Village of Seneca Council met March 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Roll Call: Present: Applebee, Olson, Barla, Spicer
Absent: Timmons
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the Council approves the March 6, 2018 council meeting minutes as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Applebee, Barla, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council approves the February treasurer’s report, payroll and payment of bills as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Olson, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
No Seneca Business Spotlight presentation
Communications, Petitions, Reports and Additional Agenda Items:
Mr. Ron Dickerson of the Illinois River Area Chamber of Commerce presented the council with a military banner program. The banners would be ordered and/or purchased by residents and/or businesses and would be installed on light poles. Commissioner Barla asked whom buyers would contact to purchase a banner, Mr. Dickerson stated the chamber. Consensus of Council was to participate in announcing the program to potential banner buyers.
Mr. Tom Justice, Chairman of Plan Commission presented an updated Village zoning map; no questions were presented. Mayor Spicer encouraged each council member to review the map and Mr. Justice indicated that certain properties within boundaries have had a zoning designation change. A letter will be formulated and sent to any property owner who has had a zoning change to their property.
Additional Agenda Item:
1. Water Meter Update
2. Boat Launch Bathroom Project Update
3. Crotty Park Playground Equipment Project Update
Old Business:
Streets Olson:
Commissioner Olson tabled the agenda item of discussion of employee internet usage policy until entire council is present to discuss. He also made an announcement that summer employment applications will be accepted at Village Hall until 4:00 pm on May 1, 2018.
New Business:
Public Property Timmons:
Due to Comm. Timmons’ absence, Mayor Spicer stated an engineer’s first/final pay estimate was received for the demolition of a home located at 605 N. Main Street to Opperman Construction in the amount of $27,322.00. Commissioner Barla asked whether the contractor will be providing seeding of the area and Engineer Casey McCollom indicated that it was the decision of the public works employees not to and that they would store the excess dirt on the property for future use.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Barla that the council approves pay estimate 1/final to Opperman Construction for $27,322.00 out of the 2016 Bond Fund.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Barla, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
In addition, a billing was received from Ferguson Waterworks for the purchase of radio read water meters.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Barla that the council approves an expenditure of $7,152.00 to Ferguson Waterworks split out of the Water & Sewer Departments.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Barla, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
Mayor Spicer announced that due to certain residents work schedules, a Saturday water meter change appointment schedule has been created.
Accounts and Finance Barla:
Comm. Barla stated there are two year end transfers needed to balance each department; no questions were asked.
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the council approve the transfer of $107,790.63 from the Illinois Funds account to the General Checking account.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Applebee, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council approve the transfer of $22,636.37 from the Municipal Tax Department to the General Checking Account to be distributed pro-rata between Public Affairs, Accounts & Finance, Streets, Public Health and Safety and Public Property.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Olson, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
Streets Olson:
Commissioner Olson announced that the village wide garage sale event will be held May 19 & 20th and he indicated if the council wished to provide a clean-up event that Olson’s Salvage Yard would host it on June 1st and 2nd. Consensus of council was to allow the event and Comm. Olson was asked to present pricing at the next meeting for approval.
Public Health & Safety Applebee:
Commissioner Applebee referred to Attorney Bob Russo to speak on the employee compensation ordinance which was previously adopted in 2006. The ordinance was designed to set starting wage for various positions within the village. Mr. Russo stated due to salaries changing, this entire ordinance should be repealed. No Questions were presented.
A motion was made by Comm. Applebee and seconded by Comm. Barla that the council adopt ordinance #18-03, an ordinance repealing ordinance # 06-03 pertaining to employee compensation.
Roll Call: Ayes: Applebee, Barla, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
In addition, an ordinance establishing residency requirements was discussed. Attorney Russo stated that currently the ordinance states that certain Village officers must reside within Village limits as a condition of their employment. Attorney Russo indicated the council should consider changing the ordinance to allow Police Chief to live outside village limits. Comm. Olson stated he felt that the Police Chief should reside within, or close to village limits for the safety of residents. In addition, he stated if it is the contention of the council to provide the new chief with a squad car, the added cost of gas and/or vehicle wear would be increased if the chief lived an added distance from village limits. Comm. Barla stated that he feels that all appointed employees should live within village limits. Mayor Spicer stated he felt a reasonable radius should be set and that employees should not be required to live within village limits. Comm. Olson indicated many residents have stated to him that the Police Chief should live within village limits but that a 5-15 mile radius would be adequate. Comm. Applebee stated that if all appointed employees were required to reside within village limits, it would restrict employee skill sets. Mayor Spicer stated that if Commissioner Barla’s wish to have all appointed employees reside within the Village of Seneca boundaries then the council would have to terminate employment for the following employees and / or contracted services: Nancy Gross, Therese Russell, Jim Applebee, Chamlin and Associates and Attorney Bob Russo. Commissioner Barla indicated he felt he is entitled to his opinion. Consensus of Council was to table the item until subsequent council meeting.
Comm. Applebee stated he recently shadowed a school crossing guard employee and determined that multiple drivers were using excessive speeds in the school zone. An increase of police presence will be instituted and residents were asked to use caution during school hours and especially in crosswalk areas. Comm. Olson commended Seneca Grade School staff for taking pride in their jobs enough to reach out to Comm. Applebee in this instance.
Public Affairs Mayor Spicer:
Mayor Spicer stated that the Plan Commission March 14, 2018 Public Hearing for a minor subdivision of property owned by the Seneca Grade School District 170 was cancelled due to lack of quorum. The Public Hearing was rescheduled to April 11, 2018 and the Ordinance will be voted on at the April 17, 2018 Council meeting. The revised Village zoning map that was presented by Mr. Justice earlier was discussed; it was consensus of council to allow Mayor Spicer to sign.
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council approves the Mayor signing the 2018 Village zoning map.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Olson, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
Mayor Spicer stated that the Village had previously received a ComEd Green Region Program Grant in the amount of $10,000.00 to be used for the Phase 1 Graves Park Improvement Project. A resolution is required to authorize participation in the grant through ComEd; no questions were presented.
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Olson that the council adopts resolution number 547, a resolution authorizing participation in the ComEd Green Region Program.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Olson, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
Mayor Spicer announced a fundraiser event being held on behalf of four year old Justin Roseland by the Seneca Fire Protection and Ambulance District on March 24, 2018. He stated the drawdown tickets have been sold out, but that anyone wishing to attend the fundraiser event can do so as entry tickets will be available at the door. Kathy Haralson was in the audience and publically thanked everyone who has donated items for the benefit.
Mayor Spicer referred to Village Engineer Casey McCollom who gave an update on the Crotty Park water main project. Mr. McCollom stated the main has been installed and pressure tested but unforeseen circumstances were detected. Firstly, a resident on Moline Street was found to have multiple residences and therefore a decision was made to provide a 2” water service meter pit estimated at a cost of $4,300.00. A configuration of a tie-in area ended up being a 90 degree angle which caused extra time for contractor at a cost of $1,849.53. A third unforeseen issue will be negotiated by Mr. McCollom, which involved contractor labor cost relating to a fire hydrant installation. Mr. McCollom also stated he is currently working with Park Board on the placement of a bathroom facility at the Seneca Boat Launch as well as placement of a playground equipment project at Crotty Park. Mayor Spicer indicated the dedication of the playground project is slotted for Memorial Day.
No Public comment presented
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the council enters into executive session to discuss personnel.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Applebee, Barla, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Barla and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the Council returns to regular session.
Roll Call: Ayes: Barla, Applebee, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the March 20, 2018 council meeting is adjourned at 8:27 pm.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Applebee, Barla, Spicer
Nays: none
http://senecail.org/pdf/minutes/March%2020,%202018minutes.pdf
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