Minutes
Regular Meeting of the Marion Park District Board of Commissioners
September 29, 2025
6:30 p.m.
Administrative Office (1401 N. Otis Street, Marion, IL 62959)
Regular Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order
President Gott called the Regular Meeting / Public Meeting of the Marion Park District to order at 6:06 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
Commissioner Gardiner
Commissioner Sheffler
Commissioner Welch
Commissioner Gott
Commissioner McReynolds is absent from the meeting
2. Open Forum
There are no public attendees during the Regular meeting.
3. Approval of Regular Meeting September 29, 2025 agenda
Commissioner Welch made a motion at 6:08 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve the agenda for the Regular Meeting on September 29, 2025. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
4. Approval of Special / Public Meeting Minutes: August 25, 2025
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:09 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the Special / Public Meeting minutes on August 25, 2025. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
5. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes: August 25, 2025
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 6:10 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the Regular Meeting minutes on August 25, 2025. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
6. Approval of the August 2025 Financial Report
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 6:13 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the August 2025 Financial Report. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
7. Department Reports
a. Administration
b. Park Services
Executive Director Odum went through the reports and showed pictures of projects
completed by Park Services staff.
8. Commissioner’s Reports
Commissioner Gott asked the other Commissioners if they had anything to report, Commissioner Gardiner – no, Commissioner Sheffler – no, Commissioner Welch – no. Commissioner Gott would like the Marion Park District to adhere to the sign ordinance in respect to banners at Ray Fosse Park.
9. Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (if requested):
a. (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.
b. (5) Real Estate – the acquisition or lease of real property or the selling or rental price of real estate.
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:26 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 7:10 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the Reconvene into Open Session. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
10. New Business
a. Discuss / Approve the purchase of property at 504 E. Illinois Street, Marion, IL 62959.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:13 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve offering Tim Barnett $80,000 for the property at 504 E. Illinois Street, Marion, IL 62959 which will include the removal of the house. Roll called. Commissioner Gardiner – yay, Commissioner Sheffler – yay, Commissioner Welch – yay, Commissioner Gott – abstain. Motion carried with a 3 – 0 – 1 vote.
b. Discuss / Approve Revenues by Source Ordinance 25-02.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:20 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the Revenues by Source Ordinance 25-02. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
c. Discuss / Approve FY2026 Final Budget Ordinance 25-03.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:20 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve the FY2026 Final Budget Ordinance 25-03. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
d. Discuss / Approve a special event 1-day basketball tournament organized by Will Weber in Jones Park for a weekend in October 2025.
Deputy Director advised the Board of Commissioners that we haven’t received any
information from Mr. Weber.
No motion made, motion dies.
e. Discuss / Approve replacement of heating and air unit at the Boy Scout Cabin from Webb’s Heating and Cooling in the amount of $15,514.00.
Commissioner Gardiner asked if we received any other bids for the hearing and air units, Executive Director Odum advised that he did not get any other bids. The Board of Commissioners would like to see at least 2 more bids before approval. No motion made.
f. Discuss / Approve replacement of heating and air unit at the Girl Scout Cabin from Webb’s Heating and Cooling in the amount of $12,693.00.
Commissioner Gardiner asked if we received any other bids for the hearing and air units, Executive Director Odum advised that he did not get any other bids. The Board of Commissioners would like to see at least 2 more bids before approval. No motion made.
g. Discuss / Approve banning two (2) juveniles from the Marion Park District parks due to vandalism at Ray Fosse Park.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:32 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to allow Executive Director Odum to ban the two (2) juveniles from the park due to their actions on Tuesday, September 23, 2205 until their court date with recommendations from the judge. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
11. Next Meeting Date: October 27, 2025
12. Adjournment
Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:36 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the FY2026 Final Budget Ordinance 25-03. 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