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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 10, 2013
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<br />Whereas, the 2012 Parks & Recreation Department’s Annual Report notes that in 2012 the zoo
<br />had seven (7) “significant Species Survival Plan (SSP) births…of these rare births included:
<br />Diana Monkey, Sichuan Takin, Southern Ground Hornbill, and Red Necked Wallaby joeys…”;
<br />with 46 new animals also being acquired last year which included chimpanzee, a Snow Leopard,
<br />Amur Leopard, and Red Panda; plus baby goats, ferrets, wallabies and short-tailed opossum; and
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<br />Whereas, the 2012 Parks & Recreation Department’s Annual Report also reported that total paid
<br />attendance was up last year – rising to 104,013 from 97,684 in 2011; and
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<br />Whereas, the Potawatomi Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which is
<br />dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation,
<br />education, science and recreation; and facilitates Species Survival Plans and Population
<br />Management Plans; and
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<br />Whereas, the May edition 2009 edition of Parents magazine listed Fort Wayne’s zoo as one of
<br />the top “Ten Best Zoos for Kids”, and noted that it is operated by the Fort Wayne Zoo Society;
<br />and
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<br />Whereas, the Council’s Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment (PARC) Committee
<br />met in the Council Chambers on May 9, 2013 and heard a detailed presentation from the
<br />Zoological Society and who gave a 16-slide power-point which provided information on a
<br />“Public Private partnership Overview” with all of that information being on record in the Office
<br />of the City Clerk; and
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<br />Whereas, at the PARC Committee meeting members of the public had the opportunity to address
<br />the Committee which included two (2) Union Officials, one of which included the Business
<br />Agent for Teamster Local Union No. 364 who represent many of the Potawatomi Zoo City
<br />employees who offered support for this concept so long as employee wages and benefits would
<br />not be negatively impacted;
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<br />Whereas, the Common Council recognizes that a Public Private Partnership between the City of
<br />South Bend and the Potawatomi Zoological Society provides an excellent opportunity for the zoo
<br />to Potawatomi Zoo Resolution Supporting a Public Private Partnership maintain its AGA
<br />accreditation; and would also enable the establishment of a “best-practices management model
<br />that would be fiscally sustainable” and in the best interests of the City of South Bend, Indiana.
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<br />Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as
<br />follows:
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<br />Section I. The Common Council has had the opportunity to review the proposed Public Private
<br />Partnership between the City of South Bend, Indiana and the Potawatomi Zoological Society
<br />which the City Administration has been studying for several months.
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<br />Section II. The Council believes that so long as the City employees working at the Potawatomi
<br />Zoo have the opportunity to maintain their salaries and financial benefits, including the
<br />opportunity to be a member of a union, that the projected benefits of such an arrangement would
<br />enable the Potawatomi Zoo to become a world-class zoo which offers exceptional and
<br />outstanding experiences to the public, its animals, and its employees.
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<br />Section III . The undersigned members of the Common Council believe that once the conditions
<br />addressing City employees are properly addressed that such a Public Private Partnership would
<br />be in the best interests of the City of South Bend and should become effective January 1, 2014.
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<br />Section IV . This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the
<br />Council and approval by the Mayor.
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<br />stth
<br />s/Tim Scott, 1 District s/Oliver J. Davis, 6 District
<br />nd
<br />s/Henry Davis, Jr., 2 District s/Derek D. Dieter, At Large
<br />rd
<br />s/Valerie Schey, 3 District s/Gavin Ferlic, At Large
<br />th
<br />s/Dr. Fred Ferlic, 4 District s/Karen L. White, At Large
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