Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/190797
Sarasota News Leader October 11, 2013 Page 13 the [city and county] as to the primarily life/ property before the bid deadline, so they health/safety issues identified ... Just to be could see everything for themselves and ask clear, we fully recognize that some of these any questions. issues would require some time to be fixed." He told the News Leader on July 29 that about He also suggested that the firm manage the 55 people showed up for his 1 p.m. tour of resort for the first four months for free, even the facilities that day, but he was uncertain though the agreement calls for it to remit to at that time how many of them represented the city and county 24 percent of the gross prospective bidders. monthly revenue, plus real estate taxes. After the city initially was contacted by He added, "This would allow us to open the Pogrebinsky's attorney, Schult told the News Springs on a limited basis so that the pub- Leader, he met with a representative of WMS lic would have access to swimming only … Sarasota Management regarding the list of After [the] 4-month limited start-up period, problems the firm wanted the city and county we suggest … having 14 months to operate to address. City staff did agree to deal with the Springs to try to recoup our substantial some of them, he noted, such as trimming costs to be incurred in the startup period shrubs on the property. However, he said, "A and beyond, on 24% revenue basis. (Please lot of those things, the doctor was supposed note that the license agreement allows for to do." extension)." During the Oct. 10 interview with the News Leader, Schult, the North Port assistant city manager, pointed out what he had stressed in his letters to the WMS Sarasota Management attorney — that the bid specified the operator would take over the resort "as is, where is." WHERE THINGS STAND According to an interlocal agreement between the City of North Port and Sarasota County, both had to approve the award of the bid to WMS Sarasota Management. County Administrator Reid pointed out to the News Leader this week that the agreement also The subsequent communications from calls for the city to take the lead on the lease. Russell "all came as a surprise," he told the The North Port City Commission meeting will News Leader. begin at 1 p.m. Monday. While Pogrebinsky feels he has an opportunity to negotiate the terms since his firm was Both that board and the County Commission awarded the bid, "that's not the case," Schult expressed the desire in late summer to see the public return as soon as possible to Warm added. "You cannot do that." Mineral Springs. Moreover, Schult pointed out, all firms interested in the short-term management contract "We'll get it open," Schult told the News had the opportunity to meet with him on the Leader on Oct. 10. %