NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met Nov. 20.

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 Keith Chesnut, Alderman Larry Weaver, 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 Schoon second by Alderman Busser to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:

A. Minutes from the November 06, 2023 Council Meeting.

B. List of Bills as amended. Alderman Schoon added bills for Rock River Ready Mix for $462.25 and Core & Main for $831.62 for the water and sewer department.

C. Treasurer’s Report

Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, 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.

Midwest Disposal, Derek Humphrey, would like to express their interest in obtaining the City of Polo’s sanitation and recycling service.

7. Committee Reports

➢ Alderman Chesnut- Our ad for the chief position and received some good response. The application period will end on November 24th. We will need to hire for police officers soon. Alderman Chesnut read a letter of resignation from Kevin Becerra. Kevin will be staying on the roster to help the city out as a part time officer.

➢ Alderman Weaver- Building permit was issued for a fiber optic cabinet.

➢ Alderman Bardell- None.

➢ Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢ Alderman Busser- None.

➢ Alderman Schoon- Lead services will be going out for bid soon. Fischers will be doing some pot holing to check on the lead and galvanized services.

➢ Police Chief Tim Rockwood- None.

➢ City Clerk Bartelt- None.

➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- Leaf vac will end on Wednesday. Yard waste will end on Monday, November 27th. The well drilling is done. The samples for the new well water have been sent off. It can take a month or longer to get those samples results back. Next week, Christmas ornaments and lights will be going up. Mike and Cale have been helping Kendall out a lot. They have been doing some cold patch where it is needed.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

A. None

9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on Ordinance 23-14, the 2023 Tax Levy. (Second Reading) Alderman Busser made a motion to approve ordinance 23-14, seconded by Alderman Bardell. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on proceeding with the demolition of Congress School. Alderman Schoon has reached out to several people to see if there were grants out there for demolition. He was informed that there may be something out there for old public buildings. Alderman Schoon also said that we should have Casper Manheim condemn the building for safety. Alderman Weaver will contact Casper Manheim. Kendall will take Casper through the property.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on proceeding with Surf Internet for fiber internet. Rise Broadband would take a considerable amount of time in order to proceed with fiber internet in Polo. Surf internet is ready to meet with the City of Polo and start a preconstruction meeting. Alderman Bardell made a motion to proceed with Surf Internet, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information

Alderman Schoon stated that he feels that someone needs to check into different CD’s rates because some right now are currently at 0.15%. Blackhawk Area Credit Union is currently offering 5.55% on a 5-month CD. Alderman Weaver and Alderman Kochsmeier will work with City Clerk Bartelt on CD rates.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Schoon second by Alderman Busser to adjourn from regular session at 7:25 p.m. Motion carried 6-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/3777658/12042023.pdf