DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Districts 1, 2
SUBJECT:
Amendment to Lease Agreements with the San Antonio Zoo and the Witte Museum
SUMMARY:
Consideration of the following Ordinances related to amending Lease Agreements with the San Antonio Zoological Society, Inc. and the San Antonio Museum Association d/b/a/ The Witte Museum:
A. This ordinance authorizes an Amendment to the Lease Agreement with the San Antonio Zoological Society, Inc. to establish a new fee structure effective October 1, 2017 and to allow administrative approval for adjusting admission fee increases by no more than a cumulative 18% during any two-year period.
B. This ordinance authorizes an Amendment to the Lease Agreement with the San Antonio Museum Association d/b/a The Witte Museum (Witte Museum) to allow administrative approval for adjusting admission fee increases by no more than a cumulative 18% during any two-year period.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The San Antonio Zoo and the Witte Museum are two important cultural and visitor destinations located within Brackenridge Park. Both organizations provide a rich visitor experience through their innovative exhibits and diverse educational program offerings. The San Antonio Zoo has a long history in our community dating back to the early 1900's and attracts over one million guests annually. Since its opening in 1923, the Witte Museum has grown to welcome an average of 600,000 visitors per year, including 250,000 school age children.
Within the terms of the current lease agreements, the Parks and Recreation Department has the ability to administratively approve increases in admission fees up to a cumulative 20% over a three-year (3) period. General admission fee increases exceeding this amount require City Council approval. The proposed admission rate structure will allow the Parks and Recreation Department to administratively approve fees up to a cumulative ...
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