Village of Seneca Council met March 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Roll Call: Present: Applebee, Olson, Spicer Absent: Timmons, Barla
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the Council approves the February 20, 2018 council meeting minutes as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
A motion was made by Comm. Applebee and seconded by Comm. Olson that the Council approves the payment of bills as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: Applebee, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
No Seneca Business Spotlight presentation
Communications, Petitions, Reports and Additional Agenda Items:
Additional Agenda Item:
1. Summer Help Announcement
2. Police Chief Hiring Announcement
Old Business:
Streets Olson:
Commissioner Olson tabled the agenda item of discussion of employee internet usage policy.
Public Affairs Mayor Spicer:
Mayor Spicer gave an update on the FFA/Community Plastic Cap Collection event. At this time, the community has donated a ton of caps. During the last week of March, the FFA will deliver the caps to be made into an ADA accessible picnic table and two park benches which will be placed at Graves Park. The response to the program has been so successful that they would like to continue the collection.
Mayor Spicer referred to Casey McCollom, Engineer with Chamlin & Associates for a boat launch restroom project update. Mr. McCollom indicated that a property survey will be performed on tomorrow’s date and that he has been in contact with Mr. Mark Melvin of
McCann Products. In addition, Casey is working with village staff as well as Park Board Chairman Fran Kasten on the project. The projected completion date is approximately one to two months.
New Business:
Public Property Timmons:
Due to Comm. Timmons’ absence, Mayor Spicer stated a billing was received from Ferguson Waterworks for the purchase of 102 radio read water meters.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the council approves an expenditure of $22,134.00 to Ferguson Waterworks split out of the Water & Sewer Departments.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
Approximately two weeks ago the main chemical injector pump at the water treatment plant became inoperable and needed replacement; two pumps were ordered. No questions were presented.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the council approves an expenditure to Hawkins Inc. for $3,680.86 out of the water department.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
On February 19, 2018 A & E Septic Services were hired to remove ice which had formed adjacent to the Valley View subdivision area. Jim Applebee, Matt Stitcha and Scott Holman were congratulated on presenting the idea to council members for flood prevention.
A motion was made by Comm. Applebee and seconded by Comm. Olson that the council approves an expenditure of $1,732.50 to A & E Septic Services out of the Flood Department Fund.
Roll Call: Ayes: Applebee, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
Streets Olson:
Commissioner Olson announced that applications are being taken at this time for summer Street Department help; this item will be placed on the next council meeting as well.
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. It was the consensus of the council to have Mr. Russo create a repeal ordinance to be voted on at the March 20, 2018 council meeting. 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. Also stated was due to Village currently seeking to hire a new Police Chief, the residency restriction would limit the scope of potential hire. Attorney Russo indicated the council should consider changing the ordinance to allow Police Chief to live outside village limits. Mayor Spicer stated the ordinance change does not automatically mean that the council has decided to hire someone who lives outside village limits.
Comm. Applebee stated that due to Officer Michael Hetelle submitting his resignation, part- time employee Nicholas Joe Frederick has submitted a request to be hired to full-time status. Comm. Applebee stated Mr. Frederick has completed a psychological and physical pre- employment required testing. No questions were presented.
A motion was made by Comm. Applebee and seconded by Comm. Olson that the council hires Nicholas Joe Frederick as full-time police officer at a rate of $20.17 hourly out of the Public Health & Safety Department.
Roll Call: Ayes: Applebee, Olson, Spicer
Nays: none
Public Affairs Mayor Spicer:
Mayor Spicer stated that the Park Board unanimously approved a pay increase of $1.00 for employee Nadine Maierhofer which brought her hourly wage from $12.00 to $13.00.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the council approves a $1.00 hourly pay increase for Nadine Maierhofer out of the Park Board Fund retroactive to February 20, 2018.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
Mayor Spicer indicated that a Plan Commission Public Hearing will be held on March 14, 2018 for a minor subdivision of property owned by the Seneca Grade School District 170. The property is located at 354-358 South Market Street, if approved by Plan Commission, the ordinance will be placed on the March 20, 2018 council meeting to be adopted. Mayor Spicer also announced that a yearly request came from the Illini Valley Association of Realtors for the village to proclaim April as Fair Housing Month. No questions were asked.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the council adopts a proclamation in which April is named Fair Housing Month.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
Mayor Spicer gave an update on the proposed playground equipment project for Crotty Park. George and Cindy Lamb have given an initial donation of $100,000.00 toward the cost of equipment and have partnered with Starved Rock Country Community Foundation to establish a fund to accomplish their final goal. At this time, an additional $38,000.00 was donated by both private and corporate sectors and plan is to install both phase one and phase two during the month of May. Mayor Spicer thanked Mr. & Mrs. Lamb for their generous donation. After light discussion, it was consensus of council to approve the village pay for the installation fee for both phase one and two.
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the council approves an expenditure of $26,926.00 to NuToys Leisure Products out of the Public Benefit Fund.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
Mayor Spicer gave an update on hiring of new Police Chief. Due to the fact that only three out of five members of the council were present tonight, Mayor Spicer felt the entire council should be present in all discussions on the topic. He stated the plan is to narrow down the candidates who have applied to 3-5 and hold interviews with entire council between March 20, 2018 and April 3, 2018. The vote to determine the next Police Chief will be set for April 3, 2018 and if entire council is not present, the vote will be delayed until full council is in attendance.
Public comment:
Kathy Haralson, resident asked about the boat launch entryway pot holes; Comm. Olson stated that asphalt grindings will be used to fill in when weather is optimal to do so. In addition, Kathy stated the Emergency Management Department has purchased 1,000 sandbags for village use.
The item of personnel under executive session was tabled
A motion was made by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Applebee that the March 6, 2018 council meeting is adjourned at 7:35 pm.
Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Applebee, Spicer
Nays: none
http://senecail.org/pdf/minutes/March%206,%202018minutes.pdf
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