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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10100RESOLUTION NO. 10100 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF $25,000 FROM THE CONTINGENCIES ACCOUNT IN THE 2004 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO THE PUEBLO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that: SECTION 1. The transfer of $25,000 to the Pueblo Zoological Society is hereby approved. SECTION 2. Said funds shall be transferred from the Contingencies Account in the 2004 General Fund Budget. INTRODUCED April 26, 2004 Aw Michael Occhiato Councilperson ATTESTED B' CITY CLERK f` Pico. - H /C)Ico Background Paper for Proposed RESOLUTION AGENDA ITEM # tj DATE: April 26, 2004 DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE LEE R. EVETT, CITY MANAGER DAVE GALLI, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER TITLE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF $25,000 FROM THE CONTINGENCIES ACCOUNT IN THE 2004 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO THE PUEBLO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY ISSUE The Pueblo Zoological Society is requesting additional funding from the City for their 2004 operations (see attached letter from Zoological Society). The Zoo is requesting an additional $25,000 from the City and a similar amount from Pueblo County. They will also be seeking funds from School Districts 60 and 70. RECOMMENDATION This Resolution is placed on the agenda at the request of Councilman Ortiz. FINANCIAL IMPACT $25,000 will be disbursed from the Contingencies Account in the 2004 General Fund Budget (see attached spreadsheet of balance in Contingencies Account). 03/19/2004 10:43 719 - 561 -8686 PUEBLO ZOOLOGICAL SO PAGE Pueblo Zoological Society 3455 Nuckolls Avenue Pueblo, CO 81005 -1234 Phone: (719) 561 -1452 Fax: (719) 561 -8686 Randy Thurston, President Pueblo City Council City Hall 1 City Hall Place Pueblo, CO 81003 Dear President Thurston and Council Members: 02 We thank you for your past financial support and your continued encouragement as we work in Partnership with the City in the operation and improvement of the Pueblo Zoo. During 2003, the Society Board, staff, and volunteers worked extremely hard to cope with a 5% cut in the City allocation to the facility by conducting a grant- funded marketing assessment and a pro Bono study of the gift shop and snack bar, then instituting many of their recommendations. Fundraising efforts were stepped up, and many new money- saving measures were undertaken. Last year, successful marketing efforts resulted in attendance topping 100,000 for the first time in the history of the Zoo. However, since the facility is already operated on a shoestring budget, supplemented by the work of many volunteers, we feel the maximum impact of these actions has been reached. Thus, as we approach the end of the first quarter of 2004, we are very concerned that the 13% decrease in City funding to the Zoo since 2002, coupled with increased costs (particularly of utilities, insurance, and maintenance), may seriously jeopardize operation of the facility and its education programs. Therefore, we find it necessary to come to you at this time to request a one -time allocation of $25,000 to help us meet a projected budget shortfall of nearly $60,000. We also are seeking funds from other sources including the County and both local school districts as well as working to continue to build the Zoo's earned revenues. In addition to this short-term funding, we would appreciate your working with us to consider future funding of Zoo operations as well financing growth of the facility and its education programs. Thank you for consideration of our proposal. If you need any further information or would like for us to make a presentation at one of your work sessions, please let us know. Sincerely, Ll'� .n�'�' da Stefanie Jonnene McFarland President Executive Director Al&- � YOYVM T-. w Am",, ♦N..IWII.f