REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGEANNE A. WHITE, City Manager
Office of Mayor & City Manager
BY: NICHOLAS D. MASCIA, PE, TE, PTOE, Assistant City Manager
Office of Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the Second Amendment to the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Fresno Chaffee Zoo Corporation through May 1, 2026
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Second Amendment to the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with the Fresno Chaffee Zoo to extend the term of the agreement through May 1, 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 (ENA) effective August 30, 2024. The term of the agreement was for one year, unless extended by a majority vote of the City Council. A First Amendment to the ENA extended the initial term to February 28, 2026. The parties have made meaningful progress during the current negotiating period and desire to continue negotiations through May 1st 2026.
BACKGROUND
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 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 ...
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