Riverwalk Commission

400 S. Eagle Street City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540 Meeting Minutes Riverwalk Commission Wednesday, August 11, 2021 7:30 AM Municipal Center Lunchroom A. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Kennedy called the August 11, 2021 Naperville Riverwalk Commission meeting to order at 7:31 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: Valla Aguilar; John Cuff (arrived at 7:33 a.m.); Jan Erickson; Jeff Friant; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; John Joseph; Pat Kennedy, Commission Chairman; Debra Lellbach; Bill Novack and Tom Stibbe Absent: Pam Bartlett Also Present: Christian Canizal, NCTV17; Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff; Brian Dusak, ERA; Donna Morsovillo, Operation Welcome You Home; and J. Scott Phipps, resident C. PUBLIC FORUM: Mr. Phipps inquired about the status of the Washington Street Bridge replacement project. Novack provided an update, explaining the City needs to finish up engineering plans and obtain six parcels of land on all four quadrants. Bidding and construction are tentatively scheduled to take place in 2022. D. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Moser Tower Rehabilitation - Bill Novack Novack reported that work was postponed for the last week due to cell carriers having to turn off their transmitters to relocate them outside of the scaffolding. Selections on paints, stair treads and other items are taking place and issues such as having to relocate some of the vents that were hidden behind the façade have arisen. Aside from working through normal construction issues, there are no major changes to the budget or schedule. 2. Riverwalk Master Plan - Pat Kennedy City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 9/9/2021 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes August 11, 2021 Joseph reported on the Communication Plan. The social media campaign with the theme “Riverwalk Stories” began last week, asking visitors and residents to submit stories of their engagement with the Riverwalk. Stories will be posted each week with the intent to drive traffic to Riverwalk use, the Riverwalk web page and to the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan. The City’s campaign will run for six months, with two months focusing on the Riverwalk. Joseph will send a link to Commission members and encouraged them to “like” the link to increase visibility of the campaign. The stories will be posted on the City’s Riverwalk web page at www.naperville.il.us and www.NapervilleRiverwalk.com. 3. Asset Management Plan - Tom Stibbe and Bill Novack Stibbe is working on obtaining estimates for the repair of the Landforms Sculpture. Items previously identified are being addressed. Novack reported that the parking lot by Sindt Woods would be included in phase two of the patching program and a light at Rotary Hill with a rusting base was removed and will be replaced. Friant inquired if there was an update on the fountain leak at Fredenhagen Park. Stibbe reported that his staff were unable to identify the source of the leak and they are waiting to hear back from the fountain contractor. 4. Riverwalk 40th Anniversary - Pat Kennedy for Pam Bartlett Kennedy read an update from Bartlett. The 40 Year Rededication will take place at 2:00 p.m. on September 6th (Labor Day) at the large granite marker, along the path of the original first phase of the Riverwalk, between Main and Webster Streets. The Last Fling Announcer will make announcements about the event. It will also be promoted on social media. The Riverwalk Commission and Riverwalk Foundation will host a very brief “Happy Birthday to the Riverwalk” and the Downtown Naperville Alliance (DNA) will distribute ice cream and cake coupons potentially at the corner of Main and Jackson. The DNA will organize 40 balloons that participants will pop and get a paper with a downtown business name where they will get a gift certificate. Details are still being worked out on the gift certificates, ice cream and cake coupons. Pinot’s Palette is hosting a fundraiser on September 15th at 7:00 p.m. with the $10.00 per seat purchases being donated to the Riverwalk Foundation. The name of the painting is “Don’t Feed the Ducks.” Cuff invited everyone to attend the brief ceremony on September 6th at 2:00 p.m. City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 9/9/2021 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes August 11, 2021 E. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Request of Operation Welcome You Home to install a non-standard bench on the Riverwalk - Bill Novack Request of Operation Welcome You Home to install a non-standard bench on the Naperville Riverwalk Attachments: Overview of Operation Welcome You Home Photo of Proposed Bench Specifications of Proposed Bench Marilyn Schweitzer e mail Novack gave a brief overview of Operation Welcome You Home (OWYH), introducing Donna Morsovillo, President and Founder, to the Commission. OWYH is a volunteer, Illinois-based organization that has been recognizing individuals returning home from military deployment since 2007. Ms. Morsovillo is requesting to install a six or eight-foot bench on the Riverwalk that honors service members and all branches of the military. Ms. Morsovillo gave an overview of her organization, noting some of the outstanding efforts and events they have sponsored. She provided a photo of the proposed bench to the Commission, explaining the potential zero-maintenance of the design. While expressing sincere appreciation and support for OWYH and the proposed bench, several Commission members had concerns about placing a non-standard bench on the Riverwalk due to the long-standing brand of the Riverwalk and the existing bench style. Discussion followed on other potential locations, noting the concern of a non-standard bench and suggested alternative locations submitted to the Commission by Marilyn Schweitzer, resident. The consensus of the Commission was that Veteran’s Park would be a more suitable location, with the plans for the Gold Star Memorial project being mentioned. Ms. Morsovillo also expressed openness for locating the bench at that location. Stibbe will provide contact information for the appropriate Park District representatives to Ms. Morsovillo. F. REPORTS: 1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy Approve the minutes from the July 14, 2021 Riverwalk Commission meeting Attachments: 21RWCMinutes0714 City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 9/9/2021 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes August 11, 2021 A motion to approve the July 14, 2021 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Novack, seconded by Friant. MOTION CARRIED. 2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy Kennedy thanked Erickson and all those that supported the Walk On! Event for Chuck Papanos that took place on July 30th. Erickson added her sincere appreciation to all of those that supported the event. 3. Finance - Bill Novack Receive the July 2021 Riverwalk financial report Attachments: 21RWCFinancials07 Novack reviewed the July 2021 finance report for the Riverwalk Operating and CIP Budget that was included in the agenda packet. Novack advised that he is beginning the budget preparation for the upcoming year. The roof replacement for the Moser Bridge will be included in the CIP budget. Consideration is also being made to include preliminary engineering for the Sindt Woods parking lot at the west end by the Grand Pavilion, and preliminary plans for along the south extension. Discussion followed regarding obtaining additional funding for advancement of Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan projects. Novack will give consideration in planning. Joseph inquired about SECA funds and it was noted that the Riverwalk does currently receive SECA funds for maintenance. Holzhauer discussed communications he receives from various federal agencies regarding grants and funds, noting they seem to prefer “shovel ready” projects. He inquired if there was a strategy to deal with those types of opportunities. Kennedy responded that we have the Master Plan and he would be available to meet with local representatives to explain some of the projects. Holzhauer suggested having a short list ready to go with costs noted. Further discussion on this will take place at a later time. Friant inquired about the PA022 budget of $50K being sufficient. Novack advised it could be reviewed and would be kept in mind during the budgeting process. He and Erickson gave background on keeping the budget in line with actual expenses, noting this amount appears to remain appropriate. 4. Park District - Tom Stibbe Receive the monthly Park District report City of Naperville Page 4 Printed on 9/9/2021 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes August 11, 2021 Attachments: 21ParkDistrictMemo0811 Stibbe reviewed the following highlights from the Park District report: a. Recent Events The Inaugural Naperville Salute event was held on July 2nd and 3rd at Rotary Hill. Staff assisted in the setup and completed repairs to the turf following the event. India Day took place but was cut short due to storms. b. Normal Maintenance Staff continues the weeding, watering, mulching and spraying operations all along the Riverwalk. Erickson inquired when the Park District would begin work for the Last Fling event. Stibbe advised it will not take place on Rotary Hill this year but will be held on the west end of Jackson Avenue and between Main and Eagle Streets. Some fencing will be put up but there will be minimal impact on the Riverwalk. The Park District’s participation will be less than in year’s past. The event will take place during the Labor Day weekend. 5. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff Cuff provided an update, noting the Riverwalk Foundation is having bronze donor plaques refinished during the last week of August. New lamp post plaques have been ordered for the area around the Paddleboat Quarry on the west extension. Cuff spoke of the opportunity to work closer with the Riverwalk Commission on input for projects, now that meetings can be held in-person. Cuff commended Stibbe and the Park District’s staff on the maintenance of the Riverwalk. 6. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme DeLarme reported that there are currently eight brick orders and two bench orders for the fall installation. The fall order deadline is September 1st and installation will take place in October. Replacement of existing faded/damaged bricks will be replaced with the upcoming order if funds are available. 7. Public Relations - Valla Aguilar Aguilar had no report at this time. 8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jeff Friant Receive the August 3, 2021 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee minutes City of Naperville Page 5 Printed on 9/9/2021 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes August 11, 2021 Attachments: 21PDCMinutes0803 All Planning, Design and Construction business was previously discussed in Items D.1., D.2., and D.3. Friant noted that Stibbe reported at the last PDC meeting that Tiffani Picco was moving to the Central Division of the Park District. Stibbe advised that Clint Burnell was promoted to Central Park Operations Manager and Tiffani would be moving with him for a chance to expand her experiences. Stibbe spoke of Tiffani’s outstanding job on the Riverwalk for the past ten years. G. MEETING SCHEDULE: **Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, August 31, 2021, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, September 8, 2021, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, October 5, 2021, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, October 13, 2021, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL 7:30 a.m. H. ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by Erickson and seconded by Joseph. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Respectfully submitted by Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff City of Naperville Page 6 Printed on 9/9/2021