Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/122777
Sarasota News Leader April 19, 2013 Page 10 of my decision so that no further time and resources are committed to develop an ITN." Those sentences switched a 3-2 city majority in favor of soliciting ideas for how to develop Warm Mineral Springs to a 2-3 minority, essentially leaving the long-range process hammered out Wednesday DOA. County Commissioner Christine Robinson says the move surprised her. "This was not an à la carte agreement," she tells The Sarasota News Leader. "This was an agreement that we came together to shake hands on, and we gave a little in the discussions, so I expect the City of North Port to honor that handshake." That "handshake" agreement arrived late Wednesday, after hours of discussion. One early surprise was the appearance of North Port Commissioner Tom Jones, who participated in his first public hearing since suffering a stroke in early January. He joined his four fellow city commissioners, the county board, the county administrator, the city manager, city and county lawyers and mediator Steve Seibert — all seated around a square of tables on the floor of the County Commission Chambers in Sarasota. Sarasota County Commissioner Christine Robinson. Photo by Rachel Hackney sioners DiFranco and Cheryl Cook provided The commissions spent the morning airing all two "No" votes. the questions that have popped up in recent months (Does the city still want to sell its 50 Much of the debate Wednesday centered on percent share of the springs? Might the coun- how open-ended the ITN process was. North ty cede control to the city?), then got down Port Mayor Linda Yates said she hoped for a to brass tacks in the afternoon, when Seibert "meeting of the minds" on how Warm Mineral directly asked whether North Port was willing Springs will be developed (or not) in the comto revisit the process to solicit private sector ing years, arguing the boards should select a proposals for the property. "concept" they want to pursue. Ideas have The North Port commission scuttled the origi- ranged from a full-service hotel and spa to a nal ITN last fall, after the election of Commis- park-like preserve with no business activity.