Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/141988
Sarasota News Leader July 4, 2013 Page 40 Her staff is working with the County Attor- On May 2, Lowery had sent an email to Reid, ney's Office on an answer, Brown noted. saying staff members from the City of North Port and Sarasota County had conducted a Regarding holders of 10-day passes: Brown reassessment of Warm Mineral Springs "in anwrote that the County Attorney's Office had ticipation of the June 30 termination of the confirmed the county is not obligated to proagreement with Cypress Lending." vide refunds on those, "especially since Cypress Lending does not have any accounting She noted, "The original assessment occurred or funds to support refund requests." in December 2010 [when the city and the county jointly purchased Warm Mineral Springs However, Brown continued, "This may cause from Cypress Lending] and identified issues some very angry customers," because Cypress Lending was selling 10-day passes as recently with the buildings and presented questions reas two days prior to the closing of the resort. garding wells and septic tanks that could not "Customers are already calling to complain," be determined at the time. The 2013 report is Brown pointed out. The county's Frequently in the process of being finalized at which time Asked Questions document regarding Warm a copy will be provided to Administration and Mineral Springs was being updated with the [County Commission]." 10-day pass information, Brown wrote. Additionally, an Interstate 75 billboard advertising Warm Mineral Springs has been removed, Brown reported, and the website has been taken down — replaced by "a very brief message that the facility is closed." Among other points in her email, Brown noted the following: • City of North Port staff was stacking any remaining chairs and relocating all external garbage cans, etc., for security and mowing purposes. "However," Lowery continued, "as we are in the budget process, it is noteworthy that major repairs are anticipated to be needed. In fact, staff from both jurisdictions will likely be recommending that a firm specializing in building and system evaluations be hired for a more thorough review. [Cypress Lending] appears to have made a number of cosmetic improvements but some of the electrical and plumbing repairs may not have been made in accordance with the Building Code. We know the septic system is in need of major repairs and the site should be connected to the public sewer system." • Brown and other Parks and Recreation Department staff members conducted a walk- THE LEGAL COMPLAINT through on July 1, with a final one scheduled In her July 1 email, Brown also noted that a no later than July 3 with representatives of meeting had been scheduled on July 18 with Cypress Lending. representatives of the Florida Department • "Further discussions with the City of North of Environmental Protection "to address the Port are needed regarding the facility and complaint that was filed by the Friends of property," Brown added. Warm Mineral Springs."