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, September 19, 2023  
7:30 AM  
A. Call To Order  
A motion was made by ROSS that the Zoo Commission meeting be called to  
order at 7:53am. The motion carried unanimously.  
4 - SARAH JUSTUS, ANNE ROSS, Supervisor CECELY CASTILLO, and JASMINE  
BANKS  
Present  
3 - TAG EVERS, JEFFREY GUNDERSON, and MICHAEL PETERSEN  
Excused  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
2023  
MIN-285  
Attachments:  
2023 MIN-285  
A motion was made by CASTILLO, seconded by ROSS, that the Minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
C. Action Items  
2023  
RES-148  
AUTHORIZING AN EXTENSION OF LTE HOURS DANE COUNTY  
HENRY VILAS ZOO  
4.  
Sponsors:  
RITT and ROSE  
Attachments:  
2023 RES-148  
2023 RES-148 FISCAL NOTE  
A motion was made by CASTILLO, seconded by JUSTUS, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
D. Presentations  
2023  
2024 BUDGET PROPOSAL  
PRES-139  
Attachments:  
2023 PRES-139  
A motion was made by CASTILLO, seconded by JUSTUS, that the Zoo  
Commission recommend to the County Board that the budget be approved. The  
motion carried by a voice vote.  
E. Reports to Committee  
Zoo Report: SCHWETZ talked about the Zoo's DEAI committee. They have been  
working on a staff and guest code of conduct. Talked about upcoming events including  
the annual zoo run and a new partnership with the Madison Fire Department to host a  
fire prevention event on grounds. The Zoo partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma  
Society and will be hosting this year's Light the Night event in October. The Zoo has  
begun to work on a strategic master plan and is inviting stakeholders to participate in  
that. The Zoo's fundraising RFP recently closed and we are working on the contract and  
that will support our capital campaign. Gave an update on new animals - goats, turkeys,  
guinea fowl. Update on recent animal procedures including a tiger dental and ongoing  
assessments of seal eyes. Discussion ensued.  
F. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
Next meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 10th 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 CASTILLO, seconded by JUSTUS, that the Zoo  
Commission meeting be adjourned at 8:48am. The motion carried unanimously.  
Respectfully submitted by Kristin Moala, pending approval from the Zoo Commission.