NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met Jan. 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 Keith Chesnut, Alderman Larry Weaver, Alderman Thomas Bardell, Alderman Joseph Kochsmeier, and Alderman James Busser.

Absent: Alderman Randy Schoon.

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda

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

A. Minutes from the January 02, 2024 Council Meeting.

B. List of Bills as amended. Alderman Chesnut added bills for Municipal Electronics Division for $233.54 and Uniform Den for $121.95 for the police department, and Alderman Busser added a bill for Polo Coop for $239.63 for the street department.

C. Treasurer’s Report

D. Presentation of the 2023 Building Permits Issued by the City of Polo

Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser.

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. Husni and Mike Ashiku were present. They would like the councils support in opening up a liquor license for a new business that would be located at 122 W. Mason St. He would like to make it a café with gaming in the back area. They are thinking the hours would be 6AM-2PM or possible 6AM-6PM. They are also requesting TIF funding to help remodel the building. They need to separate the utilities, redo the flooring, update the HVAC and AC, add a hood, and update the electric. They would like TIF funds in two phases. Husni will fill out the TIF application and get it sent to Gwen Crawford.

7. Committee Reports

➢ Alderman Chesnut- None.

➢ Alderman Weaver- None.

➢ Alderman Bardell- He would like to say thank you to the public works department for doing a fantastic job with snow plowing during the storms. He was in other small towns and Polo’s roads were significantly better than the other towns.

➢ Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢ Alderman Busser- None.

➢ Alderman Schoon- None.

➢ Police Chief Tim Rockwood- None.

➢ City Clerk Bartelt- None.

➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- None.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

A. None

9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 24-01, an ordinance amending §31.191 limitations on purchases. (second reading)

Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve ordinance 24-01, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Chesnut.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on pay request #4 for contract No. 1 for Municipal Well and Pump and Willett Hofmann & Associates Engineering Invoice.

Alderman Busser made a motion to approve pay request #4 for contract No. 1 for Municipal Well and Pump and Willett Hofmann & Associates Engineering invoice, seconded by Alderman Bardell. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Chesnut, Weaver.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on funding sources for the new City Hall building.

Mayor Knapp attended Buffalo Townships meeting on January 10th to get their thoughts on contributing $250,000 towards the new City Hall project. This is due to the additions to the blacktop, foundations, and sprinkler system that were added to the project. The City of Polo would also come up with $250,000 for a down payment towards the loan for the City Hall project. He would like to use the remainder of the ARPA funds and sanitation CD’s. The total between ARPA and sanitation CDs is $199,116.73. The city would need to find $50,883.27 more from another source to contribute the $250,000. Alderman Bardell is wondering if the project cost is higher than anticipated, would Buffalo Township be willing to put in more than $250,000? That question will be brought up after the bid opening for the project. The bid opening will be Wednesday, February 7th at 10:30 AM.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on hiring Tim Rockwood as police sergeant.

Alderman Chesnut made a motion to appoint Tim Rockwood as police sergeant at a rate of $30.00 an hour, seconded by Alderman Bardell. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information

Mayor Knapp spoke with, Ken Williams, Mayor of Oregon regarding illegal immigrants and possibly creating an ordinance to control the problem. Ken Williams suggests leaving the issue for Ogle County to control. Alderman Weaver would like the City of Polo to create an ordinance regarding illegal immigrants especially since someone has expressed interest in revamping the old Cedarstone building for temporary housing. Attorney Suits does not think the council should agree to rezoning the old Cedarstone building because the majority of that side of the road is commercial and to have one building as residential would be considered spot zoning and not favored. He also does not feel that changing the zoning of that property would be conducive with the comprehensive plan.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Busser second by Alderman Bardell to adjourn from regular session at 7:39 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/3961868/01152024_Minutes_of_the_Polo_City_Council.pdf