Minutes Regular Meeting of the Marion Park District Board of Commissioners
April 27, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Administrative Office (1401 N. Otis Street, Marion, IL 62959)
Regular Meeting Agenda
Call to Order
President Gott called the Regular Meeting of the Marion Park District to order at 6:03 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
Commissioner Gardiner
Commissioner Sheffler
Commissioner Welch
Commissioner Gott
Commissioner McReynolds is absent from the opening of the meeting.
- Open Forum
There are no public attendees during the Regular meeting.
- Approval of Regular Meeting April 27, 2026, agenda
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:05 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the agenda for the Regular Meeting on April 27, 2026. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
- Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes: March 23, 2026
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:06 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the minutes for the Regular Meeting on March 23, 2026. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
- Approval of the March 2026 Financial Report
Executive Director Odum went over the financial worksheet for funds as of April 27, 2026. The other financial reports are not available, there was no action taken on approval and will be done during the May 2026 meeting.
Commissioner McReynolds arrived at the meeting at 6:11 p.m.
- Department Reports
- Administration
- Park Services
Executive Director Odum presented the Commissioners with both reports and provided pictures of projects that have been completed.
- Commissioner’s Reports
Commissioner Gott asked the other Commissioners if they had anything to report during the meeting. Commissioner Gardiner wanted to know the status of field #7, is there a plumbing issue? Director Odum states that there is a problem with draining and it will be addressed after the season is complete. Commissioner Sheffler states that they attended the Lion dedication and the Arbor Day ceremony and both were nice events. Commissioner McReynolds and Commissioner Welch didn’t have anything to report. Commissioner Gott wanted to know if there were plans on placing a camera in the back parking lot of the shop around the storage bins. He observed someone backing into the bins one evening.
- Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (if requested):
- (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.
- (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.
- (2) Collective Bargaining – the collective negotiations between public employers and their employees and deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employee.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 6:33 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to go into Executive Session. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
- Reconvene to Open Session (possible actions following Executive Session)
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:39 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to reconvene to Open Session. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
- New Business
- Discuss / Approve using SourceWell or advertising for bids, per email with legal, J. Schafer.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 6:43 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve using SourceWell as a pre-bid resource. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
- Discuss / Approve General Obligation Bond interest payment to BOK Financial in the amount of $7,740.00 due June 15, 2026.
Commissioner McReynolds made a motion at 6:44 p.m.; seconded by
Commissioner Gardiner to the interest payment to BOK Financial in the amount
of $7,740.00 due June 15, 2026. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous
vote with those present.
- Discuss / Approve Executive Director Odum attending the NRPA conference in Philadelphia, PA September 29 – October 1, 2026. Price has yet to be determined by NRPA. Items needed to include flights, hotel, rental car, and conference.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 6:46 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner
Gardiner to Executive Director Odum attending the NRPA conference in
Philadelphia, PA September 29 – October 1, 2026, and items including, flight,
hotel, rental car, and conference. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous
vote with those present.
- Discuss / Approve contract negotiations with IUOE Local 318 and the Commissioner(s) that will be at the negotiating table with the Executive Director.
Commissioner Sheff made a motion at 6:47 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve Commissioner Gott and Commissioner Welch at the negotiating table with the Executive Director. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
- Next Meeting Date: May 18, 2026
- Adjournment
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:48 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner McReynolds to adjourn the Regular meeting of the Marion Park District on April 27, 2026. 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.