Chapter 2.85
MESKER PARK ZOO AND BOTANIC GARDEN ADVISORY BOARD

Sections:

2.85.010    Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden.

2.85.010 Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden.

(A) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply throughout this section unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

“Advisory board” shall mean the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden Advisory Board.

“Capital project” shall mean the construction or repair of any improvement, building or fixture; addition or remodeling of any building, improvement or fixture; or the construction of any attachment or improvement to the premises.

“Parks Board” shall mean the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of Evansville.

“Zoo” shall mean the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden.

(B) There is hereby established the Department of Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden. The Mayor shall appoint a Director who shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. The Director shall coordinate the activities of the department.

(C) Creation of Advisory Board. There is hereby created the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden Advisory Board (hereafter “advisory board”).

(D) Membership and Meetings of the Advisory Board.

(1) The advisory board shall consist of five members who shall be residents of Vanderburgh County. The Mayor shall appoint four members and the City Council shall appoint one member. One of the Mayor’s appointees shall be a member of the Board of Park Commissioners.

(2) The members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Terms of office on the advisory board shall expire on January 1st of the year following appointment unless the member is removed by the appointing authority or reappointed; except that members shall continue to serve on the advisory board until their successor is appointed.

(3) The members of the advisory board shall elect a president and vice-president at the first meeting of the year.

(4) The meetings of the advisory board shall be subject to the Open Door Law.

(5) The members shall serve without compensation except for mileage and expenses for out-of-County travel as approved by the Parks Board.

(6) The Parks Board may fund other expenditures of the advisory board from the Parks Department budget.

(E) Powers and Duties of the Advisory Board.

(1) The advisory board shall be responsible for making recommendations regarding planning, development and oversight of capital projects and improvements at the Zoo. Capital projects funded with money from tax dollars or a Parks Board bond shall be subject to the approval of the Parks Board and subject to funding by City Council.

(2) When the Director requests changes in policies regarding use of the Zoo, activities at the Zoo, educational programs, hours of operation, waiver or reduction of admission fees or fees for programs, the advisory board shall have the right to approve or deny said requests. The Parks Board shall have the right to establish the fees for admission to the Zoo or activities at the Zoo subject to the authority of the advisory board to reduce those fees for special events or groups as recommended by the Director.

(3) The advisory board shall have the authority, upon recommendation of the Director, to approve special events and fundraisers for the Zoo or for any of its support groups.

(4) The advisory board shall have the authority to approve contracts for capital projects or purchases of goods and services for the Zoo that are paid for entirely from gifts from individuals or other entities. The advisory board shall be subject to State law on the purchase of goods and for public construction projects. The Parks Board shall approve a capital project before any such contract is awarded. Contracts for construction or goods or services paid for in whole or in part from tax dollars or from a bond issue shall be subject to approval by the Parks Board.

(5) The advisory board shall interview prospective management employees of the Zoo and make recommendations to the Parks Board and the Mayor.

(6) The advisory board shall report its activities at least semiannually to the Mayor, City Council, and Parks Board.

(7) The advisory board shall make recommendations on the award of contracts for capital projects at the Zoo funded with tax money or a bond issue, but said contracts shall not be effective unless approved by the Parks Board.

(8) The advisory board shall work closely with any support groups for the betterment and coordination of activities at the Zoo. [Ord. G-2006-14, passed 8-9-06; Ord. G-2004-2, passed 4-7-04; Ord. G-81-53, passed 12-14-81. 1962 Code, Art. 3, Ch. 6, § 8; 1982 Code § 30.072; 1983 Code § 3.30.072.]