City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission met June 8

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Sep 16, 2022

City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission met June 8.

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 7:30 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: Valla Aguilar (arrived 7:31 a.m.); Pam Bartlett; John Cuff (arrived 7:35 a.m.); Jan Erickson; Jeff Friant; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; John Joseph (until 8:40 a.m.); Pat Kennedy, Chairman; Bill Novack; and Tom Stibbe

Absent: None

Also Present: Jim Caneff, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (until 8:27 a.m.); Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff; Brian Dusak, ERA; Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman (until 8:29 a.m.); Carl Peterson, GRWA; Erik Van Someren; Charleston Building and Development (until 8:27 a.m.); and Erin Venard, City Staff

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

There was no public forum.

D. OLD BUSINESS:

1. Proposed development at 445 Aurora Avenue - Bill Novack Receive the 445 Aurora Avenue proposed site plan

Kennedy welcomed Caneff and Van Someren to the meeting. Novack explained his intent to keep this agenda item simple for purposes of having the Riverwalk Commission provide input on the pedestrian connection to the Riverwalk to include the exact location, the materials it would be made from, and who would be responsible for paying for and maintaining the sidewalk. He then read the following comments received from resident Marilyn Schweitzer regarding the proposed development at 445 Aurora Avenue:

“I am extremely disappointed with how little information is being presented to the Commission and Public about the 445 Aurora plans. It is simply a site plan with no elevations, not rezoning information, and no mention of variances that would be requested. I believe the property is zoned currently OCI and that there may be an intent to rezone it R1A. I believe side yard setbacks for RA1 are 15’, yet this plan seems to have only a 10’ setback plus a private wrought iron staircase that goes up to the property line. If this is the case, I find this plan totally unacceptable. This new development seems to depend far too much on the adjacent public open space rather than providing any common area within its property limits for the pleasure of residents. I suspect that there are density variances that may be requested as well. Were affordable housing associated with this plan, I might not be so opposed.

I hope the commission will defer comments until more information is submitted.”

Van Someren advised they are going through all necessary steps with the Planning and Zoning Commission and working with TED staff. He explained their intent for the follow up with the Riverwalk Commission, noting they were providing the site plan for the Commission’s feedback regarding the pedestrian connection to the Riverwalk. He reviewed the plans which proposed a concrete sidewalk connecting from Aurora Avenue to the Riverwalk that would be maintained by the City and on Park District property. Caneff added that the sidewalk alignment and grading was approved by City staff, meeting ADA compliance and design standard criteria.

Van Someren explained he would be willing to contribute for the costs of the concrete sidewalk but not the pavers to meet Riverwalk standards. Discussion followed on the size of the proposed sidewalk being 5’ and existing Riverwalk pathways being 8’, possibly 7’ of brick with 6” of curb on either side. Stibbe noted the difficulty in maintaining the 5’ sidewalk and that it was not consistent with any other existing Riverwalk pathways. The Commission discussed if the intent of the connection was to be a part of the Riverwalk or if it was only to connect the units to the Riverwalk. A motion to consider the pedestrian connection as Riverwalk property and developed using Riverwalk standards, to include benches, lighting, and pavers, was made by Holzhauer and seconded by Joseph. More discussion followed on the connection, with Cuff suggesting the possibility of it not connecting to the Riverwalk but loop back into the parking lot. The grading differential was discussed and would need to be changed if the proposed sidewalk was going to be on the development’s property in an effort to eliminate railings. They would then need to request a temporary grading easement from the Riverwalk Commission. The consensus of the Commission was to connect the walkway to the Riverwalk and have it meet Riverwalk standards. Erickson suggested donating the shepherd’s crook lighting for the project.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Riverwalk Master Plan - Pat Kennedy

This item was taken out of order and discussed immediately following item E. 1. Joseph reported that the Communications Team selected Deborah Newman Marketing/ Communications as their marketing partner and provided an overview of their involvement with the community. One of the first deliverables will be a listening tour to meet with different groups to understand their perspective on their likes, dislikes, and verbiage to assist with developing the PowerPoint presentation, which is the second deliverable. Presentations should begin in July or August. Joseph thanked Cuff, the Riverwalk Foundation, Dusak and ERA for their involvement. Joseph inquired about the status of the mobile friendly version of the Master Plan for the City’s QR code for the Riverwalk sign additions. Dusak and Novack reported that the City’s GIS staff was currently working on this with ERA.

Discussion followed regarding recent articles on the safety of QR codes. Novack suggested including the actual web address under the QR codes. The Commission expressed their support. Kennedy requested Stibbe have the Park District staff check the signs periodically and build this into an ongoing process. Peterson noted the URL/web address could be too lengthy to fit on the signs and Aguilar and Erickson suggested creating a vanity URL or shorter web address for marketing purposes. Erickson provided the example of “napervilleriverwalk.com” which directs the viewer to the City website’s Naperville Riverwalk page. Aquilar noted that it is best practice to use both the QR code and the vanity URL, dropping the www. portion of the address. The Riverwalk Foundation will need to develop a vanity URL for their website for the “Donate” portion. Discussion followed on the need to create two vanity URL’s, possibly using “Riverwalk 2031 Donate” and “Riverwalk 2031 Plan”, with Aguilar noting that the URL should be consistent in all communications for tracking purposes and should streamline the user experience. Novack will work with the City’s Communications Department on developing a vanity URL for the Master Plan and check if they can assist the Foundation with the “Donate” portion.

He will also check with the City’s legal department to see if the City can have a link to “Donate Now” to redirect the viewer to the Foundation’s website.

Kennedy thanked Holzhauer for his guidance and Novack for his work on the application submittal for the Community Program Funding grant through Congressman Bill Foster’s office. He provided an update noting that we could receive $900,000 for the Eagle Street Gateway project, which would then begin construction in 2023. Dusak will provide an update on the project at the next Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee (PDC) meeting on Tuesday, July 12th.

Holzhauer noted the Monarch Landing Riverwalk tour has been rescheduled to Wednesday, July 13th, following the next Riverwalk Commission meeting.

3. Moser Tower Rehabilitation - Bill Novack

Novack advised that City Council approved an extension for an additional 140 days due to supply change issues for the change from precast to applied material on the lower level, which resulted in a need for an upper and lower coping. Completion is now expected in the fall.

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

Novack advised that the City’s Department of Public Works (DPW) was unable to remove the object because the river flow was too great. They will attempt again in mid-summer, once the river flow is down.

5. Walk On! in Memory of Chuck Papanos - Jan Erickson

The Walk On! in Memory of Chuck Papanos event will be held on Friday, July 29, 2022, and will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the walk starting around 7:00 p.m. The website is up and running at www.lymphoma.org/walkonchuck

<http://www.lymphoma.org/walkonchuck> and the link to donate to Ann

Marie Weber Papanos' team is

<http://support.lymphoma.org/goto/team_chuck>.

E. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Request for Selection Committee members for Riverwalk Consultant - Bill Novack

This item was taken out of order and discussed immediately following Agenda Item D. 1. Novack advised that the contract with Engineering Resource Associates, Inc. (ERA) would be expiring December 31, 2022 and a request for qualifications needs to be procured for a Riverwalk consultant for the next three-years, with two additional one-year option terms. Erickson and Friant volunteered and will serve with Novack on the Selection Committee. They will provide updates to the Riverwalk Commission.

F. REPORTS:

1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy

Approve minutes from the May 11, 2022 Riverwalk Commission meeting

A motion to approve the May 11, 2022 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Friant, seconded by Bartlett. MOTION CARRIED with Joseph absent

Approve notes from the May 12, 2022 Asset Management Plan Walk

A motion to approve the notes from the May 12, 2022 Riverwalk Asset Management Plan Walk was made by Erickson and seconded by Stibbe.

MOTION FAILED with Joseph absent and Aguilar, Bartlett, Friant, Gibson and Novack abstaining. Only five yes votes received and five commissioners present at the walk.

2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy

There was no Chairman’s report.

3. Finance - Bill Novack

Receive the May Riverwalk financial report

Novack reviewed the financial report through May 31, 2022 that was included in the agenda packet. Kennedy inquired and Novack confirmed that costs relating to the acceleration of the Eagle Street Gateway project are included in the 2022 CIP budget.

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. Fountains

All fountains are up and running except for Fredenhagen Park. A fountain company has identified leaks and the Park District is awaiting an estimate for repairs.

b. Annuals/Tulip Sales

Most of the annuals have been planted. The Park District will no longer sell tulips and teamed up with the City’s tulip giveaway.

c. Centennial Beach and Paddleboats/Kayaks

Centennial Beach and the Paddleboats/Kayaks are open for the season.

5. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff

Cuff reported that phase two of their bronze plaque restoration would begin tomorrow and will include approximately thirty plaques. He noted that once complete, they will have restored approximately 100 plaques, exposing over 150 names. Cuff advised of the Foundation’s concerns with maintenance of the Riverwalk and issues in particular with Fredenhagen Park, noting the trellises and concrete stains as examples. He added that the Park District did a good job but they would like to see more funds from the City and the Park District to address these issues. A brief discussion followed with Kennedy and Novack requesting a list of detailed items that need to be addressed.

6. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme

DeLarme reported that the Fall ’22 order currently consists of three 8” x 8” commemorative bricks and one 4” x 8”. There have been numerous bench inquiries and the deadline for the fall order is September 1, 2022.

Novack reported that the City can no longer take credit card information for the commemorative bricks as part of our PCI compliance, effective July 1, 2022, and is working with the Riverwalk Foundation to address this issue.

7. Public Relations - Valla Aguilar

There was no public relations report this month.

Kennedy noted the Eagle Street Gateway project funding article that was in the Naperville Sun recently and also mentioned on Congressman Bill Foster’s website about Community Project Funding for 2023.

8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jeff Friant

Receive the May 31, 2022 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction

Friant reported on the new PDC agenda item for the Riverwalk Master Plan CIP/budget review regarding timelines and budgeting for Master Plan projects.

G. MEETING SCHEDULE:

**Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, July 12, 2022, 7:30 a.m.

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

(Rescheduled from July 5, 2022)

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

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

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, August 2, 2022, 7:30 a.m.

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

Riverwalk Commission, August 10, 2022, 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 Novack. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 a.m. MOTION CARRIED