Riverwalk Commission

400 S. Eagle Street City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540 http://www.naperville.il.us/ Meeting Minutes Riverwalk Commission Wednesday, March 12, 2025 7:30 AM NEU A. CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Shields called the March 12, 2025 Naperville Riverwalk Commission meeting to order at 7:31 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: Hannah Brauer; Grant Cowen; John Cuff; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; Seth Michael; Bill Novack; Tiffani Picco; Johnna Shields; Mike Sullivan; Kyle Wang, Student Representative; and Carl Wohlt Absent: Pam Bartlett, Chair; Aarav Khullar, Student Representative; and Jan Erickson Also Present: Tim Ball, Gary R. Weber Associates, Inc. (GRWA); Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Brian Dusak, Engineering Resource Associates (ERA); Erin Franczyk, Naperville Art Forum; Shannon Greene Robb, Naperville Art Forum; Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; John Joseph, Riverwalk 2031 Fund; Peggy Motta, Naperville Park District; Stephanie Penick, Naperville Riverwalk Foundation; Carl Peterson, GRWA; and Dawn Portner, City Clerk C. PUBLIC FORUM: Penick commented that the Riverwalk Labyrinth looks terrific and after walking through it recently, visitors inquired about what she was doing. She suggests placing a sign in the area that explains the labyrinth and encourages visitors to walk the 120 yards of it. She added that the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation may be able to help with funding for the sign. Holzhauer agreed and noted that many guests and residents are often surprised to find out about the labyrinth. D. PROJECT UPDATES: There were no project updates. E. OLD BUSINESS: City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 4/15/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2025 There was no old business to discuss. F. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Spring Renewal Lightscape Project - Bill Novack Approve the request to place the Spring Renewal Lightscape on the Riverwalk this spring Attachments: Spring Renewal Lightscape Project Brief Spring Renewal Lightscape Description Spring Renewal Lightscape Photos Spring Renewal Details Novack discussed the Spring Renewal Lightscape Project that was proposed by the Naperville ArtForum and recently approved by City Council for a special event and cultural amenity (SECA) fund grant. The display projects light onto different surfaces to show various spring-themed items and shapes. The proposed areas for the temporary art display would be near the Dandelion Fountain and covered bridge. The timeline would be sometime in late April or May. Information regarding the project and sample photos were included in the agenda packet. Picco advised that if this was approved by the Riverwalk Commission, it would need approval from the Naperville Park District Board. She and Gibson explained that a display of public art on the Riverwalk is considered a speech act, and any display that is scheduled to occur outside of designated Free Speech areas would need to be approved through adoption of a resolution. For reference, Free Speech areas of the Riverwalk include the Smykal Shelter (Free Speech Pavilion), Oliver Hoffman Shelter, Grand Pavilion, and the Millenium Carillon Amphitheatre. Park District staff could then plan to present a resolution to the Park District Board to approve the Spring Renewal Lightscape as a speech act of the Naperville Park District. The topic will be discussed at their March 27, 2025 meeting, followed by a request for Board approval at the April 10, 2025 meeting. Discussion followed on the duration of the exhibit with Greene Robb noting it would last approximately 4 to 5 days. Wohlt suggested extending the timeline with Greene Robb noting it was dictated by funding. The group discussed the opportunity to tie this project with other events; if the lights would impact birds; and the future opportunity to use a feature like this in additional areas such as Fredenhagen Park. Gibson noted the Park District’s Dark Sky Lighting Ordinance. Picco advised that water levels get high during the spring and suggested City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 4/15/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2025 no equipment be placed under the bridge. Motta inquired about responsibilities for Park District staff with the Naperville ArtForum members explaining that the exhibit would be taken down by a crew each night and that there would be no objects or tripping hazards on the ground. A motion to approve the request to place the Spring Renewal Lightscape project on the Riverwalk was made by Gibson and seconded by Holzhauer. MOTION CARRIED 2. Annual Riverwalk Asset Management Plan Walk - Tiffani Picco Approve dates for the annual Riverwalk Asset Management Plan walking tours of the Naperville Riverwalk Picco proposed the following dates for the annual Riverwalk Asset Management Plan (AMP) walk: Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. for the area west of Eagle Street; and Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. for the area east of Eagle Street. The group will meet in the NEU room of the Municipal Center and the walks should last approximately ninety minutes. A motion to approve the above dates for the annual Riverwalk AMP Walk was made by Novack and seconded by Picco. MOTION CARRIED G. REPORTS: 1. Approval of Minutes - Johnna Shields for Pam Bartlett Approve minutes from the February 12, 2025 Riverwalk Commission meeting Attachments: 25RWCMinutes0212 A motion to approve the February 12, 2025 Riverwalk Commission meeting minutes was made by Sullivan and seconded by Gibson. MOTION CARRIED with Cowen and Cuff abstaining 2. Chair - Johnna Shields for Pam Bartlett Shields reported that Bartlett received an update from the Riverwalk 2031 Fund stating they have updated their donor recognition strategy and would like to reconvene with the ad hoc discussion group soon to advance the strategy and receive the Riverwalk Commission’s support. Bartlett will work with Cowen and Erickson to identify dates and an agenda. Construction on the Eagle Street Gateway project began March 6th and Deb Newman is organizing a groundbreaking event with the Mayor on March 27th at 10:00 a.m. Bartlett shared the following quote that may be used in the press release: “This project is a significant milestone in our City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 4/15/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2025 commitment to making the Riverwalk even more accessible and enjoyable for future generations. The Eagle Street Gateway Project reflects the City’s dedication to thoughtful, community-focused improvements.” Shields confirmed with Penick and advised that the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation Duck Race is scheduled to take place on June 6th at 11:00 a.m. 3. Finance - Bill Novack Receive the December 2024 Year-end Riverwalk Financial report Attachments: 24RWCFinancials12Final Novack reviewed the December 2024 year-end Riverwalk financial report that was included in the agenda packet. He noted the 13% spent for the CIP budget was due to the Eagle Street Gateway project being rebid as the estimates received in June were higher than anticipated. Discussion followed on how the economic climate affects the bidding process. Gibson inquired if the work on the Fredenhagen Park Fountain was completed with Novack advising that the contractor will be back out on April 1st to complete the work. At Hitchcock’s request, Novack provided an overview of how the construction process works with Riverwalk projects. After the City of Naperville bids a project and City Council awards the contract, the Transportation, Engineering and Development (TED) department administers the contract, working with the contractor, and with the Riverwalk consultants at times. For the Eagle Street Gateway project, ERA will be providing part-time strategic inspections along with TED inspectors. Katie Rubush is the Project Engineer for the Eagle Street Gateway project. Additional City Project Engineers will be assigned to the other projects. If issues come up during construction, they are brought to the engineers who then work with the consultants. If there is a change in scope or funding and it exceeds 3%, it requires City Council approval. 4. Park District - Tiffani Picco Receive the monthly Park District report Attachments: 25ParkDistrictMemo0312 Picco reviewed the following highlights from the Park District report included in the agenda packet. They have identified assets that need repainting to include the railing on top of the retaining wall at the amphitheater, which was last painted over ten years ago. It was removed for sandblasting and powder coating and will be ready for pick up City of Naperville Page 4 Printed on 4/15/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2025 tomorrow. Two of the backless benches that were vandalized last summer were replaced. A second bench was installed on the lower walk east of the amphitheater, which was recommended in the North Central College Occupational Therapy students’ accessibility assessment. 5. Riverwalk Foundation - John Cuff Cuff discussed the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation’s funding of enhancement projects proposed by the Park District. The Harmony Park project was expanded, and the Foundation reviewed the information at their meeting last week and agreed to fund the project. Picco noted that plants have been ordered and they plan to begin the project in April. 6. Riverwalk 2031 Fund - Grant Cowen Cowen confirmed the information regarding the Riverwalk 2031 Fund that was discussed in the Chair’s report. 7. 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 four 4” x 8” commemorative bricks and nine 8” x 8” commemorative bricks. Additional spring orders are expected by the end of this week. 8. Planning, Design, and Construction - Johnna Shields for Jan Erickson Receive the March 4, 2025 Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee draft meeting minutes Attachments: 25PDCMinutes0304Draft Shields reported on the following topics from the past week’s PDC Committee meeting. Accessibility Audit: Mary Hamill with the Accessible Community Task Force joined the meeting to receive an update on the North Central College Occupational Therapy students’ accessibility assessment. Picco advised that the second bench was added to the lower walkway. Other recommendations have not yet been coordinated. AMP Walk Dates: Picco discussed the AMP Walk dates and confirmed that she would be conducting an audit of assets prior to the walk. Plans are for the group to review projects that are in progress with additional time being spent in areas to discuss Eagle Street, the Grand Pavilion, and the City of Naperville Page 5 Printed on 4/15/2025 Riverwalk Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2025 South Extension community sign location. South Extension Community Sign: After input from Commission members and the public, it was determined that the sign should likely remain in its current location. Additional discussion on the framing will be discussed at an upcoming meeting. Project Updates for Upcoming Meetings: It was noted that prior users of the Grand Pavilion should be engaged and Hitchcock requested to discuss the shoreline restoration across from the Eagle Street Gateway. Hitchcock also requested that plan drawings for the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan be available digitally for reference at future meetings. H. MEETING SCHEDULE: Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, April 1, 2025, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, April 9, 2025, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, May 6, 2025, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission Annual AMP Walk (West of Eagle Street), May 7, 2025, 3:00 p.m. Meet in Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission, May 14, 2025, 7:30 a.m. Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL Riverwalk Commission Annual AMP Walk (East of Eagle Street), May 15, 2025, 3:00 p.m. Meet in Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL I. ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Cuff and seconded by Wohlt. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Respectfully submitted by /S/ Rebecca DeLarme Program Assistant Transportation, Engineering and Development Business Group City of Naperville Page 6 Printed on 4/15/2025