NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met Jan. 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 Thomas Bardell, Alderman Joseph Kochsmeier, Alderman James Busser and Alderman Randy Schoon.

Absent: None.

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda  

Motion made by Alderman Schoon seconded by Alderman Chesnut to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:

A. Minutes from the December 16, 2024 Council Meeting.

Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Chesnut, 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- Remarks to Kaden to his response to the fire several weeks ago. Kaden will be recognized at the next meeting.

➢ Alderman Weaver- One building permit was issued for an electric vehicle charging station. ➢ Alderman Bardell-None.

➢ Alderman Schoon- None.

➢ Alderman Busser- None.

➢ Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢ Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- None.

➢ City Clerk Bartelt- None.

➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- None.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda 

NONE 

9. Old 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. 

OneEnergy is seeking the city’s approval or opposition for their proposal of the solar farm. Forrest stated that they are working on getting organized labor and has contacted two local organizations for a letter of intent to bid. Union shops will have the first right to bid on this project. They are seeking a recommendation vote to bring to the Ogle County Zoning Board Meeting. Alderman Schoon stated that there is no case law or precedent to oppose this. Forrest stated that they have a road use agreement and would include a survey prior to construction and after the construction. If there are any changes, then they will pay to fix what has changed.

If anyone is opposed to the solar farm, they can attend the Ogle County Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday, January 30, 2025. If anyone would want to speak at the Ogle County Zoning Board of Appeals hearing, they have to call prior to the meeting at least 5 days before hand.

Alderman Schoon made a motion to support OneEnergy’s petition to the Ogle County Zoning Board of Appeals for the solar farm, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 4-2. Yes- Weaver, Kochsmeier, Schoon, Chesnut. No- Bardell, Busser.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items 

A. Consideration & Possible Action on Lori Cortez Sauk Valley Impact Program. 

Dr. Lori Cortez from the Sauk Valley Impact Program was present to give an update on the Impact Program and how our Polo students are doing. There is a program similar to the impact program in Tennessee and it has sparked economic development. Sauk Valley Impact Program would like the city to renew their initial investment. The program needs $600,000 to fully endow the students of the City of Polo. They are currently at %501,000. They need $99,000 to be fully funded to meet their goal.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on Resolution 25-04, A Resolution for Maintenance of Streets. Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve resolution 25-04, seconded by Alderman Bardell. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver.

C. Consideration & Possible Action ordinance 25-01, an ordinance addressing public camping and  homeless encampments (first reading). 

The Polo City Council accepted the first reading of ordinance 25-01.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on Pay Request #2 for 5 Star Energy Services.  

Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve pay request #2 for 5 Star Energy Services, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver.

E. Consideration & Possible Action on moving upcoming renewing CDs to different financial institutions. The City received two bids for CD rates. One from First State Bank Shannon Polo and the other from Solutions Bank. First State Bank is offering 4% for 12 months and Solutions Bank is offering 4.01% for 12 months. The general consensus is to stay with First State Bank Shannon Polo.

F. Consideration & Possible Action on payment to Legacy Prints and Polo Family Funeral home from the  BDD fund. 

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve payment to Polo Family Funeral home in the amount of $5,000, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information 

None.

12. Adjournment 

Motion by Alderman Bardell, second by Alderman Kochsmeier to adjourn from regular session at 7:40 p.m. Motion carried 6-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/5209409/01202025-_website.pdf