Revote allows Lamb chance to abstain on accepting loan

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SENECA - A revote on a loan Tuesday evening was among the top items of action by the Seneca Village Council. The issue involved the council's vote on Aug. 5 to accept the Seneca Regional Port Authority loan of $285,570 at 2 percent interest to implement Phase 1 of the flood control proposal. Those voting in agreement Aug. 5 were Commissioners John Lamb, Randy Timmons, and Mayor David Spicer. They also constituted a quorum of the council, as the other two commissioners were absent from the meeting. However, Spicer noted Tuesday that people in the community felt Lamb should have abstained from the vote, as he also is a member of the Seneca Port District. Had he abstained, the measure would not have passed for lack of a quorum, Spicer said. "There were only three of us here then," he said. "So, we'll have to revote." The loan agreement was again approved, with Lamb abstaining from the vote this time. In other business during the meeting, the council: - Appointed four people to the Seneca Parks Board. Lenore Erickson will serve until 2010, Gene Robinson until 2011, and John McVicker and Tammy Boulf until 2012. Letters of welcome will be mailed to the new board members. Dave Blume is the first alternate and a non-voting member. Spicer said Blume intends to become very involved with the Park Board, which he said is now up to its new full complement of nine members. The village received 10 membership applications. - Placed on file the resolution to extend the Enterprise Zone to accommodate expansion of the Grand Ridge Wind Farm by Chicago-based Invenergy. The Enterprise Zone extends from south of Ottawa in La Salle County to Morris in Grundy County. - Will close the Ray Clark Memorial Swimming Pool for the season on Labor Day weekend. - Noted the new outdoor street banners were placed on the utility poles on Main Street the past weekend. - Received $150 from the extended Timmons family of Seneca for upkeep of the Crotty Park Shelter. The donation was collected during the family's recent reunion at Crotty Park. - Is accepting applications for the vacancy on the Seneca Plan Commission. Those interested may contact the mayor or Village Clerk Therese Russell. - Recognized Joe Hoelscher in absentia for his countless hours of volunteerism on the Seneca Ambulance Squad and the E-911 Board. A plaque with a key to the village will be given to Hoelscher. - Was given an update on the Seneca Flood Commit-tee, which is discussing Phase 2 of the Crotty Creek channel diversion. The estimated cost for the project is $313,700. A design for the project and a payment schedule will be drawn up. The Seneca Port District may participate in the financing arrangement, as the availability of grants is questionable, committee chairman Bill Steep told the council. € Learned that all permits are in place, including from the Army Corps of En-gineers, to construct the new multi-million dollar bridge across the Illinois River on Illinois 170 at Seneca.