Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Acceptance and Appropriation of a Private Donation in the Amount of $200,000 to the Parks and Community Services Department to Fund the Third Zookeeper at Applegate Zoo for Three Consecutive Years
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers accepting and appropriating a private donation of $200,000 to fund a third Zookeeper for three consecutive years.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting the donation of $200,000 to cover the expense for a third Zookeeper for three consecutive years; and,
B. Increasing Donation Revenue in Fund 1018-Parks and Community Services in the amount of $65,085 and appropriating the same for the first year's funding for Zoo Personnel Expenses; and,
C. Accepting the remainder of $134,915 into a deposit account until the year it is needed to be used; and,
D. Approving to reallocate $65,085 from General Fund transfer for 1018 4010- Zoo Personnel Expenses to Ballfield Maintenance, account 1018 4020- Fields & Facilities Operating Materials & Supplies.
Body
AUTHORITY
Municipal Code Section: Article VI, Sec. 606, Sec. 1105 and Administrative Policy A-49, Donation and Gift Policy.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
This donation aligns with the City Council's FY 2025/26 Goals and Priorities to increase revenue and decrease expense at Merced Applegate Zoo.
DISCUSSION
In June 2021, the Daniel R. Martin Family Foundation approached Applegate Zoo staff with interest in providing a financial contribution to the facility. The Foundation representative inquired as to the greatest need of the Zoo, and the cost associated.
Zoo staff indicated that greatest need was a third full-time zookeeper. The City accepted the donation and entered into a Cost Sharing Agreement with the Daniel R. Martin Foundation. The donation covered approximately half of the salary and benefits of the third Zookeeper for the past three years while the City was required ...
Click here for full text