Riverwalk Commission

400 S. Eagle Street City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540 Meeting Minutes Riverwalk Commission Wednesday, March 8, 2023 7:30 AM Municipal Center Lunchroom A. CALL TO ORDER: The Riverwalk Commission Chairman Kennedy called the March 8, 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: Valla Aguilar; Pam Bartlett; John Cuff; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; Pat Kennedy, Chairman; Leo Martinez; Bill Novack; Tom Stibbe; Mike Sullivan; and Carl Wohlt Absent: Jan Erickson; and Jeff Friant Also Present: Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff; John Joseph, Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund; Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; and Carl Peterson, GRWA C. PUBLIC FORUM: There were no public comments. D. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Moser Tower Rehabilitation - Bill Novack Novack advised there were no major issues and they are awaiting the contractor’s completion of the punch-list items. 2. Fredenhagen Park Fountain - Bill Novack Novack reported they will be contacting the Castagnoli family and a representative from the Exchange Club as they have expressed openness to discussions regarding possible alternatives to the Exchange Club Memories Fountain. 3. Riverwalk Master Plan - Pat Kennedy Novack reported that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to receive the federal funding of $900,000 for the Eagle Street City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 4/12/2023 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes March 8, 2023 Gateway project may add an additional two months or more to the schedule. Kennedy noted the objective is still to have this under construction in the second half of this year. Bartlett noted that she received positive feedback from a recent presentation on the Master Plan to a local P.E.O. group. 4. Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund - Pat Kennedy Joseph provided a brief update, reporting that they are in the final stages of applying for 501(c)(3) status and have had meetings with two of the mayoral candidates to review the Master Plan. They continue to engage with Deborah Newman Marketing/Communications on the marketing materials and additional community outreach should begin within the next 60 to 90 days. The Board currently consists of Erickson, Rick Hitchcock and Joseph. They are interested in additional members who bring diversity to the group and they are also looking to fill the position of Treasurer with someone who has a financial background. Novack reported that City Council approved the addition of a Riverwalk Commissioner that would allow a voting member from the Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund. The RBF will provide their nomination at a later date. 5. Update on Preliminary Design of South Extension - Brian Dusak Kennedy reported that he met with the Riverwalk consultants and representatives with Edward Hospital and Ryan Companies to discuss the South Extension and access at the intersection at Martin Avenue. He noted that improvements were made to the access for 10 Martin Avenue and the hospital campus based on discussions with City staff and others and the connectivity with the hospital and North Central College was also discussed. They expressed openness to coordinating design elements for the gateway to the Riverwalk and the gateway to the Edward Hospital campus. Peterson reviewed the differences between the two concept drawings for the South Extension, noting that consensus from all parties is with Concept B. Kennedy requested Novack, Dusak and Peterson work on revised cost estimates for the next step in design in order to continue discussions with the hospital and begin construction during the second half of 2024. Discussion followed on ADA accessibility at the hospital, which has been addressed. Holzhauer requested the Commission continue to keep long term vision regarding potential land purchases in the area in mind and asked Novack to look into safety concerns with the crosswalk at Ossler Drive as there may be potential for more traffic coming into the area. E. NEW BUSINESS: City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 4/12/2023 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes March 8, 2023 1. Fredenhagen Park Maintenance - Bill Novack Discuss and provide direction on maintenance of the Ipe wood and the various structures in Fredenhagen Park Attachments: Fredenhagen Park Photos 1 Fredenhagen Park Photos 2 Fredenhagen Park Photos 3 Novack reviewed the information that was included in the agenda packet regarding the maintenance needed for the Ipe wood and various structures at Fredenhagen Park. He thanked Cuff for bringing this issue to our attention last summer. The Park is approximately 17 years old and items that need addressing include the clocktower, two separate sets of columns and the trellises near Washington Street, the building near the back east side of the park, and two larger sets of columns, trellises and the covered seating areas on either side of the building. The consensus from the Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee (PDC) is to get separate bids for 1) cleaning, staining and sealing the front half of the park and only cleaning and sealing the back half; and 2) cleaning, staining and sealing the entire park. It was noted this could be included in the PA022 budget. Novack recommended observing the area for the next few years to see how quickly it fades and come up with a long-term maintenance plan to determine how often work should be done. Stibbe will collect bids and plan to discuss estimates at next month’s PDC meeting. 2. Washington Street Bridge Construction - Bill Novack Wohlt inquired if the bridge construction would have any impact on the front part of Fredenhagen Park. Novack reported that construction has started and the contractors will be doing tree removal soon for the areas that will be impacted by the new Nicor and AT&T utility work. Nicor will be starting work on Chicago Avenue and Main Street, going up to Washington Street. They will then head south to Aurora Avenue and Main Street and then head east toward the bridge. There will be impacts to Rotary Plaza and some of the engraved bricks will need to be removed. These bricks have been identified recently and were also previously identified as part of a past Eagle Scout project. We will look to include replacement of the worn bricks with an upcoming brick order. There will also be impacts to the retaining wall on the north side of the river. They will be cutting a vertical line and sealing it on the edge and it will not be put back in place beyond the limits of where they are working. Discussion followed on timing with Novack noting the bridge should be completed in late 2024 and 430 South Washington should go out to bid in summer of 2024 so the contractor can City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 4/12/2023 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes March 8, 2023 begin work when the bridge is complete. Further discussion on timing of the Fredenhagen Park maintenance will occur after bids are received and discussed by Stibbe. F. REPORTS: 1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy Approve minutes from the February 8, 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting Attachments: 23RWCMinutes0208 A motion to approve the February 8, 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Sullivan, seconded by Novack. MOTION CARRIED with Stibbe abstaining 2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy There was no Chairman’s report. 3. Finance - Bill Novack Receive the February Riverwalk financial report Attachments: 23RWCFinancials02 Novack reviewed the financial report through February 28, 2023 that was included in the agenda packet. 4. Park District - Tom Stibbe Receive the monthly Park District report Attachments: 23ParkDistrictMemo0308 Stibbe reviewed highlights from the Park District report that was included in the agenda packet. He noted winter work was minimal and the ice rink is now down. They have been working on invasive removals along the river and in Section 1 and also on winter pruning in Sections 2 and 5. They are also finalizing 2023 tree care maintenance. Discussion followed on seasonal help with Stibbe advising they have restructured and added more long-term seasonal staff. 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 next City of Naperville Page 4 Printed on 4/12/2023 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes March 8, 2023 Wednesday, March 15th and currently consists of twenty-seven 4” x 8” and five 8” x 8” commemorative bricks. There may be a bench order and a few more 8” x 8” orders coming in the next week. We received an inquiry about an 18” x 12” commemorative stone and an order may be forthcoming. 7. Public Relations - Valla Aguilar Receive the monthly Public Relations report Attachments: 23PublicRelationsReport0308 Aguilar reported that the Naperville Riverwalk was mentioned in 71 articles, social media posts and broadcasts during the month of February. Highlights included: Boy rescued from DuPage River; Travel Around Places - 21 Best Downtown Naperville IL Restaurants You Shouldn’t Miss; 20 Best Cities for Remote Workers; and Naperville named Safest City in America. 8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Pat Kennedy for Jeff Friant Receive the February 28, 2023 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee draft meeting minutes Attachments: 23PDCMinutes0228Draft Kennedy noted there was not a quorum at the PDC meeting so no actions were taken and all pertinent information was previously discussed at this meeting. G. MEETING SCHEDULE: Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, April 4, 2023, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, April 12, 2023, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, May 2, 2023, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, May 10, 2023, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL H. ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by Novack and seconded by Stibbe. The meeting adjourned at 8:23 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Respectfully submitted by City of Naperville Page 5 Printed on 4/12/2023 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes March 8, 2023 Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff City of Naperville Page 6 Printed on 4/12/2023