Title
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the City of Sacramento and the Sacramento Zoological Society
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FileID
File ID: 2026-00767
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Location
Location: Sacramento Zoo, 3930 W. Land Park Drive, District 7
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Pass a Motion authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sacramento Zoological Society to establish a framework to explore a potential expansion of the Sacramento Zoo by approximately 5.8 acres.
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Contact
Contact: Dustin Hollingsworth, Assistant Director, (916) 808-5538, djhollingsworth@cityofsacramento.org; Megan Van Voorhis, Director, (916) 808-5979, mvanvoorhis@cityofsacramento.org; Department of Convention and Cultural Services
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Presenter
Presenter: Dustin Hollingsworth, Assistant Director, (916) 808-5538, djhollingsworth@cityofsacramento.org, Department of Convention and Cultural Services
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-092225 Letter to City of Sacramento Re Proposed Expansion of Zoo Footprint
3-MOU Between City of Sacramento and Sacramento Zoological Society
4-Presentation
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: The Sacramento Zoological Society (Society) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation and has operated the Sacramento Zoo through City Agreement No. 97-021 since 1997. In April 2024, the Society and the City of Elk Grove agreed to finance and construct a new zoo within the City of Elk Grove. In April 2025, the Society announced that it would no longer pursue a zoo in Elk Grove but would remain at its Land Park location.
In June 2025, the City and Society executed the Twelfth Amendment to extend the term of Agreement No. 97-021 for three years through June 30, 2028, while the Society and City work together to analyze the operational conditions for continued and future operation of the Zoo in Land Park including issues regarding space constraints. In addition, the City and Society agreed to engage in good faith negotiations with each other concerning the creation of a new partnership agreement for operation of the Zoo.
The proposed MOU is designed to memorialize the agreed upon terms between the City and Society to explore potential expansion of the Zoo by approximately 5.8 acres, comprised of two adjacent parcels within Land Park. The proposed expansion area shown in Exhibit A of the MOU includes the 4.4-acre City parcel across Land Park Drive from the Zoo known as the “Pony Ride” area, and the 1.4-acre City parcel adjacent to the northern property line of the Zoo. The proposed MOU would expire on September 1, 2026, unless extended.
Specific activities undertaken within the scope of the proposed MOU include:
• Evaluation of implications for the current Parks Master Plan
• Development of a phasing plan for an expansion area and identify interim opportunities for improvements at the Zoo
• Development of a community engagement strategy to provide opportunities for the public to learn about the proposed expansion and provide feedback, and convene a working group including, but not limited to, the Land Park Community Association, the Upper Land Park Neighbors Association, South Land Park Neighborhood Association, the Land Park Volunteer Corp, and Preservation Sacramento
• Explore needed amendments to the Zoo’s operating agreement including:
o Design opportunities for the expansion area as a “contiguous campus” consistent with accreditation requirements and operational needs
o Society’s identification of funding sources for development/improvement
o Impacts to historical features, mature trees, utilities, traffic and parking, and need and timing of environmental documents such as CEQA review.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: The proposed MOU supports the City’s 2040 General Plan Goal YPRO-4.1 to provide a diversity of arts, culture, and learning opportunities, facilities and programs for people of all ages to improve knowledge of Sacramento’s history, enhance quality of life, and enrich community culture, and policies that encourage partnerships with organizations to support cultural educational activities and programming, children’s programming, and reinvestment in City facilities.
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: The Zoo serves approximately 500,000 visitors annually. The Zoo's collection consists of more than 400 animals, diverse botanical life, and several specialized gardens.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: The report concerns administrative activities that will not have a significant effect on the environment and is exempt from the Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review [CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3); 15378(b)(2)].
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Sustainability
Sustainability: Not applicable.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: It is anticipated that expanding the current footprint of the Zoo would serve the community by allowing the Society to make improvements that would positively impact the animals and visitors, and enhance the ability of the Society to pursue its mission of inspiring a connection with nature and wildlife through education, recreation, and conservation. The space constraints of the current Zoo location make it exceedingly difficult for the City and Society to adequately plan for future accreditation and economic viability. The activities outlined in the proposed MOU allow the City and Society to pursue an analysis of the steps that should be taken to ensure its viability.
Executing this MOU reflects the City’s and Society’s current commitment to explore the Zoo’s expansion but will not bind the City to any approval, action or funding at this time, nor does it amend the existing operating agreement. Any future action by the City shall be subject to City Council discretion and all applicable legal requirements.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: There are no additional costs associated with approval of this MOU. Any future action by City shall be subject to City Council discretion and all applicable legal requirements.
For fiscal year 2025/26 the Society receives approximately $306,994 from the Community Center Fund (Fund 6010) for the cost of the City positions (2.0 FTE) at the Zoo along with limited services and supplies. Future funding will be based on the adopted budgets for the applicable fiscal years.
The Society also receives approximately $50,000 annually from Funderland revenue. Funderland revenue is shared equally among the Fairytale Town Fund, the Sacramento Zoo Fund, and the Land Park Improvement Fund, as defined by City Agreement No. 2006-0258 and its amendments.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
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