06-10-13 Council Agenda & Packet

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RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF W?MAWATOPU Y SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY ENTER INTO A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT ADDRESSING THE POTAWATOMI ZOO the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, acknowledges that in 1902 the Potawatomi Zoo opened, making it the oldest zoo in the State of Indiana; and i�Iy�ar�o., the Council further acknowledges that the Potawatomi Zoo features over four hundred (400) animals on twenty-three (23) acres of land at its location at 500 South Greenlawn Avenue, with a special emphasis on large cats, primates and Australian animals, with more recent additions including a North American river otter exhibit; and the 2012 Parks & Recreation Department's Annual Report notes that in 2012 the Potawatomi Zoo had seven "significant Species Survival Plan (SSP) births...of these rare births included: a Diana Monkey, Sichuan Takin, Southern Ground Hornbill, & Red Necked Wallaby joeys.,."; with 46 new animals being acquired last year which included chimpanzees, a Snow Leopard, Amur Leopard, & a Red Panda; plus baby goats, ferrets, wallabies & short-tailed opossums; and .�.;, the 2012 Parks & Recreation Department's Annual Report also reported that total paid attendance was up last year--rising to 104,013 from 97,684 in 2011; and the Potawatomi Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which is dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science and recreation; and facilitates Species Survival Plans and Population Management Plans; and the May edition 2009 edition of Parents magazine listed Fort Wayne's zoo as one of the top "Ten Best Zoos for Kids", and noted that it is operated by a private Fort Wayne Zoo Society; and the Council's Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment Committee met in the Council Chambers on May 9, 2013 and heard a detailed presentation from the Zoological Society and reviewed a 16-slide power-point which provided information on a "Public Private Partnership Overview"with all of that information being on record in the Office of the City Clerk; and at the Committee meeting, members of the public had the opportunity to address the Committee which included two (2) Union Officials, one of which included the Business Agent for Teamster Local Union No, 364 who represents many of the Potawatomi Zoo City employees who offered support for this concept so long as employee wages and benefits would not be negatively impacted; and