HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-27-2023 COW Minutes G t...eol— /1a2/j iao,?3
Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Workshop of the President
and the Board of Trustees
Held on November 27,2023
In the Boardroom
Mayor Argoudelis called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Board present: Mayor Argoudelis,
Trustee Wojowski, Trustee Bonuchi, Trustee Kalkanis, Trustee Kiefer, Trustee Larson, and Trustee
Ruane. Others present: Joshua Blakemore, Administrator; Michelle Gibas, Village Clerk; Rich
Vogel, Village Attorney; Scott Threewitt, Public Works Director; Jon Proulx, Planning Director; Jake
Melrose, Economic Development Director; Traci Pleckham, Management Services Director; Lonnie
Spires, Building Official; and Robert Miller, Chief of Police. There were approximately 30 persons in
the audience.
Trustee Kalkanis moved to approve the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Workshop and
Special Meeting held on November 13, 2023. Second by Trustee Kiefer Voice Vote. All in favor, 0
opposed. Motion carried.
PRESIDENTIAL COMMENTS
Mayor Argoudelis:
• Welcomed the Plainfield South Boys Cross Country Team and congratulated them for their
third-place finish at IHSA 3A State Cross Country Championships.
• Commented on Thanksgiving and Community Events.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
Trustee Larson:
• Congratulated Plainfield South.
• Commented on Community Events.
• Encouraged everyone to support small businesses.
Trustee Bonuchi:
• Encouraged everyone to support small businesses.
• Commented on community events and thanked the Lions Club.
WORKSHOP
1) YEAR 2023 TAX LEVY
Traci Pleckham reviewed several scenarios for the 2023 Tax Levy and requested direction from the
Board. Trustee Larson supported the increase in Police Pension Funding and indicated support for
maintaining the rate. Trustee Kiefer supported the increase in Police Pension Funding and indicated
support for maintaining the rate. Trustee Wojowski supported the increase in Police Funding and
indicated support for lowering the rate. Trustee Ruane indicated support for lowering the rate.
Trustee Bonuchi indicated support for lowering the rate. Trustee Kalkanis indicated support for
lowering the rate. Administrator Blakemore stated that it appears to be the Board consensus to lower
the tax levy rate. Director Pleckham noted that the Public Hearing for the Tax Levy has been
published for December 4, 2023, and there will also be a motion to approve an Ordinance with the
total tax levy dollar amount of$9,431,500.00 and with an authorization to reduce the amount to
produce an overall tax levy rate of.4436.
Village of Plainfield
Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes—November 27, 2023
Page 2
2) CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION REGULATIONS
Attorney Vogel presented a draft campaign contribution regulations ordinance. There was some
general discussion regarding the draft ordinance. Mayor Argoudelis identified several concerns
regarding the draft ordinance including the length of time, effect on future Board action on items
including permits for residents who contribute campaign donations, and enforcement. Mayor
Argoudelis stated that businesses currently doing business with the Village should not donate or be
solicited to donate. Trustee Wojowski expressed concern regarding the length of time and felt that
vendors should be different from the public and expressed concern relating to resident contributions
and the effect on future Village business. Trustee Bonuchi stated that the entire ordinance should not
be considered. It ties the hands of the community forever and the Illinois State Board of Elections
has controls in place regarding campaign contributions. Trustee Bonuchi added if a business or
person feels that they are being pressured to contribute to a campaign, there are mechanisms in place
to report it to the Illinois State Board of Elections. Trustee Larson expressed concern about
enforcement of resident contributions and the effect on residents doing future business with the
Village, the length of time, and current businesses/vendors being solicited for campaign
contributions. Trustee Kiefer stated that this is redundant to state laws, but felt it made sense to
disclose vendor/business contributions and self-policing makes sense. Trustee Kiefer asked if other
communities had this in place. Attorney Vogel stated that none of the other communities he
represents has this in place and that is easy to go to the state website to obtain the information.
Trustee Ruane expressed concern regarding overregulating a process that is already regulated by the
state. Trustee Larson requested to continue looking into this that disclosure in necessary.
The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Michelle Gibas, Village Clerk