DeKalb Times

City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission met Sept. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

A. CALL TO ORDER:

The Riverwalk Commission Chairman Kennedy called the September 13, 2023 Naperville Riverwalk Commission meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.

The meeting was held in the lunchroom of the Naperville Municipal Center located at 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL.

B. ROLL CALL:

Present: Pam Bartlett; John Cuff; Jan Erickson; Jeff Friant; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; Pat Kennedy, Chairman; Bill Novack; Tiffani Picco; and Carl Wohlt

Absent: John Joseph; and Mike Sullivan

Also Present: Jesus Cortez, NCTV; Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Brian Dusak, ERA; Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; Amsal Khimani, former Riverwalk Student Commissioner; Peggy Motta, Naperville Park District; Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; and Mary Lou Wehrli, resident

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

There were no public comments.

D. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discussion on scope and purpose of Riverwalk Commission and Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee meetings - Pat Kennedy

Chairman Kennedy changed the agenda order to address agenda item

E. 1. as it pertained to how this meeting would be managed. He discussed the purpose of both the Riverwalk Commission meetings and the Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) Committee meetings, noting that the agendas and meetings had become similar or duplicated. The purpose of the PDC Committee meetings was intended for more detailed discussions on projects in design, new project ideas and maintenance issues. The PDC Committee meetings are also an appropriate place for public feedback. The Riverwalk Commission meetings should not replicate and discuss all of those details again but instead be a place for the various groups to provide updates or report back to the Commission (i.e., Riverwalk Foundation, Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund, etc.). In addition, the consultants should provide updates on projects not detailed design discussions, the budget can be discussed, a donor update is given, and an overview of the previous week’s PD&C Committee meeting for items not already addressed. He added that Commissioners are appointed to the Riverwalk Commission but attendance at the PDC Committee meetings is not required. It is, however, recommended for more detailed discussions. Novack will work with Kennedy on the agendas going forward. Kennedy requested that the group provide him with any agenda item they would like to include for upcoming meetings.

E. OLD BUSINESS:

1. Fredenhagen Park Fountain - Bill Novack

Novack continues to work with ERA and the Park District on the plan documents for the fountain repairs. He noted they expanded the scope of the project to include the Horse Trough Fountain due to recent repair issues. The project is expected to go out to bid this fall with work being completed next year.

2. Riverwalk Master Plan - Pat Kennedy

Kennedy discussed the Prairie Nature Garden project that was brought to the PDC Committee by the Park District, noting that discussions will continue at future PDC Committee meetings. They are currently in concept mode and once the design is determined, they will move to fundraising. Hitchcock inquired about the Park District’s Master Plan timeline with Motta stating it was scheduled to begin next year.

Hitchcock noted the possible overlap of projects in both Master Plans and the opportunity for the Park District and Riverwalk Commission to work together. Kennedy reported on the discussions and good feedback on the refresh of the Master Plan at the last PDC Committee meeting. The updates will be provided at next month’s Riverwalk Commission meeting.

3. Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund (RWBF) - Pat Kennedy

Kennedy noted the video presentation would be viewed at the end of this meeting. Erickson reported that the RWBF is currently working on developing their website, which is being funded by a private, anonymous donor. Kennedy provided an overview of the funding for the two projects underway, the Eagle Street Gateway project and the South Gateway project.

4. Update on Eagle Street Gateway Design - Bill Novack

Novack reported they are in the public comment period for the environmental assessment. They are anticipating going out to bid this year and awarding the project in the fall. The majority of construction will begin early next year.

5. Update on South Extension Preliminary Design - Bill Novack

Novack advised ERA and GRWA continue to work on path placement, grading, and minimizing the impact to area residents. More information will be forthcoming within the next month. Kennedy noted the Commission’s recommendations for moving forward with the project, which included input from the Naperville Police Department and Park District Police on residents’ safety concerns, and addressing lighting, noise and signage.

The timeline for the Master Plan projects was discussed. The Eagle Street Gateway project is anticipated to go out to bid in fall of 2023 with work starting in spring of 2024. The South Gateway project is anticipated to go out to bid in fall of 2024 or spring of 2025, and groundbreaking would occur in 2025, after completion of the new medical building being constructed at 10 Martin Avenue.

Kennedy inquired about the timeline for the groundbreaking of the 430 South Washington Street project with Novack advising that the Washington Street Bridge construction was behind schedule. He noted that the plan was to pour the east half this fall with AT&T splicing in all of their utilities over the winter, then rebuilding the west half in 2024. Due to the delay, the east half will not be poured this year but early in 2024, with the west half also being completed in 2024. The group discussed the funding for the 430 South Washington Street project with Novack noting they are petitioning to get an extension for the 10-year lifespan of the funding which is due to expire in August of 2024. Hitchcock noted the importance of aligning information and that the South Extension should be referred to as the South Gateway project going forward.

F. REPORTS:

1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy

Approve minutes from the August 9, 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting

A motion to approve the August 9, 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Erickson and seconded by Friant. MOTION CARRIED

2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy

Kennedy thanked Wehrli for sharing the Naperville Sesquicentennial photo album from 1831 to 1981, which was dedicated to the Riverwalk Commission, and will share this information with the group.

3. Finance - Bill Novack

Novack reported on the Budget Workshop that was held with City Council on August 29th, noting that there were no comments or concerns related to the Riverwalk.

4. Park District - Tiffani Picco

Receive the monthly Park District report

Picco reviewed highlights from the Park District report that was included in the agenda packet. New fencing for the recent Last Fling event caused issues with Riverwalk accessibility and pedestrian traffic and will be addressed before next year’s event. City staff are in the process of removing the asphalt path in front of the Carillon and Park District staff will add the topsoil and seed blanket to restore the turf in the area. Kennedy requested that Picco plan to report on the Park District’s budget and maintenance plan for the Riverwalk prior to the end of the year to coincide with Novack’s reporting on next year’s CIP and budgeting as the Asset Management Plan (AMP) walk occurs during the spring when budgets are already set.

5. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff

There was no report.

6. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme

DeLarme reported that the Fall ’23 Legacy Gift Order deadline was September 1st and consisted of six 4” x 8” commemorative bricks, fifteen 8” x 8” commemorative bricks, and four bench orders. The installation will be set up with the Park District in either October or early November, depending on how soon the order is completed. Existing faded/worn bricks will continue to be replaced with any remaining funds. Penick noted receiving a recent commemorative brick order that included a $5 donation for the Riverwalk Foundation’s Wildlife education (Don’t Feed the ducks!) initiative.

7. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jeff Friant

Receive the September 5, 2023 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee draft meeting minutes

Friant reported that the prior week’s meeting was Tom Stibbe’s last meeting with the group as he retired September 8th. The PDC Committee discussed the Prairie Nature Garden and received considerable input on the Master Plan updates. More information on both of these items will be forthcoming.

G. MEETING SCHEDULE:

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

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

Riverwalk Commission, October 11, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

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

**Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, October 31, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

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

Riverwalk Commission, November 8, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

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

H. ADJOURNMENT:

Erickson reminded the Riverwalk Commission about the Open Meetings Act requirement on communication between commissioners (three or fewer or notice of a meeting has to be posted) and requested that information be directed to DeLarme for distribution instead of replying to the entire group.

Holzhauer announced that he was selected to participate in the American Council of Young Political Leaders and that he will be visiting India. He is working with Mayor Wehrli and City Manager Doug Krieger on ideas for something to present and requested input on something that would pertain to the Riverwalk.

The group viewed the Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund’s marketing presentation at this time.

A motion to adjourn was made by Erickson and seconded by Novack.

The meeting adjourned at 8:29 a.m. MOTION CARRIED

https://naperville.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx?ID=-1&GUID=A3C0667C-247A-4300-AD02-03FAB1F3968C&R=6fc5535b-4b52-4d9d-ac18-e3eae57a4ad5