can reuse a lot of things instead of because I know last year at the city cleanup day there I saw a lot of things going toward the dumpsters that I'm like, "Oh, somebody could really use that." >> Yeah. >> Me, but um it would be nice if somebody took advantage of those things. >> Yeah, I have a few questions with that. So, okay, we leave our stuff on the curb. Is it just one day you can leave your stuff out or are we informing our trashmen not to take the stuff on the curb? Because I've had I I think one time I put something on the end of my driveway and I wrote like a free sign on it and the trash people thought it was trash and they took it. Uh, which I mean maybe I didn't put a big enough sign, but what you what are the logistics? Generally, my understanding is generally stuff like that they shouldn't take because we don't have bulk pickup as part of our >> Right. Yeah, they should part of our current >> That's why I was confused. I was like, they taking a kind of a larger piece of furniture, >> right? >> I think the directions are like leave it out for the day. Everything that hasn't been taken, you you should probably put back unless you just want to leave it out there and see if somebody wants to drive by and get it the next day. because you know I'm sorry people in my neighborhood leave stuff out for taking all the time. So >> what's the date to the trash to treasure? >> Um I believe it's May 3rd. >> Yep. Yeah. I just looked at the website starts at 7 a.m. on Sunday. Um like an end time just that day >> until the trash man come. >> Yeah. Put it out there. I'm not bringing it back in. It's not until Friday. So, >> Oh, wow. >> What's What's the garage sale days, Jordan? Do you know? >> It is. >> Um, April 30th through May 2nd. >> Okay. >> That's news to me, though. I thought we were all Thursday trash. >> Oh, I have Friday trash. Everybody's different. >> It rotates. So, like >> really throughout our little city. >> Yeah, >> we don't all just have Thursday trash. >> No. >> Sorry, Raquel. Okay. I thought we burst your bubble. Well, then you know. >> And they're also charging this year, right Troy? For the >> for the city cleanup. >> Excuse me. >> Yes. So, city cleanup. Um, there is a charge. Uh, there is in the past we've been pretty lenient on people coming. Um, but there is a ban. I guess we are not allowing box trucks. So big like moving trucks, you know, U-Hauls, rider vans, things like that. We're not allowing those. Um, no mattresses and box springs because the Ramsey County is taking those for free or took those for free. I don't know if it's still going on. Um, and no electronics because again Ramsey County takes those. Uh, and then the charge is I don't remember >> I can't remember off the top of my head, but there is a charge depending on the size of your vehicle and if you have a trailer. >> Yeah, >> an extra. So, if you have a truck and a trailer, then I think all told, I think it's like $80 or something like that total. Um, in talking to city manager, it sounds like those charges are in line with what other cities are charging. And it's a matter of us one trying to recoup some of the money that we wind up spending because it does wind up being a safety hazard for tennis. Our ten our garbage company that we work with has brought up concerns in the past about the enclosed space that we have that we're trying to do this in and people kind of getting in the way of some of the vehicles, some of the equipment and stuff in there. So, um there's that and just the the uh public works area gets torn up pretty bad by the forklifts and stuff in there kind of turning so much they wind up having to repave that every year. So, >> and this was the same event that the last two years was kind of crazy, right? >> Yeah. I I mean I I do not blame them. It was a huge weight. How long did you end up waiting, Sharon? about an hour. But I mean, >> I was gonna say I've never >> like what you what I got for the amount of weight to me it was worth it. Yeah. >> Having done this in other cities and having gone down on Water Street to go to the regular place, >> right? >> I was very grateful. Trust me. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, and I feel like a lot of people I mean we volunteered for that last year, Troy, and it it felt like a lot of people really were taking advantage of the freess of it. >> Um I just there do you remember that one lady who had just like one carpet remnant? >> I was just going to say that, you know, one thing that we tried to do and I encourage people to do is if you have a neighbor who is, you know, not very mobile or doesn't have much, take it for them. >> Yeah. >> Um because Yeah. We had people who, you know, uh, women who had like carpet remnants or ATV or things like that and, you know, the person in front of them had a whole truck and trailer. She's like, >> "Let me just take this and put it on your trailer and then let this lady go." >> Right. >> Um, and most people were very accommodating like, "Yeah, sure." >> Yeah. >> So, it doesn't matter. >> Um, >> yeah. >> I think Tom had to get out of line because he needed the restroom and then he was like, "I'm not waiting anymore. I'm done." >> And the line was so long. I know we had cars break down in the line and that and sorry >> no U-Hauls. You just have to have a van. >> Yeah, if you have a if you have like a a passenger van or something like that, but no like big moving >> box trucks. >> Yeah. >> I don't know what qualifies as a box truck, but like I'm thinking like a U-Haul type >> Yeah. >> moving truck. >> Yep. And it makes sense about the mattresses, too. I mean, they had >> my neighbor and I, we used to get a U-Haul in Maplewood and then he would take everything for everybody. >> Oh, that's neighborhood. >> That's so nice. >> So, we wouldn't all have to go wait in line. >> Yeah, >> that's perfect. >> But we had I think last year we had at least one big box truck like that that we saw come through three times. Oh, >> so we think we think what people were doing is right before this, you'll see ads on like Facebook, hey, I'll come and get your garbage for free and or you know, for $30 or whatever. We'll take anything that you take all your garbage. They take it someplace, pile it up, and then when this comes around, they just load it up into trucks and just rid of it. >> Wow, >> that makes sense. >> We think I I don't want to accuse anybody. But I but but yeah, a nuisance fee will discourage that kind of behavior. >> So I agree that's not not that not that my vote matters, but I I agree. >> People from bringing one item, one small item, >> right? Yeah. Loaded up with your neighbor. >> Yeah. >> Sweet. Anything else going on? Try. We're coming into the busy get outside time of year, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. So, no. Um >> I don't know of anything else come up. I don't want to plug the city because I want I want a free tree but tomorrow trees are going up. >> Free tree. >> Oh yeah. >> I've never gotten one. >> Yeah, that's miss every year. >> You know I'm the starting but >> get on there right away. Have your login ready. Just like >> I did last year. >> You ready to click? Yeah. Oh, good. You got one last year? >> No, I was on there right away. I was gunning for a fruit tree really bad. >> Yeah. Hopefully this year is your year. Hopefully not. I've got one thing happening for me or two things. >> And I I guess speaking of trees, I know the city has been busy, the public works department has been busy going out and doing tree trimming and things like that. They did get a new uh bucket truck to do tree trimming and they kept the old one for like another an extra month so they could have two crews going out uh trimming trees and things like that. So >> exciting. >> I think they got through a lot of it. Okay. >> They just put that the old truck up auction site. >> Did our old um our cart sell yet? >> I'm guessing so. I don't know how much it went for. >> Last I saw it was only it was only at $100, I think. >> A I could have had my own art art cart. >> That means heavy duty. A couple hundred. >> The frame and tires alone were probably worth that. So, >> wow. I don't know what it wound up going for, but >> usually those municipal auction sites, you can get pretty good deals on things like that. >> Awesome. >> Cool. Uh Jordan, >> nothing. >> Nothing on your end. >> No. >> All right. Well, I don't I feel like this might be one of the fastest meetings. I don't think it's the fastest, but this has to be one of the fastest, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And I'm gonna adjourn. Bye. Wow.