Plainfield Village Board Meeting - March 2, 2026

The Village Board of Plainfield met on March 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM. The meeting covered approval of a new Dunkin Donuts development, relocation of Plainfield Fest to Bot Park with a waiver of village fees, approval of the summer farmers market, and several public works and police department contracts. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the Board Meeting held on February 2, 2026, approved.
• Bills Paid and Bills Payable Reports for March 2, 2026, approved.
• Cash & Investment, Revenue, and Expenditure Reports for January 2026, approved.
• Reapproval of Hawk Auto Final Plat of Subdivision, subject to staff stipulations.
• Reapproval of Final Plat of Resubdivision for Fairfield Townes.
• Payment to Will County Governmental League of $25,077.45 for annual membership dues.
• Legal fees for 143rd Street East Extension (October/November 2025) totaling $6,850.00.
• Release of Argonaut Insurance Company Subdivision Bond No. SBP151086-001 in the amount of $25,000.00 for Chatham Square – Phase 6.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public addressed the board.

Discussion Items

• Dunkin Development (NE corner 135th St & US Route 30): The board considered a package of six ordinances to annex approximately 5 acres, rezone from R-1 to B-3 Highway Business District, grant a variance for lot size and a special use permit for a drive-through, approve the site plan, and approve a preliminary plat. Staff and the Plan Commission recommended approval. Trustees questioned pedestrian connectivity (sidewalk stipulation in annexation agreement) and lighting (dark-sky compliant fixtures with 3000K temperature). The parking space at the west end was noted as removed. All six motions passed unanimously.
• 2026 Plainfield Fest: The festival will move to Bot Community Park from July 17-19, 2026. The Riverfront Foundation, organizer, requested a waiver of the 50% cost reimbursement required under the village's special event ordinance. Historical reimbursement was 25% of net profits (capped at $17,500) and did not include fire department costs. Estimated village costs for 2026 are approximately $50,000, down from $60,000 in 2025 due to single-site operations and no road closures. Trustee Banucci, President of the Riverfront Foundation, noted that all festival profits (historically $80,000-$130,000 annually) are reinvested in village riverfront projects (e.g., $140,000 lighting project completed). The board discussed that the fire protection district was not previously reimbursed and that waiving fees this first year at the new location is appropriate. A request for an after-action financial report next year was made. Motion to approve with fee waiver passed unanimously.
• Summer Farmers Market: Request to use the combined Village/Library parking lot at 15025 S. Illinois Street on Sundays from June 7 to September 13, 2026, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Planning Department noted a request from the adjacent Parsonage event center to keep the southernmost parking bay open for public parking. Trustee Sula expressed concern about reducing the market's footprint, as all three bays were used last year. Staff will coordinate with the organizer, Susie Bastanchi, to find common ground. Motion to approve the temporary outdoor use passed unanimously.
• Public Works Items:
  • Awarded 2026 Landscape Maintenance Contract to Ramiro Guzman Landscaping, Inc. for $114,457 (lowest qualified bidder). Two bids were disqualified for lack of signature or pesticide applicator license. Discussion included tree mortality along Route 59 medians; contractor warranty covers replacements.
  • Approved replacement of Boiler #2 at Village Hall by Helm Service for $92,350 plus 10% contingency ($9,300), total not to exceed $101,650.
  • Authorized agreement with GFT for the 143rd Street Grade Separation Feasibility Study for an amount not to exceed $510,207. The study will take approximately 8 months and evaluate options for an overpass or underpass. Trustees noted the crossing is heavily traveled and near Fire Station #1. The project could cost $70-100 million for construction; the village aims to leverage grant funding and IDOT involvement.
• Police Department Items:
  • Authorized purchase of three 2026 hybrid Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles from Ron Tirapelli Ford for $138,903 and graphics from Harmonic Design for $1,780, total not to exceed $140,683. Two vehicles will be fully marked, one unmarked for traffic unit. Equipment purchase will be brought separately when vehicles are closer to delivery. Discussion included the $70 per vehicle price difference with local dealer Rod Baker Ford; low bid was selected per policy.
  • January 2026 Police Operations Report was accepted.
• Administrator's Report: Provided updates on state legislative proposals affecting municipalities, including erosion of local zoning control (governor's housing plan), reduction in LGDF funding, potential Tier 2 pension changes, and possible state efforts to recoup federal Medicaid cuts. Trustees expressed concern over state interference and urged communication with legislators.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (a–h) approved unanimously.
• Dunkin Development: Six ordinances approved unanimously (Ordinances 3781–3784, plus site plan and preliminary plat).
• 2026 Plainfield Fest: Approved with fee waiver, July 17-19 at Bot Community Park (unanimous).
• Summer Farmers Market: Approved for Sundays June 7–September 13, 2026, with staff to coordinate parking footprint (unanimous).
• 2026 Landscape Maintenance Contract awarded to Ramiro Guzman Landscaping, Inc. for $114,457 (unanimous).
• Boiler #2 Replacement approved for $101,650 (unanimous).
• 143rd Street Grade Separation Feasibility Study agreement with GFT approved for $510,207 (unanimous).
• Purchase of three police vehicles and graphics approved for $140,683 (unanimous).
• Next meetings: Plan Commission March 3, Committee of the Whole March 9, Next Village Board March 16.