Riverwalk Commission

400 S. Eagle Street City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540 Meeting Minutes Riverwalk Commission Wednesday, May 8, 2024 7:30 AM NEU A. CALL TO ORDER: Riverwalk Commission Chairman Kennedy called the May 8, 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; Jan Erickson; Jeff Friant; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer (arrived 7:33 a.m.); Pat Kennedy, Chairman; Ryan Mohammadian; Tiffani Picco; Sennah Rashidian; Johnna Shields; Mike Sullivan; and Carl Wohlt Absent: Grant Cowen; and Bill Novack Also Present: Tim Ball, GRWA; Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Brian Dusak, ERA; John Joseph, Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund; Peggy Motta, Naperville Park District; Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; and Marilyn Schweitzer, resident Kennedy discussed changes to the meeting format with the room set-up and requirement of sign-in sheets as part of the City’s efforts to ensure proper protocol with all Boards and Commissions. He encouraged the group to continue their cordial and good conversations, setting the tone that we are all here to do what is best for the Riverwalk. C. PUBLIC FORUM: Marilyn Schweitzer spoke on the Fredenhagen Park fountain repairs that were recently approved by City Council. She thanked the Riverwalk Commission and Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) Committee for their efforts and emphasized the importance of maintenance on any new projects. She noted the obligation to honor things that were built in the past while making sure it is done in a fiscally responsible way. Kennedy thanked Schweitzer for her comments. Mary Lou Wehrli provided comments regarding the Prairie Nature Garden Sign, which was discussed under agenda item F.1. and attached to these minutes. City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 6/19/2024 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes May 8, 2024 D. PROJECT UPDATES: 1. South Gateway Proposed Signage and Corner Site Design Review - Pat Kennedy and Brian Dusak Review and provide direction regarding the corner site design at the intersection of Martin Avenue and Washington Street for the South Extension of the Riverwalk Attachments: Ryan Companies Design Ryan Companies Design with Traffic Signals Included Riverwalk Martin Avenue Gateway Concept Kennedy provided background on the Ryan Companies project and their corner signage at Martin Avenue and Washington Street and the relation to the South Gateway of the Riverwalk. Ryan Companies is moving forward with construction and they are looking for input from the Riverwalk Commission to make sure their corner is consistent with the rest of our planned design for the intersection. He noted the South Gateway project is scheduled for 2025. Peterson reviewed the revised preliminary layout of the east and northwest corners, which was included in the agenda packet, and summarized the discussions from last week’s PDC Committee meeting. Peterson is working with Park District staff to make sure what they are proposing is sustainable. Kennedy discussed the South Gateway entrance being more consistent with other entrances to the Riverwalk, noting the banners and Riverwalk elements. Erickson liked the inclusion of the proposed pedestrian path on the southwest corner of the crosswalk. Holzhauer commented that after recently providing a tour, many attendees were unaware of where the Riverwalk began and ended. He suggested considering the overall branding. Wohlt noted that the graphics for some of the signs would need to be modified. Schweitzer suggested using a QR code on the signs and Kennedy stated that a digital map is something the group should explore. Bartlett suggested considering a Riverwalk mobile app. E. OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business to discuss. F. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Prairie Nature Garden Sign Approval - Pat Kennedy Review and approve the interpretive signage for the Prairie Nature Garden City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 6/19/2024 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes May 8, 2024 Attachments: Proposed Prairie Nature Garden Interpretive Sign 18x24 Kennedy and Motta provided an update on the Prairie Nature Garden project that continues to progress. The second application of herbicide has been applied to the turf and the hardscape is almost complete. Seeding will take place in approximately one week. Kennedy thanked Motta and Picco for advancing this project. The interpretive sign needs to be finalized and installed and input is needed from the Riverwalk Commission. Cuff stated that the Riverwalk Foundation had no objections to the proposed sign. A draft of the sign was included in the agenda packet. Kennedy noted the public comment received from Mary Lou Wehrli, included with these minutes, and Motta advised that she has been in contact with her and incorporated trees into the graphic per her suggestion. Wohlt inquired about the graphic standards for the Park District and Riverwalk. Motta inquired about the font for the Riverwalk signs. Peterson will provide this information to Motta. Discussion followed on including a reference to the Riverwalk or adding the Naperville Riverwalk logo. Consensus from the group was that the Riverwalk should be mentioned in the text and the logo included. Wohlt suggested making the logos at the bottom more visible by making the background color lighter. Suggestions for changing the text included: 1) adding “capturing stormwater at Centennial Beach on the Naperville Riverwalk” 2) adding “capturing stormwater at Naperville Riverwalk” 3) adding “Riverwalk stormwater detention” 4) changing to “part of the Naperville Riverwalk’s Master Plan and was originally planted with turf grass” and, lastly, 5) removing “function as designed” and changing to “originally planted with turf grass. In 2024, it was replanted with native vegetation.” The group discussed the proposed size of the sign, which is 18” x 24”. Motta noted the sign could be increased to 24” x 36”. Including dates on the sign was also suggested to reference the 2031 Riverwalk Master Plan or that it was installed in 2024. Holzhauer suggested developing a brand guide with very specific guidelines. Kennedy will meet with Novack to discuss and work with the City on developing something or documenting the information that is already used. 2. Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund Donor Recognition Policy - Pat Kennedy for Grant Cowen Review and provide comments regarding the proposed Donor Recognition Policy for the Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 6/19/2024 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes May 8, 2024 Attachments: DRAFT Donor Recognition Policy 040724 Kennedy acknowledged Grant Cowen as the newly appointed Riverwalk Commissioner and representative of the Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund. John Joseph, former Riverwalk Commissioner and Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund Chairman, reviewed the proposed Donor Recognition Policy that was included in the agenda packet. He requested feedback from the Commission and would like their endorsement at the June 12th meeting. Pennick commented that using both the “Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund” and the “Riverwalk 2031 Fund” was confusing. Joseph explained that the Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund is the legal name of the entity, but the go-to-market name will be the Riverwalk 2031 Fund. Erickson suggested in order for the language to be consistent to refer to as the “Riverwalk 2031 Fund”. The policy will be included on the June 12th agenda for further discussion and approval. G. REPORTS: 1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy Approve minutes from the April 10, 2024 Riverwalk Commission meeting Attachments: 24RWCMinutes0410 A motion to approve the April 10, 2024 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Erickson and seconded by Shields. MOTION CARRIED with Friant and Kennedy abstaining 2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy Kennedy recognized the Student Representatives, Sennah Rashidian and Ryan Mohammadian, thanking them for their service and contributions to the Riverwalk Commission. 3. Park District - Tiffani Picco Receive the monthly Park District report Attachments: 24ParkDistrictMemo0508 Picco reported on highlights from the monthly Park District report included in the agenda packet. Staff has been edging, mulching and spraying the tree rings and landscape beds. Picco acknowledged Kristen Jungles who helped to recruit nineteen volunteers that assisted with mulching the area from Main Street to the Amphitheater this past Saturday. One of the standard Riverwalk benches was installed on the lower walk, just east of the Amphitheater, as discussed at last month’s City of Naperville Page 4 Printed on 6/19/2024 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes May 8, 2024 meeting, and it is being utilized. They are aerating, fertilizing and over seeding the Riverwalk turf and are trialing an organic product for the turf by the Grand Pavilion. 4. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff Cuff noted the Prairie Nature Garden project that has started and is being funded by the Riverwalk Foundation. They will continue to look at future projects. 5. Riverwalk 2031 Fund - Pat Kennedy for Grant Cowen There was no report. Erickson requested that the agenda item be changed from “Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund” to “Riverwalk 2031 Fund.” 6. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme Receive the monthly Donor Recognition report DeLarme reviewed the Riverwalk Commission Donor Recognition report included in the agenda packet. The Spring 2024 Legacy Gift Order deadline was March 15, 2024. The order consisted of eight 4” x 8” and six 8” x 8” commemorative bricks. The order is complete and installation has been scheduled with the donors and the Park District staff for Friday, May 10th, at 8:00 a.m. in Fredenhagen Park. The Fall 2024 Legacy Gift Order deadline is September 1st and no orders have been received to date. Erickson suggested the opportunity for the group to attend an installation to witness the process of the donor interaction, how heart-felt the experience is and how important the commemorative bricks are to the donors. 7. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jeff Friant Receive the April 30, 2024 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee draft meeting minutes Attachments: 24PDCMinutes0430Draft Friant noted that all pertinent information was already discussed in this meeting. H. MEETING SCHEDULE: Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, June 4, 2024, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, June 12, 2024, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, July 2, 2024, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL City of Naperville Page 5 Printed on 6/19/2024 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes May 8, 2024 Riverwalk Commission, July 10, 2024, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL I. ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Friant and seconded by Picco. The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Respectfully submitted by Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff City of Naperville Page 6 Printed on 6/19/2024