Dane County  
Minutes - Final  
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 4, 2023  
7:30 AM  
Henry Vilas Zoo: 702 S. Randall Ave, Madison, WI  
A. Call To Order  
Others present: Ronda Schwetz, Joseph Darcangelo, Kristin Moala  
This meeting was called to order by ANNE ROSS at 7:32am.  
5 -  
Present  
JEFFREY GUNDERSON, SARAH JUSTUS, MICHAEL PETERSEN, ANNE ROSS,  
and Supervisor CECELY CASTILLO  
1 - TAG EVERS  
Excused  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
2022  
MIN-489  
Attachments: 2022 MIN-489  
A motion was made by JUSTUS, seconded by PETERSEN, that the Minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
C. Action Items  
Election of the Vice-Chair  
A motion was made by GUNDERSON, seconded by CASTILLO, that JUSTUS be  
elected Vice Chair. The motion carried unanimously.  
D. Presentations  
None  
E. Reports to Committee  
Zoo report given by Ronda Schwetz. Ronda began with a recap of Zoo Lights. Two nights  
were canceled because of weather this year, but the Zoo still hit revenue goals for the  
event. In addition to ticket sales, over $15,000 was raised for scholarships during Zoo  
Lights ticket sales. This was the second year the Zoo officially held Dream Lights, which  
allows children dealing with life threatening illnesses and their families to come enjoy Zoo  
Lights in a safe and calm environment.  
In 2022, the Zoo's membership program raised over $36,000 for wildlife conservation. The  
membership program will be changing for 2023 to make registration for education  
programs more equitable.  
The education team is entering phase two of their interpretive master plan and new signs  
will start going up in 2023. The herpetarium and primate building will be the first buildings  
to get new signage.  
The Zoo has already begun implementing some of the DEI recommendations to come  
out of the internal and external review of the Zoo. Staff training for all staff started and the  
next session is scheduled for February. Manager training has also begun.  
The Zoo continues to move forward with development and design for the new giraffe  
exhibit. There will be another presentation that the commission will be invited to attend in  
February.  
Discussion ensued.  
F. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
The next Zoo Commission meeting will be held in person at the Zoo on Tuesday,  
February 7th at 7:30am.  
G. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda  
None  
H. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law  
The Commission acknowledged commissioner Jonathan Becker for his service.  
Jonathan hit his term limit in 2022 after 12 years of service. The Commission  
commended Jonathan for his service.  
I. Adjourn  
A motion was made by JUSTUS, seconded by PETERSEN, that the Zoo  
Commission be adjourned at 8:36am. The motion carried unanimously.  
Respectfully submitted by Kristin Moala, pending approval from the Commission.