DeKalb Times

City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission met Oct. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the Commission:

A. CALL TO ORDER:

The Riverwalk Commission Chairman Kennedy called the October 11, 2023 Naperville Riverwalk Commission meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. The meeting was held in the Naperville Employee University (NEU) at the Naperville Municipal Center located at 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL.

B. ROLL CALL:

Present: Jan Erickson; Jeff Friant; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; John Joseph; Pat Kennedy, Chairman; Ryan Mohammadian; Bill Novack; Tiffani Picco; Sennah Rashidian; Mike Sullivan; and Carl Wohlt

Absent: Pam Bartlett; and John Cuff

Also Present: Jesus Cortez, NCTV; Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Brian Dusak, ERA; Mary Hamill, Naperville Accessible Community Task Force (ACTF); Peggy Motta, Naperville Park District; Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; and Carl Peterson, GRWA

Chairman Kennedy welcomed the newly appointed Riverwalk Commission

Student Representatives Mohammadian and Rashidian. A brief introduction of each Commissioner and member was provided at this time.

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

There were no public comments.

D. OLD BUSINESS:

Kennedy advised that all ongoing projects will be listed under Project Updates instead of Old Business on future agendas.

1. Fredenhagen Park Fountain - Bill Novack

Novack is working with the Park District and reviewing information on the Horse Trough Fountain, which has had issues with the pumps. Repairs will be included with the Fredenhagen Park Fountain repairs and is expected to go out for bid this year with work being completed in 2024.

2. Riverwalk Master Plan and Document Update - Pat Kennedy

Kennedy reported that a number of changes are being incorporated to the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan document based on input received regarding language and updated cost information. The updated document will be distributed for review prior to next month’s Riverwalk Commission meeting so the Commission may vote to adopt the changes.

3. Update on Eagle Street Gateway Design - Bill Novack

Novack reported that yesterday was the final day of the public comment period for the environmental assessment for the Eagle Street Gateway project. They are still working on the agreement for the $900,000 in federal funding and this project is anticipated to go out for bid in December, awarded early next year, and completed next year. Kennedy thanked Novack and Dusak for their efforts and noted the engineering plans were reviewed in detail at last week’s Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) Committee meeting.

4. Update on South Gateway Preliminary Design - Bill Novack

Novack advised that ERA and GRWA are updating information based on input from the area residents. The plans will be reviewed in greater detail at the December 5th PDC Committee meeting and Dusak will provide a comparison with the concept alignment previously discussed.

E. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Receive the Community Mobility Assessment and response to the Physical Therapy Students at North Central College - Bill Novack Receive the Community Mobility Assessment and response to the Physical Therapy Students at North Central College

Novack provided an overview of the Riverwalk mobility assessment that was provided by the North Central College Master of Occupational Therapy program students, along with his response, that were included in the agenda packet. Observations from the group for improvements included addressing the uneven pavement on the ramp at the east entrance, widening areas along the pathway, installing railing, adding benches on the lower walkways, adding lighting, and adding caution signs underneath the bridges. Novack reported that the entrance ramp would be included with the downtown brick resetting and leveling program this year and the ADA accessible ramp will be constructed in 2024 as part of the Eagle Street Gateway project. He discussed floodplain regulations and the expense of moving the walls with regard to widening the lower areas, and the opportunity to add benches.

Hamill, Naperville Accessible Community Task Force (ACTF), expressed her appreciation for the report and acknowledged the opportunity for the ACTF and Advisory Commission on Disabilities (ACD) to connect with the students in the program. She expressed concern with addressing tripping hazards annually and reminded the Commission of the four ACTF members who use mobility devices that previously volunteered to participate in an accessibility study. Novack acknowledged that the complete Riverwalk Accessibility study was not conducted this year but City inspectors did identify areas where improvements could be made to access points and ramps, with the Park District addressing some of those issues. He requested that tripping hazards be reported to the City’s Transportation, Engineering and Development Business Group (TED) for inspection. If the area meets criteria (a differential of one inch or more), it will be placed in the next year’s Sidewalk and Curb Maintenance program, and a temporary ramp will be placed within a few days. Sinking bricks in the older areas are being addressed through the updated Downtown Design Standards and will eventually be eliminated.

Penick reported that the Riverwalk Foundation would be interested in

funding up to three benches, if needed. Kennedy requested that Hamill

reach out to him or Novack with any feedback received. Accessibility and

bench location will be included on the December 5th PDC Committee

meeting agenda for further discussion.

2. 2024 Riverwalk Commission meeting and Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting calendar - Bill Novack Receive the 2024 Riverwalk Commission meeting and Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting dates

Novack noted the 2024 Riverwalk Commission and Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting dates that were included in the agenda packet.

F. REPORTS:

1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy

Approve minutes from the September 13, 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting

A motion to approve the September 13, 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Friant and seconded by Erickson. MOTION CARRIED with Joseph and Sullivan abstaining

2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy

There was no Chairman’s Report.

3. Finance - Bill Novack

Novack advised the next City Council Budget Workshop will be held on October 24th and the agenda for the meeting should be published next week.

4. Park District - Tiffani Picco

Receive the monthly Park District report

Picco reviewed highlights from the Park District report included in the agenda packet. Most Riverwalk turf has been fertilized, seeded and aerated and the grass has grown in where the temporary path was removed in front of the Carillon. A group of ten volunteers assisted with cutting invasive plants along the river in section 2 and the river can now be seen from the path. Kennedy inquired about the schedule for the shoreline restoration in section 1 with Motta advising staff will be meeting with DuPage County next week on permitting and the project would most likely begin in spring or summer of next year.

Volunteering with the Park District was discussed with Picco advising there are existing projects identified on their web site and they also have a volunteer manager that matches interested groups with projects. Rashidian noted volunteer interest with local high school students and offered to publicize information on her school’s website. Picco noted they have worked with student groups in the past and would be very interested in working with Rashidian and Mohammadian on communicating this information.

5. Riverwalk Foundation

There was no report.

6. Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund - John Joseph

Joseph reported the Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund website should be released by year-end. Kennedy reported that the Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund and the Riverwalk Foundation are communicating and coordinating efforts.

7. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme

DeLarme reported that the Fall ’23 Legacy Gift Order is in production with the engraving company. The order consisted of six 4” x 8” commemorative bricks, fifteen 8” x 8” commemorative bricks, four bench orders, and included sixteen replacement 8” x 8’ bricks that were faded/worn around the Exchange Club Memories Fountain. The installation will be set up with the Park District once the order is complete and will most likely occur in November. DeLarme thanked Picco and staff for refurbishing the benches that were included in the fall order. The Spring ’24 order deadline is March 15, 2024 and currently consists of one 8” x 8” commemorative brick.

8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Pat Kennedy for Jeff Friant Receive the October 3, 2023 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee draft meeting minutes

Kennedy reported that the majority of information discussed at last week’s PDC Committee meeting was previously addressed in this meeting and the Eagle Street Gateway plans were extensively reviewed.

Discussion followed on the area under the Oliver Hoffman Pavilion.

Peterson, Bartlett and Mike DiCristina viewed the area last week.

Previous discussions on public art, stamped concrete and grouted stone, along with concerns about aesthetics, erosion control, the need to discourage users from extended stays under the Pavilion, and discouraging graffiti on any surface that is applied need to be addressed.

Utilizing the existing retaining wall stones in the area was suggested and this item will be included on next month’s PDC Committee agenda for further discussion.

Friant noted that the next major project for the Master Plan would be the 430 South Washington Street project with Novack advising the design has already been completed and could be reviewed at an upcoming PDC Committee meeting in December or January.

G. MEETING SCHEDULE:

**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

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

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

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

City of Naperville Page 5 Printed on 11/9/2023

Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes October 11, 2023

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

H. ADJOURNMENT:

A motion to adjourn was made by Erickson and seconded by Friant. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 a.m. MOTION CARRIED

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