Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee

400 S. Eagle Street City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540 Meeting Minutes Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee Tuesday, January 3, 2023 7:30 AM Municipal Center Lunchroom A. CALL TO ORDER: Novack called the January 3, 2023 Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee (PDC) meeting to order at 7:33 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: Pam Bartlett; John Cuff; Jan Erickson; Bill Novack; Tom Stibbe (until 8:23 a.m.); Mike Sullivan; and Carl Wohlt Absent: Valla Aguilar; Jeff Friant, PDC Chairman; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; and Pat Kennedy, Riverwalk Commission Chairman Also Present: Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff; Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; Carl Peterson, GRWA; and Marilyn Schweitzer, resident C. PUBLIC FORUM: Marilyn Schweitzer shared her concerns regarding accessibility of the Riverwalk and the 2031 Master Plan South Gateway project as they relate to the proposed plans for incorporating 10 Martin Avenue into the Edward Hospital Campus. An email addressing her concerns, along with diagrams of the area, were distributed and are attached to these minutes. She is concerned with the poor connectivity to the Riverwalk and lack of accessibility. Novack provided background on the property at the southwest corner of Martin Avenue and Washington Street. Ryan Companies is proposing to demolish the existing building and build a new facility that Edward Hospital will be utilizing. Novack noted that after initially seeing the plans, City staff informed the developer that there needed to be a sidewalk along the new entrance up from Martin Avenue to allow barrier-free pedestrian access. He apologized that the developer did not update the drawings to reflect this at the last Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Discussion followed on suggestions to improve the accessibility with Erickson suggesting signage. Novack thanked Schweitzer for her comments and for bringing City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 4/5/2023 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Meeting Minutes January 3, 2023 Construction Committee this to the PDC Committee’s attention. D. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Approval of Minutes - Bill Novack for Jeff Friant Approve minutes from the December 6, 2022 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting Attachments: 22PDCMinutes1206 A motion to approve the December 6, 2022 Planning, Design & Construction Committee meeting minutes was made by Erickson and seconded by Sullivan. Motion carried 2. Park District - Tom Stibbe Stibbe reported that a couple of pipes in the Warming Shelter were damaged during the recent cold snap but have since been repaired. Staff is working to take down holiday decorations and moving back into their newly renovated shop. Discussion followed on the ice rink that was recently flooded, which will be flooded again when the temperature gets colder. 3. Moser Tower Rehabilitation - Bill Novack Novack reported that the contractor is wrapping up their work and the project is near completion. The fence still has to be removed and ERA is providing them with a punch list. 4. Fredenhagen Park Fountain - Bill Novack Novack reported that plans are almost complete and are being reviewed by Development Services before going out to bid for the fountain repair. City Council has requested that the Commission review this further to discuss alternatives for potentially replacing the fountain with a less high dollar maintenance item. Discussion followed on the Exchange Club Memories Fountain, the importance of their funding and the donor contributions tied to the fountain. Hitchcock provided background on the original development of the area and the importance of the community’s access to the property and this focal point. It was suggested and agreed that the Exchange Club be brought into the conversation, along with Tom, Sue, and Jody Castagnoli. The possibility of engaging the Riverwalk consultant to come up with alternatives such as sculpture, LED light fixtures or a simpler water feature was also suggested. Erickson will reach out to the parties and there will be follow up at next month’s meeting. 5. Riverwalk Master Plan - Bill Novack for Pat Kennedy City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 4/5/2023 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Meeting Minutes January 3, 2023 Construction Committee Hitchcock reported that the process in place to advance and fund the Master Plan projects is moving along, noting that cost information may need to be updated. Erickson met with the new City Councilwoman, Nicki Anderson, and brought her and her husband, a former Riverwalk Commissioner, up to speed on the Master Plan. 6. Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund - Bill Novack for Pat Kennedy Novack advised that the bylaws for the new Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund 501(c)(3) were being developed and should be ready soon. 7. Future updates to Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan - Bill Novack for Jeff Friant Novack reported that the timeline to update the Master Plan on a regular basis was reviewed with the Riverwalk Commission at last month’s meeting. 8. South Extension preliminary design discussion - Carl Peterson Peterson reviewed the most recent drawings with the group and advised of suggestions that were made to date. Discussion followed on the importance of the bicycle path and getting to Martin Avenue. Peterson is looking for feedback regarding the utilities, the use of the existing sidewalk for bicycling, what features should be included in the plan, and if there are any improvements planned for the intersection at West Martin Avenue and Washington Street to reflect the new gateway. Novack noted the projected timeline for the project would consist of preliminary design being developed in 2022, permitting and final design in 2023, and construction beginning in 2024 or 2025. Hitchcock added the importance of exploring a wider, dual purpose path or a separate leg of the path for bicycles even though the DuPage River trail is located on the other side of the river. He also expressed concern with building the path too close to the river because of the elimination of trees and privacy for existing residents. Novack brought up a previous discussion about creating separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists. Additional suggestions were discussed and Peterson will provide updated concepts based on these discussions at the next meeting. E. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Eagle Street Gateway Project Funding - Bill Novack Novack reported that Representative Bill Foster recently informed him that the bill for the $900,000 funding for the Eagle Street Gateway project was passed two weeks ago. F. MEETING SCHEDULE: Riverwalk Commission, January 11, 2023, 7:30 a.m. City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 4/5/2023 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Meeting Minutes January 3, 2023 Construction Committee Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL **Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, January 31, 2023, 7:30 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 **Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, February 28, 2023, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL G. ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by Erickson and seconded by Bartlett. The meeting adjourned at 9:07 a.m. Respectfully submitted by Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff City of Naperville Page 4 Printed on 4/5/2023