NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met Dec. 16.

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 Randy Schoon. Absent: Alderman Thomas Bardell and Alderman James Busser.

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda

Motion made by Alderman Schoon and by Alderman Weaver to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:

A. Minutes from the December 2, 2024 Council Meeting.

B. List of Bills as amended. Alderman Kochsmeier added bills for Dearborn Life Insurance for $98.00 and MWG Administrators for $3,733.24 for the administration department, Alderman Busser added bills for ComEd for $178.35 for the Street Department, and Alderman Schoon added bills for ComEd for $4,230.58 for the water and sewer department.

C. Treasurer’s Report

Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, Kochsmeier, 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- None.

➢ Alderman Bardell- None.

➢ Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢ Alderman Busser- None.

➢ Alderman Schoon- None.

➢ Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- Officer Zinsou was injured during training and is on light duty for the next 6 weeks.

➢ City Clerk Bartelt- None.

➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- Blacktop is done at the pavilion. Kendall thought that they did a good job. The asbestos is done at Congress School. Jeff Chaplin will inspect to make sure all the asbestos has been cleared before they can have payment. Martin Brothers will be coming tomorrow to do blacktop at the water plant.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

A. None

9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on Ordinance 24-16, an ordinance for towing fees. (Second reading) Alderman Chesnut made a motion to approve ordinance 24-16, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Weaver, Kochsmeier, Schoon, Chesnut.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on a solar farm within 1.5 miles of the corporate limits of the City of Polo.

Presentation by Forrest and Mikella from OneEnergy. OneEnergy has reduced their proposed solar farm down to 2 megawatts to occupy 20 acres. They are asking for a letter of recommendation from the Polo City Council either approving or declining this project. OneEnergy will make a contribution to the Polo Economic Development Corporation. They would contribute $50,000 over 30 years. Decommissioning is assessed every 5 years to accommodate for rising costs and the bond will then go up. Susie Corbitt talked with Mark Miller. He informed the County needs to receive a letter from the City of Polo soon. The city would like to wait until the next council meeting to make the decision.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on payment to O’Connor Trading, LLC and Carol Garkey from the BDD fund.

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve payment to O’Connor Trading, LLC for $2,380, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver.

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve payment to Carol Garkey for $2,500, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver, Kochsmeier.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on a BDD grant application from North End Auto and Tire.

Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve the BDD application from North End Auto and Tire in the amount of $5,000 pending proof of insurance and a letter from the Bergstrom’s, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, Kochsmeier, Schoon.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on Pay Request #9 for Sjostrom & Sons, Contract 2 change order, and engineering invoice.

Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve pay request #9, contract 2 change order, and engineer invoice, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Weaver, Kochsmeier, Schoon, Chesnut.

E. Consideration & Possible Action on pay request #1 (FINAL) for Husar for asbestos abatement.

Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve pay request #1 for Husar contingent on approval of Willett Hofmann & Associates, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver.

F. Consideration & Possible Action on Addendum to Midwest Disposal Contract.

Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve the addendum to the Midwest Disposal contract, seconded by Alderman Kochsmeier. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver, Kochsmeier.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information

Attorney Suits stated that he reached out the Illinois IEPA about the 3 properties for lead services. One of their attorneys was going to get in contact with one to contact Attorney Suits.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Kochsmeier second by Alderman Chesnut to adjourn from regular session at 8:10 p.m. Motion carried 4-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/5150428/01062025_Agenda_Packet.pdf