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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 <br />TITLE: <br />AGREEMENT WITH U.S. GEOLOGICAL <br />SURVEY WESTERN ECOLOGICAL <br />RESOURCE CENTER AT THE SANTA <br />ANA ZOO <br />i <br />CI Y MANAGER <br />APPROVED <br />? As Recommended <br />? As Amended <br />? Ordinance on 1" Reading <br />? Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />? Implementing Resolution <br />? Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />Authorize the City Manager and Clerk of the Council to execute a five year agreement and permit <br />with the U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Resource Center (USGS), subject to non- <br />substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. <br />DISCUSSION <br />The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park mission statement is "To instill a passion for the natural <br />world through education, recreation and conservation". Without successful partnerships, the <br />Santa Ana Zoo could not fully achieve its mission. By partnering with the Association of Zoos <br />and Aquariums (AZA), schools, local residents, and non-profit organizations, the Zoo is able to <br />enhance its ability to provide animal care and Zoo education opportunities. The partnership with <br />the local field station of the USGS will help the Zoo meet its goal of providing viable conservation <br />programs as required by AZA. <br />As a result of this partnership, the Zoo will become the home office for the area's field biologists <br />and several other researchers. USGS will be housed in a mobile office near the Zoo <br />administrative offices and they will pay for the mobile office lease and all utilities. USGS will <br />have access to the Zoo's education classrooms to teach habitat restoration workshops and to <br />present wildlife lectures. USGS will also be able to provide their services and expertise on water <br />and life support systems at the Zoo and ponds throughout the City, thereby saving money on <br />outside consulting fees. Zoo visitors and the community will benefit from the increased <br />education programs and local conservation efforts provided by the USGS at the Zoo. <br />The USGS serves the nation by developing reliable scientific information used to promote wise <br />management of the nation's natural resources that promotes the health, safety, and well-being of <br />the people. Due to the diversity of environments and natural resource issues within Southern <br />California, the USGS and Zoo have a mutual and evolving interest in cooperative research <br />projects and operational programs in the area of environmental sciences. This agreement will be <br />for a five-year term with both organizations exchanging in-kind services only. <br />25F-1