HomeMy WebLinkAbout19E - SA ZOO OTTER UPDATEREQUEST 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}
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CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDED ACTION
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
❑
As Recommended
❑
As Amended
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Ordinance on 1" Reading
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Ordinance on 2 o Reading
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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,
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Update on Giant River Otter Habitat Fundraising by Friends of Santa Ana Zoo
September 20, 2016
Page 2
Sunsets at the Zoo, and the upcoming and very popular family- oriented Halloween event, Boo at
the Zoo, will also go towards the GRO Habitat.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Approval of this item allows the City to meet Goal #2 - Youth, Education, Recreation, Objective
#2 (Expand youth programming), Strategy E (Partner with outside agencies and secure funding
to rehabilitate zoo exhibits and expand the Santa Ana Zoo).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Gerardo Mouet
Executive Director
Parks, Recreation and ommunity Services Agency
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