City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission met March 9

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Jul 6, 2022

City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission met March 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

A. CALL TO ORDER:

The Riverwalk Commission Chairman Kennedy called the Naperville Riverwalk Commission meeting to order at 7:29 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: Valla Aguilar; Pam Bartlett; Jeff Friant; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; John Joseph; Pat Kennedy, Chairman; Debra Lellbach (until 8:42 a.m.); Bill Novack; Matthew Ru (until 8:41 a.m.) and Tom Stibbe

Absent: John Cuff; and Jan Erickson

Also Present: Jim Caneff, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (until 8:07 a.m.); Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff; Dick Dublinski, City’s Director of Public Works (until 7:43 a.m.); Brian Dusak, ERA; Aysha Ashley Househ, NCTV17; Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; Vince Rosanova, Rosanova & Whitaker, Ltd. (until 8:07 a.m.); Erik Van Someren; Charleston Building and Development (until 8:07 a.m.) and Mary Lou Wehrli, resident

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

Dick Dublinski, City of Naperville’s Director of Public Works (DPW), addressed the Commission about a banner program that is part of a beautification initiative with the City of Naperville called “Naperville Salutes”, honoring local veterans. The program would involve hanging approximately 330 banners around the city, including some throughout the Riverwalk on the shepherd’s crook lights. The program would last approximately five months until Veterans Day. DPW is also working with the Park District and this may become an annual program. The banner size is 18” x 36” and DPW will maintain the banners and hardware. While there were some questions about the proposal, no commissioners expressed concerns at this time.

Mary Lou Wehrli expressed her thanks to the Commission for their care of the Riverwalk and their attention to the importance of taking care of what we already have by partnering any new projects with the ongoing care of the existing Riverwalk.

D. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Proposed development at 445 Aurora Avenue - Bill Novack

Provide feedback regarding proposed development at 445 Aurora Avenue

Novack advised the Commission about the proposed development at 445

Aurora Avenue, the property adjacent to Rotary Hill, noting that a concept meeting had already been held with the City. A presentation of the background and development materials provided in the agenda packet was given by Eric Van Someren, Vince Rosanova and Jim Caneff.

Discussion followed on the sidewalk location in the Rotary Hill area and its connection to the Riverwalk, the importance of distinguishing between private property or public property, and Riverwalk standards being met for any portion that was determined to be a part of the Riverwalk. The timeline was also discussed, as they are hoping to break ground around this time, next year. Further consideration needs to be given to 1) the property location of the north/south path; 2) what material it will be made from; and

3) what costs will be associated with maintaining the walkway.

The developers will come back before the Riverwalk Commission as they get closer to the final design, after working with the City’s Engineering and Planning staff, and before they meet with the Plan Commission or City Council.

2. Streambank erosion at the bend in the river adjacent to Sindt Woods - Bill Novack

Review and discuss the streambank erosion at the bend in the river adjacent to Sindt Woods

Novack reported on the significant erosion that has occurred at the east/north bank of the west branch of the DuPage River where it bends adjacent to Sindt Woods, that was brought to the Riverwalk Commission’s attention by Mary Lou Wehrli. He provided the background of the past streambank stabilization efforts from several public and private agencies that occurred approximately twenty-five years ago. Novack and City staff will work with Dusak, the Riverwalk Foundation, DuPage County and the Conservation Foundation to identify public and private funds available to address the issue. He will report back to the Commission. Kennedy expressed his thanks to Mary Lou for bringing this to the Commission.

Discussion followed on the additional areas of concern that Mary Lou addressed at the past week’s Planning, Design and Construction Committee (PDC) meeting. It was noted that those items are included in the Asset Management Plan, with Novack adding that some may be able to be included with existing projects in the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan.

E. OLD BUSINESS:

1. Moser Tower Rehabilitation - Bill Novack

Novack reported that the contractor would be back this week to resume activities. They need to finish the painting and start work on the plaza improvements and field applied surface to the lower level. The project should be completed by Memorial Day. Mary Lou Wehrli inquired about the temporary asphalt path that was put in due to the closed sidewalk. Stibbe noted that path activity may change once the fencing comes down but he and Novack will review and determine if the asphalt path should remain in place after construction is complete. It was noted that the Carillon would be open for tours and the elevator should be working, once construction is complete.

2. Riverwalk Master Plan - Pat Kennedy

Kennedy deferred to Friant who discussed the items that were addressed at last week’s PDC meeting. Friant advised that the web addresses have been provided for the QR codes. The Foundation is redesigning their web page content and the City’s “Learn More” web page needs to be made mobile friendly, which will be addressed by Joseph, Aguilar and the Communications Team. Gibson noted that the Century Walk QR codes currently aren’t working and expressed concern that this may keep visitors from looking up the Riverwalk QR codes. Mary Lou Wehrli will reach out to Century Walk and inquire about their codes.

Joseph acknowledged and expressed appreciation to the Riverwalk Foundation for granting up to $15,000 to fund the development of promotional materials for presentations. A short list of marketing firms has been identified and a request for credentials will be sent out within the next week. Kennedy is continuing to work on developing the fundraising team.

Holzhauer and Erickson will be providing a presentation/tour to Monarch Landing in May, after the next Riverwalk Commission meeting.

F. REPORTS:

1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy

Approve the minutes from the February 9, 2022 Riverwalk Commission meeting Attachments: 22RWCMinutes0209

A motion to approve the February 9, 2022 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Joseph, seconded by Novack. MOTION CARRIED with Friant and Lellbach abstaining

2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy

There was no Chairman’s report.

3. Finance - Bill Novack

Receive the February Riverwalk financial report

Novack reviewed the financial report through February 28, 2022 that was included in the agenda packet.

4. Park District - Tom Stibbe

Receive the monthly Park District report

Stibbe reviewed the following highlights from the monthly Park District report, included with the agenda packet:

a. Fredenhagen Restrooms

The Trades Department has completed the Fredenhagen Park restroom renovations.

b. Shepherd’s Crook Light Vandalism

There was recent vandalism to over half a dozen shepherd’s crook lights on the Riverwalk. A Crime Stopper alert was sent out, the offenders turned themselves in and the Park District is in the process of collecting restitution. There is an issue going forward with replacement parts for these lights as the manufacturer no longer provides parts. The City has provided the lights salvaged from the downtown streetscape project but this will need to be addressed in the future.

5. Riverwalk Foundation

There was no report for the Riverwalk Foundation. Penick sent an email about a suggested Open House for the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan. This will be discussed further with Cuff and Penick next month.

6. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme

DeLarme will be working with the Park District to schedule the pickup and installation of the Fall ’21 order that was delayed. The deadline for the Spring ’22 order is March 15th, with installation occurring in late April or May. Currently, six 4” x 8” and twelve 8” x 8” commemorative brick orders have been received. We are awaiting payment for two bench orders.

7. Public Relations - Valla Aguilar

Receive the February Public Relations reports

Aguilar reported that the Naperville Riverwalk was mentioned in 261 articles, 89 social media posts, and 1 broadcast in February. Highlights included Central Park Place Retail Space Filled, Riverwalk Vandalism, Sledding Spots in Naperville, Farley’s “Van Down by the River” performance inspired by Naperville bridge over the DuPage River.

8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jeff Friant

Receive the March 1, 2022 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting draft minutes

All major topics of the PDC meeting were previously addressed in this meeting.

G. MEETING SCHEDULE:

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, April 5, 2022, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

Riverwalk Commission, April 13, 2022, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, May 3, 2022, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

Riverwalk Commission, May 11, 2022, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL