Plainfield Committee of the Whole Workshop - August 10, 2026
Plainfield Committee of the Whole Workshop - August 10, 2026
The Plainfield Village Board held a Committee of the Whole Workshop on August 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Boardroom. The meeting included approval of minutes from July 27, 2026, public comments, and two workshop discussions on right-of-way permitting regulations and e-bike ordinance updates. No formal votes were taken, but direction was provided for future agenda items.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The Board unanimously approved the minutes of the Committee of the Whole Workshop held on July 27, 2026. (Motion made and seconded, all in favor.)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mark Revis, Will County Board member for Plainfield, provided comments on the county budget process. He noted that 99% of Illinois GDP runs through Will County via rail, river, or road. The Republican caucus is pursuing a 2% decrease in the county levy because "taxpayers are tapped out." He invited input from the Village Board and commended village leadership on recent events (e.g., water issue resolution, Plainfield Fest) and the police department.
Discussion Items
F.1 Right-of-Way Permitting Regulations
- Staff Presentation: Randy Jesson and Ryan Clunan (with consultant Ken Demlo) presented proposed Right-of-Way Regulations and a Master License Agreement for Fiber Optic Installation. The new system digitizes the former paper-and-spreadsheet process, enabling GIS tracking, easier identification of work in the right-of-way, and better enforcement of restoration standards. It also addresses future 5G antenna installations. A flat $250 fee is included for accountability, not revenue generation.
- Trustee Questions: Trustees inquired about enforcement, utility decommissioning (e.g., abandoned copper cables), aesthetic matching of concrete repairs, and the ability to regulate utility lines on ComEd poles. Staff clarified that the village cannot force removal of decommissioned lines but works with repeat utility companies through communication and codified expectations. The system shifts more burden to utilities for accurate applications and restorations.
- Board Position: Trustees expressed strong support, noting the benefits of organized tracking, accountability, and a set of guidelines. The item will be placed on the consent agenda for adoption at the August 17 Village Board meeting.
F.2 E-Bike Ordinance Update
- Staff Presentation: Chief and Commander Zigderman provided an update on the e-bike ordinance adopted in September 2025. Education efforts include social media, a new webpage (launched August 7, 2026), school resource officer Dan Fadden’s middle school presentations, and plans for yard signs with QR codes along bike paths. Enforcement data from May 1, 2026: 16 written warnings, 18 citations. The median age of violators is 13.5 years (oldest cited was 30). Most stops are for behavior-related issues, not age violations.
- State Legislation: Senate Bill 3484 (awaiting governor’s signature) would make changes: class 1 and 2 e-bike age 15 (village currently 14), allows passengers if a seat is provided, and may require registration and driver’s licenses for higher-speed e-bikes. The village can be more restrictive than the state but not less restrictive. Staff recommended maintaining current ordinance strong points (lights at night, helmet requirements) and aligning definitions after state law is finalized.
- Board Position: Trustees supported continued education and enforcement, praised proactive efforts, and noted that the ordinance is working despite challenges with juvenile riders. They directed staff to monitor state changes and adjust the ordinance as needed, then expand outreach materials (library, township, athletic teams).
Key Outcomes
- Right-of-Way Permitting: The proposed regulations and master license agreement received board support and will be placed on the August 17, 2026 Village Board consent agenda for adoption.
- E-Bike Ordinance: No formal action taken. The Board directed staff to continue enforcement and education, await state legislation (SB 3484), and return with any necessary ordinance amendments after the governor's decision.
- Future Meetings: The next Village Board business meeting is August 17, Plan Commission on August 18, and next Committee of the Whole Workshop on August 24, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
This is my nineteen fourteen. I think you said all the side yourself. I do I can buy it. So that was the sign that was on season and my story versus sure that was too I saw coding on Friday on the song. Okay, we're gonna call the meeting to order. Roll call, please. Trust youowski. Trusty Banucci. Here, trusty keeper. Here. Trusty panicker. Yes. Trust you ruin. Yep. Trusty Sula. Here. Mayor Argadelis. Yes. 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, good evening, everyone. Um we uh need a motion to approve the minutes from our seven twenty-seven committee of the whole. So I'm second. Motion's been made and seconded to approve the minutes of the committee of the whole workshop held on July twenty-seventh. All in favor? Aye. All opposed. Thank you. That motion carries. Thank you. Um just a couple of things. We've uh kind of getting through summer here. I know um cruise nights has maybe one more week to go. Um so last we weren't running down to the last of the summer cruise nights, uh back to school soon. Um we had uh Moldovan Sports Fest uh in the park here over the weekend. It was very very well done. It was a very nice event. Um I think our two officers now speak a little smattering of Moldovan. They were they were trying. They were trying. They they had fun out there. It was really a a fun amateur. It's nice to see Settlers Park utilized by uh uh nice kinds of events like this with kids running around and uh athletic competitions and they had some music, so it was it's very nice. And there's more more to come. I know we have a couple more events for the season. But um enjoy the rest of the summer as we slide into school days and more regimented life again in the fall. Trusty comments. I was just gonna jump on that and say um this coming week, uh school's in earlier than ever. So two things.
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