Minutes
Regular Meeting of The Marion Park District
Board of Commissioners
February 27, 2024
6:15 p.m.
Boy Scout Cabin
Regular Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order
President Gott called the Regular Meeting of the Marion Park District to order at 6:10 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
Commissioner Sheffler
Commissioner McReynolds
Commissioner Welch
Commissioner Gott
Commissioner Gardiner
2. Open Forum
Director Reed, speaking on behalf of Gabby Allen and letting the Board know that the community appreciates all they have done for Jones Park.
3. Approval of February 27, 2024 agenda
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 6:31 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner McReynolds Welch to approve the February 27, 2024, agenda. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
4. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes: January 23, 2024
Commissioner Welch made a motion at 6:33 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve the January 23, 2024, minutes. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
5. Approval of December 2023 Financial Report
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 6:34 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve the December 2023 Financial Report. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
6. Approval of January 2024 Financial Report
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 6:41 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve the January 2024 Financial Report. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
7. Department Reports
a. Administration
b. Park Services
Director Reed went over the reports highlighting the projects that Park Service employees have completed during the month and pictures were also shown to the Commissioners of all the projects completed.
8. Commissioners Reports
Commissioner Gott asked if any of the Commissioners had anything to report. Commissioner Gardiner states no. Commissioner Sheffler states that the sidewalk in Fosse Park for the new crosswalk looks great. Commissioner Sheffler asked Director Reed if there can be information added to the Chuck Morgan signage stating that the Texas Rangers are the 2023 World Series Champions, and Director Reed replied that he would look into adding the information. Commissioner McReynolds and Commissioner Welch had nothing to report. Commissioner Gott asked about the new Energy Transition Grant and Director Reed stated that there is an agenda item to approve applying for the newest grant.
9. Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (if requested):
a. (21) Executive / Closed Minutes – Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under Illinois Open Meetings Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes.
b. (1) Personnel – To consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony or complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
10. Reconvene to Open Session (possible actions following Executive Session)
Executive Session was not visited during the February 27, 2024 meeting.
11. Old Business
a. Discuss / Approve a partnership with Marion Connects.
There was no motion made on this item and is tabled until we receive the proposal from Marion Connects.
b. Discuss / Approve job description and the selection / hiring of a candidate for the replacement of retiring Director of Parks and Recreation.
Director Reed states that there are a few things that need to be corrected in the job description. Commissioner Gott states that the job description pay rate should be included in the job description. It was decided that the pay rate would be $75,000 – $85,000 per year. The Commissioners decided on the application period from March 1, 2024 through March 29, 2024 and posting on Facebook and any free job posting websites.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:41 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner McReynolds to approve the job description and the selection / hiring of a candidate for the replacement of retiring Director of Parks and Recreation. Roll called. Commissioner Gardiner – yay, Commissioner Sheffler – states remained silent (recorded as abstain), Commissioner McReynolds – yay, Commissioner Welch – yay, Commissioner Gott – yay. Motion carried with a 4 to 1 vote.
c. Discuss / Approve the formation of a selection committee to interview / suggest a candidate for the replacement of retiring Director of Parks and Recreation.
Commissioner Gott suggested that the selection committee interviewers should be himself, Commissioner Gardiner, and Director Reed. None of the Commissioners had an objection to the suggestion.
Commissioner McReynolds made a motion at 7:48 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the selection committee interviews of Commissioner Gott, Commissioner Gardiner, and Director Reed. Roll called. Commissioner Gardiner – yay, Commissioner Sheffler – states remained silent (recorded as abstain), Commissioner McReynolds – yay, Commissioner Welch – yay, Commissioner Gott – yay. Motion carried with a 4 to 1 vote.
12. New Business
a. Discuss April 8, 2024 eclipse information.
Director Reed informed the Commissioners that this eclipse will be the same as the last one. He will have staff stationed at each park.
b. Discuss / Approve increasing the financial reserve, this can be a % or flat amount.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:59 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve increasing the financial reserve to a flat amount of $225,000.00. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
c. Discuss / Approve removal of oral and written reprimands of employee.
The employee has decided not to address the Board of Commissioners, no action needed.
d. Discuss / Approve Goofy Golf lease for 2024.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 8:03 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve the Goofy Golf lease for 2024. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
e. Discuss / Approve MYBSA lease N. Otis Street Concession building for 2024.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 8:05 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve the MYBSA lease N. Otis Street Concession building for 2024. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
f. Discuss / Approve MSI lease of concession building at the Soccer Complex for 2024.
Commissioner Welch made a motion at 8:05 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve the MSI lease of concession building at the Soccer Complex for 2024. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
g. Discuss / Approve applying for the Energy Transition Grant for 2024.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 8:06 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve applying for the Energy Transition Grant for 2024. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
h. Discuss / Approve Lutheran Social Services having a petting zoo during their event on June 21, 2024 at Ray Fosse Park.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 8:08 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve Lutheran Social Services having a petting zoo during their event on June 21, 2024 at Ray Fosse Park. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
i. Discuss / Approve payment of AdventureTURF invoices for PIP (poured in place surfacing) totaling $70,686.00.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 8:09 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to the payment of AdventureTURF invoices for PIP (poured in place surfacing) totaling $70,686.00. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
13. Next Meeting Date: March 26, 2024
14. Adjournment
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 8:10 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner McReynolds to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Marion Park District. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
In accordance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any individual who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in or benefit from attendance at the public meeting of the Marion Park District Board of Commissioners should contact Jack Reed, Director at 618-993-3940.