City council accepts Erie Events proposal to operate Erie Zoo; deed restrictions and $500,000 annual payment required

Erie City Council voted to accept Erie Events’ proposal to assume ownership and operation of the Erie Zoo campus and associated amenities, the council announced at its August meeting. The council’s resolution endorses a transfer of roughly 96 acres to Erie Events with conditions intended to preserve a public zoo and recreational uses.

The council resolution says the city would transfer ownership of approximately 96 acres by deed and that the deed would include restrictions: Erie Events must maintain a nine‑hole golf course and a zoo on the property; Erie Events may not sell or transfer any portion of the property without the city’s approval; and if Erie Events fails to maintain a zoo and the nine‑hole golf course, ownership would revert to the city. Erie Events would also assume responsibility for insurance and utility payments for the property and would operate the Flow Fabrizio ice rink. Erie Events will enter into a management agreement with the zoo and will provide an annual payment of $500,000 to the zoo, the resolution says. The resolution calls for the city to lease portions of the picnic grounds and horseshoe courts to Erie Events at no charge while the city will continue to operate some facilities (the resolution text is summarized in a July 23, 2025 letter from attorney James Walzak to city solicitor Edward Betza, cited in the resolution).

Council Member Kevin Titus sponsored the resolution and Council Member Shaw seconded it. The council adopted the resolution by a unanimous vote of the seven council members present: Brzezinski, Flores, Nelson, Schauff, Titus, Troupe and Witherspoon. Council discussion before the vote centered on the city’s limited fiscal capacity and the need for a sustainable operator for the zoo. “City of Erie is not in great shape financially, and it’s not gonna be for a while,” Council President Witherspoon said during remarks before the vote.

The vote followed nearly two hours of public comment from zoo staff, volunteers, regional leaders and residents who urged approval of the Erie Events partnership as the best path to stabilize operations, raise staff pay, and fund capital improvements. Ruko Jansi, identified in public comments as the Erie Zoo’s president and CEO, told council that “approval of the transfer of ownership of the zoo to Erie Events is its only hope,” and said the city lacks the resources or expertise to sustain the zoo long term. Zoo staff and volunteers described the facility’s educational programs, conservation work and multi‑generation community value; several called the transfer the most sustainable option for the zoo’s future.

Regional stakeholders also spoke in favor. Curtis Jones, representing the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, said the chamber supports the resolution and described the zoo and surrounding amenities as “regional assets” that help attract visitors and investment. Multiple speakers emphasized Erie Events’ track record managing local venues and argued the nonprofit operator could bring professional management and new revenue streams.

Votes at a glance - Resolution (Council resolution number 2): Accept proposal from Erie Events regarding operation of the Erie Zoo as described in the July 23, 2025 letter from attorney James Walzak to city solicitor Edward Betza. Moved by Council Member Titus; seconded by Council Member Shaw. Vote: 7‑0, approved. Key terms summarized in the resolution: transfer by deed of ~96 acres; deed restrictions requiring zoo and nine‑hole golf course; Erie Events to insure the property and pay utilities; Erie Events to operate Flow Fabrizio ice rink; Erie Events to provide $500,000 annually to the zoo; reversion clause if zoo and golf course are not maintained. - Council File / Official Ordinance 57,025 (final passage): Appropriation of $447,791.20 from unappropriated and unanticipated revenue for a PennDOT Transportation Alternatives Program grant project. Vote: 7‑0, approved. - Council File Ordinance 16,548 (first reading adopted): Amends Article 101 to authorize a referendum on studying the city’s form of government; repeals Ordinance 26,2025 and expands the scope of the governmental study. Vote on first reading: 7‑0. - Council File Ordinance 16,549 (first reading adopted): Appropriating $23,200 of HOME program income for HOME M17 projects. Vote on first reading: 7‑0. - Council File Ordinance 16,550 (first reading adopted): Appropriating $950,000 for a PCCD Violence Intervention Prevention grant for FY24–25. Vote on first reading: 7‑0.

Council members and administration said the resolution is a first step and that further negotiation and documentation will follow. The resolution instructs the city to accept Erie Events’ proposal and recommend approval to the mayor; the resolution does not itself finalize a deed or management agreement. The resolution summary states the city will transfer property by deed and that the deed will include the restrictions described above. The city also pulled a separate resolution earlier in the meeting that would have committed $500,000 annually from the city budget; that item was removed from the agenda prior to this vote.

What’s next The council acceptance recommends the proposal to the mayor and establishes the council’s understandings. The resolution references a July 23, 2025 letter from Erie Events’ counsel; details of a final deed, lease terms for picnic grounds and horseshoe courts, and the management agreement will be developed in follow‑up legal documents and negotiations. Several council members said additional work is required to safeguard city interests and public access during implementation.