19E - SA ZOO OTTER UPDATE - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 TITLE; UPDATE ON GIANT RIVER OTTER HABITAT FUNDRAISING BY FRIENDS OF SANTA ANA ZOO {STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 2, 2E} --1 �11)- &-,L� 11�' CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDED ACTION CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: ❑ As Recommended ❑ As Amended ❑ Ordinance on 1" Reading ❑ Ordinance on 2 o Reading ❑ Implementing Resolution ❑ Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER Receive and file an update on fundraising by Friends of Santa Ana Zoo for the Giant River Otter Habitat. DISCUSSION The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency is working with the Public Works Agency on the Giant River Otter (GRO) Habitat. The request for proposals for the design of the Amazon's Edge renovation for giant river otters was released in July and the Public Works Agency received three proposals. All three design firms have worked with the Santa Ana Zoo in the past and are well known in the zoo and aquarium industry. The evaluation team is reviewing the proposals and will select a designer in the next few weeks. An agreement with the selected designer will be submitted to the City Council for approval at a future city council meeting. The Public Works Agency came up with an initial estimate of $2.04 million for the design and construction of the habitat. The chosen design firm will work with City staff to develop the plans for this renovation. Once the design is finalized, the City will have a more accurate estimate of the construction costs. The largest costs of the project are a new, state of the art water filtration system to provide crystal clear water for the otters and a new observation area with an underwater viewing window to see the otters as they swim and play under water. The City has allocated $1.4 million for this project. The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo's ( FOSAZ) Development Committee has developed a GRO Capital Campaign Plan to raise $600,000 for the project. The plan incorporates grants, donor requests, fundraising events, and ride revenue from the upcoming Fifty Monkey Ferris Wheel (to be completed winter of 2017). FOSAZ has already received three grants for the project and 100% of the FOSAZ Board of Directors have made personal donations to the project. This year's Zoofari gala on August 27 raised over $80,000 through underwriting opportunities, ticket sales, and the live and silent auction. All gala proceeds will go towards the GRO Capital Campaign. Proceeds from this past summer's concert series, 19E -1