Minutes
Regular Meeting of
The Marion Park District
Board of Commissioners
April 27, 2021
6:00 p.m.
Boy Scout Cabin
CALL – IN #: (978) 990-5088
ACCESS CODE: 7011383
Regular Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order
Commissioner Gott called the Regular Meeting of the Marion Park District to order at 6:15 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
Commissioner Gardiner
Commissioner Sheffler
Commissioner McReynolds
Commissioner Welch
Commissioner Gott
2. Open Forum
There was no one present for the meeting and no items were discussed.
3. Approval of April 27, 2021 Agenda
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:16 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner McReynolds to approve the April 27, 2021 agenda. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
4. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes: March 23, 2021
Commissioner McReynolds made a motion at 6:17 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the March 23, 2021 minutes. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
5. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes: March 31, 2021
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:18 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the March 31, 2021 Special meeting minutes. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
6. Approval of March 2021 Financial Report
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 6:20 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the March 2021 Financial Report. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
7. Department Reports
a. Administration
b. Park Services
Commissioner Gott asked Director Reed to go over the Administration and Park Services reports. Director Reed stated that the Administration and Park Services reports were sent out previously for the Commissioners to review. Director Reed did want to go over some new information regarding a memo that was posted to Park Services. Chase Withers has been on quarantine since April 20, 2021. Director Reed posted a memo as a directive from President Gott to Park Services that after May 1, 2021 any quarantine for non-vaccinated employees would be taken from their benefit time accrued. Commissioner Gott has enacted this policy at within his office. Director Reed was contacted by the union representative, James Dillow and the IUOE Local 318’s attorney that this memo was a unilateral change to the union contract sick leave clause. The Union requested that the Park District reconsider. Director Reed explained to the Commissioners regarding that the 80 hours of time under the FFCRA (Family First Coronavirus Response Act) was originally mandated from April 2020 until December 31, 2020, this was extended from January 1st through March 31, 2021 and could be voluntarily enacted by employers. The Park District doesn’t receive the tax credits included in the FFCRA at this time. The FFCRA was again extended until September 30, 2021 if the employer chooses to do so. Chad Gravatt utilized the 80 hours at the discretion of Director Reed for his quarantine time the beginning of January 2021. There were several reasons for this, at the time of Chad’s quarantine the vaccine was not available to the public and also the timeframe for the 80 hours had been extended. Discussion was had between the Commissioners and decided that they were not going to extend the FFCRA time past April 1, 2021 and any time used for quarantine or positive COVID test results would be taken from benefit time. Director Reed stated he would contact the union representative, James Dillow, tomorrow.
8. Commissioners Reports
Commissioner Gott asked the Commissioners if they had anything to report, Commissioner Gardiner – no, Commissioner Sheffler – no, Commissioner McReynolds – no, Commissioner Welch received bids / estimates for our Ameren account. Director Reed states that this can be included on the next meeting since we would need to take action and vote. Commissioner Gott stated he would like to commend Director Reed for getting the dedication and ceremony together for Chuck Morgan on May 15, 2021, Director Reed has done a terrific job.
Commissioners decided that they were not going to go into Executive Session.
9. Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (if requested):
a. 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. 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.
c. Real Estate – The acquisition or lease of real property or the selling or rental price of real estate.
10. Reconvene to Open Session (possible actions following Executive Session)
Executive Session was not visited.
At 7:11 p.m. Gabby Allen showed up to the meeting and wanted to speak during the Public comments. Gabby wanted to give the Commissioners an update on the happenings at Jones Park. Gabby stated that he picks up the bags at the new bags court every day and there is one yellow bag missing. Gabby stated that one of the basketball courts has a big crack in it and wanted to know if anything could be done about that. Gabby stated he tries to help keep Jones Park clean, the Commissioners added they appreciate all of his help in the Jones Park area.
11. New Business
a. Discussion with the Chickini children regarding a Skate Park.
Chris Sheffler had a letter from both children that was sent to Mayor Absher. The children didn’t attend the meeting. The Board decided if the children did attend a future meeting they would listen to their ideas.
b. Discuss / Approve the Asset Purchase Agreement of the Marion Batting Cages from Anthony and Peggy Rinella.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:17 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner
to approve the Asset Purchase Agreement of the Marion Batting Cages from Anthony and Peggy Rinella. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
c. Discuss / Approve St. Joseph Church and the Knights of Columbus using the Black Diamond Pickleball Complex for a tournament during their Fall Festival planned for September 18, 2021.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:34 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to St. Joseph Church and the Knights of Columbus using the Black Diamond Pickleball Complex for a tournament during their Fall Festival planned for September 18, 2021. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
d. Discuss / Approve bid from Asphalt Maintenance to seal and stripe Pyramid Park parking lots.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:36 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the bid from Asphalt Maintenance to seal and stripe Pyramid Park in the amount of $8,102.00. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
e. Discuss / Approve Gospel Encounter to utilize a Pavilion at Ray Fosse Park in June 2021 for one of their stops on a 33 County tour.
Commissioner Welch made a motion at 7:38 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve Gospel Encounter to utilize a Pavilion at Ray Fosse Park in June 2021 for one of their stops on a 33 County tour. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
f. Discuss / Approve MSI using food trucks for concession during the Whirlwind on May 1 – 2, 2021.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:39 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler
to approve MSI using food trucks for concession during the Whirlwind on May 1 – 2, 2021. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
g. Discuss / Approve bid for new mini excavator.
Commissioner Gott explained during the Special Meeting on March 31, 2021 only 3 Commissioners were in attendance. Commissioner Gott wanted to give the whole Board of Commissioners a chance to review the Special Meeting information from attorney Jay Schafer and give them a chance to vote. Commissioner Gott went over the information for the two bidders again with specifications that were met by each bidder. Commissioner Gott then asked for a motion to approve the purchase of the new mini excavator from Little Tractor & Equipment since they met the specifications that was advertised. They were the lowest bidder meeting the advertised specifications.
Commissioner McReynolds made a motion at 7:49 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner
Sheffler to approve the bid for the new mini excavator from Little Tractor & Equipment. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
12. Next Meeting Date: May 25, 2021
13. Adjournment
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:55 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler
to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Marion Park District Board of Commissioners. 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.