HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2008.03.06 - 9543Miscellaneous Resolution # 08048
BY: Commissioner Helaine Zack, District #22, Commissioner Bill Bullard, Jr., District #2, David
Potts, District #20, David Woodward, District #18, David Coulter, District #25
RE: Board of Commissioners — Support for Establishing a Zoological Arthority
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS the Detroit Zoological Institute is comprised of the Detroit Zoo and the Belle Isle Nature
Zoo. The Institute, situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits was founded in 1928, is committed
to celebrating and saving wildlife. This spectacular venue, is located at the intersection of
Huntington Woods and Royal Oak, Michigan; and
WHEREAS the mission of the Detroit Zoological Institute is to demonstrate leadership in wildlife
cur rseivation and animal welfare; provide a broad audience with outstanding and unique educational
opportunities that lead to the appreciation and stewardship of nature; inspire our community with
engaging, meaningful and memorable experiences; provide innovative zoological facilities that
contribute to the reyioii%-,.. ek,urlunlis, vitality; and demonstrate organizational excellence consistent
with a commitment to outstanding service and progressive resource management; and
WHEREAS the Detroit Zoological Society, a separate non-profit organization, operates both the
Detroit Zoo and the Belle Isle Nature Zoo; and
WHEREAS the Detroit Zoo receives operating subsidies from the City of Detroit and the State of
Michigan and funding from private donations; and
WHEREAS the subsidy from the City of Detroit is being phased out making it imperative that the
Detroit Zoo move forward with establishing ongoing support on a regional basis; and
WHEREAS the Detroit Zoo is in the process of establishing an independent authority as an
alternative means of publicly funding this regional asset;
WHEREAS the Detroit Zoo is a cultural institution which is an important part of the economic vitality
of Oakland County and the entire region. The zoo plays a critical roll in attracting tourists and
provide unique educational opportunities for our residents; and
WHEREAS Michigan Senate Bill 1135 — the Zoological Authorities Act - was introduced to establish
a zoological authority and to authorize the levy of property tax by a zoological authority; and
WHEREAS Senate Bill 1135 proposes that in order to establish a Zoological Authority, articles of
incorporation must be adopted by the county board of commissioners of the county establishing the
authority; and
WHEREAS recognizing the importance of the Detroit Zoo to the region and the state as a cultural
institution, the proposal to enact the Zoological Authorities Act received bi-partisan support in the
Michigan Senate.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
urges the Michigan legislature to enact the Zoological Authorities Act to provide a mechanism for
providing public funding for the Detroit Zoo.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk is requested to forward copies of this
adopted resolution to the Governor of the State of Michigan, the Oakland County state legislative
delegation, the Senate Committee on Finance, the Michigan Association of Counties, City Council
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and Mayor of the City of Detroit, Wayne County Board of Commissioners, Macomb County Board of
Commissioners, the Detroit Zoological Society and Oakland Counties legislative lobbyists.
Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
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Discussion followed. DEM ea COW MEM MOS
Ruth11611.114114 County Clerk
Resolution #08048 March 6, 2008
Moved by Zack supported by Potts to suspend the rules and vote on MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION
#08048 — BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT FOR ESTABLISHING A ZOOLOGICAL AUTHORITY.
Vote on motion to suspend the rules:
AYES: Gregory, Greimel, Hatchett, Jacobsen, Nash, Potter, Potts, Rogers, Spector, Woodward,
Zack, Bullard, Burns, Coleman. Coulter, Crawford, Gershenson, Gingell. (18)
NAYS: Kowall, Long, Scott, Douglas. (4)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the motion to suspend the rules and vote on MISCELLANEOUS
RESOLUTION #08048 — BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT FOR ESTABLISHING A
ZOOLOGICAL AUTHORITY carried.
Moved by Douglas supported by Scott the resolution be postponed until the March 20, 2008 Board meeting.
As a point of order, Commissioner Potter wanted confirmation on motion procedure.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Hatchett called the question.
Chairperson Bill Bullard, Jr. allowed Commissioner Potter to speak before the vote.
Vote on motion to postpone:
AYES: Long, Scott, Douglas. (3)
NAYS: Greimel. Hatchett, Jacobsen, Kowall, Nash, Potter, Potts, Rogers, Spector, Woodward, Zack,
Bullard, Burns, Coleman, Coulter, Crawford, Gershenson, Gingell, Gregory. (19)
A sufficient majority not having voted in favor, the resolution was not postponed until the March 20, 2008
Board meeting.
F.Xscussion followed.
Vote on resolution:
AYES: Hatchett, Jacobsen, Nash, Potter, Potts, Rogers, Spector, Woodward, Zack, Bullard, Burns,
Coleman, Coulter. Crawford, Gershenson, Gingell, Gregory, Greimel. (18)
NAYS: Kowall, Long, Scott, Douglas. (4)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution was adopted.
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Ruth Johnson, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on March 6, 2008, with
the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County of Oakland at Pontiac.
Michigan this 6th day of March. 2008.