Riverwalk Commission

400 S. Eagle Street City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540 Meeting Minutes Riverwalk Commission Wednesday, December 11, 2024 7:30 AM NEU A. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Bartlett called the December 11, 2024 Naperville Riverwalk Commission meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. The meeting was held in the Naperville Employee University (NEU) at the Naperville Municipal Center located at 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL. B. ROLL CALL: Present: Pam Bartlett, Chair; Hannah Brauer; Grant Cowen; Jan Erickson; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; Aarav Khullar, Student Commissioner; Seth Michael; Bill Novack; Tiffani Picco; Johnna Shields; Mike Sullivan; Kyle Wang, Student Commissioner; and Carl Wohlt Absent: John Cuff Also Present: Tim Ball, Gary R. Weber Associates (GRWA); Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Brian Dusak, Engineering Resource Associates (ERA); Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; John Joseph, Riverwalk 2031 Fund Chairman; Peggy Motta, Naperville Park District; and Carl Peterson, GRWA Bartlett welcomed newly appointed Riverwalk Commissioner Seth Michael. A brief introduction was provided by each member of the group. C. PUBLIC FORUM: There were no public comments. D. PROJECT UPDATES: There were no project updates. E. OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business to discuss. F. NEW BUSINESS: There was no new business. City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 1/14/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes December 11, 2024 G. REPORTS: 1. Approval of Minutes - Pam Bartlett Approve minutes from the November 13, 2024 Riverwalk Commission meeting Attachments: 24RWCMinutes1113 A motion to approve the November 13, 2024 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Erickson and seconded by Shields. MOTION CARRIED with Michael abstaining 2. Chairman - Pam Bartlett Bartlett thanked the group for welcoming her as Chair and stated she is looking forward to the upcoming progress with the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan. 3. Park District - Tiffani Picco Receive the monthly Park District report Attachments: 24ParkDistrictMemo1211 Picco reported that work began on the Riverwalk Shoreline Restoration Project, which is taking place from the Jaycees Playground west to Sindt Woods. Trees were removed and some regrading was done on a portion of the project. Picco distributed before and after photos to the group which showed some of the erosion and noted they will look to plant new trees and native grasses in the spring. 4. Riverwalk Foundation - Pam Bartlett for John Cuff There was no report. 5. Riverwalk 2031 Fund - Grant Cowen Cowan reported they had a very good meeting last week and now have a centralized group of advisors. Efforts will begin after first of the year to identify large donor candidates and fundraising will begin in the first quarter. Erickson noted the social media awareness campaign has begun and Joseph noted that Bartlett was a guest speaker at their last meeting. 6. Donor Recognition - Rebecca DeLarme Receive the monthly Donor Recognition report DeLarme reported that the Spring 2025 Legacy Gift order deadline is March 15, 2025 and currently consists of two 4” x 8” commemorative bricks City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 1/14/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes December 11, 2024 and three 8” x 8” commemorative bricks. 7. Planning, Design, and Construction - Jan Erickson Receive the December 3, 2024 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee draft meeting minutes Attachments: 24PDCMinutes1203Draft Erickson reported on the following items that were discussed in detail at last week’s PDC Committee meeting. South Extension Project Update: The consultants previously met with Hitchcock and reviewed updates to the South Gateway project of the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan which included vertical articulation of the ground plain, adding micro forest areas and more trees, and thinking in terms of vistas for screening purposes for the neighbors while considering the views from Washington Street. Erickson commented that the plan is developing beautifully and reminded the group that it could be reviewed further as it was an attachment to the December 3rd PDC Committee agenda. Dusak noted that there were a lot of subtle but impactful enhancements that have been made since the concept which are being incorporated into the final plans. They have already submitted for permits and will work towards getting the final bid documents prepared. Construction is expected to begin at the end of next year. Hitchcock echoed Erickson’s comments on the design and noted the great job being done by the consultants. He discussed the stone wall that was installed at the Endeavor Health medical building at Martin Avenue, noting that once the stonework goes up on the east side it would be obvious that this was a significant gateway to the Riverwalk. He reviewed some of the objectives of the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan projects, noting this project checks the boxes to include the opportunity to improve river ecology, connectivity, hospitality and safety, appearance, and to also engage a next generation of advocates. Novack reported that the Eagle Street Gateway project construction contract was awarded to Baumgartner Construction at the December 3rd City Council meeting and thanked Holzhauer and City Council. Construction should begin in the spring of 2025. Erickson spoke of the request back in 2008 from a Naperville resident regarding accessibility to the lower walkway and would like to make sure the family is invited for the groundbreaking event when it is scheduled. Cowan inquired about the South Extension project timing with Novack City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 1/14/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes December 11, 2024 advising it should go out for bid late next year with the bulk of construction occurring in 2026. Grand Pavilion Parking Lot Improvements: A feasibility study was conducted and presented by ERA for a proposed permeable paver parking lot near the Grand Pavilion. The group discussed the opportunity for improvements to water quality, and as part of the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan. While it was determined that a permeable paver lot could be built, concerns were raised regarding the potential need for extensive maintenance and the costs involved. Sullivan inquired about potential outside funding that may be available and if there were other opportunities for improvements. Motta and Novack discussed the history and constraints that resulted in perfect conditions for the permeable paver lot at the Morton Arboretum. Motta noted maintenance issues with another parking lot that was prone to flooding and silted in quickly, negating the permeability of the entire lot. Holzhauer noted that while this is a showpiece to the community and we would want the very best for the Riverwalk, it may not be the solution if it is only performative. Hitchcock reminded the group of the of the broader context of the parking lot being redesigned as part of the Master Plan and serving a bigger and better purpose while improving capacity, existing drainage issues, and ecology. Further discussion on this will continue at the upcoming February 4, 2025 PDC Committee meeting. H. MEETING SCHEDULE: The previously scheduled December 31, 2024 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting has been canceled. Riverwalk Commission, January 8, 2025, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, February 4, 2025, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, February 12, 2025, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, March 4, 2025, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL I. ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Sullivan and seconded by City of Naperville Page 4 Printed on 1/14/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes December 11, 2024 Wohlt. The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Respectfully submitted by Rebecca DeLarme, City Staff City of Naperville Page 5 Printed on 1/14/2025