City of Polo City Council met Aug. 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. Invocation.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Call to order- Mayor Knapp called the meeting to order.
4. Mayor Knapp called roll call and the following members of the Council answered present: Alderman Thomas Bardell, Alderman Jim Busser, Alderman Keith Chesnut, Alderman Joseph Kochsmeier, Alderwoman Beth Sundman, and Alderman Randy Schoon.
Absent: None.
5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda
Motion made by Alderman Schoon, second by Alderwoman Sundman to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
A. Minutes from the August 01, 2022 Council Meeting
B. List of Bills. Alderman Bardell added bills for AEP for $347.06 and Nicor for $56.31 for the parks and pool department, Alderman Busser added bills for Constellation for $2,155.93 and Morgan Tree Service for $1,300.00 for the street department, Alderwoman Sundman added a bill for Sauk Valley Media for $58.55 for the administrative department, Alderman Schoon added bills for AEP for $1,655.71 for the water and sewer department.
C. Treasurer's Report.
Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Bardell, Busser, Chesnut, Kochsmeier, Sundman, Schoon.
6. Mayor Knapp opened Public Comment and the following persons provided comments: Members of the public are welcome to speak at this time but are limited to only 3 minutes.
Several members of the community were present and were expressing their concerns over the recent flood and sewer backups in their basements/properties. They inquired how it happened, what can be done in the future to stop this problem, and what the city is going to do for the citizens. The city will get a 20-yard dumpster to put at 113 E. Green Ave. for residents to use. City Clerk Bartelt will continue to compile a list of those who have experienced flooding to send to Ogle County Emergency Management. Jean Dawson and her son Thomas Dawson are wondering what can be done with the standing water on North Street. Their yards are lower than the street so the water runs off into their yards. Public Works Director, Kendall Kyker, stated that a tube needs to run from Thomas Dawson’s house towards Cherry Street. Kendall stated that he hasn’t had the time to get that project done. Kendall needs to take a look at Jean’s property to see what can be done.
7. Committee Reports
➢ Alderman Bardell- None.
➢ Alderman Busser- Building permits were issued for three fences and replacing a door and front window that are a different size.
➢ Alderman Chesnut- None.
➢ Alderwoman Sundman- None.
➢ Alderman Schoon- None.
➢ Police Chief Troy Randall- None.
➢ City Clerk Bartelt- None.
➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- The public works department is currently working on Oregon Trail Rd. They are putting in gravel and they will get it seal coated next year. Well 4 should be done tomorrow. The city is currently down to one well. Well #3 was lost due to flooding.
8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda
NONE
9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items
A. Consideration & Possible Action on Ordinance 22-09, UTV/Golf Carts. (Second reading) Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve ordinance 22-09, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Busser, Chesnut, Kochsmeier, Sundman, Schoon, Bardell.
B. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 22-10, an ordinance to authorize the City of Polo to borrow funds from the IEPA for well #5 and new water plant. (Second reading)
Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve ordinance 22-10, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Chesnut, Kochsmeier, Sundman, Schoon, Bardell, Busser.
C. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 22-11, an ordinance to approve BDD plan, designate BDD area and impose applicable BDD taxes. (Second reading)
Alderman Schon made a motion to approve ordinance 22-11, seconded by Alderman Kochsmeier. Motion carried 5-1. Yes- Kochsmeier, Sundman, Schoon, Bardell, Chesnut. No- Busser.
10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items
A. Consideration & Possible Action on Employee Health, Life, and Dental Insurance.
The consensus of the City Council is to keep the current Blue Cross Blue Shield plan for the employees. Alderman Schoon made a motion to keep the current Blue Cross Blue Shield plan for the city employees, seconded by Alderman Bardell. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Sundman, Schoon, Bardell, Busser, Chesnut, Kochsmeier.
B. Consideration & Possible Action on an increase in water rates.
Alderman Schoon stated that for the last several years our auditors have mentioned that the City of Polo has to raise our water rates. The city recently had a study done by the Illinois Rural Water Association and they came to the same conclusion about our water rates. Alderman Schoon is recommending that the city raise the base rate from $14.00 to $16.00. For the additional 100 cubic feet raise that from $2.50 to $3.50. The consensus of the City Council is to proceed with an ordinance to be written to reflect this change.
C. Consideration & Possible Action on an increase in garbage rates from Moring Disposal. This will not be discussed.
D. Consideration & Possible Action on pay request #4 for Martin & Company and Willett Hofmann & Associates invoice.
Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve pay request #4 for Martin & Company and Willett Hofmann & Associates invoice, seconded by Alderman Bardell.
Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Schoon, Bardell, Busser, Chesnut, Kochsmeier, Sundman.
E. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 22-12, an ordinance adding violations of chapter 80- of the Polo code of ordinances to the list of violations in §34.30. (First reading)
The Polo City Council accepted the first reading of ordinance 22-12.
F. Consideration & Possible Action on a proposal for a new building at Millard Deuth Park by the Polo Lions Club.
The Polo Lions Club is proposing to build a new building at Millard Deuth Park for the City of Polo. They want the city to purchase all of the materials. They will give the city $12,000 to go towards the building. They will donate all the labor and they would like to have the building to have a plaque with the Polo Lion’s Club on it. Alderman Bardell made a motion to accept the Polo Lions Club proposal, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Bardell, Busser, Chesnut, Kochsmeier, Sundman, Schoon.
11. Other Items for Discussion & Information
12. Adjournment
Motion by Alderman Bardell, second by Alderman Schoon to adjourn from regular session at 8:16 p.m. Motion carried 6-0.
http://www.poloil.org/08152022_Minutes_of_the_Regular_City_Council_Meeting.pdf
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