The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection may provide grants, within available appropriations, to the city of Bridgeport or to the Connecticut Zoological Society for the purpose of paying the operating costs for property located in the town and city of Bridgeport and known as the Beardsley Zoological Gardens. As used in this section, “operating costs” means expenses incurred in the operation of the Beardsley Zoological Gardens, including, but not limited to, insurance premiums, salaries, property maintenance, utilities and supplies.