Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/140592
Sarasota News Leader June 28, 2013 Page 25 "This is saying the Springs is closing July 1," Yates pointed out, adding county officials had said they felt there was no way the two local governments could provide staff to keep the resort open until a new operator was selected. "There's nothing we could do, even if we sign this, that could keep the facility from closing?" she asked Lewis. "We've essentially got five days," Lewis told her. The county commissioners were very clear that the city could not act unilaterally to keep the resort open "and then they just become a kind of conscientious objector," he said. According to state law, because the county is co-owner of the property, a competitive selection process must be used before any management contract is awarded. In early June, the North Port Commission discussed pursuing action on its own to hire an interim manager until the long-term future of the resort could be determined. The County Commission reiterated last week that that would be a violation of the law. Mayor Linda Yates of North Port. Photo courtesy City of North Port "It is a start," Yates responded. "It is a very sad situation," she added. "I'm in the minority many times, but I will tell you, I have tried to keep [the Springs] open as a swimming place several times, and that just wasn't supported, so this could all have been avoided … We all need to apologize as commissioners, but I can't speak for any other commissioner but Yates then referenced Cook's earlier point: If myself." the City Commission did not approve the interlocal agreement that night, the temporary Yates had joined Cook and City Commissioner closing of the springs would last longer. Rhonda DiFranco in the past months on votes to try to maintain Warm Mineral Springs as a When Yates finally asked for a motion, Bluchpark. A July 2012 joint city-county agreement er made one saying simply that the City Com— prior to Cook's and DiFranco's election — mission approve the interlocal agreement with called for the two local governments, as joint Sarasota County. owners of the property, to pursue an Invitation to Negotiate for development options at City Commissioner Tom Jones seconded it. the site. "I believe [this] is a starting point," Blucher said — "something we need to do. … Then we Blucher's motion passed unanimously, almost exactly 54 minutes after the discussion began. have a lot of work to do as a team."