Plainfield Village Board Meeting - March 16, 2026
Plainfield Village Board Meeting - March 16, 2026
This was the regular meeting of the President and Board of Trustees of Plainfield, Illinois, held on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Village Boardroom. The meeting opened with comments on the successful St. Patrick's Day weekend events, including a parade, a one-mile run, and a pancake breakfast that raised over $1,000 for public arts. Several Village employees and community members were recognized for service milestones and contributions. The Board then conducted the business meeting, approving the consent agenda, several payment authorizations, and four public works items. Discussions included a contested legal fee payment, a telecommunications franchise agreement with a focus on underground vs. aerial fiber, an updated water model, and a traffic signal design for 143rd Street and Steiner Road.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the agenda.
- Approved minutes of the March 2, 2026 Board meeting.
- Approved Bills Paid and Bills Payable reports for March 16, 2026.
- Approved Cash & Investment, Revenue, and Expenditure reports for February 2026.
- Approved Ordinance No. 3785, amending regulations for Administrative Citations.
- Approved Ordinance No. 3786, amending regulations for Administrative Adjudication.
- Approved Ordinance No. 3787, amending regulations for Parking, Standing, and Stopping.
- Approved the 2026 Zoning Map.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during the Public Comments period.
Discussion Items
- Tracy, Johnson & Wilson Payment ($561.00): Authorized without discussion.
- Ekl Williams & Provenzale Payment ($3,506.25): Trustee Paniker questioned why the Village continues spending taxpayer money on this case and suggested settlement. The Mayor responded that the matter may be discussed in executive session. The motion to authorize payment passed 6-0.
- Ripple Fiber Telecommunications Franchise Agreement: The Board discussed whether fiber should be installed underground or aerially. Trustee Ruwain advocated for underground installation to avoid unsightly overhead wires and protect trees. A Ripple Fiber representative said underground is possible but more expensive; the agreement already allows aerial attachment only where existing infrastructure exists. The Board generally supported underground installation where feasible, and the ordinance was approved 6-0.
- 2026 Water Model Update ($98,200.00): Work Order 25-009 with Baxter & Woodman for updating the water model to simulate system hydraulics, support future growth, and substantiate Lake Michigan water allocation applications. Approved 6-0.
- 143rd Street & Steiner Road Traffic Signal Design ($88,554.50): Work Order 26-005 for design of a traffic signal (recommended over a roundabout). The Board discussed pedestrian crossings: the design will include signal placement for potential future crossings on all four legs, but only two crosswalks will be installed initially to avoid costly rework. Trustee Ruwain raised safety concerns for pedestrians at signals vs. roundabouts. The work order was approved 6-0.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda and all payment authorizations approved unanimously (6-0).
- Elevator upgrade at Village Hall awarded to Otis Elevator Company for $34,000. Approved 6-0.
- Ripple Fiber Illinois LLC granted a telecommunications franchise agreement (Ordinance 3788) with an expectation that fiber installation will prioritize underground placement where feasible. Approved 6-0.
- Baxter & Woodman work order for 2026 Water Model (not to exceed $98,200) approved 6-0.
- Baxter & Woodman work order for 143rd/Steiner Road traffic signal design (not to exceed $88,554.50) approved 6-0.
- Next meetings: Plan Commission on March 18, 2026 (Wednesday); Committee of the Whole Workshop on March 23, 2026; Next Village Board Meeting on April 6, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Well, we're having some screen issues, but we'll uh call the meeting to order. We'll call Ms. Gibbis. Trusty Benucci, here. Trusty Kiefer. Present. Trusty Paniker. Yes. Trusty Bruin. Trusty Sula. Here. Trusty Wojowski. Mayor Agadelis. Yes. We'll stand for the Pledge Allegiance. 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. Thank you all. Good evening to everyone. Just had quite a weekend in Plainfield. A lot going on. Yesterday was really the big kickoff for the uh community festival seasons. Um and it just strikes us always, not just me, but all of us think about you know all the effort that so many make into making these events successful. Um our own trustee Rorain here, very involved in the hometown Irish parade from its inception. He tells some stories about a little bike ride on Bartlett Avenue is when it started. But it was the weather cooperated somehow, you know, the luck of the Irish and uh the clouds parted and uh the rain held off and we had a wonderful parade attended by many people. Uh we had Pipers and that guy on the big wheel was really cool. I thought that was but beginning with that. Now, some years ago, it might have been five or seven years ago, DNA, our running store, Andy Remley and Kathy Crawford, they started a one-mile run, which has now become part of our day. It uh over time these things become part of our tradition. So now is a one-mile run and an Irish parade. And our Plainfield Public Arts Council, they picked up the mantle from the fire department that no longer does a pancake breakfast, and they did the first uh pancake breakfast for the arts council. It was very, very well well attended. Uh trustee Sulla was a big part of that. Uh great pancakes and uh sausage patties, as is tradition, and eggs. And we had a very good attendance. We temporarily ran out of pancakes, but uh I have to big give a big shout out to Jim, Jimmy, and Maple Butter Cafe. They came to the rescue and supplied us with some last minute pancakes so we could serve all comers. I think we ended up with three pancakes left at the end of the day. But it looks like something that will also become part of the day's tradition. So from 8 30 in the morning pancakes to uh maybe uh you know, a beverage or something at one of our local establishments after the parade. Uh it was a great day in Plainfield thanks to the hard work of so many people, including some of the people sitting right here with us. So thanks to everybody. A lot more coming this summer. We have new events, we have old events returning. We got just so much coming up this summer for people in Plainfield and and people who want to come to Plainfield and have a good time. So just a great thank you to all who made yesterday such a wonderful day from start to finish. Trust you comments. Uh great comments, Mr.
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