Beautification and Public Art Committee Packet 05-20-2024
Beautification and Public Art
Committee
Special Meeting
Agenda
Monday, May 20, 2024
4:00 PM
Elk River City Hall
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. CONSIDER AGENDA
3. CONSIDER MINUTES
3.1 April 15, 2024 Meeting Minutes
4. GENERAL BUSINESS
Items in which the information is presented by city staff or consultants, then deliberation and action occur. General Business
items are not opportunities to receive or provide public input. However, the presiding officer may, at its sole discretion,
solicit public feedback.
4.1 Public Art Project
4.2 Beautification Award
4.3 Committee Branding
4.4 General Updates
5. ADJOURNMENT
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Special Meeting of the Elk River EDA
Beautification and Public Art Committee
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 15, 2024
Members Present: Deb Hjermstad, Nic Hahn, Dan Tveite, Ryan Hardin, and Melissa McAlpine
Members Absent: Jennifer Wagner
Staff Present: Economic Development Specialist Josh Mollan
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the EDA Beautification and Public Art
Committee was called to order at 4:33 p.m. by Josh.
2. Consider Agenda
Moved by Dan and seconded by Ryan to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
3. Consider Minutes
Moved by Dan and seconded by Melissa to approve the March 18, 2024, meeting minutes. Motion
carried 5-0.
4.1 Public Art Project Update
Josh shared that the EDA approved a $10,000 contribution to the public art project. Josh and Carey
(remote) will attend the Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission on April 22nd to approve location and
concept. Additionally, staff is still considering a video to highlight Carey’s visit to Elk River.
Nic shared that Evening of the Arts at Elk River High School will be on April 25th.
4.2 Committee Branding
Josh shared a potential new name of the committee: Civic Charm Committee, as well as accompanying
logos recreated by Melissa.
Dan suggested determining the charter and direction of committee activities before landing on a new name.
The committee was in consensus to brainstorm prior to the next meeting on the direction of a name and
logo change.
4.3 Beautification Award
Josh shared that he would work with Plant and Things to award Edge Bar + Boutique their garden bench in
the coming weeks. Additionally, Josh will work with Melissa to update the Beautification Award flyer for
2024.
Melissa suggested utilizing swag items to further market the committee and the Beautification Award once
the logo and name change are determined.
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4.4 General Updates
Josh shared that the city multimedia team is looking for content to film and publish. He asked the
committee for any suggestions for video content.
Ryan suggested highlighting the past winners of the Beautification Award.
Nic suggested offering classes to work with the artist, such as paper mosaic making.
Dan suggesting collaborating with the Sherburne County Fair with their art exhibition.
5. Adjournment
There being no further business, Josh adjourned the meeting at 4:57 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Josh Mollan.
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To whom it may concern,
On behalf of the City of Elk River Public Art Subcommittee, we are writing to you today to ask for your
participation in an exciting new endeavor coming to Elk River! The City of Elk River has commissioned
Milligan Studios of St. Paul to design, create, and install a public art sculpture which showcases the city’s
rich history in leading economic transportation efforts both through the highway system and riverway
system.
Milligan Studios, an experienced and esteemed sculpture collaborative, has designed and created
specifically for Elk River, a sculpture called, “Slipstream.” It will be located at the eastern entrance to
downtown Elk River, visible from Highway 10/Main Street/Parrish Ave, and will serve as an invitation to
travelers and locals alike to learn how the development and use of several transportation systems has
shaped the economic vitality of the town. Elk River’s own Charles M. Babcock was the first commissioner
of the Minnesota Highway Department in 1917. His leadership and forethought laid the foundation for
the state’s current highway and transportation system. The sculpture, purposely and thoughtfully
located near the Mississippi River, also pays homage to the history the river played in establishing early
settlements and commerce of the region.
The significance of the sculpture doesn’t stop there. We are working with several community
organizations including the Elk River Chamber of Commerce, the Elk River Great River Regional Library,
ISD 728 schools, Energy City Commission, and Granite Shores Apartments. In addition, we plan to invite
high school students and area residents to learn some aspects of metal casting with our artists and to
join in a variety of public opportunities that will be conducted under COVID safety protocols.
To complete the funding for this community public art initiative, we are looking for partners like you
who see the value in the story and are able to financially donate to the project. In return for your $500-
$1,000 contribution, you would receive acknowledgement in all publicity and any printed materials. The
majority of funding for the project has been secured through the City of Elk River Economic
Development Authority as well as a grant from the Central Minnesota Arts Board. But we need your help
to contribute to this small funding gap to bring the project to fruition.
Can we count on you to help tell this piece of Elk River’s story? As a donor you will be recognized on the
EDA website, in social media posts and in other promotional materials.
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On behalf of the City of Elk River Public Art Subcommittee, we thank you in advance for considering this
request.
Sincerely,
Dan Tveite
Jennifer Wagner
Sharon Tracy
Ann McCormick
Michael Niziolek
Together Elk River
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Updated May 2024
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13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
763.635.1000
ElkRiverMN.gov
City Beautification
Award Policy
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Updated May 2024
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City Beautification Award Policy
What is the City Beautification Award?
The City Beautification Award recognizes businesses whose efforts to clean, repair, improve
and enhance the overall aesthetics of either the interior or exterior of the building(s),
property and/or space thereby maintaining the beauty of their neighborhood and
surroundings. It is presented to encourage community improvements, enhance our city’s
image and economic vitality.
From May through OctoberSeptember, The Beautification and Public Art Committee will
accept nominations from the public and/or self-nominations. Nominations meeting the
eligibility requirements and the minimum criteria of the judging rubric of the Beautification
Award will become finalists. All finalists will receive public recognition for making and
continuing to help keep the City of Elk River beautiful!
Businesses can be nominated for this award by others within the community or they may
nominate themselves. Award finalists will be shown in promotional materials.
In November October of each year, the Beautification and Public Art Committee will select
one of the finalists to be awarded tThe City Beautification Award. The City Beautification
Award rRecipient will receive the award at the following EDA meeting presented by the
EDA President and/or a member of the Beautification and Public Art Committee. In
addition, the award recipient will be recognized by the Mayor and City Council at their
November next meeting.
What does the Beautification and Public Art Committee look for?
The City of Elk River Beautification and Public Art Committee seeks to recognize
commercial/industrial site improvements, commercial/industrial upgrades, landscapes,
interior/exterior renovations, restorations, and new structures that are architecturally
noteworthy and well maintained.
A major criterion is how the project visually enhances the surrounding neighborhood and
community. How the business incorporates design, maintenance, color, organization, and
creativity within the existing community. Improvements to structures, interior/exterior
spaces, and landscaping are important elements for consideration.
Applications will be evaluated based on the overall visual appearance of the completed
project.
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Updated May 2024
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Application Requirements
Submit completed online entry form plus at least two high-quality digital photos (For
businesses selected as finalists, additional photos may be requested), including a “before” if
available and “after” (if applicable) by the first Monday of each month beginning in from
May through October September of each year.
https://www.elkrivermn.gov/FormCenter/Economic-Development-11/City-Beautification-
Award-Entry-Form-350
Eligibility
The applicant/nominee must be an operational businessSite must be located within
the City of Elk River corporate limits.
A photo release approval will be needed to authorize the use of photos in various
social media and print forums.
For new construction or renovations, a certificate of occupancy must have been
issued.
Public projects are not eligible.
Previous recipients of tThe City Beautification Award are ineligible to receive the
award in the succeeding two years at the same location.
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Updated May 2024
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Judging Rubric
This award recognizes businesses whose building(s), property and/or spaces that contribute
to the beautification of the city through landscaping and architecture.
Applicants need to score a minimum of 10 points in order toto qualify as a finalist.
Scoring Rubric 0 1 2 3 Total
Criteria Does not meet
the criteria Neutral Meets the
criteria
Exceeds the
criteria
The business
building(s)/property/space
visually enhances the
surrounding neighborhood.
The business
building(s)/property/space is
well maintained.
The business
building(s)/property/space
incorporates a visually
pleasing color scheme.
The business
building(s)/property/space
incorporates creativity and
design.
The business made
substantial improvements to
their
building(s)/property/space.
Grand Total
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BRANDING /LOGO OPTIONSBEAUTIFICATION AND PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE/CIVIC CHARM COMMITTEE
&
COMMITTEE
BEAUTIFICATIO N
PUBLI C ART &
COMMITTEE
CIVI C CHARM
COMMITTEE
BEAUTIFICATIO N
PUBLI C ART
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