Village of Seneca Village Council met Feb. 18

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By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Mar 15, 2025

Village of Seneca Village Council met Feb. 18

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Seneca Village Council held a regularly scheduled Council meeting at Seneca Village Hall on February 18, 2025 and the meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.

Roll Call:

Present: Mayor Olson, Commissioners Higgins, Peddicord and Victor

Absent: Commissioner Weber

Also Present: Village Clerk Jennifer Peddicord, Attorney Matthew Moustis 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. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve the February 3, 2025 council meeting minutes as presented.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Weber

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve the December 2024 Treasurer's Report, payroll and payment of bills as presented.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Weber

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, REPORTS AND ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS:

None.

OLD BUSINESS:

Commissioner Peddicord: A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the adoption of Ordinance 25-05, An Ordinance Authorizing Sale and Disposal of Surplus Village Property (2014 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor). This vehicle is being purchased by the Public Works department.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Weber

COMMISSIONER'S REPORT AND NEW BUSINESS:

PUBLIC PROPERTY, WATER & SEWER - WEBER:

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

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve an expenditure to Treetop Products in an amount not to exceed $3,800.00 for three picnic tables for Crotty Park.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Weber

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve an expenditure for Graves Park and Crotty Park field materials, maintenance and supplies in an amount not to exceed $6,000.00.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Weber

ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE - VICTOR:

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve an expenditure to Wex Bank in the amount of $3,103.39 for fuel expenses.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Weber

STREETS - HIGGINS:

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve an expenditure to Altorfer CAT in the amount of $61,960.00 for skid steer. This replaces the 23 year old bobcat.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Weber

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the hiring of Nicholas Giannotti as a full-time Public Works employee at the rate of $26.25 per hour, with a six-month probation period. Over 70 applications were received. Several people were interviewed and the candidates were narrowed down to three. The Public Works guys participated in second interviews and helped to make the final selection.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Weber

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY - PEDDICORD:

Comm. Peddicord presented an Ordinance Approving a Minor Subdivision at the Request of Christopher Amir, Relating to Real Property Located in the Village of Seneca. Mr. Amir applied for a minor subdivision for property he owns to the south of the hardware store and grocery store. He would like to sell this property as a separate parcel. A public hearing was held by the Planning Commission on February 12 and the Planning Commission has recommended the minor subdivision be approved.

Comm. Peddicord presented an Ordinance Granting a Variance at the request of Joshua Willett Relating to Property Located at 146 W. Jackson Street. Mr. Willett purchased the property between Fat Daddy'z and the BP Station on Route 6. He requested a variance of a 10 foot rear yard setback, rather than the required 20 foot rear yard setback. A public hearing was held by the Planning Commission on February 12 and the Planning Commission recommended the variance be approved by the council.

Next, Comm. Peddicord presented an Ordinance Adopting a 2025 Zoning Map. This was reviewed by the Planning Commission and recommended to the council for adoption. The only changes are the Spicer and Hardgrove Deannexation, and 270 N. Main Street had been erroneously shown as residential on the previous map, and is now corrected to Business District.

Finally, Comm. Peddicord presented an Ordinance Amending Section 10-6-4 of the Seneca Code of Ordinances Regarding Fees. Clerk Peddicord advised the council that she has been working with the Planning Commission for several months on updating the current building and permit fees, and adding additional fees that were not included in the code previously. Fees from Marseilles and Ottawa were compared to the village's and updated where needed. Fees for solar panels and solar farms were added to the code, as well as language allowing for no fees for disabled individuals that need to modify their property to accommodate their disability.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS - OLSON:

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the adoption of Resolution No. 637, 2025 Seneca American Legion Memorial Day Ceremony.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Weber

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to enter into executive session at 5:42 p.m. to discuss Personnel pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/(c)(1).

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

Nays: None

Absent: Weber

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Victor to return to regular session at 5:53 p.m.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Weber

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

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

Nays: None

Absent: Weber

The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 5:54 p.m.