NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met April 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Invocation by Mayor Knapp.

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 Weaver to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:

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

Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell, 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- The school looks a lot different.

➢ 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- Bricks are being put out every day from Congress School. Justin Young will be using some of the bricks from Congress School. Andy Faivre is taking some concrete and bricks for the school. Kendall has ordered new garbage cans for the downtown area. They have been installed and look great.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

NONE

9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on creating a contract with grant writer, Greg Gates. Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve the mayor signing the contract with grant writer, Greg Gates, with option # 2, seconded by Alderman Chesnut. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration on a Proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month from April 1-30, 2025. Mayor Knapp read a proclamation for child abuse prevention month for the month of April 2025.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on Resolution 25-07, A Resolution for Maintenance of Streets. Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve resolution 25-07, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut.

C. Consideration & Possible action on employee raises.

This will be discussed in closed session.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on hiring lifeguards, concession stand personnel, and a public works employee for the 2025 season.

Alderman Bardell made a motion to accept the park board recommendations on lifeguards and concession stand personnel, seconded by Alderman Schoon. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver.

Alderman Schoon made a motion to hire Lucas Brown at $18, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell.

E. Consideration & Possible Action on moving upcoming renewing CDs to different financial institutions. The consensus of the council is to roll over our current CDs with First State Bank Shannon Polo.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information

None.

12. The Polo City Council returned to open session at 8:22 PM.

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.

Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve the following raises: Cale Fry: $26, Jamie Nielsen: $22.00, Sydney Bartelt: $25.50, Kendall Kyker: $31, Nate Millard: $25.50, Mike Mumford: 34.50, Tim Rockwood: $31, Lizzy Stamm: $20 Veteran Lifeguard: $13.50, New Lifeguard: $13.00, Lifeguards over 18: $15.00, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 5-1. Chesnut, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser. No- Schoon.

13. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Busser, second by Alderman Kochsmeier to adjourn from regular session at 8:23 p.m. Motion carried 6-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/5551728/04212025_Agenda_Packet-_website.pdf