NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met Sept. 3.

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

Absent: Alderman Keith Chesnut.

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda

Motion made by Alderman Kochsmeier seconded by Alderman Bardell to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:

A. Minutes from the August 19, 2024 Council Meeting.

Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, and 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- Alderman Weaver would like to thank Chief Coppotelli to getting some properties cleaned up.

➢ Alderman Bardell- The pool is in the process of draining and is closed for the season. They had a great year this year.

➢ Alderman Schoon- The lead services have kicked off. OCEDC has a builder who is contemplating coming this way. The builder will be meeting with Byron and Oregon in September regarding housing. Alderman Schoon hopes to have the builder meet with Polo as well.

➢ Alderman Busser- None.

➢ Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢ Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- Chief Coppotelli stated that the police department will have a few trainings this month and next month for the body cameras. The body cameras and dash cams will be installed late October and live in November.

➢ City Clerk Bartelt- This afternoon, City Hall was notified that there are issues with all of the water bills that were sent out. Every resident was sent a minimal water bill. We have put in a support ticket and are working with the software company to figure out what happened and how we will move forward. The worst case is we will have to send out new water bills with the corrected amounts. We have also experienced some issues with processing payroll with employees’ deductions.

➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- Republic picked up their toters. Kendall will be picking up Republic toters. There are several republic dumpsters still in town. Midwest Disposal had troubles with their third party company from Texas. Kendall assisted with Midwest to help with picking up and delivering toters. Homecoming is coming and signs will be put on the light posts.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

NONE

9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

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

Attorney Tom Suits stated that there is a section regarding food vendors. He would like to add a paragraph C to section 3 to allow other food vendors with the consent of the Chili Cook Off Committee. Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve ordinance 24-12 with that contingency, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, and Schoon.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on the 2025, 2026, 2027 City Audit Provider.

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to go with Sikich for the City Audit Provider for 2025,2026, and 2027, seconded by Alderman Bardell. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, and Weaver.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on an estimate from Next Landscaping for landscaping at 118 N. Franklin Ave (New City Hall Building)

Alderman Busser made a motion to move forward with the estimate from Next Landscaping for landscaping at 118 N. Franklin Ave., seconded by Alderman Schoon. Motion carried 4-1. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, and Weaver. Abstain- Bardell

C. Consideration & Possible Action on employee health, life, and dental insurance.

Alderman Busser made a motion to continue our health insurance with BCBS but switch our dental plan to delta dental premiere, seconded by Alderman Kochsmeier. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Schoon, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on approval of a business development district façade grant application.

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve the business development district façade grant application from Carol Garkey, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 4-1. Yes- Schoon, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier. Abstain- Busser

E. Consideration & Possible Action pay request 7 for contract 1 for Municipal Well and Pump and pay request 5 & 6 for Contract No. 2 for Sjostrom & Sons, Inc. and Willett Hofmann & Associates invoices.

Alderman Busser made a motion to approve pay request 7, pay request 5 & 6, and Willett Hofmann & Associates invoice, seconded by Alderman Kochsmeier. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon.

F. Consideration & Possible Action on hiring a full-time police officer.

This will be discussed in closed session.

G. Consideration & Possible Action on loaning money to the business development district for asphalt work around the pavilion.

After much discussion, it was noted that the city will need an engineering agreement approved first before approving loaning any money. The engineering agreement will go to the next meeting.

Other Items for Discussion & Information

Motion made by Alderman Bardell to go into closed session at 7:49 p.m., seconded by Alderman Schoon. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon.

The Polo City Council returned to open session at 7:55 PM.

Mayor Knapp called roll call and the following members of the Council answered present: Alderman Larry Weaver, Alderman Thomas Bardell, Alderman Joseph Kochsmeier, Alderman James Busser and Alderman Randy Schoon.

A. Consideration & Possible Action on hiring a full-time police officer.

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to hire Rodney Lucas contingent on a psychological and drug screening, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Weaver, Bardell.

11. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Busser, second by Alderman Kochsmeier to adjourn from regular session at 7:56 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/4836282/09162024_Agenda_Packet-_website.pdf