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Commission explores stamped sidewalks and take-home snowmen; $5,000 project funding noted
Summary
The Arts & Culture Commission discussed a permanent sidewalk stamp, branded take-home snowmen and a community distribution strategy; staff reported a $5,000 project allocation and asked for further price-and-quantity information.
The North St. Paul Arts and Culture Commission on April 2 discussed two related public-art efforts: a concrete sidewalk stamp featuring the city's snowman motif and a take-home snowman cutout project intended for broad community distribution.
Troy Woods, an Arts & Culture commissioner, described the sidewalk-stamp idea as a low-maintenance way to mark new or replacement concrete work and said the city manager had expressed support for exploring the approach. Commissioners discussed materials and production methods, including rubber or silicone stamps used for imprinting concrete and whether a 3D-printed or metal stamp would be durable enough.
Commissioners also discussed producing small, take-home snowman cutouts for residents to decorate and display. A vendor identified as Cali Soda Girl Creations can laser-cut birch snowmen up to 18 by 23 inches and add a stake; the vendor indicated pricing would be determined based on quantity and material (birch or acrylic) and that she requires a 50% nonrefundable deposit for orders. Commissioners noted an option from another supplier, Graphic Traffic, with a referenced unit price of about $45 each for a snowman-type item; the group said that price would make free distribution difficult and discussed charging a small fee if unit costs proved high.
The commission noted a $5,000 project allocation that could cover part of the cost; Jordan Layman, staff liaison, said the $5,000 request had been approved and could be used to support the stamp and take-home snowman project. Commissioners discussed timing and suggested targeting June 13 (Big Truck Night) for an initial distribution event, though they also considered a separate community event or National Night Out tabling for distribution.
Next steps: staff and the vendor will confirm quantities, materials and pricing and return with firm costs; the commission also asked staff to investigate whether take-home items should be given away or sold at a nominal fee depending on final unit price.
