Arts & Culture Commission - May 21, 2025 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Meadowlark Room at Fargo City Hall at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
The Arts and Culture Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Monika Browne-Ecker, Anna Johnson, Jon Offutt, Deb Williams, Tracy Walvatne, Joshua Zeis
Absent: Danyel Moe, Tracy Jordre, Tori Benders
Also Present: Commissioner Denise Kolpack, Traffic Engineer Jeremy Gordon
Item 1: Welcome and Introductions
Chair Browne-Ecker welcomed Members to the meeting and introductions were made.
Due to the lack of a quorum, the agenda items were presented in the following order:
Item 3: Ground Mural installation by Folkways
Joe Burgum, Folkways Community Executive Director, provided a brief history and overview of Folkways, and presented a request seeking formal permission from the City of Fargo Engineering and Planning Departments to install a ground mural at the intersection of 4th Avenue North and 5th Street North in downtown Fargo. A laydown item was provided to Board members of a letter of support from the Downtown Community Partnership.
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield gave an overview of the role of the City and the Arts and Culture Commission regarding this request and the next steps of providing a recommendation to the City Commission.
Jeremy Gordon, Transportation Engineer, spoke on behalf of the City of Fargo Engineering Department.
Discussion was held on the projected longevity of this mural, the wear and tear effects of environmental factors to the project, and choice of this intersection location.
Mr. Burgum shared plans for preparation and maintenance of the project, and reasoning for the chosen intersection location.
Further discussion was held on funds for maintenance, materials, installation by volunteers versus paid stipends to installers, and who would do the installation.
Member Offutt present.
Member Williams moved to approve support by the Arts and Culture Commission of the proposed Ground Mural. Second by Member Zeis. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Approve Agenda and Minutes
Member Offutt moved to approve the Order of Agenda. Second by Member Johnson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Williams moved to approve the Minutes of the February 19, 2025 Arts and Culture Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Johnson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Strategic Framework and 2026 Budget Process
Ms. Crutchfield gave an update on the 2026 Budget Process and strategic planning. She discussed the Public Arts Plan, Citywide boards and commissions, and proposed changes and cuts.
Discussion was held on the current budget for the Arts and Culture Commission, an upcoming discussion on June 9 regarding budget, if other entities could support the work of the Arts and Culture Commission, and future plans for the Board.
Ms. Crutchfield noted that the work of the Arts and Culture Commission would be supported through the end of 2025, and these discussions are related to 2026.
Board Members expressed interest in special meeting after the June 9 City Commission meeting to further discuss the future.
Item 5: Project Updates
Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug gave an update on the maintenance of current public art projects.
Discussion was held on if students might be able to help with maintenance and repairs.
Item 6: Adjourn: Next Meeting – August 20, 2025__
The time at adjournment was 5:03 p.m.