Illinois Valley Times

Village of Seneca Village Council met May 6

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Seneca Village Council held a regularly scheduled Council meeting at Seneca Village Hall on May 6, 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 Bryan Wellner 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. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve the April 16, 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. Higgins 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: 

None. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve the adoption of Ordinance 24-10, An Ordinance Amending the Seneca Code of Ordinances Regulating Water and Sewer Tap-On Fees. This brings our fees in line with neighboring municipalities. 

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 adoption of Ordinance 24-11, An Amended Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the Village of Seneca, LaSalle and Grundy Counties, Illinois for the Tax Year 2023, Collectable in 2024. 

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 the adoption of Resolution No. 629, A Resolution to Place on the November 5, 2024 General Election Ballot an Advisory Referendum Regarding Backyard Chickens within the Village of Seneca. Mayor Olson advised this has been a hot topic and will be placed in the residents' hands to vote on whether they want chickens or not. 

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 Nick's Metal Fabricating and Son's, Inc. in the amount of $3,500.00 for stairs. This was at the sewer plant. 

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. Peddicord to approve an expenditure to Wex Bank in the amount of $2,805.42 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 Ryan LLC in the amount of $1,595.00 for legal expenses related to TIF matters. 

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 Midwest Auto Service in the amount of $4,460.00 for repairs to 2012 Ford pick-up. 

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

Nays: None 

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY - PEDDICORD: 

Ben Sych from New Leaf Energy gave a presentation regarding the proposed solar project at 7500 Old Stage Road, Seneca. 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to receive and place on file Plan Commission Recommendation 2024-04-30 recommending approval of the Petition filed by Old Stage Solar 1, LLC and the Issuance of a Special Use Permit for the Operation of a Commercial Solar Energy Facility on the real estate commonly identified as 7500 Old Stage Road, Seneca. Clerk Peddicord reported to the Council that a public hearing was held on April 30, 2024, notice was sent to 11 neighboring property owners, a publication was placed in newspapers in Ottawa and Morris, and seven neighboring property owners attended the hearing. Nine standards must be met in order to issue a special use permit, and all nine standards were satisfactorily met. 

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

Nays: None 

Comm. Peddicord presented an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Issuance of a Special Use Permit to Old Stage Solar 1, LLC to Operate a Commercial Solar Energy Facility in an Industrial District. This will be brought back for approval at the next council meeting. 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the hiring of Anthony Puleo as a part-time police officer at the starting wage of $24.52 per hour. 

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

Nays: None 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS - OLSON: 

Mayor Olson presented an Ordinance Authorizing Sale and Disposal of Surplus Village Property for discussion. He advised that the Erickson house has been completely cleaned out and there were a number of collectibles, including a large coin collection and baseball card collection, a large record collection, books, movie memorabilia and other glass collectibles. The village is in the process of speaking with auction services regarding having an on-site auction. A local person is also interested in the coins and 

baseball cards. 

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Peddicard to approve the expenditure to Miller Tree Service in the amount of $3,500.00 for dumpsters used at 119 S. Hossack. 

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 a donation to the University of Illinois Extension in the amount of $300.00. 

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

Nays: None 

Mayor Olson announced that Treasurer Shelly Figgins has resigned from her position to take another job. The village will be advertising for the vacant Treasurer position. 

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

None. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to enter into executive session at 6:04 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/(c)2 and personnel pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/(c)(1)). 

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

Nays: None 

Council returned to regular session at 6:27 p.m. 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Higgins to adjourn the council meeting. 

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

Nays: None 

The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m. 

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/seneca/Docuemnt_Center/Agenda%20and%20Minutes/Mayor%20and%20Village%20Council/2024/Minutes/Minutes_2024_05_06.pdf