DISCUSSION OF AND POTENTIAL COMMITTEE ACTION ON POSSIBLE COUNTY
BOARD RESPONSES TO MANAGEMENT AND EQUITY CONCERNS AT HENRY VILAS
ZOO
NO COMMITTEE ACTION TAKEN ON ITEM. Chair Miles mentioned the likelihood of
scheduling further discussion on the topic at a future meeting.
Public Comment: **See attached Registration Report** for positions on agenda
item.discussion.
For detailed information about the committee and other comments, see the meeting
audio/ video posted with the agenda in legistar.
Those who spoke to the committee:
- In support of an independent investigation of the Henry Vilas Zoo:
Travis Thomas, Brian Standing, Erik Andersen, Derek Wallace
- Neither supporting nor opposing:
Neil Rainford
Chair Miles opened up the discussion by enumerating a number of possible options for
the County Board to address the recent workforce equity issues at Henry Vilas Zoo:
1) Establish an independent outside investigation at the zoo
2) Evaluate internally the management analysis completed by OEI and Human
Resources in response to the personnel complaints at the zoo.
3) Evaluate externally--with an outside reviewer--the management analysis completed by
OEI and Human Resources in response to the personnel complaints at the zoo
4) Conduct program evaluation/operational audit as a part of the County Board Office
function.
Supervisors Erickson, Kigeya, Gray, Palm, Doolan, Wright, Schauer, and Smith all
spoke to the topic and indicated an interest in restoring the public trust in the zoo and/or
supporting Dane County employees. Several argued in support of an independent
investigation and others argued for first receiving more information about the jurisdiction
of the County Board and a comparison of options presented. On this second point,
Corporation Counsel indicated it would be available to analyze the options for action and
weigh in from a legal perspective on the pros and cons of the various options
enumerated.
Corporation Counsel Carlos Pabellon indicated that the County Executive is charged with
the management of county personnel and that this authority cannot be diluted by the
County Board. His opinion is that the County Board cannot usurp the role of the
Executive in managing and investigating specific allegations regarding personnel issues
and that such a move would constitute a conflict that limits the County Executive's
authority. There is also a question of how differing opinions from multiple investigations
would be resolved.
However, Pabellon indicated that the County Board does have authority to conduct
investigations/analyses of county affairs and operations, e.g., a more general
investigation of overall hiring and retention practices, policies, and work environment--just
not specific personnel issues and active legal cases, which are in the purview of the
Executive branch.
Supervisors asked further questions and commented. See meeting recordings for
detailed discussion.