Title:
Title
Grant Agreement with the Sacramento Zoological Society to Support Animal Care Services [Published for 10-Day Review 02/25/2021]
End
FileID
File ID: 2021-00160
Location
Location: Sacramento Zoo, 3930 W. Land Park Drive, District 4
End
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Pass a Motion authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to execute a Grant Agreement with the Sacramento Zoological Society in an amount not to exceed $1,129,000 to support animal care services.
FileName
Contact: Rebecca Bitter, Administrative Analyst, (916) 808-8052; Jody Ulich, Director of Convention and Cultural Services, (916) 808-5105, Convention and Cultural Services
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Sacramento Zoo Animal Care Services Grant Agreement
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: On February 2, 2021, City Council approved funding to the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town in the City’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020/21 Midyear Budget (Resolution No. 2021-0029). The funding was allocated to support daily care, feed and forage, and veterinary services of the animals in their collections. The City will provide funding in a not to exceed amount of $1,129,000 for animal care services to the non-profit organization, Sacramento Zoological Society, which manages and operates the Sacramento Zoo.
Policy Considerations: The Sacramento City Code Section 4.04.020 and Council Rules of Procedure (Chapter 7, Section E.2.d) mandate that unless waived by a 2/3 vote of the City Council, all labor agreements and all agreements greater than $1,000,000 shall be made available to the public at least ten (10) days prior to council action. This contract was published for 10-day review on February 25, 2021 as required.
Economic Impacts: None
Environmental Considerations: The report concerns administrative activities that will not have a significant effect on the environment and is exempt from CEQA review [CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3); 15378(b)(2)].
Sustainability: Not Applicable
Commission/Committee Action: Not Applicable
Rationale for Recommendation: The Sacramento Zoological Society operates and maintains the Sacramento Zoo in William Land Park for the benefit of the Sacramento community under a partnership agreement with the City and has done so since 1997 through City Agreement Number 97-021 and subsequent amendments.
On March 13, 2020, the City declared a local emergency in response to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Museums, zoos, children’s play areas, and other cultural destination locations within the City were significantly impacted by state and local health and safety orders. Due to mandated closures, social distancing requirements, and other safety measures, many locations, including the Sacramento Zoo were closed altogether for extended periods of time or could only allow visitors in a limited capacity, which caused significant loss of revenues. Several actions were also taken by the City to provide immediate economic relief to city businesses and residents.
In addition to actions taken by the City to assist the local economy, some industries such as the City’s cultural and tourism sectors still need financial assistance due to their unique duty of care. In particular, despite closures and significant revenue losses, the Sacramento Zoological Society (“Society”) must still expend funds toward the care and feeding of the more than 500 animals that are held in its collection. The Society spends an average of $188,000 per month on feed, and daily and veterinary care (excluding City employee labor) for the animals within its collection. The Society’s ability to fulfill its obligations has been significantly affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting loss in revenues. Without additional funding the Society will be hard pressed to continue to maintain its collection of animals and be able to safely and adequately feed and care for them. The City has determined that providing additional grant funding to the Society to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 public health emergency, as provided in this grant funding agreement, is a necessary expenditure in order to allow the Sacramento Zoo to continue with its obligations to safely care for the animals within its collection.
The City will provide $1,129,000 in funding to the Society for the last six months of fiscal year 2020/21, ending June 30, 2021, to support daily care, feed and forage, and veterinary services of the animals in its collection.
Financial Considerations: On February 2, 2021, City Council approved funding of $1,129,000 for the Sacramento Zoo in the City’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020/21 Midyear Budget (Resolution No. 2021-0029). Sufficient funding is available (Measure U Fund, Fund 2401) in the Animal Care for the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town MYOP (I17005100) to execute this Agreement.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not Applicable