CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Parks and Recreation; authorizing the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation to enter into an agreement with the Woodland Park Zoological Society for operation and management of the Woodland Park Zoo.
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WHEREAS, the City currently owns the public zoological gardens located in Seattle commonly known as the Woodland Park Zoo; and
WHEREAS, the Woodland Park Zoological Society is a nonprofit benefit corporation organized in 1965 for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes for the study and promotion of zoology and wildlife conservation and for the education and recreation of the public; and
WHEREAS, in 2000, the Washington State Legislature adopted Chapter 35.64 of the Revised Code of Washington to authorize certain cities, including The City of Seattle, to enter into contracts with nonprofit corporations or other public organizations to manage and operate their zoos and aquariums; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle and the Woodland Park Zoological Society believe that the proposed Agreement will provide the greatest opportunity for success of the Zoo to continue to fulfill its mission in education, conservation of wildlife, recreation, providing benefits to the residents of Seattle, and developing the Zoo as an important civic asset, cultural resource, and attraction; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. As requested by the Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation and recommended by the Mayor, the Superintendent is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement (“Agreement”), substantially in the form of Attachment 1 to this ordinance, between The City of Seattle, acting through Seattle Parks and Recreation, and the Woodland Park Zoological Society (WPZS), a nonprofit public benefit corporation in the State of Washington.
Section 2. The Superintendent is authorized to manage the Agreement on behalf of the City under the terms therein and provide such approvals as may be necessary or desirable to carry out the Agreement. The Superintendent shall administer the agreement in full consultation with the City Council by transmitting all information, drafts, and proposals, including the Long-Range Plan contemplated by the agreement, to Council in a timely fashion. The Superintendent is further and specifically authorized to execute and perform such ancillary and related agreements as reasonably deemed necessary to carry out the terms of the Agreement.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2021, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2021.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved / returned unsigned / vetoed this ________ day of _________________, 2021.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2021.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - (Proposed) Woodland Park Zoo Operations and Management Agreement