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Record of Proceedings

Plainfield Village Board Meeting – January 5, 2026: Proclamations, ADA Plan, and Safe Routes Amendment

Village Board & Commissions — Monday, January 5, 2026

BodyPlainfield, Illinois

SessionVillage Board & Commissions

DateMonday, January 5, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 39:27

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

2:02

Okay, we're gonna call the meeting to order.

2:04

Ms.

2:04

Gibbis, roll call, please.

2:06

Trustee Bruin.

2:09

Trusty Sula.

2:10

Here.

2:10

Trusty Wojowski.

2:11

Trusted Panucci.

2:12

Here.

2:12

Trusty Kiefer.

2:13

Present.

2:14

Trusty Paniker?

2:15

Yes.

2:15

Mayor Argadellas.

2:16

Yes, we'll stand for the pledge, please.

2:19

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

2:24

And to the Republic for which it stands.

2:26

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

2:32

Well, welcome everybody.

2:34

We have a pretty nice uh group here tonight.

2:38

Um start out with a happy new year to everybody, two thousand twenty-six.

2:42

We gotta get used to that.

2:44

I I did a real estate closing today and half the papers were dated two thousand twenty-five.

2:49

So it's that time of year where we have to get new habits.

2:52

But I wish everyone a happy new year here and and beyond in our on our broadcast.

2:58

Um the first order of business we have tonight is we have a proclamation related to the YMCA's twentieth anniversary.

3:05

Um I will give a little bit of history of the YMCA.

3:10

Um it's interesting to note, and I was talking with Katie one year, and uh a couple years ago, I sent her some things on Facebook.

3:18

And do you know the why?

3:19

And you probably know, of course, but many people don't know the why has been in existence over a hundred years.

3:24

Uh worldwide mission.

3:26

Um my grandmother escaped uh what is now Ismer Turkey during the Greco-Turkish war, and who was there in Ismir in nineteen twenty-two?

3:36

The YMCA.

3:37

They were saving people's lives and helping people escape a war-torn area.

3:41

In fact, it was a YMCA executive, not executive, but an employee of the YMCA who personally uh located multiple ships to help refugees get out of the burning city.

3:51

So a long history, the YMCA in Plainfield is celebrating twenty years of history.

3:56

And uh I remember when it was first coming about, and I'm I'm like many of us, I'm proud to say my parents' names are on those initial donor stones when you walk in the entryway.

4:07

Uh a lot of plain field people at the time uh were there to support it and continue to support the YMCA and its mission.

4:13

Um so before I read the proclamation, uh anybody like to speak on behalf of the Y tonight, or just want me to I can read the proclamation or okay.

4:25

Please step forward to the mic, and then just uh spell your last name so everyone knows your name and then go ahead and and uh give your presentation.

4:34

I don't have a presentation, so this will be really short.

4:36

My name is Aaron Lightbody, I'm the executive director over at the Avery Y.

4:40

Um it is just really been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this community uh for twenty years.

4:47

We um broke round twenty years ago.

4:49

Um just to see the growth in this community and how many people come through our doors every day to be able to utilize those services is just amazing.

5:00

Um I believe like one, and this don't quote me on this because I'm not entirely sure it's it's correct, but I believe it's one in three families uh in Plainfield uh are part of the Y.

5:10

So it's really been a great journey for us to get to 20 years, and we are very excited to see what the future brings.

5:17

So thank you.

5:18

Thank you, Aaron.

5:19

Um I'll add to this like many parents in Plainfield.

5:23

My kids learned to swim at the Y, they were camp counselors, and I use the YMCA as an example many times when I'm talking with uh residents, and some residents are concerned about growth in Plainfield.

5:34

And I said, you know, there are a lot of positives to having a lot of people living here, and that is we can support a wonderful YMCA that we probably couldn't support when I was growing up in a town of 3,000 people.

5:44

So uh the YMCA is a great example of of all the positives that have come with Plainfield's growth.

5:50

So with that, I'll read the proclamation.

5:53

Whereas for 20 years, the CW Avery Family YMCA has strengthened the foundation of the Plainfield community through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

6:06

Whereas more than 14,000 Plainfield area residents benefit directly from the YMCA's programming for youth, adults, and family every year.

6:15

Whereas the CW Avery Family YMCA is governed by a local volunteer advisory council who generously donate their time, talents, and treasure to support the youth of Plainfield as they strive to reach their fullest potential and grow into responsible contributing members of our community.

6:32

Whereas the CW Avery Family YMCA serves as a welcoming center, providing residents of all ages in the Plainfield community and with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging.

6:43

Whereas programming at the Y CWYMCA, CW Avery Family YMC is available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

6:52

And whereas the CW Avery Family YMCA is celebrating its 20th anniversary of proudly serving our community on February 4th, 2026.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural███████████████████████████████████35%

Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████████27%

Youth Programs██████████████████████████26%

Community Engagement██████6%

Public Works████4%

Personnel Matters██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Plainfield Village Board Meeting – January 5, 2026

The Village Board of Plainfield, Illinois, met on January 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Boardroom at 24401 W. Lockport Street. The meeting opened with proclamations recognizing the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s 20th anniversary (to be celebrated February 4, 2026) and the Tri-City Wolverines football and cheer teams for their national achievements. Trustees also commented on community volunteer groups. No public comments were made. The board then conducted its business meeting, unanimously approving the consent agenda, a payment to Tracy, Johnson & Wilson, a Public Right-of-Way ADA Transition Plan agreement with Baxter & Woodman ($228,100), and an amendment to the St. Mary Safe Routes to School Phase I engineering contract ($17,000).

Proclamations and Recognitions

C.W. Avery Family YMCA 20th Anniversary: Mayor Argadellas read a proclamation declaring February 4, 2026, as the YMCA’s 20th Anniversary. Executive Director Aaron Lightbody spoke, noting that approximately one in three Plainfield families are part of the Y. Trustees expressed support, acknowledging the Y’s role in youth development and community wellness.
Tri-City Wolverines Recognition: The board recognized the 10U football team (two-time state champion, fourth in the nation at Pop Warner Super Bowl), the JV Level 4 cheer squad (national champions), and the Tri-City Platinum Angels (third in the nation). Michael Wellner (president) and Jennifer Klein (assistant cheer director) highlighted the athletes’ dedication. Trustees praised the families and coaches for fostering teamwork and resilience.

Consent Calendar

Unanimously approved (6-0) the consent agenda, including:
- Minutes of the December 15, 2025, board meeting and executive session.
- Bills paid and bills payable reports for January 5, 2026.
- Approval of legal fees for Dunn, Martin & Miller, Ltd. for the 143rd Street East Extension (September 2025) totaling $1,550.

Discussion Items

Payment to Tracy, Johnson & Wilson: The board approved a motion (6-0) to authorize payment of $1,020 to Tracy, Johnson & Wilson. No questions were raised.
Public Right-of-Way ADA Transition Plan: Staff member Ashton Stipp presented the proposed agreement with Baxter & Woodman for a comprehensive assessment of the village’s pedestrian network (360 lane miles of sidewalk). The $228,100 contract (funded from the FY2026 budget allocation of $150,000 for accessibility, with additional funds identified) will cover data collection, curb ramp geometry, cross slopes, and route continuity. The assessment is expected to take 12 months and will inform the village’s curb and sidewalk improvement programs. Trustees asked about integration with existing sidewalk repair programs and the inclusion of missing sidewalk gaps. The motion to authorize the Village President to execute the agreement passed unanimously (6-0).
St. Mary Safe Routes to School – Amendment No. 1: Public Works Director Threewitt presented an amendment to Work Order 25-001 with Baxter & Woodman, adding $17,000 (revising the total not-to-exceed amount to $125,000) for additional drainage analysis during Phase I engineering. The village had received a $250,000 grant for construction of sidewalks near Central Elementary and St. Mary’s. A public information meeting raised drainage concerns that required deeper study. The board unanimously approved the amendment (6-0).

Key Outcomes

Unanimous approvals on all motions: consent agenda, Tracy, Johnson & Wilson payment, ADA Transition Plan agreement, and St. Mary Safe Routes to School amendment.
Budget preparation will begin the week of January 12, 2026, with police department budget workshops scheduled.
New staff: Mark Dudash started as Building Official (day one). Ken Dato began as Water Superintendent, replacing Dan Beerman (retired after 32 years).
Census update: Approximately 3,400 in-person survey responses collected; field work continuing; residents urged to respond by phone to avoid a door knock.
Upcoming meetings: January 8 – Historic Preservation Commission (7 p.m.); January 12 – Committee of the Whole Workshop (7 p.m., police budget); January 14 – Coffee with the Mayor (9 a.m. at Ten Drops Coffee); January 19 – Village Offices closed (Martin Luther King Day); February 2 – Next Village Board Meeting (7 p.m.).

Administrator’s and Other Reports

Administrator noted that budget workshops start next week, police budget will increase, and census response is ongoing.
Public Works recognized retiring Water Superintendent Dan Beerman and welcomed replacement Ken Dato.
Building, Planning, Police, and Attorney departments had no formal reports.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, we're gonna call the meeting to order. Ms. Gibbis, roll call, please. Trustee Bruin. Trusty Sula. Here. Trusty Wojowski. Trusted Panucci. Here. Trusty Kiefer. Present. Trusty Paniker? Yes. Mayor Argadellas. Yes, we'll stand for the pledge, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Well, welcome everybody. We have a pretty nice uh group here tonight. Um start out with a happy new year to everybody, two thousand twenty-six. We gotta get used to that. I I did a real estate closing today and half the papers were dated two thousand twenty-five. So it's that time of year where we have to get new habits. But I wish everyone a happy new year here and and beyond in our on our broadcast. Um the first order of business we have tonight is we have a proclamation related to the YMCA's twentieth anniversary. Um I will give a little bit of history of the YMCA. Um it's interesting to note, and I was talking with Katie one year, and uh a couple years ago, I sent her some things on Facebook. And do you know the why? And you probably know, of course, but many people don't know the why has been in existence over a hundred years. Uh worldwide mission. Um my grandmother escaped uh what is now Ismer Turkey during the Greco-Turkish war, and who was there in Ismir in nineteen twenty-two? The YMCA. They were saving people's lives and helping people escape a war-torn area. In fact, it was a YMCA executive, not executive, but an employee of the YMCA who personally uh located multiple ships to help refugees get out of the burning city. So a long history, the YMCA in Plainfield is celebrating twenty years of history. And uh I remember when it was first coming about, and I'm I'm like many of us, I'm proud to say my parents' names are on those initial donor stones when you walk in the entryway. Uh a lot of plain field people at the time uh were there to support it and continue to support the YMCA and its mission. Um so before I read the proclamation, uh anybody like to speak on behalf of the Y tonight, or just want me to I can read the proclamation or okay. Please step forward to the mic, and then just uh spell your last name so everyone knows your name and then go ahead and and uh give your presentation. I don't have a presentation, so this will be really short. My name is Aaron Lightbody, I'm the executive director over at the Avery Y. Um it is just really been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this community uh for twenty years. We um broke round twenty years ago. Um just to see the growth in this community and how many people come through our doors every day to be able to utilize those services is just amazing. Um I believe like one, and this don't quote me on this because I'm not entirely sure it's it's correct, but I believe it's one in three families uh in Plainfield uh are part of the Y. So it's really been a great journey for us to get to 20 years, and we are very excited to see what the future brings. So thank you. Thank you, Aaron. Um I'll add to this like many parents in Plainfield.

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