Illinois Valley Times

Village of Seneca Village Council met May 20

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Seneca Village Council held a regularly scheduled Council meeting at Seneca Village Hall on May 20, 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. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the May 6, 2024 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. Higgins to approve the March Treasurer's report, payroll and payment of bills as presented. 

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

Nays: None 

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, REPORTS AND ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS: 

Additional Agenda Items: 

Comm. Weber: New: Park Board Community Garden. 

Mayor Olson: New: Update regarding Illinois Michigan Oil; announcement regarding passing of reporter Kate Reynolds. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the adoption of Ordinance 24-12, 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. 

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 adoption of Ordinance 24-13, An Ordinance Authorizing Sale and Disposal of Surplus Village Property. 

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 Hawkins, Inc. in the amount of $5,063.59 for water treatment chemicals. These are expenses that occur approximately every three months. 

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 an expenditure to Chamlin & Associates in an amount not to exceed $7,000.00 for Source Water Protection Plan. This is a mandated requirement by the State of Illinois, which offers no funding for the mandate. This estimate is high and we are hopeful that it will actually be much lower. 

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 Casey Klicker as a part-time worker in the Parks Department at the rate of $14.00 per hour. 

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

Nays: None 

Comm. Weber announced that the Park Board has been working on the community garden. They are in need of tomato cages. If anyone has any, please drop them off by the community garden. 

Summer activities will begin on June 5 at Crotty Park. 

ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE - VICTOR: 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Weber to approve an expenditure to Mahoney, Silverman & Cross, LLC in the amount of $1,881.25 for legal services. 

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 Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd. in the amount of $3,113.52 for legal expenses. 

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

Nays: None 

STREETS - HIGGINS: 

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the adoption of Resolution No. 630, Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code (Motor Fuel Tax Funds). 

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 the hiring of Elijah Hill as a Summer worker in the Streets Department at the rate of $14.00 per hour. 

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

Nays: None 

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve the hiring of Neely Hougas as a Summer worker in the Streets Department at the rate of $14.50 per hour. This is Neely's second year with the village, so she is receiving a higher rate. Both Elijah Hill and Neely Hougas will be starting work next Tuesday. 

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

Nays: None 

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY - PEDDICORD: 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve an expenditure to Lexipol in the amount of $6,782.20 for annual subscription. 

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

Nays: None 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS - OLSON: 

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve the adoption of Resolution No. 631, Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Real Estate Located at 119 S. Hossack Street.

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 reappointment of Bob Krueger as Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer for a one-year term, ending in May 2025. 

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

Nays: None 

Mayor Olson gave an update regarding Illinois Michigan Oil. He advised that there had been a meeting with Illinois Michigan Oil and are currently waiting for a response to figure out the best way to navigate this matter for the best interests of the village. 

Mayor Olson announced that long-time village reporter, Kate Reynolds, passed away suddenly last week. Kate was a great lady and will be missed. 

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

Ben Sych of New Leaf Energy thanked the village and the council for working with them on the special use permit. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Weber to enter into executive session at 5:46 p.m. to discuss 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 6:11 p.m. 

ACTIONS FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION: 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve the pay raises for full- time non-union employees at $2.25 per hour. Part-time employee Ingrid Ziemann at $1.13 per hour. All pay raises are effective April 1, 2024 and will be paid retroactively. 

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

Nays: None 

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

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

Nays: None 

The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 6:13 p.m. 

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/seneca/Docuemnt_Center/Agenda%20and%20Minutes/Mayor%20and%20Village%20Council/2024/Minutes/Minutes_2024_05_20.pdf