Dane County  
Minutes - Final Unless Amended by  
Committee  
Henry Vilas Zoo Commission  
Consider:  
Who benefits? Who is burdened?  
Who does not have a voice at the table?  
How can policymakers mitigate unintended consequences?  
Tuesday, March 3, 2026  
8:00 AM  
702 S. Randall Ave.  
A. Call To Order  
Others present: Janine Wachter, Joseph Darcangelo, Kristin Moala, Jess  
Thompson, Beth Petersen, Eddie Sherman, Jeff Kostelic  
A motion was made by ROSS that the Zoo Commission meeting be called to  
order at 8:03am. The motion carried unanimously.  
6 -  
Present  
Excused  
TAG EVERS, JEFFREY GUNDERSON, SARAH JUSTUS, ANNE ROSS, JASMINE  
BANKS, and ERIN WELSH  
1 - MICHAEL PETERSEN  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
2025  
MIN-598  
Attachments: 2025 MIN-598  
A motion was made by JUSTUS, seconded by BANKS, that the Minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
C. Action Items  
ACCEPTANCE OF A MADISON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT FOR  
THE GIRAFFE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PROJECT  
2. 2025  
RES-353  
ENGELBERGER, WELSH and FRIES  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2025 RES-353  
2025-353 FISCAL NOTE  
2025 RES-353 CONTRACT #16154  
A motion was made by WELSH, seconded by EVERS, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
EXTEND MARKETING CONTRACT TO S/B STRATEGIC MARKETING FOR  
SERVICES--HENRY VILAS ZOO  
4. 2025  
RES-355  
ENGELBERGER and WELSH  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2025 RES-355  
2025 RES-355 FISCAL NOTE  
A motion was made by JUSTUS, seconded by BANKS, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE ARCTIC FOX EXHIBIT CONSTRUCTION  
AT HENRY VILAS ZOO, 702 S. RANDALL AVE., MADISON, WI  
5. 2025  
RES-358  
ENGELBERGER, FRIES and RYLANDER  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2025 RES-358  
2025 RES-358 FISCAL NOTE  
2025 RES-358 CONTRACT #16176  
A motion was made by ROSS, seconded by JUSTUS, that the Resolution  
Requiring 2/3rds Vote be postponed. to the Henry Vilas Zoo Commission, due  
back by 4/14/2026 The motion carried by a voice vote.  
D. Presentations  
None  
E. Reports to Committee  
Zoo Report:  
-Operational Updates  
-Animal Updates  
-Conservation/Education Updates  
-Event/Marketing Updates  
Operations updates from Eddie Sherman:  
The zoo just completed construction on the permanent seal shade structure.  
There were no costs overruns. There is still some minor finishing work that  
should be completed in the next few days. The carousel will be opening officially  
on April 1st, but the zoo trains in new staff during MMSD spring break so there  
will be times that is open the last week of March.  
Animal updates from Beth Petersen:  
The zoo observed successful breeding between Siku and Nora over a 4-day  
period at the end of February so we will be watching Nora over the summer to  
see if she is showing any signs of being pregnant. The seals handled the  
construction work at their exhibit well. The baby goats born at the end of 2025  
have been successfully integrated with the rest of the herd. Shipping season is  
coming up and we have some animal moves planned for this year. Two notable  
moves are that we may be sending a GLT to Canada and a lemur to South  
America. Moves are dependant on pre-shipment exams and permits so we do  
not have exact dates yet.  
Conservation updates from Jess Thompson:  
The education department continues to work on two grants - ACE grant and a  
Party for the Planet grant. The summer zoo camp lottery just closed. Over 2600  
applications were submitted for 300 spots. The lottery increases equity. We are  
looking at ways to increase capacity but space is the largest factor on how  
many children we can accept. The zoo does offer scholarships for all camp  
programs. Behind the Scenes tours will be opening again later this month for  
the summer.  
Event updates from Kristin Moala:  
Invited commissioners to stay and attend the Tundra Buggy reopening that  
happened directly after Zoo Commission. Upcoming events include a blood  
drive and a PRIDE event at the end of May.  
Updates from Interim Zoo Director Janine Wachter:  
The Zoo is currently in the process of hiring a new executive chef for the grille.  
We are working with the Grille to increase revenue opportunities in 2026. The  
County Executive has been holding listening sessions with zoo staff to learn  
more about what staff are hoping to see in a new executive director.  
F. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
The next meeting will take place on April 14th at 8am  
G. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda  
Erik Andersen requested that future meetings be held as hybrid with a Zoom  
option for the public to make them more transparent and accessible.  
H. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law  
None  
I. Adjourn  
A motion was made by JUSTUS, seconded by EVERS, that the Zoo Commission  
meeting be adjourned at 9:33am. The motion carried unanimously.  
Respectfully submitted by Kristin Moala, pending approval from the Zoo Commission.