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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 December 13, 2023 Commons and Orono park. Past conversations have suggested that Rivers Edge already has a lot going on and may not be ideal. The committee is requesting feedback from the commission on input regarding the fixtures, concepts, ideas, and specific location for the art within a park. The next step would be to appoint a representative from the Commission to sit on the selection committee during the request for proposal process. The committee is also looking at doing something indoors as well like a community mural at the FT Center. Mike Westgaard will be the MFAC liaison to the selection committee. Commssioner Anderson said that the Park and Rec commission should be intimately involved in this process. He said that there are too many questions that they would have to answer before the commission could propose where. He likes the idea of art in the parks and believes there is room for it but never thought of interactive art. He also agrees that Rivers Edge is busy already. He would like to know more details before the design and funding process moves forward. Mr. Stremcha said that right now they are looking for feedback on what plot of land would be desirable for a sculpture or interactive play art. Through an RFP there will be a list of desirable features and criteria for it being community oriented and playable. Based on those frameworks the artist would have free reign to come up with a design proposal. The selection committee would then select a design and then it would come back to the commission for their review and support. Commissioner Anderson asked if it can go in any park or just Orono Park or Rivers Edge Park. Mr. Stremcha confirmed that the beautification committee is suggesting Orono, Rivers Edge, or the FT Center. The committee would like feedback from the commission on whether they are agreeable to those locations in general, and then specifically which of the two park sites and a location within the park. Commissioner Holmgren said he envisions something in Orono Park between the public boat launch and the beach that might be a boat scene or something that kids could climb on. Something near the former baseball field would be desirable. Commissioner Anderson also confirmed that Commissioner Holmgren was talking about the old Kuss Field area and that something with a water theme would make sense. Commissioner Anderson said he must see what the piece of art is before he can decide or give input. He said he thinks there are many places where the piece of art could go. Commissioner Niziolek said that he does think that he could leave it to the artist to select the location and the art and then that could be brought to the commission for their approval. That would give the artist the ability to match their artwork to the site. He said it would be important for the artist installation to include the mounting and preparation for the site so that there is not an extra cost to the city to secure the art for safety and security at a later date. Mr. Stremcha said the committee had identified $10,000 in 2023 and 2024 to use for matching grant opportunities to use as a base cost of $40,000. The intent would be no cost to the City beyond the initial contribution from the EDA and for the committee to fundraise for any gaps in funding.