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, November 18, 2025
8:00 AM
Hybrid Meeting: Attend in person at 702 S. Randall Ave;
attend virtually via Zoom.
A. Call To Order
A motion was made that the Zoo Commission meeting be called to order at
8:12am. The motion carried unanimously. Also present: Ronda Schwetz,
Joseph Darcangelo, Kristin Moala, and Amanda Pedersen.
6 -
Present
TAG EVERS, JEFFREY GUNDERSON, SARAH JUSTUS, MICHAEL PETERSEN,
ANNE ROSS, and JASMINE BANKS
1 - ERIN WELSH
Excused
B. Consideration of Minutes
Attachments: 2025 MIN-414
A motion was made by JUSTUS, seconded by PETERSEN, that the Minutes be
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote.
C. Action Items
D. Presentations
none
none
E. Reports to Committee
Darcangelo reported on attendance numbers and end of year financials for: the
zoo, SSA, donor tube revenue, train and carousel revenue, education revenue,
and events revenue. Schwetz gave animal updates: the arrival of Siku the
polar bear, pending arrival of Nora the polar bear, winter housing moves, the
acquisition of a hedgehog for the ambassador animal program. Schwetz also
gave operational updates: otter holding, seal shade, artic fox, and tundra buggy.
Moala discussed the success of past events and the anticipation of upcoming
events.