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, June 28, 2022  
7:30 AM  
Remote meeting  
A. Call To Order  
Others present: Ronda Schwetz, Kristin Moala, Jess Thompson  
A motion was made by ROSS that the Zoo Commission be called to order at  
7:33am. The motion carried unanimously.  
5 -  
Present  
Excused  
JEFFREY GUNDERSON, SARAH JUSTUS, MICHAEL PETERSEN, ANNE ROSS,  
and Supervisor CECELY CASTILLO  
1 - TAG EVERS  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
2022  
MIN-138  
Attachments: 2022 MIN-138  
A motion was made by GUNDERSON, seconded by JUSTUS, that the Minutes be  
approved as amended. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
C. Action Items  
APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR CLR DESIGN,  
INC. FOR DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OF PHASE II (AFRICAN SAVANNAH  
PHASE) FOR HEART OF THE ZOO IMPROVEMENTS  
7. 2022  
RES-085  
RIPP and ENGELBERGER  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2022 RES-085  
2022 RES-085 FISCAL NOTE  
Schwetz explained that this RES amends the design for our Africa exhibit. Reduces the  
original amount of the design by $181,000. Public Works asked the architectural firm to  
do a design/development plan in increments focusing on giraffe enclosure only. Aiming  
for groundbreaking in spring 2024. Expect construction to go 12-18 months. Discussion  
ensued.  
A motion was made by JUSTUS, seconded by PETERSEN, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
D. Presentations  
E. Reports to Committee  
Discussion of the Henry Vilas Zoo workplace plan in response to the internal OEI  
investigation continued. Discussion focused on DEAI plans. Zoo staff highlighted some  
of the work with Zoo started prior to the OEI investigation, actions we have taken based  
on OEI recommendations, and shared goals for the future. Commission discussed  
drafting a statement of support for the DEAI initiatives ongoing at the zoo to send to the  
County Board. Discussion ensued.  
Schwetz gave animal updates.  
F. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
The next meeting will be held virtually on 8.2.22 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 GUNDERSON, seconded by PETERSEN, that the Zoo  
Commission meeting be adjourned at 9:03am. The motion carried unanimously.  
Respectfully submitted by Kristin Moala, pending approval by the Commission.