Riverwalk Commission

400 S. Eagle Street City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540 Meeting Minutes Riverwalk Commission Wednesday, October 13, 2021 7:30 AM Municipal Center Lunchroom A. CALL TO ORDER: The Riverwalk Commission Chairman Kennedy called the October 13, 2021 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; Pam Bartlett; John Cuff; Jan Erickson; Jeff Friant; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; Pat Kennedy, Chairman; Debra Lellbach; Bill Novack; and Tom Stibbe Absent: John Joseph Also Present: Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff; Mike DiCristina, Naperville Park District; Amy MacDonald, resident; Ian MacDonald, Boy Scout Troop 133; Carl Peterson, GRWA; and Stephanie Penick, Riverwalk Foundation C. PUBLIC FORUM: Ian MacDonald, Life Scout with Boy Scouts of America Troop 133 St. Johns, was attending as part of his work on his Citizenship in the Community merit badge. He questioned the Commission on several items regarding the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan. MacDonald’s questions included how the Master Plan will be funded, how to reduce soil compaction with the Grand Pavilion project, and how invasive species will be removed from the Riverwalk. Kennedy responded that the Master Plan would be funded by both public funds and private donations, noting that some of the smaller enhancement projects have been started by the Riverwalk Foundation, which receives private donations. Funding for the design of some of the larger projects is being requested in the City’s 2022 budget. Kennedy noted the importance of reducing the soil compaction with the Grand Pavilion project, along with managing storm water runoff and increasing runoff water quality. The asphalt parking lot needs to be replaced in an ecologically sensitive manner that allows for infiltration and City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 11/10/2021 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes October 13, 2021 water quality. Novack added that soil borings would be conducted next year to make sure the water percolates well in the area. Stibbe addressed the question regarding invasive species removal, advising that volunteer groups are used on a bi-weekly basis, along with Park District staff and contractors. MacDonald inquired if the Eagle Street Gateway project would be wheelchair accessible and if there were plans to include a Riverwalk history marker at the Hillside Road Gateway. Kennedy advised that the Eagle Street Gateway would be accessible and connect both levels. While there are no detailed plans at this stage for the Hillside Road Gateway project, the Commission agreed that a marker would be a great idea. MacDonald’s final question for the Commission was what could young people do to preserve the Master Plan for future generations. Kennedy thanked MacDonald for attending and for his level of interest and input. He advised there would be volunteer opportunities and fundraising at the local community level and expressed the importance of using the Riverwalk, appreciating what it means to our community, learning about the history and how it was created, and encouraged carrying that spirit forward. D. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Moser Tower Rehabilitation - Bill Novack Novack reported that all concrete repairs have been completed except for the concrete on the fins that protrude from the top of the structure. They are working with the contractor on a way to repair them but they may need to be removed. They have started demolition of the stairs and preparation for painting. A revised schedule will be provided by the contractor and presented to City Council for an extension as landscaping and possible water-proofing may have to wait until next year. 2. Riverwalk Master Plan - Pat Kennedy Kennedy and Novack have been working on the 2022 budget request for design and permitting for the Eagle Street Gateway project, preliminary design for the South Gateway project; and exploratory work for the Grand Pavilion Parking and Plaza. Kennedy has met with the Mayor and will also be meeting with Council members to discuss the importance of funding for these projects and the ability to have shovel-ready projects for future fundraising. Peterson presented an illustration of the surface mount design to add QR codes for the Master Plan to existing Riverwalk wayfinding signage. Per the recommendation at the last Planning, Design and Construction City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 11/10/2021 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes October 13, 2021 Committee (PDC) meeting, Option 3 was discussed, which has two QR codes, one for “Donate” and one for “Discover”. Discussion followed regarding the size and how they would line up with the existing signs, the inserts being easily changeable, having the QR code tracked to see how often it is scanned and their ability to last through 2031. Aguilar suggested including the URL address on the inserts, in addition to the QR codes. Lellbach noted tracking and follow-up should be considered for interested donors, with Bartlett stating that an automatic e-mail response could be sent. Erickson and Cuff reiterated the importance of acknowledgement and follow-up with donors. A meeting will be set with the Riverwalk Foundation to discuss the donation portion and Peterson will provide cost and scheduling information at the next PDC meeting. E. NEW BUSINESS: 1. 2022 Riverwalk Commission meeting and Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting calendar - Bill Novack Receive the 2022 Riverwalk Commission and PDC Committee meeting dates Attachments: 2022RWC-PDCMeetingDates Novack presented the 2022 meeting dates for the Riverwalk Commission and PDC meetings. F. REPORTS: 1. Approval of Minutes - Pat Kennedy Approve the minutes from the September 8, 2021 Riverwalk Commission meeting Attachments: 21RWCMinutes0908 A motion to approve the September 8, 2021 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Friant, seconded by Erickson. MOTION CARRIED with Cuff abstaining 2. Chairman - Pat Kennedy There was no Chairman’s Report. 3. Finance - Bill Novack Receive the September 2021 Riverwalk financial report Attachments: 21RWCFinancials09 Novack presented the financial report through September 30, 2021. He provided an update on PA022, stating that the transfer to this account has City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 11/10/2021 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes October 13, 2021 not taken place yet but that the pavement patching and re-striping of the Sindt Woods parking lot costs came to $32,338.94. The operating budget is at 67% spent for the year. 4. Park District - Tom Stibbe Receive the monthly Park District report Attachments: 21ParkDistrictMemo1013 Stibbe reviewed the following highlights from the Park District report: a. Staff Update Stibbe introduced Mike DiCristina, who has accepted the Riverwalk Park Specialist II position. b. Fredenhagen Park Fountain The Exchange Club Memories Fountain is up and running. There is a leak in the outer ring that will be addressed when the fountain is shut down for the season. c. Railing replacement near Jefferson Avenue Park District staff have replaced the old wooden railing near Jefferson Avenue, which is now more consistent with the Riverwalk standard. d. Grand Pavilion Roof The Grand Pavilion roof was patched and is weathertight for the season. It is scheduled for replacement next year. 5. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff Cuff advised that restoration of more than thirty bronze plaques along the Riverwalk was completed. The Foundation’s last project of the year will be restoring the lamp post donor plaques around the Paddleboat Quarry. They are now focusing on 2022 and looking at smaller projects between Fredenhagen Park and Hillside Road. Donor plaques in that area have deteriorated and Cuff believes there may be an opportunity to work with the Park District, the City and the Riverwalk Commission to address these items. A suggestion was made to meet with a smaller group to include Cuff and two other Commission members to review. The possibility of including a walk during the upcoming PDC meeting was also discussed. 6. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme DeLarme reported that eighteen bricks and two benches were purchased for the Fall 2021 order and a total of twenty-eight bricks will be replaced around the Exchange Club Memories Fountain. One brick order has already been received for the Spring 2022 installation. 7. Public Relations - Valla Aguilar City of Naperville Page 4 Printed on 11/10/2021 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes October 13, 2021 Receive the September Public Relations reports Attachments: 21PublicRelationsReport1013 Aguilar reported an increase in coverage in September noting that the Naperville Riverwalk was mentioned in 80 articles, 172 social media posts, and 7 broadcasts during the month. Highlights included the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Dan Shanower Memorial, the Rally for Reproductive Rights, Riverwalk Fine Art Fair/Hispanic Heritage Festival, upcoming Halloween Events, Naperville “Top 50 Most Livable Cities in US” (picked up by The Chicago Chinese News), and the Riverwalk 40th Anniversary/Riverwalk Reflections. 8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jeff Friant Receive the October 5, 2021 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting minutes Attachments: 21PDCMinutes1005 Friant advised that all pertinent information from the last PDC meeting was previously discussed in this meeting. G. MEETING SCHEDULE: Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, November 2, 2021, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, November 10, 2021, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL 7:30 a.m. **Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, November 30, 2021, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, December 8, 2021, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center Lunchroom, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL 7:30 a.m. H. ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by Lellbach and seconded by Novack. The meeting adjourned at 8:19 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Respectfully submitted by Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff City of Naperville Page 5 Printed on 11/10/2021