Village of Seneca Council met April 4.
Here is the minutes as provided by the Council:
The Seneca Village Council held a regularly scheduled council meeting at Seneca Village Hall on
April 4, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Roll Call: Present: Timmons, Olson, Barla, Spicer
Absent: Applebee
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Barla that the Council approves
the March 21, 2017 council meeting minutes as presented
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Barla, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Timmons that the Council
approves the payment of bills as presented
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Timmons, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
No Seneca Business Spotlight presentation
Communications, Petitions, Reports and Additional Agenda Items:
No Old Business Presented
New Business:
Public Property Timmons:
Comm. Timmons stated that as a part of the on-going meter replacement project, an
expenditure for purchase of water meters is necessary.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Barla that the Council
approves an expenditure of $3,622.00 to Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. out of the Water
Department.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Barla, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
Comm. Timmons stated that is has been determined that an original sewer plant scale cannot
be recalibrated; a replacement scale is needed at this time.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council
approves an expenditure of $2,680.00 to Hawkins, Inc. out of the Sewer Department.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Olson, Barla, Spicer
Nays: none
Comm. Timmons stated that a village wide shut off will take place on April 6, 2017 at 10:00 pm
to update the existing water main. An announcement was made by Comm. Timmons that the
Park Board is hosting a free youth fishing derby on Saturday, May 6th starting at 10:00 am at the
Seneca FFA Ag Farm. A & E Septic provided a service in which they located lines and used a
camera system to view the storm sewer and sanitary sewer lines on Shipyard Road and
Williams Street.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council
approve an expenditure of $1,625.00 to A & E Septic Services split between the Park Board
Fund and the Sewer Department.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Olson, Barla, Spicer
Nays: none
Employee Jim Applebee informed Comm. Timmons that there is water plant aerator that is not
being utilized by the village and he wishes to have removed from the plant. Guy Christensen,
Village Engineer stated that he has researched the equipment and determined that it has no
value but is operable and another community could benefit from it. Clerk Russell instructed to
research opportunities for publicizing that we have the equipment if any other municipality is
interested. A greenhouse was acquired through a recent property purchase by the village; a
resident has offered to dismantle it and remove it from village property. Consensus of council
was to allow the resident to remove the greenhouse if necessary insurance information is
provided. On the same north property, an existing water well is present, consensus of council is
not to seal the well at this time. A meeting was held between Comm. Timmons and former
north property owner, Richard Anderson regarding boundaries. Comm. Timmons expressed to
Council that because it is unclear where the boundary lines actually fall, he would like to obtain
a land survey. Consensus of Council was to allow Comm. Timmons to procure a survey.
Attorney Russo was directed to notify Mr. Anderson’s attorney to provide a document
indemnifying village employees to mow additional property that is pending purchase at this
time. Comm. Timmons stated that the Park Board has approved funds to purchase fish for their
annual youth fishing derby event to be held on May 6, 2017.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Barla that the Council
approves an expenditure of $1,870.00 to Logan Hollow Fish Farm out of the Park Board Funds.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Barla, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
Accounts and Finance Barla:
Comm. Barla announced that the next budget meeting will occur on April 18, 2017 at 6:45pm;
all council members were encouraged to present their department budgets prior. Comm. Barla
also stated that due to the fiscal year end, department transfers are required. The first was
relating to the Street Department program resulting in slight over spending; Comm. Olson
stated that it was not in relation to over spending but that the payments did not come out of
the correct account and that the Street Department actually came in under budget. No further
discussion was held on the subject.
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council approves
the transfer of $40,543.96 from the Windmill Fund to reimburse Motor Fuel Tax Fund for the
2016 road project not covered by Motor Fuel Tax.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Olson, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council approves
the transfer of $5,468.17 from the Motor Fuel Tax Money Market to the Motor Fuel Tax
General Checking account to complete the 2016 road project funding.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Olson, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Timmons that the Council
approve the transfer of $25,000.00 from Public Benefit Investment Account to the Public
Benefit General Checking and the transfer of $3,000.00 from Park Investment Account to the
Park General Checking to cover the remainder of fiscal year end expenses.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Timmons, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
Streets Olson:
Commissioner Olson stated that an expenditure was required for the purchase of road salt.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Barla that the Council approves
an expenditure of $6,305.59 to Cargill, Inc. out of the Streets Department.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Barla, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
Public Affairs Mayor Spicer:
Mayor Spicer announced that the yearly prevailing wage ordinance is required by law and will
be up for a vote at the next council meeting. In addition, Guy Christensen, Village Engineer
asked whether the village has a responsible bidder ordinance in place and stated it would be
beneficial. Attorney Russo to research and return to council with necessary information
pertaining to the subject. Lastly, Mayor Spicer stated that a request from The Times newspaper
is for advertising; consensus of council was to allow a $150.00 expenditure split between all
departments.
A motion was made by Comm. Timmons and seconded by Comm. Barla that the council enters
into executive session to discuss personnel.
Roll Call: Ayes: Timmons, Barla, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Barla that the council returns to
regular session.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Barla, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Barla that the April 4, 2017
council meeting is adjourned at 7:47 pm.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Barla, Timmons, Spicer
Nays: none
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