Illinois Valley Times

Village of Seneca Village Council met Sept. 2

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

Absent: Victor

Also Present: Village Clerk Jennifer Peddicord, Attorney Adam Umek 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. Weber to approve the August 18, 2025 council meeting minutes as presented.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Victor

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

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

Nays: None

Absent: Victor

COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, REPORTS AND ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS:

None.

OLD BUSINESS:

None.

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 Illinois EPA in the amount of $34,028.85 for loan payment. Loan payments have been made for the past 20 years, with only five payments left.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Victor

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve an expenditure to Hawkins, Inc. in the amount of $5,151.82 for water treatment plant chemicals.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Victor

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Peddicord to approve an expenditure to Molitor Athletic Fields in an amount not to exceed $3,600.00 for field material for Graves Park. This covers installation of five loads of material, fine grading, and dragging the field.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Victor

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve an expenditure to Knoebel Concrete in the amount of $4,300.00 for augering holes for batting cages. This includes setting 20 posts for batting cages. The batting cages were paid for by the Jason Clearwater Fund.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Victor

A motion was made by Comm. Weber and seconded by Comm. Higgins to approve an expenditure to Aaron Miller Tree Service in the amount of $1,500.00 for emergency tree removal on Grant Street. During a recent storm, a hollow tree hit the power lines above a residence on Grant Street.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Victor

Comm. Weber presented for discussion an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Village of Seneca to Enter into and for the Mayor of Seneca to Execute a Second Lease Amendment to Land Lease Agreement with Celico Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Victor

Comm. Weber discussed an Ordinance Amending the Seneca Code of Ordinances to Establish Bulk Water Rates. Currently, we do not have bulk water rates. Research was done to determine bulk water rates by other communities. The proposed ordinance contains rates for residents and non-residents.

Comm. Weber presented an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Village of Seneca to Enter into and for the Mayor of Seneca to Execute Agreements with Waste Management of Illinois, Inc. There have been no contracts with Waste Management for the past 15-20 years and the village was not charged for dumpsters. Waste Management has now requested a contract. Comm. Weber is trying to work with Waste Management to get a fair rate.

Comm. Weber announced that a cleaning person or service is needed for village hall and the police department. Applications can be picked up at village hall, or a proposal can be submitted to the village.

ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE - VICTOR:

None.

STREETS - HIGGINS:

A motion was made by Comm. Higgins and seconded by Comm. Weber to approve an expenditure Morton to Salt in the amount of $6,489.26 for road salt.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Victor

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY - PEDDICORD:

Comm. Peddicord presented an Ordinance Amending the Village of Seneca Code of Ordinances to Adopt the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code. This is a recommendation by the Planning Commission and our attorney. This allows for code enforcement with regard to anything related to property maintenance, such as broken windows, tarps on roofs, rodents, and unsafe conditions. A copy of the Property Maintenance Code will be on file with the Clerk's office for the next 30 days and the ordinance will be brought back for approval at the first meeting in October.

Comm. Peddicord presented an Ordinance Authorizing the Village of Seneca to Enter Into and for the Mayor of Seneca to Execute an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Village of Seneca and Seneса Community Consolidated School District 170 to Provide School Resource Officer to School District 170.

The purpose of this updated agreement is to include Section 4 regarding Compliance with Public Act 104- 0430. This ordinance will be brought back at the next meeting for approval.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS - OLSON:

Mayor Olson presented an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Separation Agreement and Release. Mayor Olson made the decision to put Scott Cruz on administrative leave until October 2, 2025, at which time Cruz will resign as Police Chief.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None.

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

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

Nays: None

Absent: Victor

The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 5:46 p.m.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/seneca/Docuemnt_Center/Agenda%20and%20Minutes/Mayor%20and%20Village%20Council/2025/Minutes/Minutes_2025_09_02.pdf?t=202509161055460&t=202509161055460