Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/147897
Sarasota News Leader August 2, 2013 Page 44 Although the City Commission is not scheduled to meet again until Sept. 9, Schult told the News Leader, it does have the option of calling a special meeting to discuss the bid decision forwarded by the city's Purchasing Department. revenue the licensee received from any subcontractors or other agreements directly related to use of the premises. The existing facilities, the bid advertisement notes, include the spring and outdoor area; a restaurant with approximately 1,250 square feet; a spa with about 1,340 square feet — including a number of manicure stations; three massage therapy rooms; five aesthetician/acupuncture rooms; two meeting rooms with space of about 1,250 square feet and 450 square feet, respectively; restrooms and showers; and a gift shop encompassing approximately 1,080 square feet. That advertisement notes, "The inspection should identify if additional in-depth analysis should be completed" for the roof; the septic and plumbing systems; electrical service and panel grounding; windows; and the cooking suppression systems and other related safety devices. It also seeks information about the presence of asbestos, lead in the paint and any other environmental hazards. It further specifies that the minimum hours of operation would be eight hours a day from November through May and nine hours a day The advertisement points out that Warm from June through October, unless otherwise Mineral springs "has been an important wa- determined by the City of North Port and ter source for thousands of years. … The Sarasota County. property to be licensed is approximately INSPECTION 21.7 acres ..." While awaiting the bid deadline, City of North It continues, "The focal point of this site is a Port staff also is evaluating responses to a respring-fed natural pool and the structures that quest for quotes for an independent party to have served as an operating spa since 1959 survey the facilities to determine the condiand which reportedly draw more than 80,000 tion of the structures and offer recommendaannual visitors. The property is primarily used tions about repairs that should be made. as a swimming/soaking location with an emphasis on the reputed healing nature of the Responses to that request were due by July 26. water." The final report, it adds, should include a written estimate of the cost of replacing or repairing items that will be needed in the long-term The terms of the agreement would not exceed utilization of the resort. 12 months, the advertisement says, though the city and county could renew it for a term to Under an agreement with the County Combe decided. mission, the city took the lead on handling the inspection process. The minimum rent for any prospective operator would be 10 percent of all monthly gross As Preisser, the county spokesman, noted, "It revenues, including, but not limited to, any is moving along." %