Advisory board approves custodial contract, pricing changes and seeks quotes for truck and Amazonia fire system

The Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden Advisory Board approved several operational contracts and pricing changes and authorized procurement steps at its March 4 meeting.

Board members voted to extend the zoo’s custodial-services agreement, approved an increase in paddle-boat and giraffe-feeding prices, authorized staff to seek quotes to purchase a full-size truck, approved a summer-camp scholarship program, and authorized staff to seek quotes for replacement of the Amazonia fire-monitoring system.

Votes at a glance (motions approved)

- Execute custodial-services agreement: The board approved an extension of the current custodial contract to cover building cleaning (public restrooms and indoor visitor spaces). Staff said the contract amount for the extension is $53,861. The motion passed by voice vote; individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the transcript.

- Seek quotes for purchase of a full-size truck: The board authorized staff to begin the city purchasing process to seek quotes for a replacement full-size truck. Staff said funding for the purchase is included in the city’s 2025 capital budget; the current vehicle in use dates to 1997. The item was a request-to-seek-quotes (procurement authorization) rather than final purchase approval.

- Approve summer-camp scholarship program (2025): The board approved continuing a scholarship program for zoo summer camp. Staff said the program covers eight weeks with a total camp capacity of 660 spots and 40 scholarship slots (five scholarships per week). Scholarship recipients pay $15 per week under the program; the zoo’s regular weekly camp price is $150. Staff estimated the program reduces earned revenue compared with full-price enrollment but said prior years’ record enrollments mitigated material revenue impacts.

- Approve pricing increase for giraffe feeding experience: The board approved a price increase for the giraffe-feeding experience. The transcript records board approval; the exact new price was not specified in the meeting record submitted to the board.

- Approve pricing increase for paddle-boat rides: The board approved raising the paddle-boat price from $2 to $3 for a half-hour ride. Staff said the zoo ordered five new commercial-grade paddle boats (estimated cost about $20,000) and hopes better equipment and the modest price increase will reduce downtime and improve revenue.

- Seek quotes for Amazonia fire-monitoring replacement: The board authorized staff to solicit quotes for replacement or upgrades to the Amazonia fire detection/monitoring system. Staff said Amazonia’s original control system dates to February 2008 and that the monitoring system has generated repeated false alarms; staff described the replacement as long overdue. The anticipated cost was described as likely to meet or exceed the city’s $50,000 purchasing threshold; exact bid estimates will follow.

Attributions and procedure notes

- Staff presentation and procurement requests were delivered by the executive director (name not specified), with technical comments from Ben Payne, director of facilities and operations, and attraction- and retail-related remarks from Stephanie Sanderson, guest services and gift shop manager. Board members made motions and seconds during the meeting; the transcript records voice votes (“Aye”) but not individual roll-call tallies.

- The advisory board’s approvals are preliminary authorizations; staff said those items will appear on the Parks Board consent agenda for financial oversight and final signatures at the parks board meeting the following day when required by city procedure.