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, February 1, 2022  
7:30 AM  
Virtual meeting  
A. Call To Order  
A motion was made by ROSS that the January Zoo Commission meeting be  
called to order at 7:31 am.  
6 -  
Present  
JONATHAN BECKER, Supervisor CHUCK ERICKSON, TAG EVERS, JEFFREY  
GUNDERSON, SARAH JUSTUS, and ANNE ROSS  
1 - MICHAEL PETERSEN  
Excused  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
2021  
MIN-578  
Attachments: 2021 MIN-578  
A motion was made by JUSTUS, seconded by BECKER, that the Minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
C. Action Items  
2021  
RES-338  
AWARDING CONTRACT WITH THE SSA GROUP FOR FOOD, RETAIL  
AND CATERING SERVICES AT HENRY VILAS ZOO  
RATCLIFF, ERICKSON and RIPP  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2021 RES-338  
2021 RES-338 Fiscal Note  
Darcangelo explained that the Zoo went out to bid for this contract last fall. SSA was  
selected based on the county grading system with multiple reviewers. SSA only partners  
with zoos, museums, and aquariums and has a conservation mission, “Conservation with  
Capital.” They will run gift shop and grille, and will be the catering vendor for events on  
grounds. They will do booking for events. Their DICE plan (Diversity, Inclusion,  
Community, and Environment) matches our mission and vision.  
Discussion ensued.  
A motion was made by ERICKSON, seconded by JUSTUS, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
D. Presentations  
None  
E. Reports to Committee  
Schwetz talked about the CLR presentation that was recorded for anyone who missed it.  
The sessions were with stakeholders and we were excited about the level of involvement.  
Neighbors and businesses were represented. Erickson and Evers would like to make  
sure that the Greenbush neighborhood is more included in future meetings. Discussion  
ensued.  
The Zoo recently posted a second janitor position and a new horticulturist position. We  
are excited about the impact a horticulturist could have on the zoo grounds and exhibit  
spaces. There are also three keeper positions currently open and they are all in the final  
interview stages. We are almost done filling a second vet tech position. The new  
operations assistant position will be posted soon. All of these positions will be filled by  
our busy spring season.  
International Polar Bear Day will be celebrated in person on Sunday, February 27. We  
have a lot of activities planned and it will be fun. The commission was invited to attend if  
they are available.  
Our Giant African millipedes are breeding. We have almost 600 babies right now and we  
will be sending many of them out to other institutions based on recommendations from  
AZA.  
F. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
The next commission meeting will take place on March 1st and will be held virtually.  
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 JUSTUS, that the Zoo Commission  
meeting be adjourned at 8:56am. The motion carried unanimously.  
Respectfully submitted by Kristin Moala, pending approval by the Commission.