City of Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee met Nov. 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
A. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Friant called the November 1, 2022 Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee (PDC) 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: Pam Bartlett; John Cuff; Jan Erickson (arrived 7:32 a.m.); Jeff Friant, PDC Chairman (until 8:32 a.m.); Pat Kennedy, Riverwalk Commission Chairman; Bill Novack (arrived 8:31 a.m.); and Carl Wohlt
Absent: Valla Aguilar; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; Tom Stibbe; and Mike Sullivan
Also Present: Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff; Mike DiCristina, Naperville Park District; Brian Dusak, ERA (arrived 7:40 a.m.); Monica Goshorn-Maroney, GRWA; Mary Hamill, Accessible Community Task Force (ACTF); Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; John Joseph (arrived 7:38 a.m.); and Carl Peterson, GRWA (arrived 8:44 a.m.)
C. PUBLIC FORUM:
There was no public forum.
D. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Approval of Minutes - Jeff Friant
Approve minutes from the September 6, 2022 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting
A motion to approve the September 6, 2022 Planning, Design & Construction Committee meeting minutes was made by Erickson and seconded by Bartlett. Motion carried with Cuff, Kennedy and Wohlt abstaining
Approve minutes from the October 4, 2022 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting
A motion to approve the October 4, 2022 Planning, Design & Construction Committee meeting minutes was made by Erickson and seconded by Friant. Motion carried with Bartlett and Kennedy abstaining
2. Park District - Mike DiCristina
DiCristina reported that some of the contract work has been completed in Section 5. The pear trees behind the amphitheater were removed and replaced with dawn redwoods. The bridges were pressure washed and the gazebos have been painted. Staff continues to rejuvenate the lower walks. Fall plantings are in, five to seven trees and fifteen shrubs were planted in Section 3, and volunteers continue to help in Section 1 and Section 8.
Hitchcock inquired about when it would be appropriate for the PDC or Riverwalk Commission to be made aware of larger scale items such as the pear tree removal and replacement. Discussion followed on the maintenance and invasiveness of pear trees and the more expertise level of technical decision making that falls under the Park District and City staff’s discretion. Kennedy suggested this be discussed with Novack and Stibbe, requesting that they summarize to the Commission which items they view feel should be brought before the Commission.
3. Moser Tower Rehabilitation - Brian Dusak
Dusak reported that the façade treatment has been completed, the stone seat walls are done and stone caps installed. The contractor is currently working through the waterproofing. Once completed, they will move into paver installation, railings, and landscaping. Completion is targeted for mid-November.
4. Erosion at the river bend downstream from Jefferson - Mike DiCristina
DiCristina reported that his staff was unable to remove the object, which appears to be part of a past streambank stabilization project. This will be deferred to Novack for further recommendations.
5. Fredenhagen Park Renovations - John Cuff
Cuff distributed photos and provided background on the need for maintenance at Fredenhagen Park, which was established twenty-five years ago. The trellises and other woodwork, which are made of Ipe wood, were originally a reddish color but have faded and are in need of maintenance. With proper care, Ipe wood is designed to last up to seventy-five years. The original reddish color can be brought back or it can naturally weather to a rustic look but it will need to be maintained.
He noted that the pergolas have not weathered well and are also in need of attention and part of the stone on the clock tower, columns, and pillars needs cleaning. Cuff received quotes for restoration, noting an annual maintenance process should be put in place that would cost between $5,000 and $7,000 to take care of the limestone and wood.
The cost is approximately $20,000 to restore the area around the clock tower and more than $40,000 for the entire park. Cuff noted some of the past major donations associated with the park to include the $250,000 donation for the fountain, $10,000 donations for the pillars, and the $40,000 donation for the gazebo.
Further discussion with the Park District and Novack will need to take place to determine if these expenses can be included in the Park District’s budget and/or the PA022 budget. This will be included on next month’s PDC agenda for further discussion.
6. Riverwalk Master Plan - Pat Kennedy
Kennedy reported that the PowerPoint and handout have been completed and a video should be completed in the next couple of weeks.
Dusak provided an update on the Eagle Street Gateway project, noting they are finalizing their permit plan set and will be submitting it to DuPage County later this month. After a brief discussion regarding accessibility of the plans, Dusak noted he could provide an update for fine-tuning after they receive initial comments from DuPage County.
7. Accessibility audit of Riverwalk - Pat Kennedy
Kennedy welcomed Mary Hamill, ACTF, and provided background on the questions that came up with past meetings with Deborah Newman Marketing Communications from different groups regarding Riverwalk accessibility and parking. Novack may be engaging consultants for surveying and developing an accessible map that could be put on the
City’s website. Hamill noted that she often references the City’s website for accessible parking spaces in downtown and would like to see information provided for the Riverwalk and the Park District with regard to accessible facilities such as playgrounds, etc. She explained their mission and advised of their web page on the City’s website, which includes the ability to contact them via their email address at actf@naperville.il.us.
8. Future updates to Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan - Jeff Friant
Friant provided an overview of discussions from the last PDC meeting.
As previously suggested for process purposes, initial review of the plan would occur in April or May to coincide with the Asset Management Plan (AMP) walk. Joseph suggested possibly adjusting the date of the AMP walk to occur earlier in spring. The PDC would then review in May, finalize updates in June, and bring recommendations to the Commission in July. This would then coincide with the beginning of the City’s budgeting process. The PDC will take this recommendation on the process to the Riverwalk Commission in December.
9. South Gateway preliminary design discussion - Brian Dusak
Goshorn-Maroney reviewed photos of existing conditions of the south extension and continued discussions on the preliminary design for the South Gateway project of the Master Plan. She inquired about the existing sidewalk on Washington Street and discussion followed on the current bicycle routes. It was noted that the Park District will need to be contacted regarding the sign located in William Friedrich Memorial Park, with Hitchcock inquiring how we could identify this area as the Riverwalk. Dusak provided an existing tree inventory to DiCristina in an effort to be selective about what may need to be removed and replaced.
Erickson reiterated the importance of considering the residents along the east side of river when making decisions about screening.
E. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund - Pat Kennedy
Kennedy advised of the creation of a new Riverwalk Bicentennial Fund 501(c)(3) for funds focused on the capital projects of the Master Plan that was initially discussed at last month’s Riverwalk Commission meeting. They are currently working through the bylaws and will bring back a summary to the PDC and Riverwalk Commission.
F. MEETING SCHEDULE:
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
Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, January 3, 2023, 7:30 a.m.
Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL
G. ADJOURNMENT:
A motion to adjourn was made by Novack and seconded by Erickson.
The meeting adjourned at 8:59 a.m.
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