Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/243343
Sarasota News Leader January 17, 2014 Page 37 "More communication between the [county] administration and the city manager is needed to get this back on track," DeMarsh added. Vice Chairwoman Christine Robinson urged her colleagues to take a measured approach with the city. She said she was told city commissioners want reassurance that the county will not just take over the property with plans to try to sell it in a few years. "I talked to one of the city commissioners. I think if we let them know the purpose, that we want to get that property for future planning of county services, that may come close to solving the issue," Robinson pointed out. Chairman Charles Hines said he agreed with DeMarsh's legal opinion and Barbetta's frustration, but he believed the county should follow the more measured approach — for now — and let the city commissioners know the county's plans for the parcel. "Let's keep the lawyer talk out of it up until this point," Hines told his fellow board members. "I don't believe there is a condition [in the MOU] that we have to tell them what we plan to use it for. But there is no need to get into a debate. I believe they are going to do the right thing." Tom Barwin is manager of the City of Sarasota. Photo by Norman Schimmel Several years after the MOU was drawn up, the city and county legal staffs worked on the issue, but the deed for the old police department site was never turned over, DeMarsh explained, partly because of changes in both city and county administrative staffs. Barbetta noted it has already been 11 years Barbetta said he recalls former Mayor Lou since the MOU was crafted, and, thus far, the Ann Palmer addressing the issue five or six city has not conveyed the deed to the county. years ago. "I remember her saying, 'We owe it to the county.'" Commissioner Carolyn Mason said she agreed with the "diplomatic approach," too, adding BACK TO 2003 that perhaps part of the confusion stems from The MOU was drawn up in 2003 after thenthe fact that the MOU was signed in 2003. County Administrator Jim Ley delivered an "There is no historical knowledge of this on ultimatum to the City of Sarasota. Faced with the prospect of losing Sarasota County's their commission," Mason added.