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, April 14, 2026  
8:00 AM  
Hybrid Meeting: Attend in person at 702 S. Randall Ave;  
attend virtually via Zoom.  
A. Call To Order  
Others present: Janine Wachter, Joseph Darcangelo, Kristin Moala, Jess  
Thompson, Beth Petersen, Amanda Pedersen, Dr. Mary Thurber, Elizabeth  
Petersen, Heather Merewood, Erik Anderson, Supervisor Michelle Ritt, and  
Stephan Mac  
A motion was made by ROSS that the Zoo Commission meeting be called to  
order at 8:01am. The motion carried unanimously.  
6 -  
Present  
TAG EVERS, JEFFREY GUNDERSON, SARAH JUSTUS, ANNE ROSS, JASMINE  
BANKS, and ERIN WELSH  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
2025  
MIN-683  
Attachments: 2025 MIN-683  
A motion was made by JUSTUS, seconded by EVERS, that the Minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
C. Action Items  
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 JUSTUS, seconded by EVERS, that the Resolution  
Requiring 2/3rds Vote be recommended for approval. The motion carried  
unanimously by a voice vote.  
E. Anderson, E. Petersen, and J. Wachter spoke on this agenda item.  
M. Ritt registered and spoke in opposition on this item.  
D. Presentations  
E. Reports to Committee  
Zoo Report:  
-Operational Updates  
-Animal Updates  
-Conservation/Education Updates  
-Event/Marketing Updates  
J. Wachter gave Operational updates: Guest Services Coordinator resignation,  
zoo-wide HVAC project, and volunteer opportunities. J. Wachter and J.  
Darcangelo gave update on goal setting and budget work. Dr. M. Thurber  
and E. Petersen gave Animal updates: QOL care, new sloth arrival, seasonal  
animal moves and acquisitions. H. Merewood gave Conservation/Education  
updates: Party for the Planet event, breakfast with critters, education programs.  
K. Moala gave Event/Marketing updates: spring blood drive, SSA Mother's Day  
brunch.  
F. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday May 12th at 8am.  
G. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda  
H. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law  
I. Adjourn  
A motion was made by EVERS, seconded by JUSTUS, that the Zoo Commission  
meeting be adjourned at 9:12am. The motion carried unanimously.  
Respectfully submitted by Amanda Pedersen, pending approval from the Zoo Commission.