Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/211425
Sarasota News Leader November 15, 2013 Page 55 out, it is possible Warm Mineral Springs could open in February or March. Commissioner Nora Patterson proposed the new letter, thanking the city commissioners for their decision on the long-term operation of the resort but "suggesting to them that we are still open to a short-term solicitation, should they change their minds [about making that move]." Robinson pointed out that some of the city commissioners "seemed to grammatically dissect" the letter the County Commission sent them on Oct. 25 after agreeing — as the North Port board had earlier — to reject the bid both boards awarded in September to WMS Sarasota Management LLC. That firm — one of only two bidders on the short-term operation of the resort — sought a two-year contract instead of the one-year term offered. One principal of the firm, Dr. Grigory Pogrebinsky, said WMS Sarasota Management would need extra time to recoup its investment because of the need to make further repairs on the property. Attorneys for Pogrebinsky earlier had been turned down when they asked the city to handle those repairs. The County Commission's Oct. 23 letter requested the city seek another competitive process, such as an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN), a Request for Bids "or other legal process for the short term operations of Warm We have invested a lot of time and effort in this thing, a lot of staff time … and every time we near the goal line, [the North Port Commission] kicks it back. Joe Barbetta Commissioner Sarasota County County Commissioner Christine Robinson awaits the start of a meeting. Photo by Norman Schimmel Mineral Springs." It also asked that the City Commission "approve the proposed scope of services and selection process for the long term operations of Warm Mineral Springs" within 90 days of the date of the letter. WORDS AND ACTS Robinson also pointed out to her colleagues on Nov. 5 that she had told Mayor Linda Yates of North Port she felt the October letter would have some ambiguity regarding the city's request to have the county administrator work with City Manager Jonathan Lewis on reopening the springs for season. Robinson added that she made it clear to Yates she did not know at the time whether Randall Reid would remain as county administrator after the board conducted his latest evaluation. (The County Commission fired Reid on Oct. 23 and made Deputy County Administrator Tom Harmer the interim county administrator.) "Mayor Yates knew that letter would be worded that way, and then it was questioned — during the North Port Commission's Oct. 28 meeting — why the letter was worded that way," Robinson added.