June-July 2015 Board Meetings

Yet again, another apology for not posting timely information. In June, the supervisors awarded the District Engineer contract to Santec engineering after a competitive bid process and presentations made by each bidder. Santec is well known nationally and in Florida for their municipal and infrastructure engineering expertise.

After obtaining an independent commercial appraiser's report in June, the supervisors decided to purchase a 32 acre tract of land along the West side of River Rd. and North of US 41 for dedication to the City of North Port as a public park area. The Sale and Purchase agreement for this purchase was negotiated in June and at the July meeting the supervisors voted to purchase this land for approximately $1.9 million ($60,000/acre). At the request of members of the public in June, the district staff discussed the possible use of this land as a "paw park" with the City of North Port. The city was receptive to this concept.

This land purchase is a required element of the overall district development plan and past agreements. In 2009 the district purchased 63 acres along the East side of River Rd. South of US 41 for around $3.5 million. That land has since been dedicated to the City of North Port for a public park. Future land purchases are also required for a police and fire/rescue station, two other smaller park areas, and a waste water treatment plant. These locations are yet to be sited by the master developer who will attempt to integrate these locations into the overall master plan for development of the district.

Also in June, the supervisors approved solicitation of bids for the resodding of US 41 from the West monument to the Thomas Ranch entrance road with St. Augustine grass. Of the 4 invited bidders, ONLY ONE bid was received from Valley Crest in the amount of approximately $660,000. As only one bid was received, and it was considerably higher that a similar quote provided in 2014 by Valley Crest, the supervisors decided to enter into negotiation with Valley Crest before deciding to award a contract for this work. Another option considered by the supervisors was to rebid the work. This option was tabled since it could easily delay start of the project by 6 months or more, and the supervisors are interested in having this work done before the winter months turn the existing sod back its historic brown and bare spot appearance.