NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met March 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 Keith Chesnut, Alderman Thomas Bardell, Alderman Randy Schoon, Alderman Joseph Kochsmeier.

Absent: Alderman James Busser

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda 

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

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

B. Minutes from the March 12, 2025 Council Meeting

C. List of Bills as amended. Alderman Kochsmeier added bills for MWG Administrators for $3,880.56, Dearborn Life Insurance for $77.00 and Blue Cross Blue Shield for $16,098.14, and RAMP for $471.13 for the administration department.

D. Treasurer’s Report

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

➢City Clerk Bartelt- City Clerk Bartelt stated that water bill account numbers will be changing with the switch over to LOCiS. Due to this, we have to wait to go live. LOCiS go live date will be May 1st. ➢Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- There are trees in the parkway that are now in the wires. Kendall is wondering if the city should a letter sent that they have 30 days. Chief Coppotelli will have ordinances to update and we will address the trees that way.

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 Kochsmeier made a motion to approve purchasing a squad vehicle at $68,046.00 for 60 months with annual payments at an interest rate of 5.02% with tax exempt interest, from John Jones, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Schoon, Kochsmeier, Chesnut.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items 

A. Consideration & Possible Action on creating a contract with grant writer, Greg Gates. The consensus of the council is to have a contract drawn up with Greg Gates. City Clerk Bartelt will reach out to Greg Gates.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on the appointment of Kurt Cavanaugh as evidence technician.  Mayor Knapp made an appointment of Kurt Cavanaugh as evidence technician.

Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve Mayor Knapps appointment Kurt Cavanaugh as evidence technician, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell, Schoon, Kochsmeier.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on an update to the City of Polo employee handbook.  Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve the updates to the City of Polo employee handbook, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on Resolution 25-06, A Resolution for Maintenance of Streets. Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve resolution 25-06, seconded by Alderman Schoon. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information 

Motion made by Alderman Kochsmeier to go into closed session at 7:28 p.m., seconded by Alderman Bardell. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Weaver, Chesnut, Bardell, Schoon, Kochsmeier.

12. Adjournment 

Motion by Alderman Schoon second by Alderman Kochsmeier to adjourn from regular and closed session at 8:01 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/5507199/04072025_Agenda_Packet.pdf