Commission to discuss surplus property

The Sarasota County Commission will hear updates tomorrow on surplus properties and vote on holding a public hearing for terminating a parking improvement district on Siesta Key.

Surplus property information will soon be more accessible to the county and the public on a database, according to a memo from the Public Works department. The Real Estate Services Division has been working with other county departments to develop the database, which will provide land acquisition information, such as surveys, titles and covenants and other documents like funding sources, current and proposed uses and the managing department for the property. The database will eventually become part of the county GIS program. The bid for a vendor to develop a data management system was put out on June 20, closed on July 25, and the proposals received are being reviewed.

Public Works will also update the commission on some active surplus land and property enquiries.

• County staff is working to negotiate a lease for a cell tower on a 5,000-square-foot temporary surplus property at 185 Pompano Avenue at Babe Ruth Park. Staff has not yet solicited the bid.
• Light of the World Church requested to purchase 10 to 20 acres of a portion of the county’s Dolomite property at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Tuttle Ave. The church did not submit a draft master plan. Staff stated commitment to the sale of this property is premature.
• A local attorney contacted staff with a client who was interested in purchasing the downtown Sarasota County Area Transit transfer station on Lemon Ave. However, the county has not finalized a decision to relocate the transfer station and the City of Sarasota has the first right of refusal even if the county decided to sell.

The board will also vote to authorize a public hearing to abolish the Siesta Village Parking Public Improvement District. The ordinance establishing this district was adopted in April 1996 to fund a parking lot between Calle Minorga and Avenida De Mayo. The project was completed in 2000 and cost $863,714.51. To pay for the construction, properties in the District were assessed annually based on available on-site parking and deficient parking. The levy of assessments was terminated in 2012 by the commission. Because funds are no longer coming in from the levy, the District is no longer needed. There is a balance in the assessment fund of $19,373 which will be transferred to the general fund.

According to the memo for the Natural Resources presentation on the Tree Advisory Council annual report, the council has two vacancies opening in 2014. The council can have 8 to 14 members, so the vacancies are not obligated to be filled. In February 2015, seven members’ terms will expire. Members can have three terms. Interested applicants should fill out an application online, available on the county website. 

Tuesday’s commission meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the Commission Chambers at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 South Tamiami Trail, Venice.