Illinois Valley Times

Village of Seneca Village Council met July 15

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Seneca Village Council held a regularly scheduled Council meeting at Seneca Village Hall on July 15, 2024 and the meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. 

Roll Call: 

Present: Mayor Olson, Commissioners Peddicord, Victor and Weber 

Absent: Commissioner Higgins 

Also Present: Village Clerk Jennifer Peddicord, Attorney Bryan Wellner 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. Victor and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve the July 1, 2024 council meeting minutes as presented. 

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 May 2024 Treasurer's Report, payroll and payment of bills as presented. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, REPORTS AND ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS: 

None. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Mayor Olson: A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Weber to approve the adoption of Ordinance No. 24-15, An Ordinance Amending Sections 3-8-2 and 3-8-7 of the Village of Seneca Code of Ordinances as it pertains to Classes of Liquor Licenses and Definitions. Attorney Wellner advised that this cleans up the definitions to make them easier to understand. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

COMMISSIONER'S REPORT AND NEW BUSINESS: 

PUBLIC PROPERTY, WATER & SEWER - WEBER: 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve an expenditure to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in the amount of $5,000.00 for annual NPDES fee. This is for sludge and domestic sewage fees and is due annually. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve an expenditure to Automatic Door Authority in the amount of $1,615.00 for repair of doors at Graves Park. This repair was needed as a result of the vandalism. Comm. Weber thanked Automatic Door Authority for their quick response. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

Comm. Weber requested that any action be delayed regarding the quotation from Automatic Door Authority for replacement of door at Graves Park. He would like to talk to the Park Board and do some research. Mayor Olson advised that the insurance adjuster suggested repairing the door, rather than replacing it. 

Comm. Weber also requested delaying approving the expenditures to Chase Olson for cameras at Graves Park and Crotty Park. He would like to talk to the Park Board and possibly request additional quotes. Discussion took place regarding the camera coverage. Mayor Olson suggested that money could be taken from video gaming to cover the cost. Comm. Weber is not sure if this is a good use of village funds. 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve the renewal of License Agreement No. 5306 with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and authorizes Mayor Olson to execute same. This will be a 10-year agreement, and we will be paying the lease in one lump sum, rather than annually. The agreement is for Commerce Street. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

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 $3,104.69 for fuel expenses. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

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 $2,420.34 for legal expenses. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

STREETS - HIGGINS: 

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

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve an expenditure to Carey Trucking in the amount of $2,546.96 for hauling stone to village. This was for street patching. 

Roll Call: Ayes: Olson, Peddicord and Victor 

Nays: None 

Abstain: Weber 

Absent: Higgins 

No action was taken on the approval of an expenditure to D Construction. Village Engineer Casey McCollom advised that the bid was over budget. The project was estimated at $298,994.00 and the bid was for $421,892.87. Casey did speak with D Construction regarding the discrepancy and advised that this figure might be able to be adjusted. A large portion of the bid is for patching. The council agreed to wait until they could get more information. 

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY - PEDDICORD: 

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the hiring of full- time police officer Juan Tornero, Jr. as a lateral year 3 transfer at a rate of $29.72 per hour, contingent on passing background investigation. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS - OLSON: 

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Weber to approve the adoption of Resolution No. 635, Resolution Approving and Accepting a Bid for the Sale of Property Located at 119 S. Hossack Street. Two bids were received. The high bid was $67,000.00. A closing could potentially take place in one and a half to two months. 

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 a donation to the Seneca Shipyard Festival in the amount of $2,000.00. Mayor Olson indicated it is becoming harder to put on this event due to increasing costs. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

Mayor Olson announced the façade program is accepting applications. Mayor Olson met with the Port District in June and they have agreed to provide matching contributions to the program. At this time, the village is offering ten (10) $10,000.00 grants. One application has been received and several applications have been given out. 

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

None. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to enter into executive session at 5:59 p.m. to discuss Litigation pursuant to 5 ILCS 120(c)(11) and Semi-Annual Review of Executive Session Minutes pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/(c)(21). 

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 return to regular session. 

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

The motion carried and council returned to regular session at 6:21 p.m. 

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

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

Nays: None 

Absent: Higgins 

The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/seneca/Docuemnt_Center/Agenda%20and%20Minutes/Mayor%20and%20Village%20Council/2024/Minutes/Minutes_2024_07_15.pdf