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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DULUTH AND THE ARROWHEAD ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth (“City”) and the Arrowhead Zoological Society, d/b/a Lake Superior Zoological Society (“Society”), entered into a three year agreement (2012-2014) on or about December 20, 2011 (City Contract No. 21527), for the operation and management of the City’s Lake Superior Zoological Gardens; and
WHEREAS, that the parties entered into an amendment to the agreement on or about December 9, 2014 (City Contract No. 21527-01), to: (i) extend the term of the agreement for a period of one year through December 31, 2015, (ii) modify the reimbursement procedures, and (iii) provide a dollar amount for working capital to assist the society with cash flow between the society’s submission of reimbursement paperwork and the release of reimbursement funds by the City; and
WHEREAS, that the parties entered into a second amendment to the agreement on or about December 15, 2015 (City Contract No. 21527-02) to extend the term of the agreement for an additional six months through June 30, 2016; and
WHEREAS, the Society needs additional monetary support to fund its accreditation renewal process with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (“AZA”). Said AZA accreditation process includes a number of physical and administrative tasks to be performed by Society staff; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the importance of the Society’s AZA accreditation status; and
WHEREAS; tourism tax collections for the year 2015 have significantly exceeded budget estimates and are available to assist with the monetary support to fund the accreditation renewal process; and
WHEREAS, that the parties desire to further amend the agreement to provide funding to enable the Society to bring selected staff back to full-time status over a three month period to work on the AZA accreditation process.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to execute a Third Amendment to the Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, to provide $25,000 in additional funds from tourism tax fund balance to support the Society’s AZA accreditation process, payable from Fund No. 258-030-5310 (Tourism Tax Fund, Finance, Contract Services).
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes the City of Duluth (“City”) to enter into a third amendment to its agreement with the Arrowhead Zoological Society (“Society”) to provide $25,000 in additional funds to support the Society’s accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (“AZA”).
The funds paid to the Society under the Third Amendment to Agreement are to be used solely for the purpose of going through the AZA accreditation process. Said AZA accreditation process includes, but is not limited to: (1) physical tasks related to the Zoo’s facilities, structures, and improvements and (2) administrative tasks related to the paperwork of the AZA accreditation process.
The City recognizes the importance of the Society’s AZA accreditation status to allow the Zoo to be an institution that: (1) meets or exceeds current professional standards and (2) provides a publicly-recognized badge signifying excellence in and commitment to animal care, conservation, and education. There are other numerous benefits and opportunities available to the Society if the Society obtains and maintains its AZA accreditation.
The City desires to enter into the Third Amendment to Agreement with the Society, pursuant to which the City will provide funding in the amount of $25,000, to enable the Society to bring selected seasonal staff back to full-time status over a three month period to work on the AZA accreditation process.