Title
Request from Olbrich Botanical Gardens to temporarily increase admission fee and adjust revenue sharing for Bolz Conservatory in response to COVID-19 Pandemic.
Body
Olbrich Botanical Gardens staff would like to re-open the Bolz Conservatory. The re-opening team developed a proposal, which is in compliance with PHMDC orders and can be adjusted as needed. Olbrich staff request action by the BPC to increase the admission fee from $2 per person to $6 per person age six and over. In addition, there is a revenue sharing proposal to help OBS cover staffing expenses that will be incurred to safely open and monitor the Conservatory attendance, as this work is normally done by volunteers and additional monitoring will be required. The temporary fee structure and revenue sharing would be in effect from October 1, 2020 until June 2021. Currently all fees for Conservatory admissions are allocated to the City’s operating budget except for special exhibitions, such as Blooming Butterflies and Holiday Express. 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.