Macomb Zoological Authority

Macomb County Zoological Authority

c/o Office of the County Executive
One South Main Street, 8th Floor
Mount Clemens, MI 48043

Notice of meeting and agenda
There will be a meeting of the Macomb County Zoological Authority on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Meeting location is the Detroit Zoo Administration Building, 8450 West Ten Mile Road, Gate #4, Royal Oak, Michigan 48067.

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Adoption of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes - April 10, 2025
5. Public Hearing on Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2026
6. Adoption of Proposed Budget Resolution 2025
7. Authorization to approve Legal News invoice for public notification services
8. Report from the Detroit Zoological Society
9. Other Business
10. Public Participation
11. Adjournment

Macomb County Zoological Authority 

A meeting of the Macomb County Zoo Authority was held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. The meeting took place at the Detroit Zoo, 8450 West Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak, Michigan.  The following members were in attendance:

There being a quorum of the Authority present the meeting was called to order by Chair Sawyer at 1:08 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda
A motion was made by Stacy Ziarko to adopt the agenda, and the motion was supported by Lauren Brosch.
Roll Call Vote - Ayes:  Sawyer, Brosch, Ziarko, McKinnon, Lane   Nays:   None
MOTION CARRIED

Approval of Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2025, meeting was made by Marilyn Lane and supported by Lauren Brosch.  
Roll Call Vote:  Ayes: Sawyer, Brosch, Ziarko, McKinnon, Lane   Nays:  None
MOTION CARRIED

Public Hearing on Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2026
Chair Sawyer opened the meeting for public discussion.  No members of the public were in attendance and public session was closed.

Adoption of Proposed Budget Resolution 2025
A motion was made to adopt the Budget Resolution 2025 by Marilyn Lane and was supported by Stacy Ziarko.
Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Sawyer, Lane, Brosch, Ziarko, McKinnon   Nays:  0  
MOTION CARRIED

Authorization to Approve Legal News Invoice for Public Notification Services
Chair Sawyer relayed the need for public notification of finance meetings and requested a motion to approve the Legal News invoice.  A motion was made by Lauren Brosch and supported by Stacy Ziarko.
Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Sawyer, Lane Brosch, Ziarko, McKinnon    Nays: 0
MOTION CARRIED

Report from the Detroit Zoological Society
Chair Sawyer thanked the Zoological Society for hosting the meeting at the Zoo.  CEO Dr. Hayley Murphy and Michael Murray, Chief of Life Sciences, gave an in-depth and informative presentation of the inner workings of the Zoo and the addition of the new 7-acre Discovery Trails.  Discovery Trails has an expected completion date of spring of 2026.  Amanda Hanlin, Chief of Staff presented community outreach updates.  The Macomb County Zoo Authority Members were given a tour of the zoo.

Other Business
The next meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2025.

Public Participation
No members of the Public were in attendance

Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 2:05 p.m. made by Andrew McKinnon and supported by Marilyn Lane.  
Roll Call Vote – Ayes:  Sawyer, Lane, Brosch, Ziarko, McKinnon   Nays:  0   
MOTION CARRIED

Macomb County Zoological Authority

c/o Office of the County Executive
One South Main Street, 8th Floor
Mount Clemens, MI 48043

Notice of meeting and agenda
There will be a meeting of the Macomb County Zoological Authority on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the Macomb County Administration Building, One South Main, 8th Floor Executive Office Conference Room, Mount Clemens MI 48043.

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Adoption of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes – August 19, 2025
5. Public Participation
6. County Audit Engagement Letter
7. 2026 Meeting Dates
8. Presentation by the Detroit Zoological Society
9. Other Business
10. Adjournment

Macomb County Zoological Authority 

A meeting of the Macomb County Zoo Authority was held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting took place at the Macomb County Administration Building, One South Main, 8th Floor Executive Office Conference Room, Mount Clemens, MI 48043.  The following members were in attendance:

There being a quorum of the Authority present the meeting was called to order by Chair Sawyer at 9:30 a.m.

Adoption of Agenda
A motion was made by Marilyn Lane to adopt the agenda, and the motion was supported by Andrew McKinnon.
Ayes:  Sawyer, Brosch, Ziarko, McKinnon, Lane   Nays:   None
MOTION CARRIED

Approval of Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of the August 19, 2025, meeting was made by Andrew McKinnon and supported by Marilyn Lane.  
Ayes: Sawyer, Brosch, Ziarko, McKinnon, Lane   Nays:  None
MOTION CARRIED

Public Participation
Chair Sawyer opened the meeting for public discussion.  No members of the Public were in attendance and public session was closed. Open/closed at 9:36 a.m.

County Audit Engagement Letter - Reviewed and approved per Macomb County Corporation Counsel
Motion made to sign the letter made by Stacy Ziarko, supported by Marilyn Lane.  Ayes: Sawyer, Brosch, Ziarko, McKinnon, Lane   Nays:  None
MOTION CARRIED

2026 Meeting Dates
The 2026 meeting dates were reviewed and set.  The 2026 meeting dates will be held at 9:00 a.m. on May 5, 2026, August 11, 2026, and December 15, 2026.  Meeting dates will be sent out over the next few weeks.
Ayes:  Sawyer, Lane, Brosch, Ziarko, McKinnon   Nays:  0  
MOTION CARRIED

Report from the Detroit Zoological Society
Chair Sawyer congratulated the Zoological Society for the last year of the Zoo's continued success.  Robert Schumaker, Chief Financial Officer, gave an overview of the attendance results through November and projected year-end outlook.  Dr. Hayley Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, gave an in-depth and informative presentation of the new arrivals, to include the lion clubs, gorillas, and giraffes.  Amanda Hanlin, Chief of Staff, presented community outreach updates, to include programming highlights from the Bat Festival, Macomb Harvest Feed, Macomb Reads program, CRWC Adopt-A-Stream, joint e-Recycling event with Macomb Community College, Tri-County Green Schools confirmation, and senior highlights.  The Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails is still underway with a completion date of Spring 2026.  

Other Business
The next meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2026.

Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 10:00 a.m. made by Andrew McKinnon and supported by Marilyn Lane.  
Ayes:  Sawyer, Lane, Brosch, Ziarko, McKinnon   Nays:  0   
MOTION CARRIED

Macomb County Zoological Authority

c/o Office of the County Executive
One South Main Street, 8th Floor
Mount Clemens, MI 48043

Notice of special meeting and agenda
There will be a meeting of the Macomb County Zoological Authority on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Macomb County Administration Building, One South Main, 8th Floor Executive Office Conference Room, Mount Clemens MI 48043.

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Adoption of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes - December 11, 2025
5. Public Participation
6. Selection of Officers
7. Proposed Millage Discussion for November 2026 Election
8. Presentation by the Detroit Zoological Society
9. Other Business
10. Adjournment

Macomb County Zoological Authority 

A meeting of the Macomb County Zoo Authority was held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The meeting took place at the Macomb County Administration Building, One South Main, 8th Floor Executive Office Conference Room, Mount Clemens, MI 48043.  The following members were in attendance:

There being a quorum of the Authority present the meeting was called to order by Chair Sawyer at 2:00 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda
A motion was made by Marilyn Lane to adopt the agenda, and the motion was supported by Andrew McKinnon.  Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
MOTION CARRIED

Approval of Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2025 meeting was made by Andrew McKinnon and supported by Stacy Ziarko.  Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
MOTION CARRIED

Public Participation
Chair Sawyer opened the meeting for public discussion.  No members of the public were in attendance and public session was closed. Open/closed at 2:06 p.m.

Selection of Officers
Chair Sawyer announced he will be stepping down as Chair.  The obligations of the Officers and DZA Board of Directors were reviewed by Chair Sawyer.  Vote taken, appointing Andrew McKinnon as Chair, Stacy Ziarko as Secretary, and Marilyn Lane as Treasurer.  Motion to appoint, made by Marilyn Lane and supported by Lauren Brosch.  Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
MOTION CARRIED

Proposed Millage Discussion for November 2026 Election
To continue providing services to the community, the Authority seeks to renew and restore the millage to the original voter-approved rate of 0.10 mill (10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value.  This proposal would renew the millage at 0.0922 mill and restore the remaining 0.0078 mill that was reduced due to required rollback, for a total authorized rate of 0.10 mill on taxable real and personal property for ten (10) years.  Amanda Hanlin stated that the proposed millage has been shared and reviewed with Chair Sabatini, from the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. The resolution and proposed millage were reviewed and voted on. Motion to approve, made by Marilyn Lane and supported by Lauren Brosch.  Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
MOTION CARRIED

Report from the Detroit Zoological Society
Chair Sawyer congratulated the Zoological Society for the last year of the Zoo’s continued success.  Dr. Hayley Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, gave an in-depth and informative presentation of the 2025 Year-End Report.  The tri-county usage was reviewed and broken down by county.  Attendance statistics, in order of percentage of attendance are Oakland County, Macomb County and Wayne County.  The year-end expenditures were also reviewed.  The actual expenditures were provided to date.  The Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails will open on Memorial Day weekend.  Public Officials and Media will be offered an opportunity to preview the Discovery Trails on May 21^st.  

Other Business
Marilyn Lane inquired about the Election of Officers and there was discussion about the selection of officers and how they are appointed to the DZA Board.  Prior minutes will be reviewed from the last selection of officers’ meeting, at the May meeting.  The next meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2026.

Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 2:35 p.m. made by Andrew McKinnon and supported by Marilyn Lane.  Ayes: 5 Nays: 0  
MOTION CARRIED

Macomb County Zoological Authority

c/o Office of the County Executive
One South Main Street, 8th Floor
Mount Clemens, MI 48043

Notice of special meeting and agenda
There will be a meeting of the Macomb County Zoological Authority on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in the Macomb County Administration Building, One South Main, 8th Floor Executive Office Conference Room, Mount Clemens MI 48043.

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Adoption of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes - April 21, 2026
5. Public Participation
6. UHY Presentation - Presentation of Financial Statements
7. Presentation by the Detroit Zoological Society
8. Other Business 
   1. Review Officer appointment process and intersection with the Detroit Zoological Authority Board
9. Adjournment

Coming soon.

Coming soon.

Coming soon.