City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission met March 11
City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission met March 11
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
A. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Erickson was not in attendance. Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) Committee Chair Shields called the March 11, 2026 Naperville Riverwalk Commission meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. The meeting was held in Meeting Room C at the Naperville Municipal Center located at 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL.
B. ROLL CALL:
Present: 11 - Hannah Brauer; Grant Cowen; Ian Holzhauer (arrived 8:24 a.m.); Andy Hynes; Jeff Martin; Seth Michael; Tiffani Picco; Leslie Ruffing; Johnna Shields; Mike Sullivan; Carl Wohlt
Absent: 2 - Jan Erickson, Chair; Greg Sagen
Also Present: Tim Ball, Gary R. Weber Associates, Inc. (GRWA); Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Brian Dusak, Engineering Resource Associates, Inc. (ERA); Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; Peggy Motta, Naperville Park District; and Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation
C. PUBLIC FORUM:
There were no public comments.
D. PROJECT UPDATES:
Commissioner Hynes provided the following project updates: Stockholm Riverwalk paver: A purchase order with Unilock for the Stockholm paver mold has been issued and the cost is less than originally discussed at just under $22K.
430 S. Washington Street Project/North Central College Riverwalk Park: A final review of the plans is underway and the project should be going out to bid next month. Estimated construction costs are $2.7M. Commissioner Hynes will share more updates as they are available.
South Gateway Project: The bid for the South Extension is expected to go out this year with tree clearing beginning in winter. Hitchcock discussed concerns with the timing of the tree clearing as it relates to the rest of construction. Dusak stated they would take this into consideration and noted certain stipulations on when the clearing can occur which cannot be during the spring.
E. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Mr. and Mrs. Naperville Statue - Tiffani Picco
Approve the plaque option for the Mr. and Mrs. Naperville statue
Commissioner Picco discussed the plaque option included in the agenda packet for the Mr. and Mrs. Naperville statue. Adding a plaque to the front of the statue was approved at the January 14, 2026 Riverwalk Commission meeting and the updated proof was provided based on suggestions and feedback from the February 11, 2026 Riverwalk Commission meeting.
The front face of the concrete base of the statue measures 9” tall by 48” wide. The plaque will be 5” tall by 20” wide, with the order of the names listed as Margaret and Harold Moser. Quotes will be included around “Mr. and Mrs. Naperville.”
Commissioner Martin did not anticipate an issue with the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation covering the cost of the plaque, which is $662.65 plus shipping. It will be discussed at their next scheduled board meeting on March 25th.
A motion to approve the plaque option for the Mr. and Mrs. Naperville statue was made by Commissioner Martin and seconded by
Commissioner Cowen. The motion passed by the following vote:
Aye: 10 - Brauer, Cowen, Hynes, Martin, Michael, Picco, Ruffing, Shields, Sullivan, Wohlt
Absent: 3 - Erickson, Holzhauer, Sagen
F. NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business to discuss.
G. REPORTS:
1. Approval of Minutes - Johnna Shields for Jan Erickson
Approve minutes from the February 11, 2026 Riverwalk Commission meeting
A motion to approve the February 11, 2026 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Commissioner Hynes and seconded by Commissioner Wohlt. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 10 - Brauer, Cowen, Holzhauer, Hynes, Michael, Picco, Ruffing, Shields, Sullivan, Wohlt
Abstain: 1 - Martin
Absent: 2 - Erickson, Sagen
2. Chair - Johnna Shields for Jan Erickson
There was no report.
3. Park District - Tiffani Picco
Receive the monthly Park District report
Commissioner Picco noted some of the highlights from the Park District report included in the agenda packet.
Conversion to warm white LED bulbs has begun for the shepherd’s crook lights. Everything east of Main Street has been converted to include Fredenhagen Park and the east extension. The walls and floors of the Fredenhagen restrooms have been painted and are ready for the season.
The Grand Pavilion floor and picnic tables have been pressure-washed and are ready for upcoming rentals. Staff removed invasive buckthorn from the island in the river in section 8. Piles were burned onsite and it was completed within one day. Centennial Beach spring cleaning is scheduled to begin the week of March 23rd, depending on the weather.
Picco reviewed the sample sign included with the Park District report. She discussed the intent to install these at lower walk access points to inform users that the lower walks are closed during flooding or when ice or snow is present. Historically, staff has used caution tape across the entry points but it tends to stretch in windy conditions, users pull or go under it, and it is often ripped after being put in place. In addition, Park District maintenance staff only work 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday, which presents a challenge if the river rises when staff is not present. Commissioner Shields noted that it was a good reminder to the public and suggested including this information on the Park District’s website.
4. Riverwalk Foundation - Jeff Martin
There was no report.
5. Riverwalk 2031 Fund - Grant Cowen
There was no update.
6. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme
Receive the monthly Donor Recognition report
DeLarme reported that the Spring 2026 Legacy Gift order deadline is March 15, 2026. Additional bricks were ordered since the report was issued and the order now consists of eleven 4” x 8” commemorative bricks, thirteen 8” x 8” commemorative bricks and one 18” x 12” commemorative stone. The Naperville Masonic Temple Association will be submitting a large order for the Masonic Plaza area prior to the deadline.
7. Planning, Design, and Construction - Johnna Shields
There was no report as the March 3, 2026 PDC Committee meeting was canceled.
Councilman Holzhauer discussed recently offering a Riverwalk tour on social media that received a great response. He will keep the group posted on the outcome.
Hitchcock inquired about clearing debris piles out of the river. Commissioner Picco advised that typically the debris at a bridge abutment is the responsibility of the county.
H. MEETING SCHEDULE:
Riverwalk Commission, April 8, 2026, 8:15 a.m.
Municipal Center Meeting Room C, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
Riverwalk Commission AMP Walk - West of Eagle St., April 29, 2026, 3:00 p.m.
Meet in Municipal Center Meeting Room C, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, May 5, 2026, 8:15 a.m.
Municipal Center Meeting Room C, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
Riverwalk Commission AMP Walk - East of Eagle St., May 7, 2026, 3:00 p.m.
Meet in Municipal Center Meeting Room C, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
I. ADJOURNMENT:
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Commissioner Sullivan and seconded by Commissioner Cowen. The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 a.m.
The motion carried by voice vote.
https://naperville.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1350580&GUID=2D33277D-877E-40A8-8CF5-3506E5640234