Carbondale Reporter

Marion City Park District Board of Commissioners met Feb. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. Call to Order

President Gott called the Regular Meeting of the Marion Park District to order at 6:01 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:

Commissioner Gardiner

Commissioner Sheffler

Commissioner Welch

Commissioner Gott

Commissioner McReynolds was absent from the meeting.

2. Open Forum

There were no attendees at the regular meeting.

3. Introduction to Board of Commissioners of Aquatic Center Manager and Assistant Manager.

Austin Gryzmala was present at the meeting and introduced to the Board of Commissioners as the new manager of the Aquatic Center for 2023. Madison Ripley will be the Assistant Manager; she was unable to make the meeting due to working at The HUB Recreation Center.

4. Approval of February 28, 2023, Agenda

Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:09 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the February 28, 2023, agenda. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

5. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes: January 24, 2023.

Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 6:10 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve the January 24, 2023, minutes. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

6. Approval of January 2023 Financial Report

Commissioner Gott asked Director Reed if he would like to go over the financial report. Director Reed advised that he has rejected the financial report due to incorrect information reported. Director Reed advised that there isn’t consistency in the reports given to the Commissioners and himself to make an accurate account of the information. Director Reed states he will be meeting with Kim Meyer and present them with a corrected report at the next meeting.

Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 6:18 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to table the January 2023 Financial Report. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

7. 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.

8. Commissioners Reports

Commissioner Gott asked the other Commissioners if there was anything they would like to report. Commissioner Gardiner did not have anything to report. Commissioner Sheffler advised the Commissioners that he has brought the use of QR codes in the Parks to the attention of Director Reed. Director Reed advised that he has a meeting set up with Joni Barwick on Friday, March 3, 2023, to discuss and will do a pilot program at THE Bark Park. Commissioner Sheffler also advised the Commissioners that he had a conversation with L. Bloodworth, the neighbor by the tennis courts in Harrison – Bruce Park, and she is very receptive to the lights added to the area. Commissioner Welch asked Director Reed about the bridge repair at Harrison – Bruce Park, Director Reed advised that this will be a project the staff will complete when time allows. Commissioner Gott asked Director Reed if there are other vendors, we can use instead of Game Time. Director Reed states that we will be able to look for other vendors in the future if the need arises for playground equipment.

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.

Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:03 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve visiting Executive Session. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

10. Reconvene to Open Session (possible actions following Executive Session)

Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:18 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to reconvene to Open Session. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

11. New Business

a. Discuss the formation of the Decennial committee per Public Act 102-1088.

Director Reed advised that he had a conversation with IAPD, Jason Anselment, regarding the formation of the committee. Per Jason Anselment, he advises that the formation of the committee should be after the Consolidated Election in April 2023. Commissioner Gott suggested we have the formation of the committee on the April agenda.

b. Discuss / Approve the formation of committee members for the IUOE Local 318 contract negotiations.

Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:32 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler

to approve the formation of committee members for the IUOE Local 318 contract negotiations. The committee will consist of Director Reed, Commissioner Gott and another Commissioner that is available to sit in during the meetings. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

c. Discuss / Approve the appointment of a representative and an alternate to act as a liaison between the member (Marion Park District) with the Pool (insurance) for IPARKS.

Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:34 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler

to approve the appointment of a representative and an alternate to act as a liaison between the member (Marion Park District) with the Pool (insurance) for IPARKS. Roll called.

Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

d. Discuss / Approve FY2022 Audit prepared by Sarah Gibbens, CPA.

Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:35 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to table the FY2022 Audit prepared by Sarah Gibbens, CPA. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

e. Discuss / Approve invoice from Sarah Gibbens, CPA in the amount not to exceed $8,200.00 for her services for the FY2022 Audit. Additional costs may be incurred for supplementary accounting services.

Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 7:35 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve invoice form Sarah Gibbens, CPA in the amount not to exceed $8,200.00 for her services for the FY2022 Audit. Additional costs will be incurred for supplementary accounting services. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

f. Discuss / Approve tractor purchase form quotes received.

Commissioner Gott went over the quotes received with the Commissioners, Sydenstricker – Nobbe’s quote was $33,795.00 and Little Tractors quote was $21,000.00.

Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:40 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner approved the tractor purchase from Little Tractor in the amount of $21,000.00. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

g. Discuss / Approve Goofy Golf lease for 2023.

Commissioner Welch made a motion at 7:43 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve the Goofy Golf lease for 2023. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

h. Discuss / Approve Beasley Concession lease for Field # 7 for 2023.

Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:46 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve Beasley Concession lease for Field # 7 for 2023. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

i. Discuss / Approve MYBSA lease N. Otis Street Concession building.

Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:49 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve MYBSA lease N. Otis Street Concession building. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

j. Discuss / Approve MSI lease of concession building at the Soccer Complex.

Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:50 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Welch to approve MSI lease of concession building at the Soccer Complex. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

k. Discuss / Approve SIASL (Spring Soccer League) using the Soccer Complex for their spring league on Wednesday’s March 2023 – May 2023.

Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:51 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve SIASL (Spring Soccer League) using the Soccer Complex for their spring league on Wednesday’s March 2023 – May 2023. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

l. Discuss / Approve accounting services for the Marion Park District

Discussion with Commissioners regarding the hardship that has been placed on the Marion Park District from the current accounting firm that oversees payroll, accounts payable, reconciliation and quarterly reporting. Also, the hardship that it has caused with the FY2022 audit and the auditor.

Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 8:08 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Gardiner to approve Director Reed sending out an RFP (request for proposal) to accounting firms in the Marion area. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.

12. Next Meeting Date: March 28, 2023

13. Adjournment

Commissioner Gardiner made a motion at 8:09 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.

https://www.marionparks.com/2023/03/30/meeting-minutes-february-28-2023/