John Baker, representing North St. Paul Veteran Park, initiated the public comment session by sharing historical insights about the park’s development. Baker detailed the agreement established in 2011 between the city and his nonprofit, North St. Paul Veteran Park Incorporated. This nonprofit maintains the park’s memorials and flags, while the city handles landscaping and utilities. Baker also introduced a proposed addition to the park—the installation of a “Freedom Rock,” a feature found in other veteran parks across the nation. He stressed the need for collaboration between the city and the nonprofit, highlighting concerns about existing irrigation systems as a potential obstacle.

Following Baker’s presentation, the commission shifted its focus to the Asian Night Market, an initiative driven by the success of similar events in nearby cities. Concerns about competition with existing Asian Night Markets in St. Paul and Maplewood were raised, particularly since these events are described as “huge” and “completely out of control.” The commission also discussed logistical challenges such as parking availability and staff bandwidth, especially during the busy summer months. Potential solutions included delaying the event to 2025 or 2026 and incorporating elements of an Asian Night Market into the Autumn Arts Festival to build community interest.

The commission deliberated on the 2025 events budget, led by a staff member who proposed a vision for city events that foster community spirit and pride. The Arts Festival was identified as a key event, with plans to improve it from the previous year. There was also a proposal to expand guided art night events from six to eight or nine classes. However, some commissioners expressed concerns about increasing class sizes, emphasizing the need for personalized attention from instructors. The suggestion to maintain six classes while exploring options for longer or double sessions was considered to balance class sizes with quality instruction. Ideas for new types of classes, such as cookie decorating and pottery painting, were also proposed.

The meeting also included discussions about a “Multicultural Festival of Nations,” featuring indoor vendors, ethnic performances, and cultural workshops. While the concept was met with enthusiasm, concerns about competing with larger events in nearby towns were noted. Another idea was a “European Holiday Market,” proposed for early December at Casey Lake, featuring small food vendors, craft vendors, and community activities like Santa photos and a bonfire. This holiday-themed event was seen as more manageable and likely to attract community participation.

Further discussions addressed preparations for the upcoming fall Roundup parade on September 19th, with plans for two decorated pickup trucks representing the commissions. The commission also discussed the creation of snow-themed trading cards featuring the city’s well-known snowman, informally named “Kenny.” The cards were intended to be distributed during the parade, with a focus on ensuring they were ready on time.

Project Snowy, involving a snowman installation, was another topic of interest. The snowman’s nose had been repaired by a local resident named Gino, who completed the work quickly and at no charge. There was some debate about officially naming the snowman “Kenny,” with some members expressing discomfort about potential public reactions.

The condition of utility boxes painted by artists was raised, with one box reportedly peeling soon after installation. A follow-up with the vendor responsible for the artwork was planned. Updates on a heart hands design for another utility box were also provided.

The commission explored the idea of street murals or painting on public structures. The possibility of a paint night event was also mentioned.

The meeting concluded with reports from staff on the 2024 budget. The council discussed potential reductions to levies for various projects and acknowledged the challenges of negotiations with six different unions impacting personnel costs.