Illinois Valley Times

Village of Seneca Village Council met April 2

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Seneca Village Council held a regularly scheduled Council meeting at Seneca Village Hall on April 2, 2024 and the meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. 

Roll Call: Present: Mayor Olson, Commissioners Peddicord, Victor and Weber 

Absent: Commissioner Higgins 

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 March 19, 2024 council meeting minutes as presented. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve the payment of bills as presented. Comm. Weber advised that there are approximately 2-3 more payments on the Vactor. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

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: 

Commissioner Weber presented an Ordinance Amending the Seneca Code of Ordinances to Provide for Adjustments Related to Wastewater Billing for Filling Swimming Pools. There have been requests from the public to waive the sewer portion of the bill for filling a pool. This will only pertain to pools that hold over 3,000 gallons of water. Residents will need to apply for a $50.00 one-time credit ahead of the pool being filled. Clerk Peddicord has done a lot of research regarding what other municipalities do. The new water billing system will allow for a pool fill credit. 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve an expenditure to Hawkins, Inc. in the amount of $2,510.83 for water treatment plant chemicals. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve an expenditure to Vortex in the amount of $1,950.00 for calibration of flow meters. This is required by law and the village receives a certificate of completion. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE - VICTOR: 

None. 

STREETS - HIGGINS: 

Due to the absence of Comm. Higgins, Mayor Olson presented his agenda item. 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve an expenditure to P&M Electric, Inc. in the amount of $1,653.00 for street light replacement. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY - PEDDICORD: 

None. 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS - OLSON: 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the adoption of Resolution No. 627, Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Real Estate Located at 348 N. Main Street. This is for one of the properties acquired by the village and the property will be required to be demolished. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the appointment of Bryan Wellner of Mahoney, Silverman & Cross, LLC, as Village Attorney for a three-year term, beginning May 1, 2024. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

Mayor Olson presented an Ordinance Authorizing the Village of Seneca to Enter into and for the Mayor to Execute an Engagement Letter with Mahoney, Silverman & Cross, LLC for Municipal Corporation Counsel. This will be brought back at the next meeting for approval. 

Mayor Olson then presented an Ordinance Amending Section 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 1 of the Seneca Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Council Meetings for discussion. Commissioner Weber expressed concern regarding the meetings starting at 5:00 p.m. and that time not being convenient for the public to attend. Mayor Olson will discuss other options with Attorney Wellner. 

Mayor Olson opened discussion regarding allowing chickens in the village. He advised that he has been researching the issue and there are municipalities that do allow chickens and quite a few that don't allow chickens. He suggested a referendum as a possibility, which would allow everyone to vote. Members of the public spoke. This matter will be presented to the Planning Commission for their opinion at their next meeting. Comm. Weber advised that there are people in town that already have chickens. 

Mayor Olson gave an update regarding the barge terminal. He advised that we received a letter from Illinois & Michigan Oil on January 22, 2024 stating they were proceeding with the construction of mooring pins in the Illinois River. On February 16, 2024, Attorney Bryan Wellner sent a letter to Illinois & Michigan Oil objecting to the construction. Illinois & Michigan Oil has not responded to the February 16 letter. Attorney Wellner sent a letter to Illinois & Michigan Oil's attorney on April 1, 2024 requesting a response. Mayor Olson advised that the next step is litigation. Attorney Russo advised that Illinois & Michigan Oil will argue that they are in the water and not tied to land. Hopefully we will see a response before the next council meeting. 

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

Melissa Klicker from the Seneca Park Board gave a reminder that Spring Fling is April 13 and anyone participating in the egg hunt should arrive early, as the egg hunt will begin at exactly 11:00 a.m. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Victor to enter into executive session at 6:29 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/(c)2. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

Council returned to regular session at 7:16 p.m. 

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

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/seneca/Docuemnt_Center/Agenda%20and%20Minutes/Mayor%20and%20Village%20Council/2024/Minutes/Minutes_2024_04_02.pdf