Illinois Valley Times

Village of Seneca Village Council met Jan. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Seneca Village Council held a regularly scheduled Council meeting at Seneca Village Hall on January 16, 2024 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 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. Weber and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve the January 2, 2024 council meeting minutes as presented. 

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 the November treasurer's report, payroll and 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: 

None. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

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 Nick's Metal Fabricating & Sons, Inc. in the amount of $3,500.00 for fabricating and installation of stairs at treatment plant. The bottom three stairs at the sewer treatment plant are broken beyond repair. We received two bids, the other bid was $1,100.00 higher. 

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

Nays: None 

Comm. Weber announced that the Parks and Recreation department is accepting bids for the following: 

SEAL COATING: 

• Parking area at Crotty Park, Shipyard Road, Seneca 

• Walking path at Crotty Park, Shipyard Road, Seneca

MULCHING: 

• Crotty Park - around trees (including digging) and three (3) flower beds 

• Graves Park - around trees, flower beds and playground/walk 

• Crotty Park - under zip line (playground quality mulch) 

• Dog Park - clean-up and mulch inside fence (playground quality mulch)

GRASS MOWING: 

• Boat Launch: Fishing area and trimming at Dog Park 

• Crotty Park: Trimming trees and fence line, around building, ball field and sidewalk 

• Graves Park: Entire park, including mowing and trimming; spraying warning track and fields (full year treatment) 

• Crotty Park: Spray field area for weeds 

Bids will be accepted at village hall until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024. 

ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE - VICTOR: 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve an expenditure to Wex Bank in the amount of $2,154.92 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. Peddicord to approve an expenditure to TextMyGov in the amount of $3,000.00 for annual software management and support. 

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

Nays: None 

STREETS - HIGGINS: 

None. 

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY - PEDDICORD: 

Comm. Peddicord presented an Ordinance Regulating Solar Farm Placement, Construction and Operation Within the Village for discussion. The Planning Commission has been working with New Leaf Energy on a proposed solar farm on Old Stage Road, on the east edge of town. They will be submitting an application for a special use permit to the Planning Commission in the near future. As a result, we have been working on developing regulations for solar farms within the village. Clerk Peddicord spoke regarding researching ordinances regulating solar farms and the development of this ordinance. Discussion took place regarding the New Leaf Energy project. This ordinance will be brought back at the next council meeting for approval. 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the hiring of Jonathan Kleckner as a part-time police officer at the hourly rate of $24.52. Officer Kleckner is a full-time certified police officer through the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center. He is currently employed as a full-time officer with the Marseilles Police Department. He previously worked for the LaSalle County Sheriff's Department and the Edinburg, Illinois Police Department. He also served as a member of the United States Army National Guard. 

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

Nays: None 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS - OLSON: 

Mayor Olson presented an Ordinance Creating Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the Village Code Pertaining to Vacant Commercial Buildings. This ordinance includes a requirement for an annual $250.00 registration fee and proof of insurance for all vacant buildings in town. The Illinois Valley Association of Realtors had made comments to the original ordinance several months ago, those comments were reviewed by Clerk Peddicord and Attorney Russo, and the ordinance was revised to include some changes, specifically to make this ordinance exclusive to commercial properties. The ordinance will be brought back at the next council meeting for approval. 

Mayor Olson presented an Ordinance Providing for Regulation of Unscheduled Intercity Buses for discussion. In light of the migrant issues facing the state, this ordinance was prepared which would fine the bus driver for each passenger that arrives without pre-approval. This ordinance will also be brought back at the next council meeting for approval. 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the representation agreement with Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins regarding New Leaf Energy Solar Farm and authorizes Mayor Olson to execute same. Sheryl Churney from Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins will represent the village with regard to the special use permit application being submitted by New Leaf Energy. Ms. Churney has extensive experience with regard to wind farms, which are similar to solar farms, and will be handling the public hearing, any road use agreement, and contribution agreement. 

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

Nays: None 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve an expenditure to Chamlin & Associates in the amount of $2,158.00 for engineering for village parking lots. 

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

Nays: None 

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Weber to approve an expenditure to Seneca High School in the amount of $30.00 for yearbook page sponsorship. The village has been doing this sponsorship for the past five years. 

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

Nays: None 

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

None. 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Higgins to adjourn the council meeting at 6:26 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/2024/Minutes/Minutes_2023_01_16.pdf