City of Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee met Oct. 3

Naperville City Council | City of Naperville Website

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Dec 8, 2023

City of Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee met Oct. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

A. CALL TO ORDER:

Riverwalk Commission Chairman Kennedy called the October 3, 2023 Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) Committee meeting to order at 7:33 a.m. The meeting was held in the Municipal Center Lunchroom located at 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL.

B. ROLL CALL:

Present: Pam Bartlett; John Cuff; Pat Kennedy; Bill Novack; and Mike Sullivan (Not enough members present to establish a quorum, so no action taken over the course of the meeting)

Absent: Jan Erickson; Jeff Friant, Chairman; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; John Joseph; Tiffani Picco; and Carl Wohlt

Also Present: Mason Bendewald, resident; Matt Colbert, City staff; Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Mike DiCristina, Naperville Park District; Brian Dusak, ERA; Peggy Motta, Naperville Park District; Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; and Carl Peterson, GRWA

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

There were no public comments.

Novack announced the change for future Riverwalk Commission and Riverwalk PDC Committee meetings from the Lunchroom to the Municipal Center’s Naperville Employee University (NEU) meeting room.

Kennedy provided an overview of the discussion from last month’s Riverwalk Commission meeting regarding the agendas for both the Riverwalk Commission and the PDC Committee meetings and the effort to make more efficient use of the Commission’s time by not duplicating the meetings. He noted the purpose of the PDC Committee meetings was intended for more detailed discussions on projects in design, new project ideas and maintenance issues. The Riverwalk Commission meetings should allow for the various groups to report back to the Commission.

D. OLD BUSINESS:

1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy for Jeff Friant

Approve minutes from the September 5, 2023 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting

No vote was taken to approve the September 5, 2023 minutes as there was not a quorum of Riverwalk Commissioners present.

2. Park District - Mike DiCristina for Tiffani Picco

DiCristina reported that much of the Riverwalk turf has been fertilized, seeded and aerated. The Last Fling event was successful and the wrap-up meeting was held yesterday. There was an issue with Riverwalk access due to the security fencing that surrounded the event and there will be a new logistical group managing those issues for next year. The Art Fair and 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony were successful. A volunteer project has been started for Section 2 to tie in with the DuPage County work on the invasive removal along the river’s edge. The summer annuals have been removed and mums have been planted. The remaining fall plants will be in within the next couple of weeks.

3. Eagle Street Gateway Final Engineering Plan review - Bill Novack and Brian Dusak

Review the Eagle Street Gateway Final Engineering Plan

Dusak reviewed the Eagle Street Gateway engineering plans that were included with the agenda packet. Novack advised that the plans are currently being reviewed by City departments and the Park District. Dusak noted that demo work would occur in the entire low flow walkway area of the project. Pavers on the upper level would be removed, stored, and reincorporated with contingencies of adding additional pavers if necessary. An alternate bid has been set up based on previous comments from the Park District for removal and replacement of current landscaping for the area west of the overlook to the stairs. Peterson noted the importance of including recent comments from Park District staff on possible removal and replacement of some of the existing trees and plants. Kennedy noted the importance of relocating any memorial plaques and it was noted that some of the trees in the area were part of the Park District’s Remembrance Program and not the Riverwalk Foundation.

Dusak noted the difference in formliner on the low flow walkway from the existing formliner under the bridge, which will be left as is. The refurbishment of the Landforms Sculpture will be included with the project. Discussion followed on the width of some areas of the pathway and the importance of accessibility for maintenance vehicles. The possibility of removing the interior railing on the east side of the pathway was discussed with Dusak noting he would confirm if it was required for both sides. Electric will be included under the bridge for lighting of future artwork. Kennedy would like to engage a group to review the area under the bridge and the pavilion to discuss possibilities for some type of artwork or consistent material in both areas. Dusak inquired about the refurbishing of the light poles and if it would be handled by the Park District. DiCristina will check with Picco.

Discussion followed on the area under the pavilion and the possibility of using flagstone or decorative boulders with concrete grout. The importance of detour signs was discussed with Cuff inquiring about a possible wind screen. Staging of equipment would remain on-site and construction crews should be directed to park at the Centennial Beach parking lot.

E. NEW BUSINESS:

There was no new business to discuss.

F. MEETING SCHEDULE:

Riverwalk Commission, October 11, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

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

**Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, October 31, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

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

Riverwalk Commission, November 8, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

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

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, December 5, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

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

G. ADJOURNMENT: