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Seneca, Illinois

Seneca public meetings in 2025

19 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Wed Dec 10, 2025

Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Planning Commission to consider Pullara re-zoning request

The Planning Commission will meet to discuss a re-zoning request from Pullara. The body will also begin a review of the International Property Maintenance Code.

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✓ Decided: Commission approved November minutes and adjourned meeting

The Planning Commission voted to approve the November 12, 2025 meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously. The commission then voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m., also unanimously. No other substantive actions were taken.

Mon Dec 1, 2025

Council Meeting

Seneca Council considers water and sewer master plan engineering costs

The Village Council will review several expenditures for public services and infrastructure. The meeting includes the appointment of a new Village Clerk and a Planning Commission member.

water-sewerpublic-workspublic-safetyeconomic-developmentappointments
✓ Decided: Council approved multiple appointments and several expenditures

The Seneca Village Council unanimously approved appointments for a recording secretary and a new Village Clerk. It also adopted the November 17, 2025 meeting minutes and authorized payment of outstanding bills. Additionally, the council approved contracts for engineering services, park turf maintenance, police assessments, and an economic development contribution.

Mon Nov 17, 2025

Council Meeting

Council will adopt Ordinance 25-34 to approve the Chief of Police employment agreement

The Seneca Village Council will adopt three ordinances, including amendments to vehicle impound rules, repeal of mechanical amusement device rules, and approval of a Chief of Police employment agreement. The council will also approve multiple expenditures for park improvements, legal and banking fees, and a camera system for a new squad car. Discussions will cover the Annual Tax Abatement Ordinance and the Annual Tax Levy Ordinance. Public comment and executive session will follow the business items.

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✓ Decided: Council approved 2025 tax levy of $899,876

The council adopted Ordinances 25‑32, 25‑33 and 25‑34, updating vehicle impound rules, repealing fees for mechanical amusement devices, and confirming the police chief employment agreement (the latter passed with one dissent). They approved several park‑related expenditures and a $7,468 purchase of a camera system for a squad car. Finally, the council approved a $899,876 tax levy for the 2025 tax year, to be collected in 2026.

Wed Nov 12, 2025

Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Discussion of Brockman's 2nd Addition at the Planning Commission meeting

The Seneca Planning Commission will hear the ZEO report and a Code Enforcement Officer update. Old business includes distributing the International Property Maintenance Code for future discussion and a discussion regarding Brockman's 2nd Addition. No specific decisions are listed on the agenda.

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✓ Decided: Commission approved prior minutes and adjourned the meeting

The Planning Commission approved the minutes from the October 8, 2025 meeting with all members voting aye and no nays. No new business or council‑referred items were presented. Two members announced their resignations from the board and clerk positions. The meeting was then adjourned unanimously.

Mon Nov 3, 2025

Council Meeting

Seneca Council to appoint new Police Chief and vote on settlement agreement

The Village Council will consider several ordinances, including a settlement agreement and a communication tower license. The body will also vote on the appointment of Jeff Wold as Chief of Police and discuss vehicle impound and amusement device ordinances.

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✓ Decided: Village Council appoints Jeff Wold as Chief of Police

The council unanimously approved several ordinances, including a settlement agreement, a return‑to‑work policy, and a communication‑tower license. It also approved two expenditures totaling $9,157.52 and appointed Jeff Wold as chief of police with a $93,000 salary. Additionally, the council adopted the prior meeting minutes and approved routine bill payments.

Mon Oct 20, 2025

Council Meeting

Village approves $67,088 for new pickleball court at Crotty Park

The council will vote on several expenditures, including payments for electric repairs, equipment maintenance, septic services, liability insurance, and a new pickleball court. Ordinances will be considered to settle a legal agreement with private parties and to authorize a communication tower license with ClearSKY Systems. The meeting also includes routine reports, public comment, and an executive session.

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✓ Decided: Council approved $122,922 in village contracts and expenses

The Seneca Village Council unanimously approved several contracts totaling $122,922, including repairs, maintenance, insurance, and equipment services. The council also approved the October 6 meeting minutes and the August Treasurer's report. The meeting was adjourned at 5:43 p.m.

Tue Oct 14, 2025

Park Board Regular Meeting

✓ Decided: Board approved a pickleball court at Crotty Park

The Seneca Park Board approved the September 2025 meeting minutes, the Treasurer's report, and the placement of a pickleball court in Crotty Park. The board also voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 PM. No vote counts were recorded in the minutes.

Wed Oct 8, 2025

Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Planning Commission agenda is procedural; no specific actions listed

The Seneca Village Planning Commission will meet on Oct. 8, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. The agenda includes routine items such as roll call, pledge of allegiance, approval of prior minutes, and reports from the Zoning Enforcement Officer and Code Enforcement Officer. No rezoning, contract, ordinance, fee change, or public hearing is listed for decision. The meeting also provides time for public comment and future agenda planning.

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✓ Decided: Planning Commission approved September 10 meeting minutes

The Seneca Planning Commission approved the minutes of the September 10, 2025 meeting by unanimous vote. No other items were acted upon; the Property Maintenance Code amendment was noted for future consideration, and the fire department indicated it will apply for a variance to place a sea container for storage. The commission adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m.

Mon Oct 6, 2025

Council Meeting

Council approves hiring a full-time police officer

The Seneca Village Council will vote on several expenditures for public works, water and sewer repairs, and street maintenance. It will also consider a façade improvement agreement with Drake Stuedemann, Inc. d/b/a Drake Woodworking. A key item is the approval to hire a full-time police officer. All items are presented for council approval at the October 6, 2025 meeting.

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✓ Decided: Council approved multiple expenditures and hires, totaling over $50,000

The council unanimously approved the October 6 meeting minutes and the payment of outstanding bills. It authorized several expenditures for public works, water and sewer, and street maintenance, and approved the hiring of a part‑time cleaner and a full‑time police officer. The council also approved a facade improvement agreement and decided not to continue the electrical aggregation program. The International Property Maintenance Code update was sent back to the Planning Commission for amendment.

Mon Sep 15, 2025

Council Meeting

Village council approves $32,231 contract for River Road bridge engineering services

The Seneca Village Council will adopt several ordinances, including a lease amendment with Verizon Wireless, a bulk water rate amendment, and agreements with Waste Management and the local school district. The council will also approve multiple expenditures, notably a $32,231 contract for River Road bridge engineering and a $2,000 payment for the Fall Festival. Additional items include hiring a full-time police officer and purchasing tasers up to $4,500.

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✓ Decided: Council approved a police chief separation agreement and multiple ordinances

The Seneca Village Council unanimously adopted five ordinances covering a Verizon lease amendment, bulk water rates, a Waste Management billing agreement, a school resource officer partnership, and a separation agreement for Police Chief Cruz. The council also approved expenditures for River Road bridge engineering, a Fall Festival band, two new tasers, and several smaller vendor costs. All motions passed with five votes in favor and none against.

Wed Sep 10, 2025

Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Planning Commission meeting covers routine reports and administrative items

The Seneca Village Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting. The agenda consists of standard items such as roll call, pledge of allegiance, approval of minutes, and reports from the Zoning Enforcement Officer and Code Enforcement Officer. No specific rezoning, contracts, or ordinance actions are listed.

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✓ Decided: Commission approved meeting minutes and adjourned; no substantive actions

The Planning Commission approved the minutes from the August 13, 2025 meeting and then adjourned. Both motions passed unanimously. No other business, reports, or decisions were taken.

Tue Sep 9, 2025

Park Board Regular Meeting

✓ Decided: Board approved adjournment of meeting at 7:10 PM

The Seneca Park Board met on September 9, 2025 and was called to order at 6:04 PM. A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 PM was made by Brooke Andreatta and seconded by Dustin Geier and was approved. New business items such as a batting cage for Graves Park, a cocktail event at the Crotty Fall Festival, and a November 23 tree‑lighting ceremony were discussed but no actions were taken.

Tue Sep 2, 2025

Council Meeting

Seneca Council to discuss bulk water rates and a new property maintenance code

The Village Council will consider several ordinances, including the adoption of the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code and the establishment of bulk water rates. The body will also discuss agreements with Verizon Wireless, Waste Management of Illinois, and the local school district for a resource officer.

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✓ Decided: Mayor places Police Chief on administrative leave pending resignation

The council approved multiple expenditures totaling about $55,000, including payments for an EPA loan, water‑treatment chemicals, park field material, batting‑cage posts, emergency tree removal, and road salt. Mayor Olson announced that Police Chief Scott Cruz will be on administrative leave until October 2, 2025, after which he is expected to resign. The meeting was adjourned at 5:46 p.m.

Mon Aug 18, 2025

Council Meeting

Council adopts Ordinance 25-23 establishing a Working Cash Fund

The Seneca Village Council will consider several financial expenditures and adopt a new ordinance. It will approve a $2,000 payment to Donald Wesley for karaoke service at Cocktails at Crotty, a $1,684.61 payment to Old National Bank Mastercard for credit card expenses, and a $4,920.65 payment to Amazon for a battery power supply. The council will also adopt Ordinance 25-23, an ordinance for a Working Cash Fund. Remaining agenda items include routine reports, public comment, and an executive session.

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✓ Decided: Council adopted Ordinance 25-23 establishing the annual Working Cash Fund

The council approved the August 4 meeting minutes and the June 2025 Treasurer’s report, payroll and bill payments. It authorized three expenditures: $2,000 for karaoke service, $1,684.61 for credit‑card expenses, and $4,920.65 for a police‑station battery power supply. The council also adopted Ordinance 25-23 for the Working Cash Fund, entered an executive session on personnel, and adjourned the meeting.

Wed Aug 13, 2025

Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Seneca Planning Commission to discuss property codes and variances

The Planning Commission will meet to discuss the adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code. The body will also review requests for variances and potential changes to reinspection fees.

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✓ Decided: Commission approved a chicken coop variance and denied a manufactured home variance

The commission approved the minutes of the July 9, 2025 meeting. It granted a variance to waive the 10‑foot setback and reduce the size requirement for a chicken coop on the Seibert property. It denied a variance request for a 1990 manufactured home that did not meet size and age requirements. The adoption of the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code will be forwarded to the council, and the clerk will research subdivision records for a property in Brockman’s Subdivision.

Mon Aug 4, 2025

Council Meeting

Seneca Council to consider street engineering and utility expenditures

The Village Council will discuss an American Tower lease amendment and vote on several utility and infrastructure payments. The meeting includes reports from commissioners regarding public property, finance, and streets.

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✓ Decided: Council approved $29,569.25 for street‑maintenance engineering

The council approved several expenditures, including $29,569.25 for preliminary engineering of the 2025 street‑maintenance program, $4,146.00 for wastewater‑treatment plant parts, $3,502.82 for fuel expenses, $2,022.00 for annual support to Master Meter, Inc., and $2,022.00 for annual support to Master Meter, Inc. (duplicate entry noted in the record). The council also approved the July 21, 2025 meeting minutes and the payment of bills. The meeting was adjourned at 5:42 p.m.

Mon Jul 21, 2025

Council Meeting

Council to adopt Resolution 642 to destroy executive session recordings

The Seneca Village Council will consider several financial approvals and a resolution. Items include approving a $2,657.67 payment to Hawkins, Inc. for water‑treatment plant chemicals and a $7,618.96 payment to Old National Bank for credit‑card expenses. The council will also adopt Resolution No. 642 to destroy executive‑session recordings and approve a donation to the Seneca Park Board for the Fall Festival.

financewater-treatmentresolutionparkspublic-records
✓ Decided: Council adopted Resolution 642 to destroy executive session recordings

The council approved the July 7 meeting minutes and the May Treasurer's Report unanimously. It authorized a $2,657.67 payment to Hawkins, Inc. for water‑treatment chemicals and a $7,618.96 payment to Old National Bank for credit‑card expenses. The body also adopted Resolution No. 642 to destroy executive session recordings and approved a $1,500 donation to the Seneca Park Board for its Fall Festival.

Wed Jul 9, 2025

Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Planning Commission will discuss property maintenance at July 9 meeting

The Seneca Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting, approve the minutes from the June 11, 2025 meeting, receive the ZEO and Code Enforcement Officer reports, and discuss property maintenance. No specific actions, contracts, or ordinance changes are listed.

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✓ Decided: Planning Commission approved June 11 minutes and adjourned

The commission voted to approve the minutes from the June 11, 2025 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was then adjourned by a unanimous vote.

Mon Jul 7, 2025

Council Meeting

Village adopts ordinance permitting backyard chickens in certain residential zones

The Seneca Village Council will adopt Ordinance 25-22, which adds backyard chickens as a permitted use in specific residential districts. Council members will also approve several expenditures, including payments to local contractors and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. A part-time police officer will be transferred to full-time status, and a resolution will be adopted to release semi‑annual executive session minutes.

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✓ Decided: Council approved Ordinance 25-22 allowing backyard chickens in certain districts

The Seneca Village Council approved several items, including a zoning amendment to permit backyard chickens. It also authorized multiple expenditures for public works, environmental fees, and a police officer transfer. All motions passed with unanimous support except one where the mayor abstained. The meeting adjourned at 5:39 p.m.