NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met June 16.

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

Absent: None.

4. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda 

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

A. Minutes from the June 2, 2025 Council Meeting as amended

B. List of Bills as amended. Alderman Taylor added a bill for CentralSquare for $1,560 and Axon for $3,620.60 for the police department, Alderman Weaver added bills for USA Bluebook for $280.60, Shawn Patton for $80.26 and Steve Johnson for $309.59, ComEd for $4,464.04 for the water and sewer department, Alderman Kochsmeier added bills for RAMP for $2,494.72, Dearborn Life Insurance for $77.00, MWG Administrators for $3,880.56, Blue Cross Blue Shield for $16,100.98 and UHC for $12.50 for the administration department, Alderman Bardell added bills for Legacy Prints for $95.00 and Astro-Ven for $903.91 for the pool department, Alderman Busser added a bill for ComEd for $91.62 for the street department.

C. Treasurer’s Report

Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Taylor, Weaver, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon.

5. Mayor Scholl 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. 

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- The pool is opened and thankful to the police and street department for helping with an incident at the pool.

➢ Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢ Alderman Busser- None.

➢ Alderman Schoon-

➢ Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- They are still working on rolling the new ordinance system out. They are currently down to two officers due to family health issues and birth of a child.

➢ City Clerk Bartelt- None.

➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- None.

7. Items Removed from Consent Agenda 

A. None

8. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items 

A. Consideration & Possible Action on the City of Polo new comprehensive plan.  

Alderman Taylor made a motion to approve the City of Polo comprehensive plan, seconded by Alderman Kochsmeier. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Taylor.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on ordinance 25-09, an ordinance imposing a 1% grocery tax starting  January 1, 2026. (second reading) 

After some discussion, the council would like to know what the proposed revenue is before passing this ordinance. City Clerk Bartelt will figure out that information and this will be brought to the next council meeting.

9. New Business- Discussion/Action Items 

A. Consideration & Possible Action on pay request #8 (FINAL) for Municipal Well & Pump and Willett  Hofmann Engineering invoices. 

Alderman Busser made a motion to approve pay request #8, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Taylor, Weaver.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on future plans for 208 N. Congress Ave (old Congress School  property). 

Discussion was held about if we wanted to put this property out for bids for developers or sell the property. If we sold the property, we would have to have it appraised. We cannot accept any sealed bid that is 80% below the appraised value. The city will work on getting the property appraised first and then determine how to move forward.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on a zoning board of appeals decision on a request from David  Webster for a request a variance to deviate from the side yard setback, which would allow 50% of the  10 Foot side yard setback requirement at 505 N. Division Ave.  

Alderman Bardell made a motion to accept the zoning board of appeals decision on a request from David Webster for a request on a variance to deviate from the side yard setback, seconded by Alderman Taylor. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Taylor, Weaver, Bardell.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on updating sanitation rates due to the increase set in the Midwest  Disposal contract.  

When the city moved to Midwest Disposal last year for sanitation services, in the contract it had set increases from Midwest Disposal. The city didn’t need to raise rates last year but we will have to raise the rates for the next two years to accommodate the raises in the contract. A spreadsheet was prepared for the council to show the proposed rates from what Midwest will charge vs. what the city will charge. The council accepted these rates. Attorney Suits will draft an ordinance with the new rates.

10. Other Items for Discussion & Information 

None.

11. Adjournment 

Motion by Alderman Kochsmeier second by Alderman Schoon from regular session at 7:25 p.m. Motion carried 6-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/5845449/07072025_Agenda_Packet.pdf