04-20-2026 BPA MIN
Meeting of the Beautification and Public
Art Committee
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, April 20, 2026
Members Present:Committee Member Melissa McAlpine, Committee Member Ryan Hardin,
Councilmember J. Brian Calva, Councilmember Cory Grupa
Members Absent:Committee Member Deb Hjermstad, Committee Member Nic Hahn
Staff Present:Economic Development Specialist Josh Mollan
1.CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called to order at 4:31 p.m. by Josh.
Prospective member, Connie Beckers, and the committee introduced themselves.
2.CONSIDER AGENDA
Moved by Ryan and seconded by Melissa to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0.
3.CONSIDER MINUTES
3.103-16-2026 BPA Minutes
Moved by Ryan and seconded by Cory to approve the March 16, 2026 Meeting Minutes.
Motion carried 4-0.
4.GENERAL BUSINESS
4.1Beautification Award
Josh shared the draft Beautification Award Guidelines.
The committee was in favor of adding a provision allowing past non-winning nominees the ability to
reapply.
Josh shared that he has open communication with Plaisted Companies in regard to the Beautification
Award alternative award for the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce.
Moved by Ryan and seconded by J. Brian to approve the updated Beautification Award
Guidelines as written with the inclusion of a line allowing past non-winning nominees to
reapply. Motion carried 4-0.
4.2Garden Gem Awards
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Josh shared the draft Garden Gem Awards Guidelines.
Josh shared that Plaisted Companies could be a resource for the engraved garden stones for the 2026
winners.
Moved by J. Brian and seconded by Melissa to approve the updated Garden Gem Awards
Guidelines as written. Motion carried 4-0.
4.3Marketing
The committee discussed ways to market programs and activities.
Josh shared the 2025 flyers for the Beautification Award and the Garden Gem Awards.
Mel advised that she is open to updating the flyers.
Josh shared the following methods of marketing the committee programs:
Social media
ED webpage
ED website article
Flyers
Post cards
Word of mouth
4.4Public Art
Josh shared updated details of a custom mural from Mural Mosaic.
The committee agreed that the proposed cost was not feasible. The committee suggested looking into
creating a similar mural with in-house support and planning.
Mel suggested the mural shouldn't include human faces, nothing too literal, and should be modern and
bold.
The committee desired for staff to continue looking into the feasibility of a project like this.
4.5General Updates
Josh shared that the DERBA downtown cleanup event that the committee partnered with on is
Wednesday, April 22, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Rivers Edge Commons.
5.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Josh adjourned the meeting at 5:12 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Josh Mollan.
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April 20, 2026
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____________________________________________________
Josh Mollan, Recording SecretaryJustin Dunford, City Clerk