NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met May 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Pledge of Allegiance. 

2. Call to order- Mayor Scholl called the meeting to order.

3. Mayor Knapp called roll call and the following members of the Council answered present: Alderman Larry Weaver, Alderman Robert Taylor, Alderman Joseph Kochsmeier, Alderman James Busser, Alderman Randy Schoon.

Absent: Alderman Thomas Bardell

4. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda 

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

A. Minutes from the May 5, 2025 Council Meeting

B. List of Bills as amended. Alderman Taylor added a bill for Leaf for $218.57 for the police department, Alderman Weaver added bills for USA Bluebook for $352.86, American Water Works Association for $87.00, ComEd for $4060.29 for the water and sewer department, Alderman Kochsmeier added bills for RAMP for $1,740.43 and City of Polo- Petty Cash for $403.71 for the administration department, Alderman Kochsmeier added bills for ComEd for $98.76 for the pool department, Alderman Busser added a bill for Alan Wiegman for $880.00, ComEd for $269.52, Rock River Ready Mix for $302.00, and Martin & Company for $527.68 for the street department.

C. Treasurer’s Report

Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Taylor, Weaver, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon.

5. Mayor Schoon 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. Dave Sowinski asked if the city is compliant with ADA and EEOC. He is wondering why a push button to open up the city hall front doors is not present. He also looked up the handicap parking regulations and we are not compliant. Handicap parking should be the closest egress to the building. Alderman Schoon will talk with our engineers who were involved in the development of the new City Hall building.

6. Committee Reports 

➢Alderman Taylor- None.

➢Alderman Weaver- There is a zoning board meeting on June 3rd at 6:30 PM. The generator was serviced at well #5. There was a water main break on Friday.

➢Alderman Bardell- None.

➢Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢Alderman Busser- None.

➢Alderman Schoon- Talked with Greg Gates and why we were denied the street scape grant and the OSLAD grant. Tiana McCall said she may be able to help us with the streetscape grant. Outline for new director for OCEDC.

➢Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- The new ordinance system has started with DACRA. The police are meeting with DACRA representatives every Tuesday. Chief Coppotelli has an emergency Action Plan for Town and Country Days.

➢City Clerk Bartelt- None.

➢Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- The guys are working hard and getting a lot of things done.

7. Items Removed from Consent Agenda 

A. None

8. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items 

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

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

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

There was discussion on amending the ordinance to allow horses. Mayor Scholl would like the aldermen to go around and ask their constituents and other cities about chickens.

9. New Business- Discussion/Action Items 

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

The Polo City Council accepted the first ordinance 25-07. Change KSB to OSF.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on a payment for North End Auto and Tire from the BDD fund.  

Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve the payment to North End Auto and Tire for $5,000, seconded by Alderman Taylor. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Taylor, Weaver.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on the old city hall building located at 115 S. Franklin Ave. 

Chief Coppotelli would like to use City Hall for training such as for physical scenario training. Several council members feel that the building should be demolished. It was decided that we will revisit this in a year.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 25-08, an ordinance amending chapter 152.140 (d)  authorized variances.  

The Polo City Council accepted the first reading of ordinance 25-08. They would like a provision added about not being able to rent out the accessory structure.

10. Other Items for Discussion & Information 

Mayor Scholl stated that he is working on foreclosure for lien at 610 S Division Ave. He is also trying to increase our use of textmygov. He is working on increasing the City’s communication with social media. He would like to find one media that everyone reads. At Lion’s Club he found out that more people read the Tri-County Press than use Facebook.

11. Adjournment 

Motion by Alderman Schoon second by Alderman Busser from regular session at 7:44 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/5707948/06032025_Agenda_Packet.pdf