Minutes
Regular Meeting of the Marion Park District Board of Commissioners
June 23, 2025
6:00 p.m.
Administrative Office (1401 N. Otis Street, Marion, IL 62959)
Regular Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order
President 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 Gott
Commissioner McReynolds & Commissioner Welch were absent from the meeting.
2. Open Forum
There was no one in attendance to the Regular meeting.
3. Approval of Regular Meeting June 23, 2025 agenda
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:17 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve June 23, 2025 agenda. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
4. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes: May 19, 2025
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:19 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve May 19, 2025 minutes. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
5. Approval of the May 2025 Financial Report
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 6:21 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve May 2025 financial report. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
6. Department Reports
a. Administration
b. Park Services
Executive Director Odum went through the reports and showed pictures of projects to the
Commissioners.
7.Commissioner’s Reports
Commissioner Gott asked the Commissioners if they had anything to report. Commissioner Gardiner didn’t have anything to report at this time.
Commissioner Sheffler states that there are some concerns regarding Pyramid Park and the construction on Wildcat Drive. They stated that they have received positive feedback from the swim team and the new sound system. Commissioner Sheffler also stated that the display case at the new Administrative Office looks great and asked if there are any plans for placing signage on the building. Executive Director Odum advised that there has been a sign on order.
Commissioner Gott asked about an event happening this weekend at Ray Fosse Park. He also wanted to know if there were bags for the bags court.
8. 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.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:40 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to go into Executive Session. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
9. Reconvene to Open Session (possible actions following Executive Session)
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:05 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to reconvene to Open Session. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
10. Old Business
a. Discuss / Approve adopting a Drug Free Workplace Policy for the Marion Park District.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:08 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve adopting a Drug Free Workplace Policy for the Marion Park District. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
11. New Business
a. Discuss / Approve performance / evaluation of Executive Director Odum during his first year of employment.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:09 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to table the performance / evaluation of Executive Director Odum during his first year of employment. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
b. Discuss / Approve FY2025 wage increase for the Deputy Director.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:09 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to table the FY2025 wage increase for the Deputy Director. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
c. Discuss / Approve invoice from IPARKS effective July 1, 2025 for year 2026. Discuss if increased liability limits are needed.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:14 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve the invoice from IPARKS effective July 1, 2025 for the year 2026 in the amount of $26,245.00 which increases the liability amount also. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
d. Discuss / Approve estimate from 360 Fencing for the new pickleball court addition in the amount of $21,949.00.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:13 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve the estimate from 360 Fencing for the new pickleball court addition in the amount of $21,949.00. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
e. Discuss / Approve allowing Executive Director Odum to spend up to $15,000.00 on lighting at the new pickleball courts.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:15 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve allowing Executive Director Odum to spend up to $15,000.00 on lighting at the new pickleball courts. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
f. Discuss / Approve estimate from Clark Concrete for the concrete at Soccer Complex sidewalks in the amount of $13,500.00.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:16 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve the estimate from Clark Concrete for the concrete at the Soccer Complex sidewalks in the amount of $13,500.00. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
g. Discuss / Approve hiring Park Tech I for the Marion Park District
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:17 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve hiring a Park Tech I for the Marion Park District. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
h. Discuss / Approve Robinson Concrete’s estimate Phase 1 for the sidewalks at the Soccer Complex.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:20 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve Robinson Concrete’s estimate Phase 1 for the sidewalks at the Soccer Complex. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
i. Discuss / Approve Robinson Concrete’s estimate Phase 2 for the sidewalks at the Soccer Complex.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:21 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve Robinson Concrete’s estimate Phase 2 for the sidewalks at the Soccer Complex. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
j. Discuss / Approve Robinson Concrete’s estimate Phase 3 for the sidewalks at the Soccer Complex.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:21 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve Robinson Concrete’s estimate Phase 3 for the sidewalks at the Soccer Complex. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
k. Discuss / Approve the purchase of a diamond tilt trailer from Country Blacksmith Trailers in the amount of $11,645.00.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:23 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve the purchase of a diamond tilt trailer from Country Blacksmith Trailer in the amount of $11,645.00. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
l. Discuss / Approve estimate from Ken Roberts with General Acrylics for the work on the new pickleball courts
i. Surfacing $4,600 per court x 3 = $13,800.00
ii. Surface mounted net posts with net $1,200 per court x 3 = $3,600.00
iii. TOTAL $17,400.00
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:24 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve the estimate from Ken Roberts with General Acrylics for the work on the new pickleball courts totaling $17,400.00. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
12. Next Meeting Date: July 28, 2025
13. Adjournment
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:26 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler 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 Zach Odum, Director at 618-993-3940.