City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission met April 12
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The Riverwalk Commission Chairman Kennedy called the April 12, 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: Pam Bartlett; John Cuff; Jeff Friant; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer (until 8:48 a.m.); John Joseph (until 8:42 a.m.); Pat Kennedy, Chairman; Bill Novack; Tom Stibbe; and Carl Wohlt
Absent: Valla Aguilar; Jan Erickson; Leo Martinez; and Mike Sullivan
Also Present: Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff; Brian Dusak, ERA; Jim Ensign, resident; Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; Carl Peterson, GRWA; and Marilyn Schweitzer, resident
Kennedy welcomed Joseph to the meeting as a Riverwalk Commissioner and representative of the Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund.
C. PUBLIC FORUM:
Hitchcock reported that the covered pedestrian bridge between Fredenhagen Park and Hillside Road was closed for construction and requested that a sign be placed near Hillside Road to advise pedestrians. Novack reported that the bridge was temporarily closed for roof repairs which should be completed by the end of the week. Novack will work with the City’s Public Works Department on a temporary sign suggesting use of the sidewalk on Washington Street.
Bartlett received an inquiry on how to stop people from smoking on the Riverwalk. Stibbe noted that smoking is prohibited in Naperville parks but that it is a difficult ordinance to enforce. Bartlett will advise that a rule is currently in place.
D. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Moser Tower Rehabilitation - Bill Novack
Novack reported the contractor has completed repairs to the walkway on Eagle Street. They are now awaiting completion of the landscaping. Schweitzer inquired if an opening celebration was planned. Novack advised this was previously discussed and could be addressed again after the work is completed.
2. Fredenhagen Park Fountain - Bill Novack
Novack advised that he met last week with Trish Krenick (Exchange Club of Naperville), Erickson, Hitchcock and Kennedy. A meeting with Tom Castagnoli of the Fredenhagen family is scheduled for next week. Kennedy reviewed key points from the meeting and a summary provided by Hitchcock was distributed to the group. The Exchange Club has expressed openness to a simpler, less maintenance intensive solution for the fountain. The origin behind the Exchange Club’s mission of preventing child abuse, promoting Americanism, community service and youth programs was discussed. The process going forward will be placed with the Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee (PDC), with Kennedy suggesting that a smaller group consisting of Hitchcock, Novack and Erickson continue to drive the meetings and bring back for review with the PDC Committee. All Riverwalk Commissioners were encouraged to attend the PDC meetings. Kennedy thanked Hitchcock for the meeting summaries and advised the Commission that more information would be forthcoming.
3. Fredenhagen Park Maintenance - Bill Novack and Tom Stibbe
Stibbe continues to meet with contractors and collect quotes for the maintenance work for the Ipe wood and various structures at Fredenhagen Park. He will provide more information at next month’s PDC meeting. The consensus is that work could begin now with some contractors suggesting coming back to clean up after the bridge construction is complete. Stibbe will continue to get the contractors’ opinions for the timing of repairs. Discussion followed on the timeline for the bridge repair which is a two-year project, and the 430 South Washington project which should go out to bid in 2024. Kennedy requested a plan schedule for addressing the fountain that could be discussed once the bids are received. Schweitzer inquired about an open house for the possible re-design of the fountain. Novack agreed it was a good idea but he would like to get prior approval/support from the Exchange Club and Fredenhagen family.
4. Riverwalk Master Plan - Pat Kennedy
Kennedy talked about the Master Plan being a living document and the timeline for reviewing updates. Friant confirmed that the process would begin with the Annual Asset Management Plan Walk in April or early May, with information being reviewed with the consultants during the next couple of PDC meetings, then any changes/recommendations being brought to the Riverwalk Commission for approval prior to the City’s budgeting process.
5. Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund - Pat Kennedy
Kennedy advised they are looking to revisit meetings with the new Mayor and Edward Hospital. Joseph will provide an update on marketing and fundraising timelines at next month’s Riverwalk Commission meeting. Kennedy inquired about the marketing video that was being developed by Deborah Newman Marketing/Communications with Joseph advising that it should be completed within the next two months as they want to include spring footage of the Riverwalk.
Kennedy will be meeting with Jim Kleinwachter with the Conservation Foundation to discuss the Conservation’s mission and provide updates on the Riverwalk. Discussion followed on the City Council’s resolution in support of the DuPage Monarch project and coordinating this initiative with the Prairie Nature Garden project in the Master Plan, as it aligns with our mission of cleaner water and better ecology along the Riverwalk. Holzhauer suggested having someone from the Riverwalk Commission reach out to the DuPage Monarch Project. The group further discussed the Park District’s efforts with Monarch waystations and park prairie projects in various areas, with Gibson noting Ashbury Parkway as an example. The importance of public education with signage was suggested.
6. Update on Preliminary Design of South Extension - Brian Dusak
Dusak reported that at last week’s PDC meeting, they reviewed what they felt was very close to the final concept. Additional comments were brought forth by Hitchcock and he and the consultants had a working session yesterday to review those additional items. Peterson provided an update for the Commission, explaining the areas for a multi-use trail, and the gateway area consisting of Riverwalk pavers that they would like to tie in with the other areas at the intersection at Washington Street and Hillside Road. Hitchcock noted that they introduced repetition of stone wall elements and other familiar Riverwalk materials. The group continued to discuss the areas where bicycles would have access and the area where the Riverwalk path would separate. Schweitzer inquired about the bus stop on the north side of Brom Drive, off of Martin Avenue, and the need to design the area to accommodate a future sidewalk. Kennedy asked Dusak to review this information.
7. Washington Street Bridge Construction - Bill Novack
Novack provided an update on the Washington Street bridge construction, noting that Nicor is doing their main installation and AT&T will be doing their utility relocates soon. Stibbe inquired about the river level rising with Novack advising that will be the existing condition through the summer as a cofferdam was created as a platform for the contractors to work from. The bridge project timeline consists of demo and replacement of the east half in 2023, then moving traffic onto the east half during the winter and beginning demo and building the west half in 2024. The 430 South Washington area is currently being used for staging. The state grant for this project expires August 30, 2024 and Novack is working with the state on the timeline.
E. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Asset Management Plan Walk Date - Tom Stibbe
The Annual Asset Management Plan Walk has been scheduled for May 4, 2023, 3:00 p.m., with everyone meeting in the Municipal Center lunchroom at 3:00 p.m. The group will review the Eagle Street Gateway area first, then move southward through Fredenhagen Park and toward the south extension.
2. Private Request to Utilize Fredenhagen Park Building for Food Service to Public - Bill Novack
Novack reviewed a request with the Commission for use of the Fredenhagen Park building for food service. Discussion followed on the existing service window being too high for food service and the building’s current use as storage for the Park District. Consensus from the group is that the facility has logistical issues related to accessibility and is not set up for food service at this time.
The Riverwalk Commission has previously discussed potential use of this building and it was noted that the window is not accessible therefore major renovations would have to be done. Jim Ensign suggested that the accessibility issue could be solved with a tent or table outside of the building and suggested using this model before any rebuilding is done. Discussion followed on downtown businesses and mobile vendors. The group also discussed the possibility of using this area for art fairs or crafts and the window only as a display space. The Riverwalk Café was discussed, with Gibson advising they are trying something new this year in an effort to attract more patrons. Schweitzer expressed support for doing a retrofit study. Kennedy encouraged the group to bring ideas to next month’s Annual AMP walk for further discussion.
F. REPORTS:
1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy
Approve minutes from the March 8, 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting
A motion to approve the March 8, 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Cuff and seconded by Novack. MOTION CARRIED with Friant abstaining
2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy
Kennedy encouraged the group to think about the Master Plan and the mission to preserve and take care of what we already have in preparation for next month’s AMP Walk.
3. Finance - Bill Novack
Receive the March Riverwalk financial report
Novack reviewed the financial report through March 31, 2023 that was included in the agenda packet.
4. Park District - Tom Stibbe
Receive the monthly Park District report
Stibbe reviewed highlights from the Park District report that was included in the agenda packet. The tulips are pushing through and the Magnolias are blooming. Spring flowers have been placed in some of the planters and staff is working on mulching. Centennial Beach should be filled beginning next week.
Stibbe reported on recent vandalism on the Riverwalk, explaining that a lot of areas on the Riverwalk were tagged with graffiti. They are working with an outside contractor on graffiti removal as it was too extensive for Park District staff to handle. Camera footage is available and the Park District Police are working with the Naperville Police Department.
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 was March 15th and consisted of twenty-seven 4” x 8” and nine 8” x 8” commemorative bricks. Installation should occur sometime in May, once the engraving is completed. One granite stone was purchased at a cost of $2,500.
7. Public Relations - Valla Aguilar
Receive the monthly Public Relations report
Kennedy referred to the Public Relations report included in the agenda packet. The Naperville Riverwalk was mentioned in 79 articles, social media posts and broadcasts during the month of March. Highlights included: Naperville Named 4th Best Place to Live in America (Niche.com); Naperville Named One of the 8 Most Beautiful Cities in Illinois (WorldAtlas.com); and Mayor Chirico State of the City Address.
Hitchcock suggested taking a proactive posture with Public Relations with regard to the many projects and timelines. Kennedy advised that a meeting would need to be held with the new Mayor prior to advancing this process. Schweitzer suggested using the space outside of Council Chambers as a display area during the summer, prior to launching of events. Novack noted working with the City’s Communications Team.
8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jeff Friant
Receive the April 4, 2023 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee draft meeting minutes
All pertinent information from the PDC meeting was already discussed at this meeting.
Bartlett noted a safety concern from a friend who lives in RiverPlace Condominiums who stated she has recently been afraid to walk home at night on the Riverwalk. Bartlett noted that some safety concerns with lighting, etc. would be addressed with the proposed Netzley Overlook Master Plan project but will follow up for more specific information.
G. MEETING SCHEDULE:
Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, May 2, 2023, 7:30 a.m. TED Conference Room 164, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
**Riverwalk Commission Annual Asset Management Plan Walk, May 4, 2023, 3:00 p.m.
Meet in 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
Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, June 6, 2023, 7:30 a.m.
Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
Riverwalk Commission, June 14, 2023, 7:30 a.m.
Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
H. ADJOURNMENT:
A motion to adjourn was made by Friant and seconded by Stibbe. The meeting adjourned at 8:53 a.m. MOTION CARRIED
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