Nothing is Written - Zoo plan to be approved tonight by Elk Grove mayor, city council but confirmed financing is illusive
Tonight, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and at least two, if not all four, of her city councilmen will approve the design elements and other administrative matters for the massive Sacramento Zoo's relocation project.
Several people are expected to speak in favor of the $300 million project, which is funded mostly by Elk Grove taxpayers. In the several-day afterglow and fawning TV news reports certain to follow, there will be fist-bumps, high-fives, and the usual assortment of self-congratulatory statements by the mayor and Sacramento Zoological Society about this historic undertaking.
So, when Singh-Allen and her councilmen give their affirmative votes tonight, what are they approving? Even with the 600-plus-page report, what they approve is front and center on the city council agenda.
- Approval of the Environmental Impact Report and a Statement of Overriding Considerations
- As ordinance establishing the area as Zoological Park Special Planning Area and Rezoning certain property
- a Resolution amending the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Trails Master Plan and approving a Conditional Use Permit, Tentative Subdivision Map with Subdivision Design Review, District Development Plan, Level 1 Design Review, and an Art Plan, and making a determination of consistency with the General Plan for listing in the City’s Capital Improvement Program for the New Zoo at Elk Grove Project
- A Resolution deviate from the current guidelines of the City’s Naming Policy and create an alternative process for naming New Zoo buildings
5 .Review of terms with the Sacramento Zoological Society for financing Phases 1A/1B of the New Zoo at Elk Grove [p. 1-608]
- Review and provide feedback, as necessary, on financing terms with the Sacramento Zoological Society for financing Phases 1A and 1B of the New Zoo at Elk Grove Project.
As our reader correctly notes, while Mayor Singh-Allen and her councilmen will be celebrating this as a significant accomplishment, all they have done is approve the EIR and design elements and establish a special planning area - which may or may not drive Mello Roos fees higher - and some other administrative matters.
What the approval does not do, is provide a final finance plan, nor does it secure any funding beyond what the city is draining from various taxpayer-funded reserve accounts. Now the mayor could direct city staff to start their pursuit of the $114 million revenue bonds, but that will be a lengthy endeavor, and pursuit does not guarantee acquisition.
More to the point, the recommendation only concerns the Sacramento Zoological Society's fundraising efforts. Currently, the SZS claims to have $12 million in commitments they started receiving in 2020, which are spread over several years, but a year from now, they will need $15 million in new donations for a total of $27.5 million in exclusive commitments.
Their fundraising efforts will be something to keep an eye on. We suggest the city hire an independent auditor to scrutinize their accounting throughout the process.
Mayor Singh Allen and Councilmen Kevin Spease and Daren Suen are up for reelection this November. The mayor will undoubtedly make this centerpiece of her campaign, and if they choose, and depending on their votes tonight, Spease and Suen can also use this as an effective campaign talking point. The residents and voters of Elk Grove should not overlook this political aspect of the project.
So as the celebrations start tonight, when it comes to bond financing and ability of the SZS to raise up to $50 million in cash, we are reminded of a line from the classic move Laurence of Arabia. When Shariff said "It is written" suggesting things were pre-destined, at a later date after proving Shariff that not all things are pre-determined, Laurence said "Nothing is Written."
Photo by MESSALA CIULLA
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When the city council convenes this evening and hears the zoo project, you can almost bet the house it will be a 5 - 0 vote. Mr. Spease or perhaps Mr. Suen will say they have concerns about financing and are worried it might affect infrastructure, but they'll note this is not the finance plan, so they will support it at this point.
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