NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met May 5.

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 Larry Weaver, Alderman Thomas Bardell, Alderman Joseph Kochsmeier, and Alderman James Busser. Absent: Alderman Keith Chesnut and Alderman Randy Schoon 

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda 

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

A. Minutes from the April 21, 2025 Council Meeting.

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

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 is gone and everything is being seeded.

➢Alderman Bardell-None.

➢Alderman Schoon- None.

➢Alderman Busser- None.

➢Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- Received first check from Taser for $17,000.00. All signage has been changed for the new ordinance.

➢City Clerk Bartelt- None.

➢Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- 5 Star Energy is done digging underground. Bluebird will be coming to town to do the blacktop and cement work. Fischer is seeding and putting straw out. They will be done tomorrow. The fence should be coming down in a couple of days. The mesh at the pavilion has been taken down so they could mow this year. Kendall sprayed all the parks with weed spray. Kendall spent $400 when we usually used to pay over $1000. Water is on at the pool and there are some leaking pipe issues. He is getting that fixed. There is some concrete work being done at the park. Kendall is getting some new parking blocks to put down at the pool.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda 

NONE 

9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items 

A. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 25-03, the 2025-2026 working budget. (second reading) Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve ordinance 25-03, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 4-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser.

OFFICIAL OATH OF OFFICE: 

At this time, Judge John Roe gave the oath of office to Mayor Mark Scholl, Treasurer Tamela Merdian, City Clerk Sydney Bartelt, Alderman Thomas Bardell, Alderman Jim Busser, and Alderman Robert Taylor.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items 

A. Consideration & Possible Action on Mayor Scholl’s 2025/2026 appointments. 

Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve Mayor Scholl’s appointments, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Taylor, Weaver.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on 2025/2026 City of Polo Service Rates. 

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve the City of Polo service rates, seconded by Alderman Busse. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Taylor, Weaver.

C. Presentation of 2025 Liquor Licenses Issued.  

Mayor Scholl presented the 2025 liquor licenses approved until April 30, 2026, to the Polo City Council.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 25-04, an ordinance approving and authorizing the  execution of a TIF redevelopment agreement between the City of Polo and the Polo Family Funeral  Home. (first reading) 

Alderman Taylor made a motion to waive the first reading of ordinance 25-04, seconded by Alderman Kochsmeier. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Taylor, Weaver, Bardell.

Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve ordinance 25-04, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Busser, Taylor, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier.

E. Consideration & Possible Action on a business development district grant to the Cal Group. Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve the grant application to the Cal Group, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Taylor, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser.

F. Consideration & Possible Action on a bid award for the 2025 MFT street improvement project. Alderman Bardell made a motion to accept the bid from Helm Group, seconded by Alderman Taylor. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Taylor.

G. Consideration & Possible Action on lots without a principal structure but have an accessory structure.  There will be a new variance created and then they will have to go to the zoning board of appeals. The variance ordinance will be presented at the next city council meeting.

H. Consideration & Possible Action on Ordinance 25-05, an ordinance amending chapter 95 of the Polo  Code of Ordinances Regarding Nuisances, Health, and Sanitation. (first reading) 

The Polo City Council accepted the first reading of ordinance 25-05. Change the person to chief of police or his/her designee.

I. Consideration & Possible Action on Ordinance 25-06, an ordinance amending chapter 92 of the Polo  Code of Ordinances Regarding Animals. (first reading) 

The Polo City Council accepted the first reading of ordinance 25-06.

J. Consideration & Possible Action on Ordinance 25-07, an ordinance amending chapter 79 of the Polo  Code of Ordinances Regarding Parking Schedules. (first reading) 

This will be presented at the next council meeting.

K. Consideration & Possible Action on property liens from the City of Polo. 

There are two properties where the city has liens. It was suggested to foreclose on those liens. Attorney Suits does not do foreclosures. He suggested we hire another attorney for foreclosures. The council would like to start with the lien on 601 S. Division Ave.

L. Consideration & Possible Action on creating a finance committee. 

Mayor Scholl would like to create a finance committee of City Clerk Bartelt, Treasurer Tamela Merdian, Alderman Kochsmeier, Alderman Bardell and himself. He would like to discuss CDs, sales tax, the audit and any other relevant topic that may come up. He would like to meet quarterly.

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information 

None.

12. Adjournment 

Motion by Alderman Kochsmeier, second by Alderman Busser to adjourn from regular session at 7:54 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/5658736/05192025_Agenda_Packet-_website.pdf