Illinois Valley Times

Village of Seneca Village Council met May 5

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Seneca Village Council held a regularly scheduled Council meeting at Seneca Village Hall on May 5, 2025 and the meeting was called to order at 5:30 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 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 April 21, 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. Peddicord to approve the payment of bills as presented.

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

Nays: None

PRESENTATION:

A presentation was made by Becky Thompson of Nania Energy regarding the electrical aggregation program. It is Ms. Thompson's recommendation that the program be paused at this time, as she is unable to locate a supplier with rates that are lower than ComEd's. She will keep watching the market, but the deadline to renew is in August. Once the program ends, letters will be sent to all program participants advising that the program is ending and their supplier will revert back to ComEd. In the event she is able to find lower rates, she will bring a recommendation back to the board before August.

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 25-16, An Ordinance Repealing Chapter 6 of Title 6 of the Seneca Code of Ordinances Regarding Bicycles, Skateboards, Roller Skates, In Line Skates, and Scooters.

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 Chamlin & Associates in the amount of $2,125.00 for GIS mapping of water system. The mapping was finished approximately two weeks ago.

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 NuToys Leisure Products in an amount not to exceed $75,000.00 for Crotty Park playground equipment.

They are adding six additional riding toys, a double swing and four individual swings. The spongy surface is approximately 75% of the project cost.

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

Nays: None

Comm. Weber presented for discussion an Ordinance Authorizing Sale and Disposal of Surplus Village Property (Stadiummax Steel Drag Max). This is an extra steel drag mat for the baseball fields, which will cost a great deal of money to return. Someone has offered to pay full price for it, rather than return it.

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 Callaway Satellite Systems, Inc. & Video Surveillance in the amount of $12,633.00 for police department cameras. This includes 14 cameras, which covers every aspect of the police department inside and out.

Several cameras have stopped working over the past month. The existing system is approximately 15 years old. Ultimately, the village hall cameras will be able to tie into the new system.

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

Nays: None

Comm. Weber announced that village-wide clean-up days will take place June 13, 2025 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and June 14, 2025 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This is open to Seneca residents only. The village is working on getting pickup available for senior citizens. An electronic recycling event will be scheduled later this fall.

Comm. Weber reminded the public about signing up for eBilling and pool filladjustments.

Comm. Weber announced that the village is accepting applications for two summer help positions.

Applications are due by Friday, May 9.

ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE - VICTOR:

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Weber to approve an expenditure to Wex Bank in the amount of $2,915.68 for fuel expenses.

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

Nays: None

Comm. Victor presented for discussion an Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances for the Village of Seneca as it Pertains to Payments Made to the Village. Coin payments over .99 will no longer be accepted at village hall for water bills, permits or fines.

STREETS - HIGGINS:

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Victor to approve an expenditure to P&M Electric, Inc. in the amount of $2,770.00 for replacement of streetlights.

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 adoption Resolution No. 639, Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code (Street Program).

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 adoption of Resolution No. 640, Joint Funding Agreement for Federally Funded Construction, and authorizes Mayor Olson to execute the agreement. This is for the River Road bridge, which will go out for bid with IDOT on June 15, 2025. The project will begin after Labor Day.

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 toGrundy County ETSB in the amount of $36,526.65 for annual contribution for dispatch services. Comm. Weber pointed out that if the village still employed its own dispatchers, the cost would be in excess of $250,000.00 per year.

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

Nays: None

PUBLIC AFFAIRS - OLSON:

A motion was made by Comm. Victor and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve the appointment of Dave Both to the Seneca Regional Port District Board for a three-year term, expiring in May 2028.

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 appointment of Jacey Brewer to the Seneca Regional Port District Board for a three-year term, expiring in May 2028.

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 for a one-year term, expiring in May 2026.

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

Nays: None

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None.

A motion was made by Comm. Peddicord 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 5:54 p.m.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/seneca/Docuemnt_Center/Agenda%20and%20Minutes/Mayor%20and%20Village%20Council/2025/Minutes/Minutes_2025_05_05.pdf