NIABI ZOO OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AGENDA -

NIABI ZOO OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AGENDA -- 04/12/16 at 5:00 PM
13010 Niabi Zoo Road, Coal Valley, IL – Administrative Building, Education Room
Call to Order & Roll Call:
Consent Agenda**:
Niabi Zoo Fund and Niabi Zoo Improvement Fund Budget Performance Report*
Niabi Zoo Fund and Niabi Zoo Improvement Fund Balance Sheet Report*
Animal Inventory Report for the month of March*
Dan Meates – Assistant Director/Interim Director March Report*
Jill Roderick – Curator of Conservation & Education March Report*
Scarlet Behrens – Guest Services Manager March Report*
Scott Hesselberg – Niabi Zoo Maintenance Superintendent March Report*
Old Business:
Approval of open session minutes from the March 17, 2016 meeting
Approval of closed session minutes from the March 17, 2016 meeting
Approval of closed session minutes from February 16, 2016 meeting
Project Matrix Update - Playground
New Business:
Update from Mr. Biddle & Ms. Grace of Schultz & Williams
Update from Interim Zoo Director
Update from Niabi Zoological Society
Set next meeting date
Discussion and possible action on Zoo Director Candidates
Public Comment:
Closed Session: Per ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) – Discussion of Zoo Director Candidates
(c) Exceptions. A public body may hold closed meetings to consider the following subjects:
(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of
specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing
testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel
for the public body to determine its validity.
Adjourn
* items are in members packets
**All items under the consent agenda are considered routine and will be approved by one motion. There will
be no separate discussions of these items unless a Committee Member so requests. In this case, that item will
move from the Consent Agenda to New Business to be considered.
Niabi Zoo Report
March 2016
Prepared by Daniel Meates
Construction Update
Bids for the new Playground have been submitted to the Oversight Committee.
Animal Acquisitions/Animal Department
After extensive work, the process of acquiring an Amur Leopard has been completed and the
animal is now on exhibit at the Cat House. This animal is on temporary loan until sexually
mature at which time it will be moved to another facility as part of the SSP breeding plan. This
is special opportunity for Niabi Zoo as this species is only represented by around 20 animals
remaining in the wild. This is one of the rarest cats in the world and is critically endangered.
Small Animal Building has taken on a great new and improved look with all exhibits being
painted, fresh décor and live plants added, new modern VDU signage and over-all exhibit
presentation improvements. Many additional improvements are being made throughout the
zoo by keepers and maintenance in preparation for Opening Day.
This month was difficult for all staff as our geriatric cats, Mufasa the Lion and Jackson the
Jaguar, had to be euthanized do to age-related issues. Both these cats were very long-lived
animals for their species (even in captivity). Mufasa was 22 and Jackson was 21-the equivalent
to a human living to nearly 90 years old.
Due to the passing of the Jaguar-Jackson, the now empty enclosure at the Cat House will
become home to our pair of Bobcats. This enclosure will be more adequately suited to this
species as the current Bobcat Exhibit was one of the failing points on our last AZA inspection. It
will provide them a pool, a large landscaped area with excellent viewing windows, which in turn
give the public a great visitor experience, indoor access to Bobcats to a temperature-controlled
environment and into large dens more appropriate for when cats have to be lock inside due to
weather, medical procedures, etc. This move will allow for the demolition of the current
inadequate Bobcat holding and allow for the expansion of the current Red Wolf Enclosure,
which could then hold a multi-generational pack in order to avoid continually changing out
offspring/adults.
Keepers worked with Palmer College in Davenport, IA to relocate over 300 Koi from a pond
deemed to be demolished on this local campus. The donated Koi have been rehomed in our
large Koi pond to join our current collection.
In quarantine, we currently have 3 new French Lop rabbits, which will be a new addition to the
petting zoo this year.
A flock of Golden Weavers (birds) will be entering quarantine this month to be exhibited as part
of the Africa Mixed Species Exhibit in the Giraffe Barn.
One of our female Colobus will be leaving Niabi to be part of the SSP Breeding Program as part
of another zoological facility.
Working currently on updating the progress of reapplication for AZA Accreditation. What I
currently deem as staff/management controllable’ s are maintenance program, keeping staff,
record keeping, veterinary program, enrichment, husbandry training, standard operating
procedures, keeper and animal training, etc. are all up to standards. However, what I deem as
the uncontrollable are the upgrade of the Zebra Exhibit, Aoudad Exhibit, Bobcat Exhibit,
Australia Exhibit, Lion Exhibit, and so forth. We are unable to repair and upgrade these
exhibits, once again, due to lack of funding. Accreditation with AZA was lost in 2012. As we
move further away from this loss of status, accreditation will become more difficult to acquire
and obtaining animals for exhibit and involvement in animal programs with many of the
reputable zoos will become nearly impossible. As stated in my previous reports, I am meeting
more and more obstacles and dead ends when trying to acquire animals (Healthy animals that
have a documented medical, enrichment, reproductive and behavioral history) for Niabi Zoo.
Marketing Department Report:
We have been working extensively with Mindfire Marketing Company for our advertising
campaign, zoo signage, marketing and graphics. We are moving forward with this process very
aggressively. We have had a very busy schedule with the Media promoting the opening season.
Posters, Web Design, Television, Radio, Social Media, Graphics, and Public Relations are all a
part of this very time-consuming aspect of the zoos functionality.
Members-Only Egg Hunt:
The annual egg hunt for Zoo Members was a great success this year with nearly 900 guests
participating in the event. A big thanks to all staff that helped make this day the biggest egghunt the Zoo has ever done.
Guest Services Manager Report: Prepared by Scarlet Behrens
MEMBERSHIP/EVENT:
· This past month was a busy month gearing for our soft opening in regards to the
Members Only Event! Overall, the event was successful and brought in the highest
number of attendees we have had for the Egg Hunt. We had many guest stop on their
way out to thank us and even say this was the best egg hunt they had been to! This
“Sneak Peek” was very important to us because since I have worked here at Niabi that
has been a repeated request and thankfully, the timing of everything worked out. We
were able to give the members what they had been asking for and it was a great way for
us to show them how thankful we are for the continued support.
·
We are in the process of approving the revamped/final copy of the member’s
newsletter that will be going to print in the next couple of weeks.
GIFTSHOPS:
· The new inventory software has been installed, training is done and everything is
working.
CAROUSEL:
·
The Update from Chance regarding the 4 new carousel animals is that they will be
arriving here by the middle of June. They are ready for the art shop and are next in line
following a MGR and 20 refurb horses.
HIRING:
· Hiring and training for seasonal departments (Gift Shop, Carousel and Membership) is at
a stopping point for right now. Schedules are done and they are all ready for opening!
MISC:
· The new hurricane simulator should be here by the end of the month.
· I have also been working with Mindfire and John Ferrell on marketing for the upcoming
Golf Outing. We are in the process of finalizing the sign-up and sponsorship sheet.
CONCESSIONS:
· Concessions are getting ready for the season. Here is there basic menu, which we have
posted on our website. They are also continuing the zoo’s relationship with Dr.Pepper
for the 2016 season.
A
Menu Item Name
Hot Dog
Chili Dog
Hamburger
Cheeseburger
Loaded Nacho
Nacho
Pretzel
Cheese Pretzel
Kid Dog
PB&J
Chicken Sandwich
Chick Strips
Cotton Candy
Smoothies
Ice Cream Bars
Popcorn
Kids Meals For Schools/Birthday
Parties
PB&J, chip, milk or juice, popsicle
Hot Dog, chip, milk or juice, popsicle
Chicken Strip, chip, milk or juice,
popsicle
E
Item Sell
Price
$3.75
$4.25
$4.75
$5.00
$5.00
$3.00
$2.50
$3.00
$2.00
$3.00
$4.50
$3.50
$3.00
$3.00/$4.00
$1.50-$3.50
$1.00
$4.00
$4.00
$5.00
Curator of Conservation Education Report: Prepared by Jill Roderick
What the Education Department has been working on:
Volunteers
· JZK applications are due April 23, we have had a lot of interest from new students so it
should be an exciting class.
· A volunteer committee has been established to plan our Earth Day on April 16th. They
have a lot of great ideas and it should be a great event.
· We have a volunteer meeting Saturday, April 9th to cover safety procedures before the
Zoo opens.
· We have been holding volunteer trainings for tours and interpretation at exhibits
(primarily the meerkat/porcupine exhibit)
Programs and Events
· 3 Zoo camps are already filled, with more applications coming in daily.
· We held our last Zoo Tots and homeschool classes for the season this month. They will
start again in August. We had over 75 students in our homeschool class, 45 families with
our homeschool day and 90 families came to our Zoo Tots program in the off-season.
· Booking school group and summer field trips, with over 45 booked so far.
· Working with animal handlers to assure quality programs, with more training and
evaluation of programs.
· We have had to turn down programs due to the Curator of Education being on
maternity leave and not enough trained educators/keepers to do programs requested.
So far, we have turned down 3 Zoo Snoozes, 4 birthday parties and 10 outreaches due
to lack of trained staff able to do it. With full time education staff, we would alleviate
the need to pull keepers from their duties to do outreaches as well as being able to offer
more programs with unified messages.
Graphics
· All temporary signs should be up, working on new graphics in the small animal building.
Using digital picture frames for the animals so that we can change out the information a
little easier.
· Working on posters for areas around the Zoo.
· Provided wording for our new Coins for Conservation kiosk.
Website/Facebook
· Website should be updated with all the information for events through the summer.
Hoping to add everything on there for the fall and anticipate any changes that might
need to be done before I am back.
Maintenance superintendent Report: Prepared by Scott Hesselberg
Removed old Bane from River Rock Grill concession stand
Repaired bracket on dump truck snowplow
Removed snow plow on the F-250
Installed new hitch pins on all train coaches
Installed monitor boxes in small animals
Ed. Center sink remount and secure
Repaired metal cabinet doors in hospital
Heated barn overhead door repair new weather strip
Fixed hyrax furnace
Repaired winch in lion’s den
Fixed broken vent in small animals
Removed plastic off ticket booth windows
Repaired squeegee for small animals
Regrade maintenance area parking lot
Dug trench, glued and set 1” PVC, then backfilled in wolf yard. Pulled camera cable,
set new underground camera, then terminated camera
Fixed leak under sink in small animals Men’s restroom
Removed, refinished, and reinstalled boards on train coach seats.
Repaired breakroom chair in Ed. Center.
Butterfly chairs: re-welded, painted, and set onto a concrete pad.
Repaired courtesy steps for the train and refinished
Small animals: removed old heat lamp, installed new GFCI, and rewired lights above
window in stall 1.
Pulled all garbage cans out of storage and distributed around the zoo.
Installed new faucet at nutrition center.
Fixed front map sign by gift shop.
Repaired stroller-parking kiosk at train station.
Fixed utilities door at Gibbons.
Repaired/replaced door at frog exhibit- Ed. Center.
Installed thermostat lock box covers in small animals.
-
Modified door latch at Gibbons.
Repaired and stained wooden sign stands around zoo.
DE winterized red restroom
Took down fallen trees around playground.
Hung parking lot flags
Installed safety retainers on carousel.
Greased carousel
Reinstalled feeders at petting zoo and koi pond deck.
Set a pole and installed bat houses by Giraffe barn.
Removed old coins for conservation deck and planted grass in its place.
Installed ticket booth flags
Installed a key box in the train station.
Fixed door handle at old maintenance.
Repaired back gate at River Rock concession stand.
Had Erickson Plumbing flush out all tank less water heaters and RPZ around the zoo.
Installed new sensor module in urinal at red restroom.
New battery in Sprinter van.
Replaced aerators on all faucets at Wolf Ridge concession stand.
Painted doors at the red restroom.
Installed pump at Eagles exhibit.
Repaired outside automatic water dish at Giraffe barn.
Installed backflow preventer devices throughout the zoo.
Replaced GFCI at nutrition center.
Repaired gate at petting zoo.
Secured bars on shift doors at the cathouse.
Installed a weathertight WIFI box, ran conduit, pulled cable, and set antennas at
petting zoo light pole
Cleaned out all rain gutters throughout zoo.
Installed new bubblers on drinking fountains around zoo.
Greased all train coach cars.
Animal Inventory Report
0.3
1.0
INCREASES IN INVENTORY
French Lop Rabbit
DECREASES IN INVENTORY
Jaguar
3/25/2016 Quality of Life
3/25/2016 Donation
Month of March 2016
QUANTITY DATE
EXPLANATION
COST