Illinois Valley Times

Village of Seneca Village Council met March 3

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

Absent: None 

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. Peddicord and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve the February 18, 2025 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 February 14, 2025 special council meeting minutes as presented. 

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

Nays: None 

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve the payment of bills as presented. 

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

Nays: None 

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 25-06, 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. 

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 adoption of Ordinance No. 25-07, 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. 

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 adoption of Ordinance No. 25-08, 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. 

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 adoption of Ordinance No. 25-09, An Ordinance Amending Section 10-6-4 of the Seneca Code of Ordinances Regarding Fees. The Planning Commissioner, together with Jennifer, worked for several months on updating the building permit fees and adding some missing fees to our code. A public hearing was held on February 12 and the Planning Commission has recommended the fees be updated as set out in the ordinance. 

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 Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in the amount of $34,028.85 for semi-annual loan payment. This was a 20-year loan taken out in 2007 for $1,042,000.00 at a 2.5% interest rate. Payments are due twice a year and the final payment will be made in April 2028. This was for the water plant renovation on the north hill. 

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

Nays: None 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve an expenditure to Hawkins, Inc. in the amount of $3,577.64 for water treatment plant chemicals. 

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 Mahoney, Silverman & Cross, LLC in the amount of $2,741.25 for legal expenses. 

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 an expenditure to Quill in the amount of $1,642.93 for office supplies. 

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 and contract with LOCIS for accounting software, including training and implementation, in the amount of $6,850.00 and authorizes Mayor Olson to execute same, upon completion of legal review of contract. There is currently no timeline for training, but it will most likely be after the beginning of the new fiscal year in April. 

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

Nays: None 

STREETS - HIGGINS: 

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve the Central Management Services for Illinois Certificate of Authority by Vote and authorizes Mayor Olson to execute same. This is for the road salt contract. 

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 an expenditure to Knoebel Concrete in an amount not to exceed $20,000.00 for concrete work for Valley View culvert extensions. This is for the completion of the culvert project in Valley View, which was started two years ago. 

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 Grundy County ETSB in the amount of $1,624.04 for annual port fees. 

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

Nays: None 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS - OLSON: 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve an expenditure to Grundy County 4-H Association in the amount of $250.00 for 2025 Grundy County 4-H Fair Sponsorship. 

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

Nays: None 

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

Lynn Vermillion, a liaison for Senator Chris Balkema, spoke on behalf of the Senator. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: 

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Victor to enter into executive session at 5:49 p.m. to discuss Personnel pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/(c)(1). 

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

Nays: None 

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Victor to return to regular session at 5:58 p.m. 

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

Nays: None 

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 5:59 p.m. 

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/seneca/Docuemnt_Center/Agenda%20and%20Minutes/Mayor%20and%20Village%20Council/2025/Minutes/Minutes_2025_03_03.pdf