Illinois Valley Times

Village of Seneca Village Council met Nov. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Seneca Village Council held a regularly scheduled Council meeting at Seneca Village Hall on November 7, 2023 and the meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

Roll Call: 

Present: Mayor Olson, Commissioners Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Absent: None

Also Present: Village Clerk Jennifer Peddicord and Village Engineer Casey McCollom

All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve the October 17, 2023 council meeting minutes as presented.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Weber to approve the payment of bills as presented.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION:

None.

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, REPORTS AND ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS: 

Mayor Olson: New: Christmas in the Park and decorating for Irish football quarterfinals.

OLD BUSINESS: 

Commissioner Peddicord: 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve the adoption of Ordinance 23-21, An Ordinance Amending the Text of the Zoning Ordinance to Include Commercial Solar Energy Facilities as a Special Use in Industrial Districts.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Weber to approve the adoption of Ordinance 23-22, An Ordinance Creating Chapter 7 of Title 9 Regarding Building and Construction Site Operations.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

COMMISSIONER'S REPORT AND NEW BUSINESS: 

PUBLIC PROPERTY, WATER & SEWER - WEBER: 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve an expenditure to GovDirect in the amount of $2,111.00 for replacement of Master Meter Toughbook computer. The current computer is approximately 10 years old and is now outdated.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve an expenditure to Martin Equipment in the amount of $3,925.00 annually for maintenance agreement for new John Deere backhoe. This will be a five year agreement and will cover all oil, filters and annual maintenance checks. Any amount not used will be refunded at the end of the five year term.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve License Agreement 5544 with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and authorizes Mayor Olson to execute same. This is for the water drains that go into the canal behind Fergy's. There was no agreement previously and IDNR became aware of the situation when work was being done to the parking lot recently. This agreement is for a 10-year term at a cost of $100.00 per year.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve converting to MuniLink for utility billing and authorizes a one-time expenditure of $11,000.00 for data conversion, implementation and training. This will replace Tyler Technologies as the utility billing provider, and will offer a lot of options for the public, including a payment portal, paperless billing, automatic payments and automated telephone calls.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve an expenditure to Prairie State Water Systems, Inc. in the amount of $34,101.00 for replacement of well pump. This is well pump #2, which was replaced in the past year or so. Prairie State believes there was a possible power surge. Jim Applebee is contacting ComEd regarding the damage.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve the hiring of Tyler Mann as a full-time Public Works employee at the rate of $24.00 per hour. Four individuals were interviewed and were all good, which made it a tough choice. Tyler will be required to get his CDL within the first year, but will not be attending CDL school until the Spring. He will also be getting his water and sewer certifications.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE - VICTOR: 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve the total amount to be raised by tax levy of $886,679.00 for the tax year 2023, collectable in 2024. The levy amount increased by $60,000.00, but the tax rate dropped from 0.0185632 to 0.0163388, which is a decrease of .22275. Mayor Olson thanked Treasurer Figgins for her work on decreasing the tax rate for the village.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve an expenditure to Wex Bank in the amount of $2,999.48 for fuel expenses.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Weber to approve an expenditure to Tyler Technologies in the amount of $7,584.73 for Fundbalance annual maintenance.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

STREETS - HIGGINS:

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Weber to approve an expenditure to Martin Equipment in an amount not to exceed $5,800.00 for bucket for backhoe. This will be a second, old style bucket, for salt.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

Comm. Higgins reminded the public that we are in the middle of leaf pickup, but we are short-handed in the Public Works department, so he asked that everyone please be patient during the process.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY - PEDDICORD:

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve an expenditure to Harrison Towing & Service in the amount of $3,020.39 for repairs to police vehicle. The water pump went out, at the same time they took care of a timing issue. This is a good car that has not needed a lot of work prior to this service.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

PUBLIC AFFAIRS - OLSON:

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the dedication of 1.05 acres of real estate from Rodney and Patricia Engstrom to the Village. The village has researched access to the property and has determined we will be able to gain access.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

Discussion took place regarding a potential donation to the United Way. They provide services to the community, including the new therapy dog at the Seneca Grade School, and Labor of Love. This will be brought back for approval at the next council meeting.

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Weber to approve the appointment of Sean Tonnessen as Emergency Management Agency Coordinator, with a term expiring in May 2027. At this time we will not be appointing an assistant coordinator, as Sean feels he can handle it himself. Mayor Olson thanked Kelsey Kowalski for her service as the previous Emergency Management Agency

Coordinator.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

Mayor Olson announced that Christmas in the Park will take place on November 19, 2023 at Crotty Park from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Santa will be there, with train rides, a bike giveaway, tree lighting and much more. 

The Seneca Irish football team is going to quarterfinals this Saturday. The village will be decorating Main Street at 3:00 pm on Friday and is looking for volunteers.

FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION: 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the dismissal of Leslie Goslin as Building Inspector and Zoning Enforcement Officer, effective immediately.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mike Bonas addressed the council regarding Birchlawn Street needing repairs.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to enter into executive session at 6:31 p.m. to discuss Personnel, pursuant to Section 2(c)(1), and Appointment or Removal of Public Officers, pursuant to Section 2(c)(3).

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

The council returned to regular session at 7:15 p.m.

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to adjourn the council meeting at 7:16 p.m.

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Higgins, Peddicord, Victor and Weber

Nays: None

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/seneca/Docuemnt_Center/Agenda%20and%20Minutes/Mayor%20and%20Village%20Council/2023/Minutes/Minutes_2023_11_07.pdf