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, January 3, 2024  
7:30 AM  
A. Call To Order  
Others present: Ronda Schwetz, Joseph Darcangelo, Kristin Moala, Valerie McGoldrick  
A motion was made by ROSS that the Zoo Commission meeting be called to  
order at 7:36am. The motion carried unanimously.  
6 -  
Present  
JEFFREY GUNDERSON, SARAH JUSTUS, MICHAEL PETERSEN, ANNE ROSS,  
Supervisor CECELY CASTILLO, and JASMINE BANKS  
1 - TAG EVERS  
Excused  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
2023  
MIN-441  
MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 15, 2023 HENRY VILAS ZOO  
COMMISSION MEETING  
Attachments: 2023 MIN-441  
A motion was made by JUSTUS, seconded by PETERSEN, that the Minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
C. Action Items  
3. 2023  
AMENDMENT B TO THE AGREEMENT FOR CLR DESIGN, INC. FOR  
DESIGN OF PHASE III THROUGH PHASE V (GIRAFFE/GROUND BIRDS  
EXHIBIT) FOR THE HEART OF THE ZOO IMPROVEMENTS.  
CONTRACTOR: CLR DESIGN, INC.  
RES-220  
RIPP and ENGELBERGER  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2023 RES-220  
2023 RES-220 FISCAL NOTE  
2023 RES-220 CONTRACT #14345B  
A motion was made by JUSTUS, seconded by GUNDERSON, that the Resolution  
be recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
2023  
RES-265  
ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT TO SUPPORT BUILDING A KIDS'  
GARDEN AT HENRY VILAS ZOO  
CASTILLO  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2023 RES-265  
2023 RES-265 Fiscal Note  
A motion was made by JUSTUS, seconded by PETERSEN, that the Resolution  
Requiring 2/3rds Vote be recommended for approval. The motion carried by a  
voice vote.  
D. Presentations  
None  
E. Reports to Committee  
In December, the Zoo had a USDA inspection. This was the first inspection since USDA  
included standards around bird care in their scope of work. The Zoo is very proud of the  
animal care team for maintaining such high animal care standards and is happy to report  
that the inspector found no concerns.  
2024 is an AZA accreditation year. Our formal application packet is due by March 1,  
2024. A multi-day site visit will happen this summer, most likely in June or July. Final  
decisions will be made at the AZA annual conference this fall.  
The Zoo is in the process of finalizing Core Values and a Strategic Plan.  
The Zoo's veterinarian and some members from the animal care team attended a  
hoof-trimming workshop. The Zoo's male orangutan is undergoing a health checkup in  
February and will be participating in a research study during that procedure. Recently,  
several ornate box turtles hatched from the DNR population of turtles. The capybaras are  
in the Animal Health Center for the winter.  
In 2023, HVZ raised over $42,000 for conservation. The majority of the funds raised  
came from the Zoo's membership program.  
For 2024, the Zoo will be contracting with a nutritionist to assist our veterinarian in diet  
plans for various animals at the Zoo.  
Zoo Lights wrapped up another successful year. At the next meeting there will be more  
data available for a year end report.  
F. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
The next meeting will take place in person at Henry Vilas Zoo on Tuesday, February 6th,  
2024 starting at 7:30am.  
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 JUSTUS, seconded by BANKS, that the Zoo Commission  
meeting be adjourned. The motion carried unanimously.  
Respectfully submitted by Kristin Moala, pending approval from the Zoo Commission.