NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met Aug. 19.

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 Randy Schoon.

Absent: None.

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda

Motion made by Alderman Bardell and by Alderman Busser to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:

A. Minutes from the August 5, 2024 Council Meeting.

B. List of Bills as amended. Alderman Bardell added a bill for Polo Fresh Food Market for $132.19, Alderman Kochsmeier added bills for Blue Cross Blue Shield for $13,087.24 for the administration department, and Alderman Schoon added bills for Viking Chemical for $2,662.13 and USA Bluebook for $319.10 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.

7. Committee Reports

➢ Alderman Chesnut- None.

➢ Alderman Weaver- Building permits were issued for a storage shed, two garages, 3 fences, 2 decks, and one electrical permit.

➢ Alderman Bardell- None.

➢ Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢ Alderman Busser- None.

➢ Alderman Schoon- None.

➢ Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- None.

➢ City Clerk Bartelt- City Clerk Bartelt stated that petition packets for the April 1st consolidated election will be available starting tomorrow. Positions available will be one alderman for Ward 1, 2, and 3, Mayor, Treasurer, and City Clerk.

➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- Five Star Energy Services will be moving equipment in tomorrow to have the lead services start soon. The forced main is in for the new well. Blacktop will be done on Wednesday at the new city hall building. Flags are up at the new city hall as well.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

A. None

9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 24-11, an ordinance regarding ordinances trials with the City of Dixon. (second reading)

Alderman Weaver made a motion to approve ordinance 24-11, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Presentation from Wipfli on City of Polo 2023/2024 Audit.

Becca Powell were present from Wipfli, LLP. A financial report presentation was given by Mrs. Powell.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on an engineering agreement with Willett Hofmann & Associates for Asbestos Abatement for Congress School.

Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve Mayor Knapp to sign the engineering agreement with Willett Hofmann & Associates for asbestos abatement for Congress School, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 24-12, an ordinance amending the Polo Liquor Code in connection with the Polo Chamber of Commerce Chili Cookoff. (first reading)

The Polo City Council accepted the first reading of ordinance 24-12.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on an intergovernmental agreement between the Polo community Unit School District #222 and the City of Polo and its Park Board.

After a brief discussion, it was decided to wait until the school board has a chance to review the intergovernmental agreement. This will be postponed to a later council meeting.

E. Consideration & Possible Action on the police department moving into the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council union.

Mike Powell was present from the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council Union. He stated that if the Polo police officers wanted to join, they would all have to vote and there has to be a simple majority. Contracts are market based. The cost for police officers to join is $54 a month no matter what size the department.

F. Consideration & Possible Action on employee raises.

This will be discussed in closed session.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information

City Clerk Bartelt received a request for there to be a police presence at bigger streets intersections for the 3rd Annual Doggy Dash. The consensus of the council is to allow this.

Motion made by Alderman Bardell to go into closed session at 7:30 p.m., seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver.

The Polo City Council returned to open session at 7:54 PM.

8. 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 Randy Schoon.

A. Consideration & Possible Action on employee raises.

Alderman Chesnut made a motion to raise TJ Spencer’s hourly rate to $27.50 effective the next pay period, seconded by Alderman Kochsmeier. Motion carried 5-1. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell. No- Schoon

Alderman Bardell brought up that there are three CD’s that will be coming due at the beginning of October. He would like the city to shop rates with all of the banks to see where we can get the best rate. The consensus of the council is to do this.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Bardell second by Alderman Busser to adjourn from regular session at 7:58 p.m. Motion carried 6-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/4781241/09032024_Agenda_Packet.pdf