NW Illinois News

City of Polo City Council met Sept. 2.

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 James Busser and Alderman Schoon.

Absent: Alderman Joseph Kochsmeier.

4. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda

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

A. Minutes from the August 18, 2025 Council Meeting.

Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Taylor, Weaver, Bardell, 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- None.

➢ Alderman Bardell- The pool has officially closed for the weekend.

➢ Alderman Schoon- There was an article in the Tri-County Press about the new Ogle County Economic Development Corporation, Liz Heimstra.

➢ Alderman Busser- None.

➢ Alderman Kochsmeier- None.

➢ Police Chief Matt Coppotelli- The department has been busy.

➢ City Clerk Bartelt- The council has been invited to the Polo Chamber of Commerce Annual dinner on Wednesday, September 25 at 5:00 PM. City Clerk Bartelt would like an RSVP from the council by Friday, September 12th.

➢ Public Works Director Kendall Kyker- Seal coat is done. Kendall has to wait a couple of weeks before he can street sweep the residue dust and rocks. He is still waiting on Hey’s Tree Service to take care of a tree on

S. Congress Ave.

7. Items Removed from Consent Agenda NONE

8. Old Business- Discussion/Action Items

9. New Business- Discussion/Action Items

A. Consideration & Possible Action on a proclamation for hope for the Day’s National Suicide Prevention & Action Month.

Mayor Scholl read a proclamation for hope for the Day’s National Suicide Prevention & Action Month for the month of September 2025.

B. Consideration & Possible Action on pay request no. 11 (FINAL) for contract no. 2 and Willett Hofmann & Associates invoices.

Alderman Busser made a motion to approve pay request no. 11 for contract no. 2 and Willett Hofmann & Associates invoices, seconded by Alderman Schoon. Motion carried 5-0. Yes- Taylor, Weaver, Bardell,

Busser, Schoon.

C. Consideration & Possible Action on resignation from Rodney Lucas.

The Polo City Council accepted the resignation from Rodney Lucas.

10. Other Items for Discussion & Information

Alderman Schoon asked the City Manager in Oregon how they have handled buildings and homes that are becoming dilapidated. Darin DeHaan, City Manager of Oregon, stated that they hit the property owners with repetitive building code violations. Eventually, the owners either fix up the properties or sell them. There are several properties in town that need to be evaluated for building code violations. Mayor Scholl stated that he has 5 properties that he would like to speak to the owners to see what their future plans area for the buildings.

Mayor Scholl wanted to remind everyone about the Open Meetings Act. He had previously emailed everyone about a binding public access counselor decision that happened with a county board. If you are sending emails to the council, send it as a blind carbon copy. If possible, try to refrain from texting or commenting on social media about city business. Personal cell phones are subject to FOIA requests.

11. Adjournment

Motion by Alderman Schoon, second by Alderman Taylor to adjourn from regular session at 7:15 p.m.

Motion carried 5-0.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3619/Polo/6033920/09152025_Agenda_Packet-website.pdf