City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission met Oct. 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The Riverwalk Commission Chairman Kennedy called the October 12, 2022 Naperville Riverwalk Commission meeting to order at 7:31 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 7:33 a.m.); Pam Bartlett; John Cuff; Jeff Friant; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer (until 8:25 a.m.); Pat Kennedy, Chairman; Bill Novack; Tom Stibbe; and Carl Wohlt
Absent: Jan Erickson; and Mike Sullivan
Also Present: Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff; Brian Dusak, ERA (arrived 7:37 a.m.); and Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman
C. PUBLIC FORUM:
There was no public forum.
D. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Moser Tower Rehabilitation - Bill Novack
Novack reported that the contractor has made good progress with the plaster on the first floor and continues to work on the coping.
Waterproofing and pavers will follow and considerable progress should occur within the next month.
2. Riverwalk Master Plan - Pat Kennedy
Kennedy reported that work continues with Deborah Newman Marketing Communications and final drafts of the PowerPoint presentation and “leave behind” material have been created and reviewed. Deborah has also provided a list of community and civic organizations for the team to meet with and is currently working on a video. The presentation and handout material will be shared with the Riverwalk Commission.
Discussion followed on upcoming presentations with Bartlett noting she would follow up with the P.E.O. group per a request she previously received. She would also like to present again to her teamwork team at the Naperville Chamber of Commerce. Hitchcock agreed that it would be a good idea to provide updated presentations to larger groups that were met with previously, such as the Downtown Naperville Alliance (DNA).
Upcoming presentations include the Naperville Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC) meeting, scheduled for November 7th, and a rescheduled presentation with Rotary Sunrise. Holzhauer added that he received an invitation with Erickson to present at StoryPoint Naperville.
Additional suggestions of groups included Naperville Central High School and Highlands Elementary (District 203), and the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873.
Kennedy asked the Commissioners to contact him via email if there were any other presentation requests.
Novack provided an update on the Washington Street bridge replacement project, noting construction was scheduled to begin in late February or early March of 2023. He advised that the last bridge inspection revealed continued deterioration therefore lane closures and a decreased weight limit have been put in place. Work on the east half of the bridge will take place in 2023, with work on the west half occurring in 2024.
The 430 South Washington Street project will need to get underway in late summer of 2024, before the state funded grant expires later that year. Kennedy reviewed the current Naperville Riverwalk organizational structure and introduced the idea to develop a Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund 501(c) (3) for the Master Plan fundraising. As the Master Plan is rebooted, it would be reframed as the Riverwalk Bicentennial Master Plan. He reviewed this concept with the Riverwalk Foundation at their Board meeting last week and received positive feedback. History, education, and donor recognition would continue through the Riverwalk Foundation and they would continue to collect funds from private donors through the Legacy Gift program, Duck Race, and other similar fundraising events. Cuff noted that would continue to allow the Riverwalk Foundation to focus on enhancement projects. Hitchcock thanked Kennedy and John Joseph for their leadership on this initiative. Discussion followed on bylaws being developed, having a separate website, if the fund would have a shelf life, and if the organization would have a seat on the Riverwalk Commission.
This will be included on next month’s PDC and Riverwalk Commission agendas for more in depth discussions.
Holzhauer read an article from a Chicago Tribune publication on Naperville from 1984 that he received from the Mayor. There was an interview with former Mayor Chet Rybicki and information on the Naperville Riverwalk Sesquicentennial in 1981. Kennedy thanked Holzhauer for sharing and suggested that it be included with the Master Plan presentations.
3. Riverwalk Master Plan CIP/budget review with City Council - Bill Novack Novack advised that the CIP review/budget workshop with City Council will be held at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers on October 24th. Additional workshops are set for November 9th and November 21st. Novack will not be in attendance at the November 9th meeting.
4. Streambank erosion at the bend in the river adjacent to Sindt Woods - Bill Novack
Novack deferred to Stibbe who advised his staff was unable to remove the object in the river because it was identified to be a stack of engineered lumber that seems to be a part of a past streambank stabilization project.
The piece that has come up and is causing the erosion may be able to be removed. Novack will work with the Park District to see if the item can be removed when the river flow is down.
E. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Initial scope of repairs for the Fredenhagen Park fountain - Bill Novack and Tom Stibbe Receive the initial scope of repairs for the Fredenhagen Park fountain
Novack advised that the Park District engaged Fountain Technologies, the original installer, for testing and assessment of the nearly seventeen year old fountain. They confirmed the leak and prepared a scope of work to be performed at a cost of approximately $400,000 that would include repairing the leaks, replacing the lighting, and addressing safety issues with the vault. Novack was able to include an amount in the CIP budget for design and repair in 2023.
Discussion followed on the estimated lifespan of fountains based on design complexity, if there are any existing maintenance documents, the importance of the past donor contributions, and the need to identify the items with “moving parts” or mechanical issues that may need professional attention from an outside contractor and are not included as regular maintenance in the Asset Management Plan.
Cuff noted that he presented a report on some restoration issues with the pergolas at Fredenhagen Park at the last PDC meeting and encouraged the Commissioners to visit the park. He will address these maintenance issues again at next month’s PDC meeting.
2. 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting and Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting calendar - Bill Novack Receive the 2023 Riverwalk Commission meeting and Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting dates
Novack reviewed the 2023 dates for both the Riverwalk Commission and the Planning, Design and Construction Committee meetings that was included in the agenda packet.
F. REPORTS:
1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy
Approve minutes from the September 14, 2022 Riverwalk Commission meeting
A motion to approve the September 14, 2022 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Cuff, seconded by Novack. MOTION CARRIED with Erickson, Holzhauer and Sullivan absent
2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy
There was no Chairman’s Report.
3. Finance - Bill Novack
Receive the September Riverwalk financial report
Novack reviewed the financial report through September 30, 2022 that was included in the agenda packet. The total operating budget is at 65% spent for the year and capital is at 60%. The reroofing of the Moser Bridge behind 430 South Washington Street and the Grand Pavilion is going out to bid now.
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. Field Report
Staff is pulling annuals and planting fall colors and ornamentals.
General maintenance with weeding and replacement of plants continues. Some railings, the underside of pavilions, and the ceiling of the Grand Pavilion are being painted. The covered bridges are being power washed and sealed. Contract landscape work will be taking place in Section 5, Fredenhagen Park and along Centennial Beach. They have also been doing a lot of tree work, overstory pruning and addressing some issues with the cottonwood branches due to a recent storm near the Jaycees Playground.
b. ILCA Magazine
There will be an upcoming article on the Riverwalk in the ILCA (Illinois Landscape Contractors Association) magazine.
Dusak asked that Stibbe advise him on the timing of the painting of the Grand Pavilion ceiling since ERA wanted to document the location of water staining prior to the roof repairs.
5. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff
Cuff reported that the Riverwalk Foundation Board of Directors meeting was held last week and that Kennedy attended and received positive feedback with regard to the Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund. The Foundation continues to be focused on enhancement projects along the Riverwalk.
Cuff will review the restoration issues at Fredenhagen Park at the next PDC meeting.
6. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme
DeLarme reported that the Fall ’22 commemorative brick order was submitted to the engraver and they are awaiting completion to schedule the installation. It may not occur within the first few weeks of November.
Faded 8” x 8” bricks along the east extension, mostly in front of existing benches, were included with order and were requested by Cuff and the Riverwalk Foundation. As soon as the order is complete, DeLarme will work with Stibbe and Mike DiCristina on scheduling the installation.
Kennedy noted potential fountain repairs and timing of the installation so as to not damage any of the new bricks.
7. Public Relations - Valla Aguilar
Receive the monthly Public Relations report
Aguilar reported the Naperville Riverwalk was mentioned in 33 articles, 89 social media posts and 0 broadcasts during the month of September.
Highlights included Money Magazines Best Places to Live, Progress in Progress Celebration, and Fall Festivals.
Kennedy asked Aguilar for recommendations in the next couple of months for outreach for PR avenues for the Bicentennial Master Plan.
8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jeff Friant
Receive the October 4, 2022 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee draft meeting minutes
Friant advised that most information from the meeting was already discussed in this meeting and provided an overview of the discussion on future revisions to the Master Plan.
G. MEETING SCHEDULE:
Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, November 1, 2022, 7:30 a.m.
Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
Riverwalk Commission, November 9, 2022, 7:30 a.m.
Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, December 6, 2022, 7:30 a.m.
Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
Riverwalk Commission, December 14, 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 Bartlett. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 a.m. MOTION CARRIED
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