Title
Request from Olbrich Botanical Gardens to continue operating with temporarily increased admission fee and corresponding revenue sharing for Bolz Conservatory in response to COVID-19 Pandemic.
Body
Since March 2020, Olbrich Botanical Gardens has made many significant operational changes to adapt to changing conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bolz Conservatory was closed from mid-March 2020 through October 2020. In September 2020, the Board of Parks Commissioners approved a temporary increase to the conservatory admission fee from $2 to $6 and adjustment in revenue sharing between the Olbrich Botanical Society and the City of Madison. For December and February, OBS will pay the City 17% of admissions revenue due to the enhanced displays during those months. For all other months during this arrangement, the net revenue would be shared equally between the City of Madison and Olbrich Botanical Society. Scholarship admissions will be in place, free times, and free member admissions would continue as before. The increased fee funds to staffing to collect admission fees and monitor visitor safety of the conservatory (OBS limited-term Conservatory Cashier) while COVID-19 is still present. This role has traditionally been filled by volunteers, who are not working at the gardens due to the ongoing pandemic. The BPC approved this request with the condition that there was a sunset clause of January 2021 and staff report back. On January 11, 2021, staff briefed the BPC on the reopening, and requested an extension of the fee and adjusted cost sharing through December 31, 2021, which was approved by BPC. Due to the ongoing pandemic, uncertainty around health orders and decreased indoor volunteer participation at Olbrich, staff requests that the $6 admission fee and agreed upon cost sharing arrangement continue through May 2022.