NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met July 21.

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 Taylor and by Alderman Bardell prove the following items on the Consent Agenda:

A. Minutes from the July 7, 2025 Council Meeting

B. List of Bills as amended. Alderman Taylor added a bill for Rat Worx for $695.00 for the police department, Alderman Kochsmeier added bills for RAMP for $2,357.88, Legacy Prints for $147.50, Sauk Valley Meida for $143.90, Blue Cross Blue Shield for $16,100.98 and Ehrmann Gehlbach Badger & Considine for $3,030.25 for the administration department, Alderman Bardell added bills for Legacy Prints for $180 and ComEd for $1,909.18 for the pool department, Alderman Busser added a bill for ComEd for $89.60 and a bill for Birkey’s for $237.12 for the street department.

C. Treasurer’s Report

Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Taylor, Weaver, Bardell, 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- 16 properties that are currently violating ordinances. The police are working on notifying these property owners of these properties.

➢ Alderman Bardell- None.

➢ Alderman Kochsmeier- There was a finance committee meeting a couple of weeks ago. It was decided to move the solutions bank CDs back to First State Bank Shannon-Polo.

➢ Alderman Busser- None.

➢ Alderman Schoon-

➢ Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- We are live on DACRA. Printers are down until Wednesday. The storm sewer system on Maple and Colden is becoming a hangout for kids. There has been trespassing by Well #5 and the water tower. We are considering a camera or a fence.

➢ City Clerk Bartelt- None.

➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- Seal coaters could not get here due to the weather. He is pretty sure they are coming this week. If not this week, it should be next week. Next week the new lights will be coming to West Side Park. 3 big trees in town to get cut down by Brandon’s Tree Service; that should be done by the end of this month. They are working on the parking stalls on Franklin St and also working on painting the crosswalks and handicap spots. There is a lot of ditch digging going on right now.

7. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

A. None

8. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on Ordinance 25-11, 2025/2026 Appropriation Budget. (second reading)

Alderman Schoon made a motion to approve ordinance 25-11, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Taylor.

9. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on pay request #2 (FINAL) for Porter Brothers.

Alderman Busser made a motion to approve pay request #2, seconded by Alderman Bardell. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Schoon, Taylor, Weaver.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on a zoning board of appeals decision on a request from LeeAnn Harn for a variance to place a six-foot fence within two feet of the property line at 209 West Aplington Street.

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.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on Ordinance 25-10, an ordinance amending chapter 152, §152.087(B) of the City Code of the City of Polo, Illinois regarding B-3 General Services Business District. (first reading)

The Polo City Council accepted the first reading of ordinance 25-10.

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

The Polo City Council accepted the first reading of ordinance 25-12.

E. Presentation from Sterling Federal Bank.

Brandi Cross’s recommendation is to move our operating checking accounts to Sterling Federal Bank. They would like to meet with the finance committee and then with City Clerk Bartelt to discuss transition steps.

F. Consideration & Possible Action on Ordinance 25-13, an ordinance adding a new section (Collection Fees and Costs) to Chapter 10 (General Provision) of the Municipal code for the City of Polo, Illinois. (first reading)

The Polo City Council accepted the first reading of ordinance 25-13.

10. Other Items for Discussion & Information

Alderman Bardell mentioned that there was a seasonal employee that they would like to relieve. Seasonal or part time employee, they would like to give the mayor the capacity to relieve seasonal or part-time employees. Attorney Suits brought up that there is a 90-day probation period for new employees. Employees can be let go during that probation period.

Motion made by Alderman Bardell to go into closed session at 7:29 p.m., seconded by Alderman Taylor. Motion carried 6-0. Yes- Busser, Schoon, Taylor, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier.

11. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Schoon second by Alderman Busser from regular and closed session at 8:21 p.m. Motion carried 6-0.

https://www.poloil.gov/documents/minutes-%26-agendas/minutes/409131