Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/129431
Sarasota News Leader May 10, 2013 Page 18 Moreover, Lewis noted he would be asking the City Commission to allow him to schedule a special meeting on Monday, May 20, so the members could consider the interlocal agreement between the boards "that is still under development." The lease for the company operating Warm Mineral Springs ends on June 30. If the North Port commissioners had access to those draft documents, Reid wrote in his May 7 email to the county commissioners, then they should have equal access to the materials. THE CHAIN OF EVENTS Sarasota County Administrator Randall Reid (left) and County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh. File photo Robinson talked about the need for the interBecause of the continuing conflict over the local agreement. future of the Warm Mineral Springs, the eightTherefore, on April 23, County Commissioner hour facilitated meeting on April 17 was held Christine Robinson won support for a motion in accordance with the Florida State Statutes, directing DeMarsh to proceed with drafting so the boards could iron out their differences. that agreement. During that same meeting, At the end of that session, the commissions DeMarsh told the board he also would draft agreed on the idea of a short-term lease fol- an agreement regarding a short-term lease; he lowed by a process similar to an ITN for pro- would provide it to the North Port Commisposals on the long-term management of the sion at the same time he sent the draft interlocal agreement, he added. resort. Early on the morning of April 18, North Port Commissioner Rhonda DiFranco sent an email to Lewis saying she had changed her mind and no longer supported the action agreed upon during that facilitated meeting. However, when the North Port Commission discussed the next steps in the process during its regular meeting on April 22, DiFranco made no mention of her email as Lewis and City Attorney As he had explained on April 23, DeMarsh reiterated on May 7 that the North Port Commission still would need to take an initial vote on the documents before the County Commission addresses them formally. In response to a question from Commissioner Robinson, DeMarsh pointed out that the documents were not ready for either commission to consider.