Illinois Valley Times

Village of Seneca Village Council met Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Seneca Village Council held a regularly scheduled Council meeting at Seneca Village Hall on December 19, 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, Attorney Bob Russo 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. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the December 5, 2023 council meeting minutes as presented. 

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 the October treasurer's report, payroll and payment of bills as presented. 

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

Nays: None 

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION: 

Karolyn Carver of Vistracorp gave a presentation regarding the Village's commercial electrical accounts. 

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, REPORTS AND ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS: 

None. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Mayor Olson: 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the adoption of Ordinance 23-26, An Ordinance Establishing a Paid Leave Policy Pursuant to the Paid Leave for All Act. 

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. Higgins to approve an expenditure to Prairie State Water Systems in the amount of $27,404.00 for replacement well panel. Prairie State believes this will not happen again. Jim Applebee has been in contact with ComEd regarding making a claim, but has not heard anything back yet. 

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

Nays: None 

Comm. Weber announced that the village will be accepting live Christmas trees for disposal again this year. Live trees should be placed next to the dumpster in the village parking lot off of Main Street. All lights, tinsel and decorations should be removed, as the trees will be mulched. 

ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE - VICTOR: 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve an expenditure to Old National Bank in the amount of $10,913.72 for credit card expenses. 

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

Nays: None 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve an expenditure to Wex Bank in the amount of $1,988.67 for fuel expenses. 

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

Nays: None 

STREETS - HIGGINS: 

None. 

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY - PEDDICORD: 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve an expenditure to Motorola Solutions in the amount of $47,880.30 for six police radios. This is a $15,780.00 savings if the contract is signed by December 31. The radios have a seven year warranty and usually a 14-year lifespan. Maggie O'Brien from Motorola Solutions was in attendance and was able to answer questions from the council. 

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. Peddicord to approve the adoption of Resolution No. 622, A Resolution of the Village of Seneca, Illinois Objecting to the Issuance of a Special Use Permit to Allow a Solar Energy Facility on Property Situated in Close Proximity to the Corporate Limits of the Village (Grundy County Case No. 23-ZBA-016 Dupont River Solar, LLC). Ryan Anderson of Cypress Creek Renewables addressed the council regarding the Dupont River Solar project and answered council questions. 

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

Nays: None 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve an expenditure to Grundy County Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $100.00 for membership renewal. 

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

Nays: None 

Mayor Olson announced the winners of the 2023 Christmas lighting contest: 

1st Place: 

The Justice Family, 280 Richards Street 

2nd Place: 

The Valdez Family, 232 Valley View Drive 

3rd Place: 

The Daschner Family, 401 Hickory Court 

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

David Striecker, attorney for the Buffalo Solar Project, addressed the council regarding their project, which is pending in Grundy County. 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Weber to adjourn the council meeting at 6:47 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_12_19.pdf