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?  
Wednesday, December 10, 2025  
8:00 AM  
702 S. Randall Ave  
A Call To Order  
A motion was made that the Zoo Commission meeting be called to order at  
8:02am. The motion carried unanimously. Also present: Ronda Schwetz,  
Joseph Darcangelo, Kristin Moala, and Amanda Pedersen.  
5 -  
Present  
Excused  
TAG EVERS, JEFFREY GUNDERSON, MICHAEL PETERSEN, ANNE ROSS, and  
ERIN WELSH  
2 - SARAH JUSTUS, and JASMINE BANKS  
B Consideration of Minutes  
2025  
MIN-445  
Attachments: 2025 MIN-445  
A motion was made by GUNDERSON, seconded by PETERSEN, that the Minutes  
be approved. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
C. Action Items  
AUTHORIZING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HENRY VILAS ZOO  
FOUNDATION, INC. AND DANE COUNTY FOR THE BENEFIT AND  
SUPPORT OF THE HENRY VILAS ZOO  
1. 2025  
RES-239  
ENGELBERGER and WELSH  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2025 RES-239  
2025 RES-239 FISCAL NOTE  
2025 RES-239 CONTRACT #16003  
A motion was made by EVERS, and seconded by PETERSEN, that 2025 RES-239  
be recommended for approval.  
D. Presentations  
None  
E. ZOO REPORT:  
-Operational Updates  
-Animal Updates  
-Conservation/Education Updates  
-Event/Marketing Updates  
Ronda Schwetz gave the following updates:  
Animal: the arrival of Nora the Polar Bear is delayed. A HVZ goat is pregnant,  
she is expected to birth soon. The Animal Health Center acquired a new  
oxygen incubater.  
Events: the first night of Zoo Lights was cancelled due to snow storm. Revenue  
may be negatively impacted.  
Operations: the Seal Shade structure project begins 1/5. Artic Fox project will  
go back out to bid in a week or so.  
Education: the Tundra Buggy project is still in progress. The GSAC has an  
article featuring HVZ's browse sustainability.  
Party for the Planet - $5,000 grant won for sensory garden/composting  
program.  
F. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday January 6th, 2026 starting at 8am.  
G. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda  
None  
H. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law  
None  
I. Adjourn  
A motion was made by EVERS, seconded by ROSS, that the Zoo Commission  
meeting be adjourned at 9:12am. The motion carried unanimously.  
Respectfully submitted by Amanda Pedersen, pending approval from the commission.