REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGEANNE A. WHITE, City Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
BY: JENNIFER RUIZ, Deputy City Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the First Amendment to the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Fresno Chaffee Zoo Corporation through August 30, 2026.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend the City Council approve the first amendment to the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with the Fresno Chaffee Zoo to extend the term of the agreement through August 30, 2026.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno and the Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation (“Zoo”), a privately created California public benefit corporation, entered into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement effective August 30, 2024. The term of the agreement was for one year, unless extended by a majority vote of the City Council. The parties have made meaningful progress during the current negotiating period and desire to continue negotiations.
BACKGROUND
Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation (“Zoo”), a privately created California public benefit corporation, entered into the current lease agreement with the City of Fresno on January 1, 2006. The Zoo’s history at Roeding Park dates back to as early as 1907, although official recognition as a zoo by The American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA - now AZA) occurred in 1929. Over the years the zoo has gone through various changes in its governance, and within its exhibits, and in 2004, Measure Z was approved as a Fresno County sales tax to financially support zoo improvements. In July 2007, the Zoo released a Facility Master Plan to serve as a “roadmap” for future Zoo development.
The proposed extension of the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) will continue negotiations between the City and the Zoo regarding the desire to jointly undertake improvements to the parking facilities in Roeding Park in the general vicinity of the current employee and overflow parking lots, and maintenance yard to the north of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo boundary (“Project Area”). The improvements may include the construction of up to two multi-story parking structures along with related landscaping and parkland improvements, collectively referred to as the “Parking Facilities Project”. The project is anticipated to provide a substantial public benefit by improving public access to the Zoo and Roeding Park, as well as improving traffic flow and parkland improvements.
The Parties intend to negotiate mutually acceptable terms and conditions in an Amended Lease Agreement and such other ancillary agreements as may be necessary (collectively the “Agreements”), that will define the Parties’ rights, obligations and participation in the development of the Parking Facilities Project.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The Exclusive Negotiating Agreement is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act or the National Environmental Policy Act; however, it will require that the Parking Facilities Project complies with applicable environmental impact laws.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable as this is not a solicitation for a contract or funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund or any other fund within the City of Fresno.
Attachments:
Exclusive Negotiating Agreement
First Amendment