NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met May 6.

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 Joseph Kochsmeier, and Alderman James Busser. Absent: Alderman Thomas Bardell and Alderman Randy Schoon.

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda

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

A. Minutes from the April 15, 2024 Council Meeting.

Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, 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.

Abbigail McWilliams asked to speak. She is on the polo library board. She would like the City of Polo to fund installing trees in the neighborhoods. People don’t have the resources or knowledge. The city has the ability to make it a priority. The City of Oregon was just in the paper regarding their new trees that they will be planting soon. Kendall stated that the city has an ordinance against it because of the infrastructure underground. When those trees become an issue, it is the City’s responsibility to take down that tree. Our budget usually can’t cover taking trees down.

7. Committee Reports

➢Alderman Chesnut- None.

➢Alderman Weaver- The mural is coming along and looks nice.

➢Alderman Bardell- None.

➢Alderman Schoon- None.

➢Alderman Busser- None.

➢Alderman Kochsmeier- He is working with Doug from DC Computers about upping our security at the police department and administration building.

➢Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- None.

➢City Clerk Bartelt- Fiscal year ended last week and we are working on getting information to our auditors and they will be here in June for a couple of days onsite. Sydney will let the council know when they are going to be here.

➢Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- Surf internet is here in town installing fiber internet. City Hall has three walls up and is moving along. The water plant building has framing up. Waiting on weather for the painting at the pool to start. People are not mowing their yards, so notices are going out.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

NONE

9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 24-05, an ordinance approving and adopting the Polo BDD Commercial façade grant program for the Polo business development district I. (second reading) Attorney Suits has issues with the wording that “The City must approve the grant”. That could cause some issues. Alderman Kochsmeier would like to know the approval process. He would also like to know if there is an opportunity for smaller sized loans for every year. He would also like to know how many grants will be given out a year. Alderman Kochsmeier does not want to vote on this tonight.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 24-06, the 2024-2025 working budget. (second reading) Alderman Busser made a motion to approve ordinance 24-06, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, Kochsmeier, Busser.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 24-07, AN ORDINANCE authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2024 of the City of Polo, Ogle County, Illinois, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,250,000 for the purpose of financing the costs of various capital improvements within the City including, but not limited to, the construction of a new city hall and related costs of issuance of the Bonds, and providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on said bonds. (second reading)

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve ordinance 24-07, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Weaver, Kochsmeier, Busser, Chesnut.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on Mayor Knapp’s 2024/2025 Appointments.

Alderman Busser made a motion to approve Mayor Knapp’s 2024/2025 appointments, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Chesnut, Weaver.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on 2024/2025 City of Polo Service Rates.

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve the 2024/2025 City of Polo service rates, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Busser, Chesnut, Weaver, Kochsmeier.

C. Presentation of Mayor Knapp’s (Liquor Commissioner) 2024 Liquor Licenses Issued.

Mayor Knapp presented his liquor commissioners 2024 liquor licenses approved until April 30, 2025, to the Polo City Council.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on pay request #1 & #2 for Irving Construction.

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve pay request #1 and #2 for Irving Construction, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, Kochsmeier, Busser.

E. Consideration & Possible Action on hiring a deputy clerk.

This will be discussed in closed session.

F. Consideration & Possible Action on a Zoning Board of Appeals Decision on a variance to place a six-foot fence within two feet of the property line at 512 E. Mason St.

Alderman Weaver made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Weaver, Kochsmeier, Busser, Chesnut.

G. Consideration & Possible Action on purchasing body cameras for the police department. Police Chief Coppotelli would like to purchase body cameras for the police department to be compliant with the Safe-T act which requires our city to get body cameras by December 31, 2024.

Alderman Chesnut made a motion to purchase Axon body cameras in the amount of $42,240.80 $36,513., seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Chesnut, Weaver.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information

Alderman Kochsmeier would like there to be some regulations or written policies on who can sell out of their trailer/trucks/cars at the empty lot next to the Shell gas station. He wants to make sure the city will not get sued due to a discrimination case. City Clerk Bartelt will work on this.

Motion made by Alderman Busser to go into closed session at 7:39 PM, seconded by Alderman Kochsmeier. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Busser, Chesnut, Weaver, Kochsmeier.

The Polo City Council returned to open session at 8:12 PM.

Mayor Knapp called roll call and the following members of the Council answered present: Alderman Keith Chesnut, Alderman Larry Weaver, Alderman Joseph Kochsmeier, and Alderman James Busser.

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve the hiring of Jamie Nielsen at $21.00 an hour as deputy clerk effective immediately, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Chesnut, Weaver.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Busser, second by Alderman Weaver to adjourn from regular session at 7:51 p.m. Motion carried 4-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/4347473/05202024_Agenda_Packet-website.pdf