NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met July 7.

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 Rob Taylor, Alderman Larry Weaver, Alderman Thomas Bardell, Alderman Joseph Kochsmeier, Alderman James Busser, and Alderman Schoon.

Absent: None.

4. Presentation of Life Saving Award to Kaden Coppotelli by Chief Darren Gault from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.

5. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda

Motion made by Alderman Busser seconded by Alderman Taylor approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:

A. Minutes from the June 16, 2025 Council Meeting.

B. Resolution 25-08, Release of Closed Session Minutes

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

6. 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.

Phil Fossler stated that as of Wednesday evening, the transfer of the old Buffalo Township Hall to PACT will be complete.

7. Committee Reports

➢ Alderman Taylor- None.

➢ Alderman Weaver- There will be a zoning board meeting next week on Tuesday, July 15th at 6:30 PM. 18 building permits were issued in May and June.

➢ Alderman Bardell-Park Board meeting this Wednesday at 6:30 pm.

➢ Alderman Schoon- None.

➢ Alderman Busser- None.

➢ Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢ Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- None.

➢ City Clerk Bartelt- None.

➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- Kendall spoke with Alex and Darin at Fehr Graham to talk to them about seal coating. Helm said they would be here in about a week. Kendall will have to wait 2 weeks after the seal coating has been done until he can street sweep.

8. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

NONE

9. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

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

Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve ordinance 25-09, seconded by Alderman Taylor. Motion carried 5-1. Yes- Taylor, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Schoon. No- Busser.

10. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on a zoning board of appeals decision on a request from Dennis & Billie Jo Quaco for a variance to place a six-foot fence within two feet of the property line at 510 East Mason Street.

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve the zoning board of appeals decision, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Taylor.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on a zoning board of appeals decision on a request from Kenneth Dawson, Thomas Dawson, and Edward Dawson for a variance for a lot which has a residential zoning classification but does not have a principal residential structure present but does have an accessory structure location thereon, to hook into the City’s water and sewer system at 606 West Dixon Street.

Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve the zoning board of appeals decision, seconded by Alderman Taylor. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Taylor, Weaver.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on a request from Tanner & Alexis Grobe for a garage height variance request at 310 North Franklin Ave.

Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve the zoning board of appeals decision, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Taylor, Weaver, Bardell.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on a street closure on Mason Street from Franklin Ave to Green Ave on July 19th from 11AM to 2 PM for a Jeep Run.

The consensus of the council is to allow this.

E. Consideration & Possible Action on Ordinance 25-11, 2025/2026 Appropriation Budget. (first reading) The Polo City Council accepted the first reading of ordinance 25-11.

F. Consideration & Possible Action on Ordinance 25-12, An Amendment to the Polo Code of Ordinances to Chapter 50.16, Sanitation Fees. (first reading)

This will be presented at the next meeting

11. Other Items for Discussion & Information

Mayor Scholl extended thanks to the Town and Country Days committee, Public Works department and Police Department for a successful festival.

Mayor Scholl, Alderman Schoon, and City Clerk Bartelt met with Toni McCombie this week and discussed grant opportunities.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Busser, second by Alderman Schoon to adjourn from regular session at 7:16 p.m. Motion carried 6-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/5887000/07212025_Agenda_Packet_website.pdf