DeKalb Times

City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission met Dec. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

A. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Kennedy called the December 13, 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: Pam Bartlett; John Cuff; Jan Erickson; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer (until 8:12 a.m.); Pat Kennedy, Chairman; John Joseph; Bill Novack; Tiffani Picco; Sennah Rashidian; Johnna Shields; Mike Sullivan; and Carl Wohlt

Absent: Jeff Friant; and Ryan Mohammadian

Also Present: Jesus Cortez, NCTV; Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Brian Dusak, ERA; Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; Peggy Motta, Naperville Park District; Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; and Eric Shutes, Naperville Park District Kennedy welcomed Riverwalk Commissioner Shields. Commissioners and members not present at last week’s Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) Committee meeting introduced themselves at this time.

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

There were no public comments.

D. PROJECT UPDATES:

1. Riverwalk Master Plan - Pat Kennedy

Kennedy reported that the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan has been updated and will continue to be reviewed annually as a living document.

2. Update on Eagle Street Gateway Design - Bill Novack

Novack reported that they continue to communicate regarding the federal grant agreement. The project is expected to go out for bid this winter with construction beginning next spring.

3. Update on South Gateway Preliminary Design - Bill Novack

Novack reported on the productive discussions from last week’s PDC Committee meeting, noting that the group reviewed the plans and discussed alignment of the pathway, slopes, tree removal, and different impacts and placement of items. Work will continue with ERA and GRWA on final design and permitting in 2024.

Dusak provided a schedule of the next steps after receiving comments from the PDC Committee. Novack provided an update on the Washington Street Bridge Construction project, noting that while the project is behind schedule, the goal is still for the project to be completed by the end of 2024. GRWA will prepare exhibits and visuals in preparation for the next meeting with the hospital to continue dialogue about material selection for the intersections. Dusak stated they anticipate starting final engineering in 2024, bidding in winter, and beginning construction in 2025.

Kennedy requested a budget update when preliminary engineering is finalized.

E. OLD BUSINESS:

There was no old business to discuss.

F. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Prairie Nature Garden - John Cuff

Cuff noted the concept plan for the Prairie Nature Garden project of the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan submitted by Park District staff at the October 31, 2023 PDC Committee meeting. He advised that the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation would like to fund this project, not to exceed $45,000. Cuff has met with Picco and Novack and would like to proceed in 2024. Kennedy thanked the Foundation for their support and long-term commitment, and also thanked the Park District for advancing the design.

The concept will need to be finalized at the January 2nd PDC Committee meeting.

G. REPORTS:

1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy

Approve minutes from the November 8, 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting

A motion to approve the November 8, 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Joseph and seconded by Sullivan.

MOTION CARRIED with Gibson, Kennedy and Shields abstaining

2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy

There was no Chairman’s Report.

3. Finance - Bill Novack

Novack reported that City Council concluded their budget workshops with no changes to the Riverwalk CIP. Discussion followed on the expiration of the state grant for the 430 South Washington Street project with Novack advising that they petitioned for a two-year extension with an expiration date of August 2026. For next year’s Capital program, the plans will be updated so the park project will be ready to bid as the bridge construction project wraps up. The 2024 budget will include Eagle Street Gateway construction and the Fredenhagen Park and Horse Trough fountain repair.

Construction for the South Gateway and 430 South Washington is planned for 2025.

4. Park District - Tiffani Picco

Receive the monthly Park District report

Picco reviewed highlights from the Park District report included in the agenda packet. Work was completed west of the Visitors Center to remove overgrown vegetation and open up the area to prepare for future improvements as this is included as a project in the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan.

Invasive plants have been removed in Sections 3 and 8, and a contractor has helped reset over 25 remembrance plaques in Section 2. They would like to continue this next year.

Novack read the following email that was sent to the Riverwalk, Mayor, Council and the Park District:

Dear City Leaders, Planners, and Riverwalk Stakeholders

Many of us regular Riverwalk users are very concerned about all the mature trees being cut down by a third-party contractor on both the north and south side of the Riverwalk from Eagle to Jefferson.

The mature trees seem to be healthy and non-invasive. We have noticed it all summer, but the cutting accelerated in the last few weeks-and especially the last couple days. What is more surprising, is that they are being chopped down in critical areas that would prevent steep bank erosion-especially adjacent to Centennial Beach-those mature tree roots are the best way to prevent erosion literally inches from the Riverwalk in that step bank section-why would one ever cut those trees down?

We often have visitors come in from out of town and we take them to the Riverwalk. They are most impressed with the mature trees that line the banks. We have noticed some newly planted trees (some tiny oaks adjacent to the Paddleboat Quarry and a handful of bald cypress near the Jaycee (sic) Playground), but the cutting seems to be far outpacing the planting. This year, the Riverwalk is noticeably barer.

And even if trees were planted at the same pace, why cut down the mature trees? They are what makes the riverwalk The Riverwalk.

Concerned and hoping it stops!

--Todd & Patsy Mertz and Family and Regular Riverwalk Users

Picco noted some of the declining tree removals and replacements that have taken place near Eagle Street, removal of overgrown vegetation and declining trees by the Visitors Center, and also removal of dead and hazardous trees by Centennial Beach. Each tree is assessed by Park District staff and their tree contractor before being removed. They are in a transition period now of having to remove the trees before they are replaced, and it could also appear bare due to the recent falling leaves.

There is a plan to replant additional trees, some are being planted today, and they are looking at more deep-rooted species that will help stabilize the riverbanks better than some of the shallow-rooted trees that are being removed. Motta noted trees do not stop erosion and that more native vegetation is needed with fibrous roots. Erickson suggested including informational signage in the area so the public understands this work is being done thoughtfully, with Kennedy noting the importance of providing information regarding water quality and shoreline restoration. Motta advised that the Park District currently uses signage with QR codes that directs visitors to their website and explains some of the invasive species’ removals. They will include additional content to address the tree removals.

Hitchcock suggested taking a more active role in public relations, possibly reporting on a monthly basis. Rashidian discussed her school’s monthly newsletter and suggested using that format. Novack noted that we can work with the City’s Communications Department, the Park District and possibly even NCTV on communications. Erickson suggested adding and updating information on the City’s website.

Novack noted that the shingles being replaced on the Grand Pavilion roof that were two different colors will be replaced at the manufacturer’s cost within the next couple of months.

5. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff

There was no report.

6. Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund - John Joseph

Joseph reported that the Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund has received a commitment of $1.6M this year from the State of Illinois, Endeavor Health, the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation and private donations. They are putting together a council of advisors and are close to finalizing their website.

Kennedy reiterated that the Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund’s focus is on fundraising and communication for the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan, and the Riverwalk Foundation’s focus is on education, preservation, and making sure we maintain the presents of all previous donors in the history of the Riverwalk. They also periodically support projects in the Master Plan.

7. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme

DeLarme reported that the Spring ’24 Legacy Gift Order deadline is March 15, 2024 and currently consists of three 4” x 8” commemorative brick and three 8” x 8” commemorative bricks. She thanked Picco and her staff for their efforts in coordinating a recent donor bench brick installation.

8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Bill Novack for Jeff Friant

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

Novack reported that all pertinent information from the PDC Committee meeting was already addressed in this meeting.

Novack noted the collaboration between cities and counties to reduce salt use. The Conservation Foundation is working to track the chloride levels in the river. The Conservation Foundation has a group of volunteers sampling the water from the river during the fall, winter and spring months. The City recently granted access permission to one of the volunteers who will be obtaining samples near the covered bridge at Webster Street.

H. MEETING SCHEDULE:

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, January 2, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

City of Naperville Page 5 Printed on 1/12/2024

Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes December 13, 2023

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

Riverwalk Commission, January 10, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

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

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, February 6, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

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

Riverwalk Commission, February 14, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

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

I. ADJOURNMENT:

Kennedy spoke of the great year for the Naperville Riverwalk and thanked the Commissioners and members for all of their efforts. He wished everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

A motion to adjourn was made by Erickson and seconded by Sullivan. The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 a.m. MOTION CARRIED

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