The Des Moines City Council will consider a series of actions today, including an $8.7 million financing package, that will give more autonomy to the foundation operating Blank Park Zoo.

Among other actions, the council will be asked to vacate designated parkland occupied by the zoo and A.H. Blank Park, and approve a variety of funding sources, including the use of hotel and motel tax revenues for zoo operating expenses.

The facilities are on city-owned land, and the votes are designed to continue the city’s commitment to the zoo while removing some tax burden from residents. In addition, the A.H. Blank Park Zoo Foundation will have greater say in management of the zoo.

In addition to $8.7 million in economic development grants, the budget includes $440,000 in operating expenses drawn from $290,000 in hotel and motel tax revenue and an anticipated $150,000 from Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc., according to a staff report.

Agreements with the zoo foundation to be considered by the council include these elements:

The initial term is 20 years, with two 20-year renewal options at the sole discretion of the zoo foundation.

• The foundation will provide $16.6 million in non-city funds for capital construction improvements per the zoo master plan as will be proposed to the council and be completed by 2015.
• Blank Park Zoo Foundation will own the animal collection and personal property; however, the collection and personal property will revert to the city upon termination of the agreement.
• The council will retain the right to appoint a council member and the city manager to the foundation board as voting members.
• Previous city-provided services, such as all information technology support and functions, insurance, skilled labor, trash removal and two full-time dedicated city employees, will no longer be available to the foundation.
• The foundation will be required to achieve a paid regular attendance of at least 200,000 visitors annually, remain accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and remain a public facility.
• The city will have oversight compliance on the foundation’s master plan.