NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met Feb. 17.

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 Joseph Kochsmeier.

Absent: Alderman Randy Schoon, Alderman Thomas Bardell, Alderman Keith Chesnut and Alderman James Busser.

There was no quorum for the regularly scheduled city council meeting. Mayor Knapp called a continuance of this meet to reconvene on Monday, February 24th at 7PM.

Attorney Tom Suits brought up that City Clerk Bartelt asked him what he had found out from the IEPA. The IEPA is making legislation to allow the IEPA to enforce the guidelines but this legislation will be not be in effect until next year. It is suggested to make an ordinance to enforce the City of Polo being allowed to enforce a resident to allow the city to change their lead services. The members of the council gave Tom the direction to create an ordinance.

February 24, 2025

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

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda

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

A. Minutes from the February 3, 2025 Council Meeting.

B. List of Bills as amended. Alderman Kochsmeier added bills for Motorola Solutions for $1,248.00, Haldane Custom for $292.00, and Leaf for $184.77 for the police department, Alderman Schoon added bills for Brenden’s Tree Service for $3,600 and ComEd for $3,326.33 for the street department, Alderman Schoon added bills for Mike Mumford for $143.09 and JULIE for 666.50 for the water and sewer department, Alderman Kochsmeier added bills for MWG Administrators for $3,880.56, Dearborn Life Insurance for $77.00 and Blue Cross Blue Shield for $16,148.14, and Willett Hofmann & Associates for $2,832.49 for the administration department.

C. Treasurer’s Report

Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Schoon, Kochsmeier.

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- The park board meeting is this Wednesday at 6:30 PM.

➢ Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢ Alderman Busser- None.

➢ Alderman Schoon- None.

➢ Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- None.

➢ City Clerk Bartelt- City Clerk Bartelt stated that LOCiS reached out and they will be coming on site to train Jamie and Sydney March 11-13th. They will be gathering our data the week of March 3rd to prepare it for their software. After that, we should be in the new software.

➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- None.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

A. None

9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on purchasing a new police squad.

Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve the purchase of a Durango. After discussion, Alderman Bardell rescinded his motion. The council would like to have a full council present to make this decision. This will be discussed again at the next council meeting.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on approving Wipfli’s fee of $1,500.00 for Sikich to review the City of Polo 2024 audit workpaper file.

Alderman Kochsmeier feels that we have already paid for them to prepare that paperwork for the City of Polo and we should not have to pay for this again. City Clerk Bartelt will send Attorney Suits the engagement letter that is signed annually to see if there is anything in there waiving this fee. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on an estimate from Northern IL TV for a sound system in the council chambers.

Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve the estimate from Northern IL TV for a sound system with an 8th microphone, seconded by Alderman Kochsmeier. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Bardell, Schoon, Kochsmeier, Weaver.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information

Alderman Schoon stated that he was informed that the City of Polo did not make the final round of the street scape grant. Randy would like us to reapply for the OSLAD grant. Alderman Schoon said he would like us to enter into an agreement with Greg Gates.

Motion made by Alderman Kochsmeier to go into closed session at 7:41 p.m., seconded by Alderman Schoon. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Schoon, Kochsmeier.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Kochsmeier second by Alderman Schoon to adjourn from regular and closed session at 8:28 p.m. Motion carried 4-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/5363987/03032025_Agenda_Packet.pdf