Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to pay for travel-related expenses of lodging and meals not exceeding $ 2,000 from existing budgeted funds, for two European zookeepers participating in a Polar Bear Keeper Training Program, who are not city employees, from May 11-16, 2017.
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WHEREAS, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory partners with Polar Bears International (PBI) and the Arctic Ambassador Centers, a collection of zoos, museums, and aquariums whose goal is to sustain a future for polar bears across the Arctic; and
WHEREAS, Como Zoo was selected by Polar Bears International (PBI) to host two zookeepers from European zoological facilities; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the trip is to teach the keepers about industry leading care of polar bears through positive reinforcement training, environmental enrichment, and husbandry; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking authority to pay for related travel expenses which include lodging and meals, who are not city employees, as part of a keeper training program with Polar Bears International, from 11-16 May, 2017; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is a public purpose for the expenditure of the travel expenses in ensuring that Como Zoo participates in the polar bear keeper exchange program; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Department of Parks and Recreation is hereby authorized to pay for the above mentioned expenses, not to exceed $2,000, from existing budgeted funds.