Minutes
Regular Meeting of
The Marion Park District
Board of Commissioners
January 24, 2023
6:00 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 6:05 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
Commissioner Gardiner
Commissioner Sheffler
Commissioner McReynolds
Commissioner Welch
Commissioner Gott
2. Open Forum
There were no attendees at the regular meeting.
3. Approval of January 24, 2023, Agenda
Administrative Assistant Kim advised the Commissioners that there is one change needed to be made to the agenda. On item 10 f., the year should be 2023 instead of 2022.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:07 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the January 24, 2023, agenda with changes to item 10 f., changing the year from 2022 to 2023. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
4. Approval of December 2022 Financial Report
Commissioner Welch asked Director Reed about the dump truck repair. Director Reed advised the Commissioners that they are waiting on the part and that it should be completed by the end of the week.
Commissioner Gott states that all dealerships have suspended their government incentive programs due to high vehicle demands. Director Reed states that at this time the fleet with Park Services is good.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 6:15 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the December 2022 Financial Report. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
5. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes: December 13, 2022
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:17 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve the December 13, 2022, minutes. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
6. 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.
7. Commissioners Reports
Commissioner Gott asked the other Commissioners if there was anything they would like to report. Commissioner Gardiner didn’t have anything to report. Commissioner Sheffler wanted the other Commissioners to be aware that the WGGH property, by the Soccer Complex, has been sold and there will be apartment complexes developed in that area. This may affect the Park District with regard to a TIF or the possibility of added traffic at the Soccer Complex playgrounds. Commissioner McReynolds didn’t have anything to report. Commissioner Welch didn’t have anything to report. Commissioner Gott asked Director Reed if he could provide a the Board with information regarding the interest rate for the month with Peoples National Bank. Commissioner Gott also asked Director Reed about extending the agreement with Sarah Gibbens, CPA for audit services.
8. 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.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:04 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve visiting Executive Session. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
9. Reconvene to Open Session (possible actions following Executive Session)
Commissioner Welch made a motion at 7:59 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner McReynolds to reconvene to Open Session. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
10. New Business
a. Discuss / Approve Resolution 23 – 01 designation of OMA officers.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 8:00 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve Resolution 23 – 01 designation of OMA officers. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
b. Discuss / Approve Resolution 23 – 02, designation of FOIA officers.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 8:01 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve Resolution 23 – 02, designation of FOIA officers. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
c. Discuss / Approve a 5K (Fighting Cancer) organized by Cierra Johnson for April 15, 2023. This 5K will utilize part of Ray Fosse Park. The 5K has already been approved by the City of Marion and she has already talked to Mayor Absher and Police Chief David Fitts.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 8:02 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve a 5K (Fighting Cancer) organized by Cierra Johnson for April 15, 2023. This 5K will utilize part of Ray Fosse Park. The 5K has already been approved by the City of Marion and she has already talked to Mayor Absher and Police Chief David Fitts. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
d. Discuss / Approve seeking quotes for a new tractor in Park Services.
Commissioner McReynolds made a motion at 8:09 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve seeking quotes for a new tractor in Park Services. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
e. Discuss / Approve hiring of Manager and Assistant Manager positions at the Aquatic Center.
Director Reed advised that he had interviewed Austin Gryzmala for the position, and it would be his recommendation to hire Austin as the Aquatic Center Manager. Once his hire has been approved, Austin and Director Reed will work on the hiring of the Assistant Manager.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 8:11 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler approved hiring Austin Gryzmala as Manager of the Aquatic Center and giving Director Reed the purview to hire the Assistant Manager. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
f. Discuss / Approve hours for Manager and Assistant Managers for March / April / May 2023 in preparation for the 2023 Aquatic Center (40 hours per Manager and Assistant Manager for the 3 – month period).
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 8:12 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve hours for Manager and Assistant Managers for March / April / May 2023 in preparation for the 2023 Aquatic Center (40 hours per Manager and Assistant Manager for the 3 – month period). Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
g. Discuss / Approve wage for Manager ($16.00 / hr.) and Assistant Manager ($13.75 / hr.) position for the Aquatic Center.
Commissioner Welch made a motion at 8:13 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner McReynolds to approve wage for Manager ($16.00 / hr.) and Assistant Manager (wage to be decided by Director and Manager) position for the Aquatic Center. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
h. Discuss raising donation request / fee to the Marion Marlins Swim Team for use of the Aquatic Center.
Director Reed advised the Commissioners that the last increase to the Marion Marlins was 2016 and they are currently paying $2,000.00 per year / season. Director Reed has done some research on other Park Districts and the fees for their swim teams, we are well below other districts.
Commissioners had a discussion on how to obtain an increase to the Marlins. It was first discussed to do a flat rate and increase to each year for 3 years. It was also discussed to do a per person fee, starting with an increase of $25.00 and increasing $5.00 per year until 2027. The final discussion was charging $35.00 per swim team member and with that they will receive an individual pass for the season.
11. Next Meeting Date: February 28, 2023
12. Adjournment
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 8:40 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch 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.