NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met March 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Invocation by Pastor Brea Truax. 

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, Alderman James Busser and Alderman Randy Schoon.

Absent: Alderman Thomas Bardell.

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda 

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

A. Minutes from the February 17, 2025 Council Meeting.

Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, 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- None.

➢Alderman Bardell-None.

➢Alderman Schoon- Alderman Schoon received a call from Darin Stykel from Fehr Graham regarding Five Star Energy Services will possibly be here next week to restart the lead service line replacement. 

➢Alderman Busser- None.

➢Alderman Kochsmeier- The City cashed in General CD # 82382 in the amount of $48,228.36. 

➢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 purchasing a new police squad. 

Chief Coppotelli has sent pictures to a company to see what the trade in value is for the black truck. We will wait to see what the trade in value is before deciding if the City will purchase a new squad vehicle. This will be placed on the next agenda.

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.  

Attorney Suits looked through the engagement letter from Wipfli for last year’s audit. There is nothing in there that says that they can charge for the work papers. Contact Wipfli and state that we don’t think we should have to pay anything and that other CPAs aren’t charging for the work papers. Attorney Suits suggested if they don’t completely waive the fee to offer some payment but do not agree to the full amount.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items 

A. Consideration & Possible Action on a Request from the Polo Town & Country Days Committee for use of  City Property for the June 25-29, 2025 Festival. 

The consensus of the council is to allow this.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on certificate of authority on purchasing rock salt. 

Alderman Schoon made a motion to authorize the mayor to enter into a joint purchasing agreement to purchase rock salt for the City of Polo, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Busser, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver, Kochsmeier.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on resolution 25-05, a resolution for a temporary closure of IL Route 26  for a Memorial Day parade on 05/26/2025. 

Alderman Busser made a motion to approve resolution 25-05, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver, Kochsmeier, Busser.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on the Polo Park Board recommendations to increase various  admissions at the Polo Swimming Pool. 

Alderman Chesnut made a motion to accept the park board recommendations on increases, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon.

E. Consideration & Possible Action on pay request #7 (FINAL) from Irving Construction. Alderman Busser made a motion to approve pay request #7, seconded by Alderman Kochsmeier. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Weaver, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut.

F. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 25-02, an ordinance enforcing the IEPA regulations to  replace lead services within the City of Polo. (first reading) 

Alderman Chesnut made a motion to waive the first reading of ordinance 25-02, seconded by Alderman Schoon.

Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve ordinance 25-02 as amended to include shut off language and seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Weaver, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information 

None.

12. Adjournment 

Motion by Alderman Kochsmeier, second by Alderman Schoon to adjourn from regular session at 7:26 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/5421769/03172025_Agenda_Packet_website.pdf