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Advisory board recommends fence repairs, hazardous tree removal and equipment trade; approves early closure for member night
Summary
The Botanic Garden Advisory Board on Aug. 6 voted to recommend an $11,079 contract for fence repairs (storm damage), a $24,900 hazardous tree-removal contract, authorized trading a 2001 skid steer toward a new purchase, and approved closing the zoo early for a Nov. 15 member appreciation night.
At the Aug. 6 Botanic Garden Advisory Board meeting, members approved a set of operational requests and recommended contract approvals to the parks board and city purchasing process.
Item 4A: Fence repairs — Speaker 3 described April 8 storm damage to perimeter fencing and one exhibit; ACE Construction was the low bidder at $11,079. Speaker 1 moved to recommend approval and Speaker 2 seconded; multiple members vocalized approval. Speaker 3 told the board the cost will be charged to the city's liability funds rather than the zoo's capital budget.
Item 4B: Hazardous tree removal — Speaker 3 said horticulture staff solicited bids and recommended Randy's Tree Service for hazardous tree removals at a contract price of $24,900. Speaker 3 said that the work is budgeted in the 2024 capital budget and that trees are prioritized by hazard (risk of falling on structures, ash trees vulnerable to emerald ash borer). The board moved and approved the recommendation.
Item 4C: Equipment trade — The board authorized surplusing and trading a 2001 John Deere skid steer to secure trade-in credit toward a replacement purchase. Speaker 3 said the vendor offered a substantive trade-in allowance for the 2001 machine. The motion carried.
Member appreciation night — The board approved a request to close the zoo early for a member appreciation night on Nov. 15, 2024. Speaker 3 said the event would run from about 4–6 p.m.; the board agreed to gate close admissions at 2 p.m. and to ask visitors to be off zoo grounds by roughly 3:30 p.m.
Motions: For the items that required a motion, Speaker 1 made the motions and Speaker 2 seconded. The transcript records multiple members saying "Aye" after each motion; identified speakers who said "Aye" in the record include Speaker 1, Speaker 2 and Speaker 3. The transcript contains numerous additional "Aye" responses (many repeated across segments), but individual identities for each affirmative response are not specified in the transcript.
The advisory board discussed that all contracts will proceed through the city purchasing review and legal contract review before funds are disbursed. The fence-repair work will be covered by city liability funds and not charged to the zoo's capital budget.
The board forwarded its recommendations and approvals for processing and confirmed its next meeting for Sept. 3.
