DeKalb Times

City of Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee met Aug. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

A. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Friant called the August 1, 2023 Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) Committee meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. The meeting was held in the Municipal Center Lunchroom located at 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL.

B. ROLL CALL:

Present: Pam Bartlett; John Cuff (until 8:39 a.m.); Jeff Friant, PDC Chairman; Pat Kennedy; Bill Novack; Tom Stibbe; Mike Sullivan; and Carl Wohlt

Absent: Jan Erickson; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; and John Joseph

Also Present: Brian Dusak, ERA; Sandy Eckhardt, resident; Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; Julie Landry, City staff; Roger Nondorf, resident; Stephanie Penick, resident; Tiffani Picco, Naperville Park District; Carl Peterson, GRWA; Marilyn Schweitzer, resident; and Alice Wood, resident

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

There were no public comments.

D. OLD BUSINESS:

1. Approval of Minutes - Jeff Friant

Approve minutes from the July 11, 2023 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting

Approve minutes from the July 11, 2023 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting

A motion to approve the July 11, 2023 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting minutes was made by Sullivan and seconded by Bartlett. MOTION CARRIED with Kennedy abstaining

2. Park District - Tom Stibbe

Stibbe reported that staff continues with pruning and weeding. He discussed the ongoing cleanup efforts with the large amounts of silt that deposit on the walkways after the river recedes due to months without rain and the river being up due to the cofferdam at Washington Street.

He noted that storm damage occurred over the past weekend resulting in downed limbs near Centennial Beach and on the Riverwalk. A crew was in on Saturday for cleanup. Vandalism occurred recently at Fredenhagen Park resulting in broken concrete and railing near the covered bridge. It has been temporarily shored up and they are working to get railing contractors out for repairs. Novack stated that PA022 funds could be used for the repairs. Novack and Stibbe will review the existing railing to determine if they need to go with a commercial grade when replacing.

Stibbe announced that Tiffani Picco will be his replacement with the Park District, as he is retiring and his last day is September 8th. Friant welcomed Picco to the PDC Committee.

3. Fredenhagen Park Fountain - Bill Novack

Novack provided an overview from his recent meeting with the fountain contractor/consultant. He reviewed the three options that were previously recommended by Geoff Roehll, Hitchcock Design Group and former Riverwalk Commission Chairman, addressing questions the PDC Committee and Riverwalk Commission had regarding long-term capital and day-to-day operational costs.

Option one was to fix the fountain as it is with a cost estimate of approximately $290,000, which included upgrades and new lighting.

Novack noted there were no other major mechanical issues foreseen and agreed with the contractor that this will be a good fix. The leak was addressed, which comes from two sources: 1) the sheared pipe outside of the vault; and 2) the recessed lights in the bottom of the fountain that have failed. The plan would be to fill in the recesses, replace the liner, and new lighting would be attached to the nozzles. He noted that it was agreed that it would be a good idea to use a fountain contractor to come out at the beginning and end of the season which would also be a good investment for long-term maintenance. He noted that the contractor could provide training for staff which could be videotaped for future reference. Kennedy inquired about long-term quantification with Novack noting that the pumps could be an issue at a nominal cost. Stibbe advised pump repair cost estimates are approximately between $3,000 to $5,000.

Option two was the natural water feature with plantings. Construction costs may be approximately $350,000 and would require similar maintenance to option one but a different type of maintenance. A smaller pump and less energy would result in lower long-term maintenance costs and because of the water movement it could run almost year-round.

Option three was to convert the fountain to a planter with public art installation. The bulk of this cost would be the art installation, which could vary widely, depending on the art piece.

The group discussed the pros and cons of each option. Novack will include this information in next week’s Riverwalk Commission meeting packet for final recommendation. Hitchcock reiterated Roehll’s extraordinary work in putting this information together. Friant proposed that the PDC Committee make a recommendation to the Riverwalk Commission.

A motion to support option one for the repair and future of the Fredenhagen Park Fountain was made by Kennedy and seconded by Friant. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. Riverwalk Master Plan - Pat Kennedy

a. Discussion of items to be updated in Master Plan

Peterson noted the change from the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan to the Riverwalk Bicentennial Master Plan, and reviewed the following suggestions for revisions: 1) update the Riverwalk Commission list; 2) provide an updated statement from the current Chairman; 3) update the map to include the addition of the Illinois Big Tree Champion per Schweitzer’s suggestion; 4) update the Prairie Nature Garden project as the Park District is currently working on design; 5) update the Paddleboat Quarry Overlooks to note work completed to date; 6) update the Eagle Street Gateway project and showcase the funding; and 7) update the South Gateway project with revised project and cost numbers.

Stibbe advised that members of the Park District’s Planning Department would be attending upcoming meetings and could discuss the Prairie Nature Garden project in further detail. The completion of the Paddleboat Quarry Overlooks was discussed with it being suggested that it show “In Progress”. Peterson noted that the Artists’ Overlook would need to be discussed for possible replacement or relocation.

Hitchcock noted past discussions about approaching property owners between Fredenhagen Park and Hillside Road regarding potential Riverwalk parking and possibly including this in the plan.

Novack requested that Peterson highlight the changes being reviewed and forward a draft to the PDC Committee for further review at next month’s meeting.

b. Receive Opportunity to Highlight River Ecology document

Receive Opportunity to Highlight River Ecology document

Novack reviewed the document provided by Schweitzer that was included in the agenda packet. Discussion followed on the importance of highlighting ecology, possible locations, and the size and capacity of the suggested location of the Wehrli Family Garden. Stibbe advised that Park District staff is looking at improvements in this area of adding flagstone and outcropping stones, similar to the lifeguard stations at Centennial Beach. Stibbe and Peterson will meet in the area to discuss further. Friant requested that Dusak and Peterson review options and bring back to the PDC Committee for further discussion on where this can be included.

5. Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund - Pat Kennedy

Kennedy noted that the marketing video was complete and will be shared with the Riverwalk Commission.

6. Eagle Street Gateway Design Update - Bill Novack and Brian Dusak

Novack reported that the DuPage County Stormwater permit was received and they are out for public comment on the environmental assessment at this time. They anticipate going out to bid this year with some work occurring in the fall and finishing up next spring or early summer.

7. South Extension Preliminary Design - Bill Novack

Receive feedback from the adjacent residents and consider alternate locations for the Southern Extension of the Riverwalk

Novack reviewed the information that was included in the agenda packet, providing a summary from the Public Open House that was held on July 19th. Six residents attended that meeting, with four residents from Melody Lane expressing concern about the proximity of the Riverwalk, especially behind the Dunkin and electric substation. They were concerned about the walkway under the bridge citing flooding could cause injury to pedestrians, promote vandalism, and that lighting under the bridge would be disruptive to their homes across the river.

They would also like existing Riverwalk assets to be better maintained, especially along the east extension up to Fredenhagen Park. Novack noted that some residents from Washington Street also attended and were in favor of the project.

Residents Wood, Nondorf and Eckhardt were in attendance and expressed that they were not in favor of the project. They reiterated their concerns regarding the lack of maintenance between Hillside Road and Fredenhagen Park, pedestrian and school children safety under the bridge, future erosion to the existing shoreline, and adding to existing problems with bicycle traffic on the Riverwalk.

Peterson reviewed the alternate path, included in the agenda packet, that shows the path going in front of the Dunkin and substation, and explained that the split in the path addressed cyclists by connecting to the City’s existing bicycle route. Novack reviewed the dual path proposed for the east extension in the Master Plan. Discussion followed on importance of pedestrian and cyclist safety near Washington Street and the encouragement for pedestrians to use the walkways underneath the bridges as an alternative to busy intersections.

Further discussion will continue at the August 9th Riverwalk Commission meeting and notice and packets for the meeting will be sent to the attending residents. Friant thanked the residents for their comments.

E. NEW BUSINESS:

There was no new business to discuss.

F. MEETING SCHEDULE:

Riverwalk Commission, August 9, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, September 5, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

Riverwalk Commission, September 13, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, October 3, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

G. ADJOURNMENT:

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Kennedy and seconded by Novack. The meeting adjourned at 9:19 a.m. MOTION CARRIED

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