NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met Oct. 16.

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 Larry Weaver, Alderman Keith Chesnut, Alderman Thomas Bardell, Alderman Joseph Kochsmeier, Alderman Busser, and Alderman Randy Schoon.

Absent: None.

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda

Motion made by Alderman Kochsmeier second by Alderman Busser to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:

A. Minutes from the October 09, 2023 Council Meeting.

B. List of Bills as amended. Alderman Busser added bills for Constellation for $2,459.51 and R.P. Lumber for $725.84 for the street department and Alderman Kochsmeier added a bill for IIMC for $310.00 for the administrative department

C. Treasurer’s Report

D. Annual Treasurer’s Report.

Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Weaver, Chesnut, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, 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.

At this time Mayor recognized Christie Cox. Christy Cox introduced herself and gave a brief introduction. Christie has been a funeral director for the past 20 years and currently holds the position as Deputy Corner for Olge County. Christie is running for Ogle County Corner and would appreciate the city’s support with upcoming election.

Mark Scholl asked about surf internet and where the city stands with that. Alderman Randy Schoon stated they were looking further into it which will be discussed at the next council meeting

7. Committee Reports

→ Alderman Chesnut- Thanked Chief Troy Randall for his time with the City and wished him well with his new position as Chief with the City of Lanark.

→ Alderman Weaver- Building permits were issued for a fence, gravel parking spot, addition, and solar panels.

→ Alderman Bardell- None.

→ Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

→ Alderman Busser- None.

→ Alderman Schoon- None.

→ Police Chief Troy Randall- Chief Troy Randall thank the board for giving him the opportunity to serve as Chief.

→ City Clerk Bartelt- None.

→ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- Mr. Kyker stated that he and Pat Drew were doing a final walk thru regarding the Storm Sewer Project. Mr. Kyker did state with this last rain of at least 3 inches he did not receive one phone call or text and everything seem to be flowing like it should.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

A. None

9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration of the possible adoption of the 2024 ICC building codes.

Building inspector, Casper Manheim, was present and explained his reasons for wanting to update the City of Polo’s Building ICC codes to 2024. Attorney Tom Suits stated that the city could be adopted by reference, along with the updated ICC Electric and Plumbing codes. Building inspector, Mr. Manheim suggested adopting the 2021 codes and the city has until January of 2025 to have them all in place. Mr. Manheim stated he will keep the council updated with requirements needed to be passed.

B. Consideration & Possible action on the new City Hall building.

Hunter Gray was present and explain the Buffalo Township has not signed the deed over to the city yet. The Township was waiting for the finances to be closer to being secured. They are also waiting for the bids to be accepted before deeding the land over. Discussion was held.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 23-12, an ordinance abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2023 to pay debt service on $650,000 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2022, of the City of Polo, Ogle County, Illinois. (first reading)

The Polo City Council accepted the first reading of ordinance 23-12.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 23-13, an ordinance for fair time off for all employees. (first reading)

Alderman Joey Kochsmeier stated that the date on in section one should read January 1, 2024 not January 1, 2023. Discussion was held and it was agreed that there should be more clarity regarding the fair time off in the employee hand book along with guide lines. The Finance and Ordinance Committee consisting of Alderman Joey Kochsmeier and Alderman Larry Weaver would work on this.

The Polo City Council accepted ordinance 23-13 as corrected and will wait to hear from the Finance and Ordinance Committee with their recommendations.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on appointing an interim police chief for the Polo police department. At this time the council skip this section and will come back to it after closed session.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on pay request #2 for Helm.

Alderman Joey Kochsmeier made a motion to approve pay request #2 for Helm, seconded by Alderman Thomas Bardell. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information

Motion made by Alderman Joey Kochsmeier to go into closed session at 7:38PM, seconded by Alderman Bardell. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut.

The Polo City Council resumed regular session at 8:05 PM.

Mayor Knapp called roll call and the following members if the Council answered present; Alderman Chesnut, Alderman Bardell, Alderman Kochsmeier, Alderman Schoon, Alderman Chesnut, Alderman Busser, Alderman Weaver.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on appointing an interim police chief for the Polo police department. Alderman Thomas Bardell made a motion to hire Tim Rockwood as interim Police Chief for the City of Polo at the rate of $45.00 per hour in that capacity, as well as a pay increase of $2.00 hour to the rate of $23.00 an hour when he returns to his current position in the Public Works, as well as 40 hours additional hours paid time off to be used by May 1st, 2024. The term of interim Chief is for a term not to exceed 3 months. Seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 5-1. Weaver-Yes, Bardell-Yes, Kochsmeier-Yes, Busser-Yes, Schoon-No, Alderman Chesnut.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Josey Kochsmeier second by Alderman Busser to adjourn from regular session at 8:14 p.m. and to move to closed session. Motion carried 6-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/3739691/10162023_Minutes_of_the_Regular_City_Council_Meeting.pdf