Riverwalk Commission

400 S. Eagle Street City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540 Meeting Minutes Riverwalk Commission Wednesday, December 14, 2022 7:30 AM Municipal Center Lunchroom A. CALL TO ORDER: The Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Commission (PDC) Chairman Friant called the December 14, 2022 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: Valla Aguilar; Pam Bartlett; John Cuff; Jan Erickson; Jeff Friant; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer (until 8:44 a.m.) Leo Martinez (until 8:46 a.m.); Bill Novack; Tom Stibbe; Mike Sullivan; and Carl Wohlt Absent: Pat Kennedy, Chairman Also Present: Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff; Brian Dusak, ERA; Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; John Joseph, former Riverwalk Commissioner; Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; Carl Peterson, GRWA; and Eric Shutes, Naperville Park District C. PUBLIC FORUM: Hitchcock expressed his gratitude to the group for their efforts to advance the Riverwalk and for welcoming his viewpoints. D. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Moser Tower Rehabilitation - Bill Novack Novack reported that the contractor is finishing up end of project tasks that include the paver installation and landscaping. Waterproofing has been completed. Dusak is working on scheduling the punch list inspection and the project is near completion. 2. Riverwalk Master Plan - Jeff Friant for Pat Kennedy Friant reported that the “leave behind” brochure was reviewed at last week’s PDC meeting. Additional copies of the brochure were distributed to the group. Erickson advised that presentations were made to City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 1/16/2023 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes December 14, 2022 Naperville Sunrise Rotary, Naperville Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC), and Downtown Naperville Alliance (DNA). Friant reviewed the timeline to review and update the Master Plan on a regular basis which will involve moving up the Asset Management Plan (AMP) Walk in the spring (weather dependent in March or April), reviewing project updates (status, drawings, etc.) with the PDC in May or June, and bringing recommendations to the Riverwalk Commission in July for approval prior to the start of the City’s budgeting process. The Commission was in agreement with this process. Erickson added that while this would be the official timeline, any items that need to be discussed regarding the Master Plan should be brought up throughout the year. 3. Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund - Jeff Friant for Pat Kennedy Friant advised that the bylaws were being developed with Joseph adding that they should be finalized in December and approved in January. They will then file for 501(c)(3) status and should be established as the primary money raising arm for the Master Plan in early 2023. Discussion followed on receiving funds before IRS approval of the 501(c)(3) status. It was noted that donations can be received with the writer of funds receiving filing status notification prior to and after the 501(c)(3) is formally approved. 4. Riverwalk Master Plan 2023 CIP - Bill Novack Novack advised that the City’s 2023 Budget was approved at last week’s City Council meeting and included the following Riverwalk CIP improvements: 1) construction of the Eagle Street Gateway (contingent on federal funding); 2) continuing design and obtaining permits for the South Extension; and 3) design of the plaza at Hillside. The contract for the roofing replacement on the covered bridge and the Grand Pavilion was also approved and Engineering Resource Associates, Inc. (ERA) and Gary R. Weber Associates, Inc. (GRWA) were renewed as the Riverwalk consultants. Novack expressed his thanks to Erickson, Friant and Hitchcock for assisting on the consultant selection committee. E. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Request for Remembrance for Hirish S. Buch - Bill Novack Consider the request of Jay Buch for a memorial on the Riverwalk for his father, Hirish S. Buch Attachments: Hirish Buch Remembrance Novack provided background on Hirish Buch, a former City of Naperville employee, and the request from his son Jay Buch for a remembrance City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 1/16/2023 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes December 14, 2022 plaque in his honor to be located on the Riverwalk. Mr. Buch presented this request at last week’s PDC meeting, after meeting with the Park District regarding their Remembrance Program and reviewing the Legacy Gift opportunities through the Riverwalk Foundation. He is interested in a larger sized plaque, specifically located by the paddleboat area or next to a tree in Jaycees Park, near the Municipal Building. He also cited the Cliff Preston Memorial as an example. Discussion followed regarding the significance of the Cliff Preston Memorial and his contributions to the Riverwalk, the large donations tied to other plazas, and the need to adhere to existing Riverwalk standards. Existing donor opportunities and potential future opportunities related to the Master Plan were also discussed. Novack offered to follow up with Mr. Buch letting him know that there was not support to do anything outside of the standards that exist. 2. Fredenhagen Park Fountain - Bill Novack Novack provided background on the need for repairs for the Exchange Club Memories Fountain in Fredenhagen Park and the initial plans prepared by Fountain Technologies. He reviewed the liner options, noting the black liner would last longer and was lower in cost. He also noted that the lighting options could be standard or color-changing, which will be bid as an alternative. After discussion on the importance of the area, alternatives to the fountain, the donation by the Exchange Club, and the donations for the stones and bricks, it was determined that this should be brought back before the PDC Committee for further discussion. In the interim, if the group has any ideas or examples for alternatives to the fountain, please direct them to Novack or DeLarme. F. REPORTS: 1. Approval of Minutes - Jeff Friant for Pat Kennedy Approve minutes from the November 9, 2022 Riverwalk Commission meeting Attachments: 22RWCMinutes1109 A motion to approve the November 9, 2022 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Erickson, seconded by Bartlett. MOTION CARRIED with Aguilar, Holzhauer and Novack abstaining 2. Chairman - Jeff Friant for Pat Kennedy There was no Chairman’s Report. 3. Finance - Bill Novack Receive the November Riverwalk financial report City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 1/16/2023 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes December 14, 2022 Attachments: 22RWCFinancials11 Novack reviewed the financial report through November 30, 2022 that was included in the agenda packet. Total operating budget is at 65% spent for the year and the CIP budget is at 60%, for a total of 61%. The reroofing of the covered bridge and Grand Pavilion expense has not been encumbered yet and the West Parking Lot BMP will be held until next year. 4. Park District - Tom Stibbe Receive the monthly Park District report Attachments: 22ParkDistrictMemo1214 Stibbe reviewed the following highlights from the monthly Park District report, included with the agenda packet: a. Field Report Staff is wrapping up with invasive removals in Sections 1, 3 and 8. Staff is currently in the process of moving back into their renovated shop on Mill Street b. Santa’s Workshop Santa’s Workshop at the Riverwalk Café started November 28th and will run through December 22nd. A schedule is included with the agenda packet and can be found on the Park District’s website. c. Sled Hill and Ice Rink The sled hill and ice rink are set up and waiting for appropriate weather. 5. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff There was no report for the Riverwalk Foundation. 6. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme DeLarme reported that the Spring ’23 Legacy Gift order deadline is March 15th and currently consists of twenty-five 4” x 8” and four 8” x 8” commemorative brick orders. Installation should occur sometime in May. 7. Public Relations - Valla Aguilar Receive the monthly Public Relations report Attachments: 22PublicRelationsReport1214 Aquilar reported that there was very good reach this month and that her report has changed slightly, which now reflects month over month City of Naperville Page 4 Printed on 1/16/2023 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes December 14, 2022 numbers. The Naperville Riverwalk was mentioned in 116 articles, social media posts and broadcasts during the month of November. Highlights included: Best Holiday Lights Displays in Chicagoland; Santa at Riverwalk Café; Best Places to Live if You Work From Home (#3, Money.com); and 100 Best Cities to Raise a Family (#1, Niche.com). Hitchcock suggested weaving together the reactive and proactive reporting going forward. 8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jeff Friant Receive the December 6, 2022 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee draft meeting minutes Attachments: 22PDCMinutes1206Draft Friant provided an overview of additional topics from last week’s PDC meeting that weren’t previously addressed in this meeting. He noted the object causing the erosion at the river bend downstream from Jefferson was identified as a fish lunker and they have worked to push it down and install riprap. Novack added they have installed additional riprap and will look at in spring to determine if native plantings are needed. Fredenhagen Park restoration was discussed and will be brought back before the PDC in February or March for further review and recommendations. An accessibility audit of the Riverwalk was discussed and Novack suggested using interns to assist with the assessment, which will be reviewed in May or June. The Eagle Street Gateway design was also reviewed. The South Extension preliminary design was discussed and Peterson provided an overview of the two concepts that were shared with the group at last week’s PDC meeting. Previous suggestions included creating a split in the pathway for bicycle traffic and moving the gateway feature in alignment with Martin Avenue. Discussion followed on the spacing from Washington Street and the high speed of traffic in the area, maintenance issues with having the path along the street near Martin Avenue, and the importance for bicycle traffic getting to downtown. Further detailed discussion on the design will continue at the next PDC meeting. G. MEETING SCHEDULE: Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, January 3, 2023, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, January 11, 2023, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL **Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, January 31, 2023, 7:30 City of Naperville Page 5 Printed on 1/16/2023 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes December 14, 2022 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, February 8, 2023, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL H. ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by Erickson and seconded by Novack. The meeting adjourned at 9:06 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Respectfully submitted by Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff City of Naperville Page 6 Printed on 1/16/2023