Riverwalk Commission
Regular MeetingNaperville, IL · January 10, 2024
Minutes
400 S. Eagle Street
City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540
Meeting Minutes
Riverwalk Commission
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 7:30 AM NEU
A. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Kennedy called the January 10, 2024 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; Jeff Friant; Mary Gibson; Pat Kennedy,
Chairman; Ryan Mohammadian; Bill Novack; Tiffani Picco; Sennah
Rashidian; Johnna Shields; Mike Sullivan; and Carl Wohlt
Absent: Jan Erickson; Ian Holzhauer; and John Joseph
Also Present: Jesus Cortez, NCTV; Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Brian
Dusak, ERA; Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman;
Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; and Eric Shutes,
Naperville Park District
C. PUBLIC FORUM:
Novack shared that he received a message from Carolyn Finzer stating
that Wilbert Hageman, age 94, had passed away. Mr. Hageman was from
one of Naperville’s original farming families and helped organize the
Farmers Plaza monument on the Riverwalk near Eagle Street.
D. PROJECT UPDATES:
1. Praire Nature Garden - Bill Novack
Approve the plans for the Prairie Nature Garden and endorse construction during
2024
Attachments: Prairie Nature Garden Plans
Novack reviewed the background on the Prairie Nature Garden project
from the 2031 Master Plan that has been supported by the Naperville
Riverwalk Foundation and further designed by the Naperville Park District.
The Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) Committee
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Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes January 10, 2024
reviewed the project in detail, and supports the plan, recommending
construction in 2024. The Riverwalk Foundation has committed $45,000 to
construct the improvements and the Park District and City have developed
a plan using both in-house and contracted labor to complete the
improvements this year.
A motion was made by Friant and seconded by Gibson to approve the
Prairie Nature Garden plans and endorse construction in 2024. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY with Erickson, Holzhauer and Joseph absent
Kennedy thanked the Park District and Riverwalk Foundation for their
efforts and support. This project will now go before the City Council and
Naperville Park District Board for approval as a formal
addition/modification to the Riverwalk.
2. Fredenhagen Park and Horse Trough Fountain Improvements - Bill Novack
This item was discussed under G. 8., Reports; Planning, Design and
Construction.
E. OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business to discuss.
F. NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business to discuss.
G. REPORTS:
1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy
Approve minutes from the December 13, 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting
Attachments: 23RWCMinutes1213
A motion to approve the December 13, 2023 Riverwalk Commission
meeting minutes was made by Cuff and seconded by Picco. MOTION
CARRIED with Friant abstaining
2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy
There was no Chairman’s Report.
3. Finance - Bill Novack
Receive the report for the 2024 Capital Improvement Program for the Naperville
Riverwalk
Novack reviewed the 2024 Capital Improvement report for the Naperville
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Riverwalk that was included in the agenda packet. He noted the following
projects for 2024 that include the PA022 budget that addresses larger
assets that go beyond the Park District resources; the 430 South
Washington Street Park plans that were previously developed but will be
brought back before the PDC Committee and Commission to review prior
to going out to bid in 2025; the West Parking Lot BMP project that allows
for soil borings and other tests to assess if the parking lot near the Grand
Pavilion is a good candidate for a permeable parking lot; the detailed
design and permitting of the South Extension from Hillside Road to Martin
Avenue; the construction of the Eagle Street Gateway project; design and
permitting for Riverbank Ecological Restoration; detailed design and
permitting for the Hillside Road Gateway as part of the South Extension;
the concept planning and preliminary design of the Riverwalk Grand
Pavilion improvements; and the repairs to the Fredenhagen Park and
Horse Trough Fountains.
Kennedy expressed appreciation for Holzhauer’s efforts as representative
to City Council for assisting with the budget approval and thanked Novack
for preparing the Capital Improvement budget.
4. Park District - Tiffani Picco
Receive the monthly Park District report
Attachments: 24ParkDistrictMemo0110
Picco reviewed highlights from the Park District report included in the
agenda packet. All holiday decorations and lights were taken down and
put in storage before the recent snowfall. They are working on removing
invasives in Sindt Woods, and Picco has put information on the Park
District’s website regarding recent projects at
www.napervilleparks.org/riverwalk. They will also be placing signs in areas
where larger projects are scheduled.
The sled hill has seen some activity recently and they are looking to flood
the ice rinks in between the snowfall and upcoming colder temperatures.
Kennedy asked Picco to look at dates for the upcoming Asset
Management Plan (AMP) Walk in April or May.
5. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff
There was no report.
6. Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund - Pat Kennedy for John Joseph
Kennedy reported that the Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund’s website should
be up by the end of the week and is www.riverwalk2031fund.org. There is
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also a link on their website to the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation. Grant
Cowen recently joined the Fund’s Board.
7. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme
Receive the monthly Riverwalk Commission Donor Recognition report
DeLarme reviewed the Riverwalk Commission Donor Recognition report
included in the agenda packet. The Spring 2024 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.
8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jeff Friant
Receive the January 2, 2024 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction
Committee draft meeting minutes
Attachments: 24PDCMinutes0102Draft
Friant reported that at last week’s PDC Committee meeting, Eric Shutes
from the Naperville Park District reviewed the preliminary plans for the
Prairie Nature Garden that was approved earlier in this meeting. Friant
also thanked the Riverwalk Foundation for their funding and support.
The Fredenhagen Park and Horse Trough Fountain repairs were also
discussed in the meeting and the Horse Trough Fountain depth was
discussed in detail and options of including a grate were reviewed. Dusak
will provide more detailed information from Fountain Technologies on
possible grate options at next month’s PDC Committee meeting.
Kennedy noted that the Eagle Street Gateway project would be going to
bid soon and they are looking to meet with North Central College to
discuss the 430 South Washington Street project and the multi-use path
that is part of the East Bank Riverwalk project.
Hitchcock encouraged further discussion at an upcoming PDC Committee
meeting on the Grand Pavilion improvements, noting the importance of
engaging organizations that have used the area in the past, the general
public, and also neighbors. Kennedy noted that the core of this project was
related to water quality relative to the parking lot, and also accommodation
and accessibility for larger crowds who use this area. Novack noted this
project was budgeted for multiple years and once ideas are formulated an
Open House could be scheduled to gather input from neighbors and
interested parties.
Novack added that the shingles being replaced on the Grand Pavilion roof
that were two different colors will be replaced in March at the
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Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes January 10, 2024
manufacturer’s cost.
H. MEETING SCHEDULE:
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
Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, March 5, 2024, 7:30 a.m.
Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
Riverwalk Commission, March 13, 2024, 7:30 a.m.
Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
I. ADJOURNMENT:
A motion to adjourn was made by Friant and seconded by Novack. The
meeting was adjourned at 8:00 a.m. MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully submitted by
Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff
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Agenda
400 S. Eagle Street
City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540
Meeting Agenda
Riverwalk Commission
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 7:30 AM NEU
A. CALL TO ORDER:
B. ROLL CALL:
C. PUBLIC FORUM:
D. PROJECT UPDATES:
1. Praire Nature Garden - Bill Novack
24-0006 Approve the plans for the Prairie Nature Garden and endorse
construction during 2024
2. Fredenhagen Park and Horse Trough Fountain Improvements - Bill Novack
E. OLD BUSINESS:
F. NEW BUSINESS:
G. REPORTS:
1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy
24-0024 Approve minutes from the December 13, 2023 Riverwalk
Commission meeting
2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy
3. Finance - Bill Novack
23-1522 Receive the report for the 2024 Capital Improvement Program for
the Naperville Riverwalk
4. Park District - Tiffani Picco
24-0025 Receive the monthly Park District report
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Riverwalk Commission Meeting Agenda January 10, 2024
5. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff
6. Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund - John Joseph
7. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme
24-0026 Receive the monthly Riverwalk Commission Donor Recognition
report
8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jeff Friant
24-0027 Receive the January 2, 2024 Riverwalk Planning, Design and
Construction Committee draft meeting minutes
H. MEETING SCHEDULE:
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
Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, March 5, 2024, 7:30 a.m.
Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
Riverwalk Commission, March 13, 2024, 7:30 a.m.
Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
I. ADJOURNMENT:
Any individual with a disability requesting a reasonable accommodation in order to
participate in a public meeting should contact the Communications Department at least
48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting. The Communications Department can
be reached in person at 400 S. Eagle Street, Naperville, IL., via telephone at
630-420-6707 or 630-305-5205 (TDD) or via e-mail at info@naperville.il.us. Every effort
will be made to allow for meeting participation.
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