NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met Aug. 4.

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, and Alderman James Busser.

Absent: Alderman Schoon.

4. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda

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

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

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

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- Non

➢ Alderman Bardell- None

➢ Alderman Schoon- None.

➢ Alderman Busser- None.

➢ Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢ Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- None.

➢ City Clerk Bartelt- None.

➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- The company is working on installing the new lights at Westside Park. The softball field has been completed and they will work on installing the baseball field.

7. Items Removed from Consent Agenda

NONE

8. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. 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. (second reading)

Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve ordinance 25-10, seconded by Alderman Taylor. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Taylor, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser.

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

Alderman Kochsmeier made a motion to approve ordinance 25-12, seconded by Alderman Busser. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Taylor.

C. 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. (second reading)

Alderman Bardell made a motion to approve ordinance 25-13, seconded by Alderman Weaver. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Taylor, Weaver.

9. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on Resolution 25-09, a resolution of the City of Polo, Illinois endorsing community solar savings program.

Mike Mudge from Rock River Energy Services was present to explain the community solar savings program. These solar farms are being created all over the country. They are looking for subscribers for the farms. They would ideally like cities to subscribe as cities aren’t going to be closing or moving away. Residents can subscribe also. If the City of Polo were to subscribe to the solar farm, we would receive solar credits on our city pumping accounts. They City can have a savings of approximately $4,000 a year and this will continue for the length of the solar garden which is about 20 years. There is no investment from the city to subscribe to the solar farm.

Alderman Busser made a motion to approve resolution 25-09, seconded by Alderman Kochsmeier. Motion carried 4-1. Yes- Kochsmeier, Busser, Taylor, Weaver, Bardell. No- Bardell.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on the City of Polo's Gas Renewal Provider.

After some discussion, Mayor Scholl and City Clerk Bartelt with talk with Marni at Rock River Energy Services to understand her reasoning for suggesting the city stay on the NGI plan for 12 more months when an increase in natural gas may be coming later this year. This will be postponed until the next meeting.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on a bid award for the well No. 3 abandonment.

Alderman Bardell made a motion to go with Peerless Well & Pump, Inc. for $87,760.00 for the well no. 3 abandonment project, seconded by Alderman Taylor. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Busser, Taylor, Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier.

D. Consideration & Possible Action on updated IPWMAN Mutual Aid Agreement.

After discussing IPWMAN with Public Works Director, Kendall Kyker, it was decided to not sign the new agreement and let our membership lapse. Mr. Kyker has great relationships with all the surrounding towns and they would help the City of Polo if we needed assistance in the event of an emergency.

10. Other Items for Discussion & Information

Motion made by Alderman Busser to go into closed session at 7:53 p.m., seconded by Alderman Kochsmeier. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Weaver, Bardell, Kochsmeier, Busser, Taylor.

11. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Thomas Bardell, second by Alderman Kochsmeier to adjourn from closed and regular session at 8:19 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/6001754/08042025_Minutes_of_the_Polo_City_Council.pdf