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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: May 19, 2026 <br />REGULAR <br />TO: Mayor and Councilmembers <br />FROM: Nicole Miller, City Administrator <br />AGENDA ITEM: Approve City Center Wall Art <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br />☒ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community <br />☐ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance <br />☐ Managed Growth <br />☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☐ Resilient Infrastructure <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Following the completion of the City Center project in 2023, the City Council held a workshop on August 14, <br />2025, to evaluate interior design and aesthetic enhancements. The council reviewed various wall art <br />configurations and conceptual designs curated by Art Resources Gallery. <br />Key directives from that workshop included: <br />Establishing a dedicated space for a rotating community art program. <br />Integrating historical photography within the Council Chambers. <br />Including a thematic collection of Lake Elmo landscapes to be displayed throughout the facility's <br />common areas. <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />Does the City Council wish to authorize the proposed wall art installation for the City Center facility? <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />The proposed project targets public areas across both levels of the City Center, including the Council Chambers, <br />community rooms, service counters, and the lobby mezzanine—the latter of which was specifically engineered <br />with specialized gallery lighting for this purpose. <br />Staff is collaborating with Art Resources Gallery to finalize a layout that balances archival historical imagery with <br />contemporary photography of Lake Elmo. To ensure a dynamic community connection, a designated <br />"Community Wall" has been identified in the lobby mezzanine to showcase local artists on a rotating basis. <br />To optimize the project budget, staff intends to manage the installation internally where feasible. Final sizing <br />and placement will be determined upon the completion of current photographers portfolio and archival <br />selection.