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Commission weighs branding-iron stamp, penny-press and art-bench purchases
Summary
The commission advanced several public-art ideas including a small concrete 'branding iron' to imprint a snowy mark, a penny-press machine for City Hall and a proposal to buy and commission four art benches (estimated ~$10,000) for parks or downtown placement; staff to refine costs and consent-agenda timing.
Members of the North St. Paul Arts and Culture Commission discussed multiple public-art projects and budget uses on Oct. 1.
Carrie Neto summarized recent public-art work and a recommended branding-iron approach for a small, reusable concrete stamp to embed a subtle 'snowy' mark in sidewalks or curbs. "We would be looking at, you know, $150 essentially for the branding iron and the release agent," she said, adding the tool is reusable and intended to be low-cost.
The commission also debated purchasing a penny-press machine to be kept at City Hall and used as a visitor engagement piece. Commissioners discussed mobile models, rotating designs (seasonal and town-specific icons) and payment mechanics; one member explained typical penny-press operation: a visitor supplies a penny plus two quarters as payment, producing a souvenir medallion. Cost estimates for machines ranged in discussion from a few hundred to "a couple thousand" dollars depending on model and mobility.
On larger capital work, the mural team proposed buying four industrial-grade benches and commissioning local artists to paint or wrap them. The committee estimated $1,000–$1,500 per bench and a total project cost of about $10,000 when including artist commissions and wrapping. The plan would use current-year funds to purchase benches and delay commissioning until winter, with installation or a spring 2026 reveal if council and staff approvals proceed.
Staff liaison Jordan Layman and commissioners agreed the spending would go through the city consent agenda and that timing and vendor choice are key. "We can purchase the benches before the end of the year," one commissioner said, "and then store them until spring for installation after the artwork is completed."
No final funding decisions were made; commissioners asked staff to prepare a project-cost summary and the required consent-agenda item for council consideration.
