TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Heather Faust, MMC, City Clerk
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Hosting a Joint Meeting With North Port the North Port City Commission, Sarasota County Commission, State Representative James Buchanan, and Senator Joe Gruters to Discuss Warm Mineral Springs (Requested by Commissioner McDowell).
Recommended Action
Direct staff to schedule a joint meeting between the City of North Port Commissioners, Representative Buchanan and Senator Gruters and to approve the use of Commission Contingency funds or Warm Mineral Spring Funds to fund refreshments for the meeting.
Background Information
The Warm Mineral Spring Public Private Partnership (P3) negotiations were terminated in February 2024. On March 5, the commission gave direction to "to bring back additional information regarding the costs associated with Option 1 including the demolition of existing buildings; salvaging Cyclorama panels for future display; constructing a simple administrative building including flushable toilets and an outside shower; water and sewer to the immediate area and incremental cost to bring to Tamiami Trail; parking improvements; and plan development costs." The March 5 discussion also included any interested party (non-profits) to present "viable options" for consideration.
Commissioner McDowell has been in contact with various non-profit organizations, individual county commissioners, Rep. Buchannan and Sen. Gruters to measure their willingness to participate in a "think tank" discussion with the various levels of government in the same room. Commissioner McDowell states each person was amenable to participate in a 'think-tank' and that many recognized the "think tank" as a step in the right direction to preserve WMS, the historical buildings and a park like economic driver. This "think tank" discussion could become the catalyst of a Public-Public-Public Partnership (4P).
Strategic Plan
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