ADOPTED - JULY 25, 2006

Agenda Item No. 16

Introduced by the County Services and Finance Committees of the:

 

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO ENTER INTO A CONDITIONAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY

OF LANSING FOR THE LEASE AND OPERATION OF THE POTTER PARK ZOO

 

RESOLUTION #06-181

 

WHEREAS, the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing is a regional attraction that draws most of its visitors from outside the City of Lansing, including a large number of Ingham County residents; and

 

WHEREAS, on April 11, 2006, City of Lansing Mayor Bernero submitted a written request to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners for long-term funding for the operational and capital needs of the Potter Park Zoo, specifically requesting that the Board of Commissioners authorize a special property tax Millage to be placed on the November 2006 ballot to support the operation of the Potter Park Zoo; and

 

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the County and the City of Lansing to maintain an accredited and fully licensed Zoo; and

 

WHEREAS, in response to the Mayor=s request, the County Board formed a City/County Zoo Task Force to explore options and discuss issues pertaining to County involvement with the Zoo; and

 

WHEREAS, on July 12, 2006, after having held numerous meetings and exploring various legal options, the Task Force recommended that Ingham County enter into a long-term agreement with the City of Lansing for the lease of the Potter Park Zoo, and the transfer of responsibility for operation and maintenance to Ingham County; and 

 

WHEREAS, after further review, the County Services and Finance Committees recommend that the proposed agreement contain the following general terms and conditions:

 

(a)        the City lease Potter Park and the Zoo to Ingham County, transfer to Ingham County all personal property necessary for zoo operations and maintenance, and transfer responsibility for the operation and maintenance of Potter Park and the Zoo to Ingham County to be operated through the Ingham County Parks & Recreation Commission; and

 

(b)        allow for the possibility of the County assigning the lease and personal property, and transferring responsibility for the operation and maintenance of Potter Park and the Zoo, to a regional entity comprised of Ingham County and one or more other municipalities; and

 

(c)        create a Zoo Advisory Board, for the purpose of reviewing Zoo operations and to provide advice and recommendations to the County Parks and Recreation Commission and other interested parties; the membership to be determined by the County Board of Commissioners, but which shall include at least two representatives of Ingham County, and at least two representatives of the City of Lansing, and at least one representative from the Zoological Societyand at least one representative from other governmental entities interested in financially supporting the Zoo; and

 

(d)        express the parties= intent that Zoo employees would not be placed in any worse position regarding wages; and

ADOPTED - JULY 25, 2006

Agenda Item No. 16

 

RESOLUTION #06-181

 

(e)        express the parties’ intent that Zoo employees’ benefit package be held harmless unless otherwise negotiated through collective bargaining;

 

(f)         the agreement would be conditioned upon voter approval of a County-wide property tax Millage for Zoo funding, and continued Millage funding for the Zoo; and

 

(g)        Ingham County=s maximum financial involvement with Potter Park Zoo would be the amount

obtained from a special Zoo Millage limited to .46 mills, estimated as approximately $3.1 million in the first year, and

 

WHEREAS, entry into the proposed agreement outlined above is contingent upon the timely receipt of all financial and operational information requested by the County, and review of such information by independent accountants and/or consultants, and County staff.

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners expresses its intent to enter into a conditional agreement with the City of Lansing for the lease, operation and maintenance of Potter Park and the Potter Park Zoo, as outlined above.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners intends to place a special Zoo funding Millage on the November 2006 ballot, limited to .46 mills, upon the City of Lansing=s timely acceptance of the terms of the proposed conditional agreement.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Ingham County shall not hire or otherwise expend funds for external accountants and/or consultants to review the financial information provided by the City, unless and until the Lansing City Council adopts a resolution expressing its intent to enter into the proposed agreement as outlined above.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that staff shall be authorized to negotiate a lease with representatives of the City of Lansing, with the final lease to be brought back to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners for approval.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Attorney shall prepare a draft agreement for further consideration by this Board after compliance by the City with the matters noted above.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be submitted to the Lansing City Council and Mayor.

 

COUNTY SERVICES:  Yeas:  Schor, De Leon, Holman, Copedge, Severino

      Nays:  Vickers              Absent:  None              Approved 7/18/06

 

FINANCE:  Yeas:  Hertel, Grebner,  Weatherwax-Grant

      Nays: Dedden, Dougan                Absent:  Thomas          Approved 7/19/06