Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/235968
Sarasota News Leader January 3, 2014 Page 103 so that turns on and off the ramps become that would start from the standstill position right turns, thereby saving signal green time since the Springs' facilities are empty and the and increasing capacity through the signals at Springs has been closed for months." the interchange," Harriott added. With the Sarasota County Schools' health On a 3-1 vote, the North Port City Commission insurance costs predicted to rise 60 percent on Oct. 14 directs City Manager Jonathan over the next couple of years, Superintendent Lewis and his staff to work with Sarasota Lori White has asked the district's chief finanCounty Administrator Randall Reid and his cial officer, its wellness coordinator and other staff to come up with options for reopening staff members to work as a task force to find Warm Mineral Springs for swimming only. ways to improve employee health, the School While they pursue those discussions, the Board members learn during their Oct. 15 motion stipulates, staffs of both local govern- workshop. Suzanne DuBose, the district's ments also can work on a long-range plan for wellness coordinator, says during the annual management of the 81-acre resort that has update on her work that the group held its been closed since June 30. Commissioner first meeting last week. One big goal is to find Tom Jones casts the "No" vote, saying he funding for employee incentives to encourfeels the action is premature. It follows a age them to take better care of themselves, unanimous vote to rescind the award of DuBose points out. The district is quickly a bid to WMS Sarasota Management LLC approaching the level at which 70 percent of for the short-term operation of the springs. its employees will be classified as overweight, Commissioner Cheryl Cook was suffering ill she noted. According to the September ecohealth and unable to stay for the discussion. nomic report prepared by Sarasota County On yet another motion, the board votes 3-1 finance staff, the school system has more than — with Mayor Linda Yates in the minority 5,500 employees. "The numbers keep going — to allow Lewis and Reid the option of pur- up," DuBose adds in regard to overweight suing another short-term management bid staff. process. That morning, Lewis says, he talked with the personal attorney for Dr. Grigory Pogrebinsky — one of the principals of WMS On Oct. 21, the City Commission receives a Sarasota Management — to reiterate points new option from the Urban Design Studio staff already had made: The bid terms were team for the design of the State Street parking non-negotiable. The attorney most recently garage. It is dubbed "Pad Lite," and by a 4-1 had asked an extension of the lease period vote, they take it. Week after week, the comfrom 12 months to 24, writing, "[M]y client mission had skirted a final decision on the does not see a realistic opportunity for at look of the structure. Meanwhile, the city's least recouping in 12 months substantial costs contractual deadline of February 15, 2015 to (including marketing and 24% revenue fee finish and open the structure kept moving to the City and the County) of the operation closer and closer. The plan the commissioners