Village of Seneca Council met March 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Roll Call: Present: Applebee, Olson, Barla, Spicer
Absent: Timmons
Commissioner Timmons arrived at 7:03pm
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the Council approves the March 7, 2017 council meeting minutes as presented
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Applebee, Barla, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council approves the payment of bills, February Treasurer’s Report and payroll as presented
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Olson, Timmons, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
No Seneca Business Spotlight presentation
Communications, Petitions, Reports and Additional Agenda Items:
Old Business:
Public Property Timmons:
Comm. Timmons indicated the Park Board wishes to have an expenditure approved in relation to renting a machine to clear brush at the boat launch area. This item was previously discussed and tabled until additional information was presented. The Park Board had been contacted by the Department of Natural Resources regarding when machine is available. Seneca is on their pending list of communities that will receive free brush removal. The approval of the expenditure would just guarantee that the board would move forward this spring with the rental of a machine if the IDNR offer does not commence.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Olson that the council approves an expenditure of $2,500.00 for brush removal out of the Park Board funds.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Olson, Barla, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
Accounts and Finance Barla:
Commissioner Barla stated there was a scrivener’s date error regarding the recently adopted ordinance relating to the general obligation bonds; no questions were presented.
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the council adopt ordinance #17-08, abating the taxes heretofore levied to pay principal of and interest on general obligation bonds with revised tax levy date.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Applebee, Timmons, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
Public Affairs Mayor Spicer:
Mayor Spicer stated that at previous council meeting, a discussion was held on the necessity of creating an ordinance relating to the licensing of raffles within the village; Attorney Russo added that any and all raffles will be exempt from fees. No questions were presented.
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Olson that the council adopt ordinance #17-09, authorizing the licensing and operation of raffles in the Village of Seneca.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Olson, Timmons, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
After previous council meeting discussion, council consensus is to move forward in offering an electrical aggregation program with Dynegy Energy Services to any electrical account holders; no questions were presented.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Timmons that the council approves the Mayor signing an aggregation program agreement
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Timmons, Barla, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
Mayor Spicer stated that previously, it was consensus of council to allow bow hunting to anyone who owns 30 or more acres of property; no questions were asked.
A motion was made by Comm. Applebee and seconded by Comm. Barla that the council adopt ordinance #17-10, amending the Seneca code of ordinances pertaining to hunting in the Village of Seneca.
Roll Call: Ayes: Applebee, Barla, Olson, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
New Business:
Public Property Timmons:
Comm. Timmons stated the condition of the mister sprayer at Crotty Park has become inoperable. After research, the Park Board determined that replacement parts are no longer available thus they are asking for approval of expenditure for a mister replacement.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Barla that the Council approve an expenditure of $3,282.00 to Rain Deck out of the Park Board funds.
Both Park Board members Coleen O’Neil and Margaret Grober’s appointments are up for renewal; they both wish to be re-appointed.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council re- appoint Coleen O’Neil to the Park Board with a term ending April, 2021.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Olson, Barla, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the Council re- appoint Margaret Grober to the Park Board with a term ending April, 2021.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Applebee, Barla, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
Comm. Timmons stated as a new requirement of the landfill; a tarp is necessary when hauling in sludge from Village waste water plant. An expenditure of $1,932.99 to Lotz Trucking would cover this expense, no questions were presented.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council approves an expenditure of $1,932.99 to Lotz Trucking out of the Sewer Department.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Olson, Barla, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
As an on-going project, Village maintenance staff has replaced over 350 water meters; an expenditure to Ferguson Enterprises Inc. for $3,178.00 is for additional meters.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Barla that the Council approve an expenditure of $3,178.00 to Ferguson Enterprises Inc. out of the Water Department.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Barla, Applebee, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
Comm. Timmons stated as employees are performing meter updates, there have been multiple shut off repairs and additional meter fittings were required from Underground Pipe & Valve Co.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council approve an expenditure of $1,745.80 to Underground Pipe & Valve, Co. out of the Water Department.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Olson, Barla, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
Comm. Timmons announced that the wastewater digester tank has incurred build up recently thus tanks were pumped down by Vortex Technologies; fittings were replaced as well as calibration of monitoring equipment.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the village approves an expenditure of $1,785.00 to Vortex Technologies Inc. split between the water & sewer department.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Applebee, Barla, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
Comm. Timmons stated that A & E Septic Services were hired in early March to remove sludge from the digesters and repair pump intake pipe at the wastewater plant. No questions were asked.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Barla that the Council approves an expenditure of $9,892.50 to A & E Septic Services out of the Sewer Department.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Barla, Applebee, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
The agenda item relating to mower discussion and approval of mower expenditure has been tabled until additional information is received by Comm. Timmons.
Accounts and Finance Barla:
Commissioner Barla indicated that four fiscal year end transfer motions are required. No questions were asked.
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Olson that the council approves the transfer of $35,000.00 from the Park Investment Account to the Park General Checking Account.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Olson, Applebee, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Olson that the council approves the transfer of $25,000.00 from the IMRF Investment Fund to the IMRF General Checking Account and approves the transfer of $10,000.00 from the Social Security Investment Account to the Social Security General Checking Account.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Olson, Applebee, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the Council approves the transfer of $297,000.00 from the Illinois Funds Accounts to General Checking.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Applebee, Timmons, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council approves the transfer of $24,163.73 from the MFT Illinois Funds account and $72,066.55 from the MFT Money Market to the MFT General Checking.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Olson, Timmons, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
Streets Olson:
Comm. Olson stated that the Village is accepting applications for temporary summer help in the Street Department; applications need to be submitted no later than April 18, 2017. In addition, Comm. Olson stated he wishes to rehire Conlan Callahan who has worked two years previously for the village.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Barla that the Council hires Conlan Callahan at a rate of $11.00 out of the Street Department.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Barla, Applebee, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
Public Health and Safety Applebee:
Comm. Applebee stated that Kathleen Haralson’s appointment is up for renewal.
A motion was made by Comm. Applebee and seconded by Comm. Barla that the Council re- appoint Kathleen Haralson to the Plan Commission with a term ending May, 2022.
Roll Call: Ayes: Applebee, Barla, Timmons, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
Commissioner Applebee thanked both Nancy Gross and Kathleen Haralson for their hard work on the reduction of phone line costs to A T & T in the emergency operation center at village hall; cost savings to village is just over $580.00 monthly. In addition, he indicated that a letter was sent to all liquor license holders and managers regarding the new state mandated changes pertaining to the Illinois Bassett Law. A special meeting will be held on April 5th at Village Hall in which training dates will be planned as well as program overview presented.
Public Affairs Mayor Spicer:
Mayor Spicer stated that he was asked to present a proclamation to the council for approval regarding the month of May being Fair Housing month.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Barla that the council approves the Mayor signing a proclamation regarding the Fair Housing Law.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Barla, Timmons, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
The LaSalle County Broadcasting “WOLF” radio station has reached out to the village to ask for approval for sponsoring $40 in relation to 30 announcements during the Seneca FFA Farm Toy Show event; consensus of council was to approve expenditure. Mayor Spicer also indicated that the village zoning map is being reviewed by the Plan Commission for future revisions, but at this time they have recommended the council to approve.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Barla that the council approves the Mayor signing the revised 2017 zoning map.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Barla, Applebee, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
The Shipyard Festival Committee has asked council for a donation for the 2017 festival; the consensus of council was to approve an expenditure of $3,000.00.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Barla that the council approves an expenditure of $3,000.00 to the Seneca Festival Committee out of the Video Gaming Fund.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Barla, Timmons, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund board has passed a resolution recently which requires recertification of IMRF eligibility every two years for all elected positions; in addition, a guideline was presented for eligible hours to each council member.
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Timmons that the Council adopts resolution #536, relating to the participation by elected officials in IMRF.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Timmons, Applebee, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
The last agenda item under Mayor Spicer, “Approval of The Times Advertising Fee” was tabled due to inadequate paperwork received regarding the subject.
Public Comment:
Mr. Ron Webb, rural Seneca resident presented his feelings regarding a few traffic stops that incurred with a particular police officer. Mayor Spicer referred to Commissioner Applebee regarding the information presented; Commissioner Applebee stated he would not discuss any specific police business and/or names involved and he reassured Mr. Webb that he would speak with the officer privately. No further discussion was presented to Council.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Barla that the Council enters into executive session to discuss the sale or lease of real estate.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Barla, Timmons, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council returns to regular session.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Olson, Applebee, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Barla that the March 21, 2017 council meeting is adjourned at 8:07 pm.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Barla, Timmons, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
http://senecail.org/pdf/minutes/March%2021,%202017minutes.pdf
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