ORDINANCE NO. 070459
Authorizing an agreement between
the City and the Friends of the Zoo, Inc. for the management and operation of
the Kansas City Zoological Park for a period of five additional years
beginning May 1, 2007.
WHEREAS, the
Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, is charged, by Charter
with the operation and control of the Citys Parks, including the Kansas City
Zoological Park located within Swope Park; and
WHEREAS, the
Friends of the Zoo, Inc. Kansas City, Missouri has been incorporated in the
State of Missouri as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) support membership organization
with a charitable mission since 1959; and
WHEREAS, the
Friends of the Zoo has in the past, and currently continues to support the
operation of the Zoo through its management of significant facilities,
educational efforts, countless promotions, monetary donations and in-kind
services; and
WHEREAS, the
Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners and the Friends of the Zoo
organization have a shared mission to continue to provide the citizens with a
quality Zoo, assuring an efficient operation, fiscal security, and providing
optimal animal care and outstanding customer service; and
WHEREAS, the Board
of Parks and Recreation Commissioners has determined it to be in the public
interest to continue the responsibility for the management and operation of the
Zoo to the Friends of the Zoo (FOTZ) for another five years; and
WHEREAS, the
Friends of the Zoo has indicated its willingness to continue to assume such
responsibility in order to achieve certain economies and efficiencies in the
operation of the Zoo facilities; and
WHEREAS, City
Council Resolution No. 011490 approved by the City Council November 15, 2001, and Ordinance No. 011724 as approved by the City Council on December 20, 2001, supported the transfer of the operation of the Kansas City Zoo to the Friends of
the Zoo Inc. at an annual operating subsidy of $4 million dollars per year for
a term of five years; and
WHEREAS, the
term of that original agreement will expire on April 30, 2007, and the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners is in support of an extension of the
agreement with the Friends of the Zoo, Inc. for another five year term beginning
on May 1, 2007; and
WHEREAS, the
Friends of the Zoo are asking for an additional operating and facility
maintenance subsidy of $1.5 million over five years to cover normal cost
increases and to support new exhibits that were a part of the $30 million
general obligation bond package approved by voters, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED
BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1.
That the City Council supports the continued operation of the management and
operation of the Kansas City Zoological Park by the Friends of the Zoo, Inc.
for a period of five additional years beginning May 1, 2007.
Section 2. That
the Council hereby expresses its intent to provide an annual operating and
routine capital maintenance subsidy to the FOTZ subject to the availability and
appropriation of funds in the following amounts:
FY 2007-08 $4,300,000.00
FY 2008-09 $4,600,000.00
FY 2009-10 $4,900,000.00
FY 2010-11 $5,200,000.00
FY 2011-12 $5,500,000.00
Section 3. The
Council expects the Park Board to report annually to the City Council on the
Zoos operating revenues, and expenses and on its progress in increasing its
revenue from other funding sources.
Section 4. That
the City Manager is authorized to sign the management agreement extension which
is incorporated as part of this ordinance on behalf of the City.
_____________________________________________
I hereby certify that there is a balance,
otherwise unencumbered, to the credit of the appropriation to which the
foregoing expenditure is to be charged, and a cash balance, otherwise
unencumbered, in the treasury, to the credit of the fund from which payment is
to be made, each sufficient to meet the obligation hereby incurred.
___________________________________
Debra
R. Hinsvark
Director
of Finance
Approved
as to form and legality:
___________________________________
Kathy
Adams
Assistant City Attorney