Riverwalk Commission

400 S. Eagle Street City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540 http://www.naperville.il.us/ Meeting Minutes Riverwalk Commission Wednesday, January 8, 2025 7:30 AM NEU A. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Bartlett called the January 8, 2025 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, Chair; Hannah Brauer; Grant Cowen; John Cuff; Jan Erickson; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; Aarav Khullar, Student Representative; Seth Michael; Bill Novack; Tiffani Picco; Johnna Shields; Mike Sullivan; Kyle Wang, Student Representative; and Carl Wohlt Absent: None Also Present: Tim Ball, Gary R. Weber Associates, Inc. (GRWA); Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Mike DiCristina, Naperville Park District; Brian Dusak, Engineering Resource Associates, Inc. (ERA); Emma Gibson, resident; Samantha Gibson, resident; Peggy Motta, Naperville Park District; Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; Carl Peterson, GRWA; Geoff Roehll, former Riverwalk Commissioner and Riverwalk 2031 Fund Chair; and Mary Lou Wehrli, resident C. PUBLIC FORUM: Wehrli suggested a correction to the Riverwalk 2031 Fund’s marketing video by noting the arrival of Joseph Naper in 1831. She discussed the legal beginnings of the City which weren’t until 1842 when Naper could file the first plat with the county, and Naperville initially being incorporated as a village in 1857 and as a city in1890. Wehrli also discussed comments previously provided to the Riverwalk Commission which are included as an attachment to these minutes. She inquired if consideration is being given to address the geese along the paths and if there were vegetative solutions anticipated to deter them. Motta advised that native vegetation has been planted in the area. Wehrli inquired if there would be a sign on the South Extension similar to the residential sign at the west end of the Riverwalk that advises the park is City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 2/24/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes January 8, 2025 closed (beyond this point) at 10:00 p.m. She also noted that she was not in favor of permeable pavers at the Grand Pavilion because of the expense and extensive maintenance due to the lot being located in a floodway, adding that the plaza seems a better location to invest in stormwater management. Erickson thanked Wehrli for her commitment and constant care of the Riverwalk noting that her comments are always heard and considered. D. PROJECT UPDATES: There were no project updates. E. OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business to discuss. F. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Riverwalk Commission Annual Report - Bill Novack Review and provide input on the 2024 annual report for the Riverwalk Commission Attachments: 2024 Annual Report for the Riverwalk Commission Novack presented the draft 2024 Riverwalk Commission annual report that was included in the agenda packet. He reviewed the accomplishments, challenges and upcoming work for 2025 that was part of a template provided by the City Manager’s office for reporting to City Council on an ongoing, annual basis. There were no updates recommended for the report and the group thanked Novack for preparing this information. The 2024 Annual Report for the Riverwalk Commission will be submitted as follows: 2024 Accomplishments · The Prairie Nature Garden was completed by Naperville Park District and City work forces and contractors. The entire project was funded by the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation. · The public/private Riverwalk pathway connection to Aurora Avenue along the new row homes was completed. · Construction of the Eagle Street Gateway project was bid and awarded by the City Council. · Preliminary design of the South Extension of the Riverwalk was completed, and significant progress has been made on the detailed design and permitting for the project. · Soil borings were taken, and an assessment report was prepared to consider if the Grand Pavilion parking lot can be reconstructed as a permeable parking lot. City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 2/24/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes January 8, 2025 · A construction contract was awarded, and work is underway to repair the Fredenhagen Park and Horse Trough fountains. · The Naperville Park District staff implemented several enhancement projects throughout the Riverwalk to improve sustainability and enhance the Riverwalk user experience. · Restored the Riverwalk Labyrinth by having it cleaned, stained and sealed to enhance and protect the contrasting colors. · Installed a bench along the lower Riverwalk walkway to provide easier seating at the request of the Occupational Therapy class of North Central College. 2024 Challenges · The number of contractors interested in our projects is low and the current bid prices are much higher than anticipated. 2025 Upcoming Work · Complete the repairs to the Fredenhagen Park and Horse Trough fountains. · Start and complete the construction of the Eagle Street Gateway improvements. · Complete the design and permitting and bid out the construction of the South Extension project. · After completion of the Washington Street bridge, bid out the construction of the park improvements at 430 S. Washington Street. · Initiate the assessment and preliminary design of the improvements for the Grand Pavilion. G. REPORTS: 1. Approval of Minutes - Pam Bartlett Approve minutes from the December 11, 2024 Riverwalk Commission meeting Attachments: 24RWCMinutes1211 A motion to approve the December 11, 2024 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Erickson and seconded by Shields. MOTION CARRIED with Cuff abstaining 2. Chairman - Pam Bartlett Bartlett commented that the group should be very proud of the many accomplishments noted in the annual report. 3. Park District - Tiffani Picco Receive the monthly Park District report City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 2/24/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes January 8, 2025 Attachments: 25ParkDistrictMemo0108 Picco reported the following highlights from the monthly report included in the agenda packet. Staff cut back most of the perennials and continue with invasive plant removal around the Paddleboat Quarry, Netzley Quarry, Sindt Woods and along the river. A contractor removed dead and invasive trees and shrubs along the west side of the paddleboat quarry. This is the first phase of the Harmony Park project presented a few months ago. Six trees have already been planted along the fishing pier area. Riverwalk staff removed invasive honeysuckle, buckthorn, and tree of heaven along the south bank of the river west of the metal bridge (behind the River Place condos). New shoreline plants will be installed in spring and plans will be presented soon. Holiday decorations have all been taken down and the ice rink has been flooded and is ready for appropriate weather. 4. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff Cuff reported that the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation is currently working on some enhancement projects with the Park District. They continue to search for new projects and should have more to report in spring. 5. Riverwalk 2031 Fund - Grant Cowen Cowen thanked Wehrli for her comments. He and Erickson will discuss this information with the committee at their next meeting. They are continuing to work with advisors to identify potential donors for upcoming projects. 6. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme Receive the monthly Donor Recognition report DeLarme reported that the Spring 2025 Legacy Gift order deadline is March 15, 2025 and currently consists of two 4” x 8” commemorative bricks and five 8” x 8” commemorative bricks. 7. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jan Erickson There were no Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee updates as the December 31, 2024 meeting was cancelled. The next scheduled meeting is February 4th. H. MEETING SCHEDULE: City of Naperville Page 4 Printed on 2/24/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes January 8, 2025 Novack discussed the upcoming Naperville Riverwalk Presentation scheduled for February 25th at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers. It was originally scheduled as a presentation on the Riverwalk history for the Park District staff. Picco suggested including the Riverwalk Commissioners so it will be noticed as a Riverwalk Commission meeting to comply with the Open Meetings Act. Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, February 4, 2025, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, February 12, 2025, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL **Naperville Riverwalk Presentation, February 25, 2025, 9:00 a.m. Council Chambers, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, March 4, 2025, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL I. ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Sullivan and seconded by Novack. The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Respectfully submitted by Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff City of Naperville Page 5 Printed on 2/24/2025