Will Sarasota Taxpayers give Benderson another Bail-Out?

Sarasota citizens Pat Rounds and Bill Zoller have been tracking the development and funding of the Benderson Rowing Park since 2013. Below is an email circulated by Rounds regarding the County's reported intention to consider giving Benderson another $20 million in tax dollars:

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May 8, 2022

Why is the County Commission considering a $20 million “bail-out” for SANCA and Benderson Park Foundation? 

Years ago, both organizations pledged to raise private millions to build a permanent boat house, grandstands and restrooms at Benderson Rowing Park.They never delivered on their promises.  

 

If you think this bail-out proposal is totally irresponsible, please share your views with the County Commission:

mmoran@scgov.net

cziegler@scgov.net

ncdetert@scgov.net

amaio@scgov.net

rcutsinger@scgov.net

commissioners@scgov.net

 

Please forward this message to others who value fiscal responsibility. See details below:

 

On Tuesday, May 10, 2022, the Sarasota County Commission will consider allocating another $20 million to complete the “World Class” Benderson Rowing Park promised in 2013 to be funded through a “public/private” partnership. 

While Sarasota County approved $19.5 public million in 2013 for park infrastructure in plans to host the 2017 World Rowing Championships, the private millions pledged for a permanent boat house, grandstands and restrooms have never materialized. This failure to deliver has sparked public concern for years.

 

More from the Sarasota News Leader

 

Now some officials are returning to the public trough to fill the massive funding chasm created when the County Commission apparently failed to demand a binding commitment from private partners at the time this huge venture was initiated. Sarasota County should not approve any more public funding—regardless of the source.  Nine years ago, the County approved $19.5 million through a bonding provision in the County Charter, using Tourist Development Tax (TDT). It’s past time for SANCA and Benderson Park Foundation to deliver on the private millions promised years ago, but not delivered.  Hollow private funding pledges should be denounced, not minimized and rewarded with more public millions.  

 

Corroborating documentation: 

• Attached is a copy of the 2013 County Press Release announcing the 2017 World Rowing Championships at Benderson Rowing Park. SANCA would raise private funds for Phase III permanent structures (boat house, grandstands and restrooms) in time for the 2017 World Rowing Championships (WRC). The boathouse and grandstands were not built, so to avoid an international embarrassment---the State Legislature approved an extra $5 million to rent temporary facilities (bleachers, tents/showers for rowers, portable toilets, etc.) for the WRC.  

 

From the 2013 County Press Release:

“...More than $40 million in public and private-sector funds have been committed to help transform a former borrow pit into Nathan Benderson Park, the premier rowing venue in North America, capable of hosting an Olympic-caliber event. Sarasota County's investment, $19.5 million, comes from a Tourist Development Tax (TDT), which is paid by visitors to the area. Those funds have paid for Phase I (dredge and fill) and Phase II (installation of park amenities, hardscaping and landscaping). Phase III of the project, construction of a state-of-the-art boathouse, timing towers, grandstands and other amenities, will be funded by SANCA and corporate support...”

 

• See 2017 ABC/Tampa investigation on the rowing park. 

• Note the grandiose aerial vision of the rowing complex and how a SANCA board member appeals for more public funds to match an uncorroborated claim of private millions raised to finish the park.  Nothing has changed---Hollow promises of private funding followed by requests for more public funding. 
• 
  

           Rowing Park Controversy (ABC/Tampa investigation on Youtube)

 

     Is there a conflict with the Sarasota County Charter?

• Note portion of County Charter, Section 5.2D (Bonding Limitation)

...Any issuance of such notes, bonds, certificates of participation or other instrument of indebtedness in a principal amount exceeding that fiscal year's bonding limitation must have prior approval by majority vote at a referendum specifically authorizing the issuance of such an instrument of indebtedness in excess of that year's bonding limitation...The County may not avoid the requirements hereof by issuing or causing to be issued notes, bonds, certificates of participation or other instruments of indebtedness which reflect a single, simultaneous or concurrent undertaking but which have been divided in such fashion so as to avoid the limitations as herein set forth. (Section 5.2 Amended 11/6/1984, 11/8/1994, 3/14/2000, and 9/10/2002, and Renumbered 8/31/2004.)”

           In 2013, the County Commission approved the maximum bonding allowed to pay for rowing park infrastructure without triggering a county-wide referendum. 

         Doesn't the County Charter prohibit issuing multiple bonds for the same project without holding a public referendum?    

Pat Rounds

 

Additional background articles:

2013—Herald Tribune:  $20 million in private donations needed to complete rowing park.

“...They need $20 million from private donors to finish the complex and deliver on the promise of a truly exceptional sports venue, a huge task to complete before 2017, when backers of the project hope to host rowing's greatest competition outside the Olympics, the world championships.

All of the key structures needed to define the rowing venue as a world-class attraction — from the finish line tower to timing huts, grandstands and a boathouse — must be financed through private donations.

Some of those structures are essential to hosting the rowing championships. Ideally, the entire project would be built out in time for the event.

Yet no money has been raised and the two-year-old nonprofit handling fundraising already has reshuffled board members.

2015—Herald Tribune: Foundation raises funds for Nathan Benderson Park

“....A new foundation headed by community and political leaders has raised $3.5 million for Nathan Benderson Park and hopes to raise at least $11 million in private donations for the emerging international rowing venue over the next 12 months.

The Nathan Benderson Park Foundation, headed by Randy Benderson of the Manatee County-based real estate firm, aims to be the fundraising arm that will draw the private financial support needed to complete the rowing facility's major structures. The nonprofit organization, which is separate from the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates — another nonprofit that is responsible for the park operations — will continue to raise donations to help build towers at the start and finish lines, a boathouse and several other buildings at the park..”

Are you in?

It might come as news that Sarasota County's August 18 "Primary" is not a Primary. For both Sheriff and School Board, it's the entire election. Voting is open to all registered voters. Learn why here.

To vote on Aug. 18, you must be registered with the Supervisor of Elections. If you've not already done so, the deadline is July 20. Where to begin? Citizens for District Power can help you register, apply to vote by mail, even change party affiliation. It clarifies which districts are where, who's running in each, and why candidates unburdened by piles of developer cash have for once a real chance. Do have a look.

On the other hand, for the Board of County Commissioners, August 18 is a real Primary, for Republican voters in districts 1 & 5 only. A bit of an update on who's backing whom in these races here.

Single member districts can be a game changer - if enough of us are in the game.

Citizens for District Power

Benderson Rowing Park gets cut in funding

Courtesy of the Sarasota News Leader

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County Commission cuts SANCA’s 10-year funding request to three and emphasizes need for better outreach to the public

May 23, 2019 by Rachel Brown Hackney, Editor & Publisher

New board chair and SANCA CEO cite economic impact of Benderson Park events

The Finish Tower has become the key landmark at Benderson Park. File photo

The new chair of the board of directors of the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates (SANCA), which manages Sarasota County’s Nathan Benderson Park, came before the County Commission on May 17 with figurative hat in hand.

Ronald Shapo asked for a 10-year funding commitment, stressing that that would give SANCA better standing as it seeks private financial support for the park.

The county commissioners agreed unanimously to three years, on a motion by Commissioner Alan Maio, and emphasized to Shapo the need for SANCA to do a better job of marketing the park to the public. (Commissioner Nancy Detert was absent from the discussion and vote.)

Nicole Rissler, director of the county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department (PRNR) told the commission during its May 17 budget workshop that her staff already had built into its Fiscal Year 2020 budget a request of $1,189,000 for SANCA. Rissler also explained that, after months of analysis, staff had determined that, based on SANCA’s budget for the current fiscal year, it would be more expensive for her staff to manage the park.

The SANCA FY19 budget, she noted, is $2,102,595. If PRNR employees were handling all the work, it would cost at least $2,304,689, Rissler said. That figure did not include expenses associated with events or the necessity of one-time payments for additional county vehicles for staff, she added.

This slide offers information about Benderson Park’s impact on the local economy. Image courtesy Sarasota County

Last year, the commission agreed to give SANCA $858,353 in additional funding for the 2019 fiscal year. During a June 20, 2018 budget workshop, they also suggested that their staff and SANCA representatives consider a host of possibilities for generating extra revenue — from T-shirt sales to charging more for parking during events to dining options.

On May 17, Shapo said the SANCA board members’ top commitment to the commission is to focus on marketing. They recognize, he continued, that the nonprofit has not done an adequate job of publicizing SANCA’s role with Benderson Park.

Moreover, Shapo told the commissioners, the SANCA board is committed to doing a better job of communicating with them.

Chair Charles Hines pointed out that he has stressed over the past year the need for SANCA to “take the time and educate our community” about why SANCA exists.

As he has spoken with legislators in Tallahassee, Hines continued, he has had to explain to them what SANCA does.

“Some people still think it’s Randy Benderson’s for-profit entity,” Hines said of the president of Benderson Development Co.

And although Shapo talked of the recent expansion of the SANCA board, Hines also suggested even greater local representation among the members. “We have the two premier rowing clubs in our community that are probably the envy of the entire country.”

A slide offers a sampling of events at Benderson Park. Image courtesy Sarasota County

As Rissler noted earlier, the park was renamed Nathan Benderson Park in 2007 “after a generous donation by the Benderson Family.” Nathan Benderson, who established Benderson Development Co., was Randy Benderson’s father.

As the first commissioner to respond to the SANCA funding request, Maio explained that he and his family “have an extreme fondness for Nathan Benderson Park.”

Maio related a couple of anecdotes to underscore that statement.

Then he was blunt with Shapo: “I’m not going to commit to 10 years. I think that our staff has already supported your first year,” Maio continued, referring to Rissler’s comment about the funding for 2020.

“I don’t feel comfortable to committing further boards to this,” Maio added, noting also that he was just re-elected in November 2018, so he would be on the board through November 2022 — unless, he joked, he drowned at Benderson Park.

Shapo said that the current contract between SANCA and the county already makes it clear that the county’s funding level for the nonprofit is tied to the availability of funds. He understood, Shapo said, that one commission cannot legally bind future commissions to funding commitments.

“What I’m proposing for my one vote,” Maio responded, “you take something less than 10 years,” perhaps three. “I think it would be better at that point to renegotiate. … You don’t want the public relations of us ending a contract with you. I offered the three years as a very amicable way to move this forward after expressing my love for Nathan Benderson Park, a love that not 100% of our citizens, as you know, have.”

“And I appreciate the three years,” Shapo said, though he added that he would toss out the idea of five years as a compromise.

These are the members of the SANCA board. Image courtesy Sarasota County

Commissioner Michael Moran talked of the “very successful” public/private partnership between Sarasota County and SANCA. Still, Moran continued, “This is where we represent the taxpayer dollars.”

Commissioner Christian Ziegler concurred on the latter point, “We’ve got to be good stewards of the tax dollars.”

Moran told Shapo that he believes SANCA needs to work harder to realize the full potential of the 600-acre park. “This is a massive facility that needs to be maximized,” Moran said, calling for a faster pace for entrepreneurial sales and marketing efforts.

He asked Shapo if the SANCA board takes a monthly look at sales projections and revenue. What pressure is the board putting on staff in regard to improved sales and marketing, Moran asked.

“I think the pressure is being put on by ourselves,” Shapo replied, reprising his earlier comment that better marketing is the board’s top priority going forward.

Shapo then talked of his faith in the impact one new board member will have on the marketing initiatives. Shapo mentioned Randy Mallitz, president of the U.S. division and CEO of the Asia division of EAR Specialty Composites, which one of SANCA’s slides identified as a “global technology company.”

Shapo added, “I think he’s going to be an incredible asset.”

Moran once again asked Shapo if the SANCA board members each month talk about revenue generation.

Shapo responded that they review and discuss their success — or lack thereof — every month in regard to fundraising and income-producing goals. “We will be doing that, I believe, at an increasing level.”

For example, Shapo continued, the Finish Tower on the property has been host to 250 events. “But there’s the potential to do many, many more.”

Past, present and future

These May 17 slides provide a history of Benderson Park. Image courtesy Sarasota County

During her opening remarks on May 17, Rissler, the PRNR director, pointed out that numerous events do take place at Benderson Park each year. “We also look at this as a significant regional park for our system,” with “thousands of people very day” using it.

Shapo quickly put the focus on numbers. For the past five years, he said — from 2014 through 2018 — Visit Sarasota County has estimated that the total economic impact of the park on the county was $142,138,495. He stressed that that was an average of more than $28 million per year.

It hosted 14 major national and international events during that period, including the 2017 World Rowing Championships, and it will be the site in late July of the Under 23s World Rowing Championships. SANCA is projecting 40 nations will participate in the latter event, generating 5,000 room nights during a time of year Shapo called the “slow season” for tourism.

Stephen Rodriguez, president and CEO of SANCA, noted that, among upcoming event commitments, the Florida Scholastic Rowing Association plans to hold both its Sculling and Sweeps championships at the park through 2021. Each of those events, he said, brings in about 9,000 attendees.

Even more important, Rodriguez continued, the park will host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Rowing Trials. USRowing is in discussions with NBC about televising those competitions, Rodriguez added.

Moreover, “The National Rowing Foundation is prepared to commit to make Sarasota the home of the National Rowing Hall of Fame and Museum,” Rodriguez said. The permanent home for the memorabilia would be the Aquatic Nature Community Center, or boathouse. In the meantime, he noted, one floor of the Finish Tower would be dedicated to changing displays featuring items in the Hall of Fame’s collection.

(Later, Shapo framed the Hall of Fame discussion in a slightly different way, saying, “[It] is seriously considering coming here.”

Rodriguez noted, “Rowing [was] the first collegiate sport in the U.S.”

In 2018 alone, Shapo continued, 475,000 local residents used the park.

This slide offers more figures about the park’s impact on the economy. Image courtesy Sarasota County

He also pointed to the board’s plans for the next major improvement to be the Aquatic Center, which generally has been referred to as the “boathouse.”

That facility was touted for years by Benderson Park representatives as the key means of making the park financially self-sustaining, as it not only would be a storage facility for rowing equipment for park users but also a place that could be rented for many types of functions.

The SANCA board has $4 million in commitments as matching funds for the project, Shapo told the commissioners.

Already, he continued, his board is searching for a full-time employee whose job it will be to raise private money for the park. Extensive public outreach will be needed, he said, to persuade regional and national companies of the benefit of being affiliated with the complex.

The county money the board was seeking for 10 additional years, he emphasized, would go only toward park maintenance and operations.

Shapo asked the commissioners to keep in mind “this was a borrow pit. It is nothing short of amazing” that it has undergone such a transformation, he added.

“I want this to be our Central Park,” Maio told Shapo as the discussion neared its end. He suggested Shapo and his colleagues on the SANCA board take the next three years of county funding support to achieve that vision. Then the commission could consider funding for the nonprofit for another five years, Maio said.

Courtesy of the Sarasota News Leader

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North Port to consider Resolution on State Amendment 1

 This communication from City of North Port Vice-Mayor Debbie McDowell will be proposed on Tuesday at the city. It seeks action on Amendment 1:

I wanted to let you know on Tuesday, January 22 at 6 p.m. I have requested a vote on a resolution to urge the state legislature to fund Amendment 1. You’ll remember Amendment 1 was voted on in 2014, statewide, to set funds aside to acquire and restore Florida conservation and recreation lands. 

• This link will take you to the proposed resolution

• This link is to the entire agenda

If this passes, I will be requesting a copy of the resolution be forwarded to our state legislature and the Florida League of Cities with the hopes they will enact a similar resolution.  I will also request the resolution be forwarded to other municipalities and county governments. 

I hope you will be able to attend the meeting to encourage a “yes” vote from the rest of the commission.   Public comment is welcomed and encouraged.  If you can’t attend, please email all of the commissioners at once --  Commissioners@cityofnorthport.com.

Have a great evening.

Debbie McDowell

Vice-Mayor

City of North Port

4970 City Hall Blvd.

North Port, FL  34286

Office:  941-429-7071

City Cell:  941-628-0486

On Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, North Port became the first municipality in Florida to adopt a resolution asking that the new governor reinitiate the statewide Advanced Stormwater Treatment Rule. This Rule would set in motion a scientific testing period for a process that could reduce the outflow of nutrients from stormwater systems statewide by 80% or more. Current systems function at a rate of 40-45%, according to scientists who have worked on this for nearly two decades. Find out more about this North Port initiative here.

Tampa Media covers Benderson Park Funding Controversy

Sarasota media have avoided grappling with this story. Pat Rounds has been working on it for years.

 

Lakewood Ranch's Three Card Monte Turns Four Lanes into Two

Proof that we are subsidizing development

Via CONA Sarasota: Who is paying for roads? In 2010, Lakewood Ranch development received approval to increase their Sarasota 2050 project from 57 units to over 5,000 housing units in exchange for open space, walkable communities and included paying for the new roads needed by the development. The developers signed an agreement with Sarasota County called the Adequate Facilities and Transportation Agreement (AFTA) which clearly outlines who pays for the roads needed by the new development. The 2010 AFTA agreement stated (see attached) 'SMR or Lakewood Ranch Stewardship district will remain responsible for constructing all on site and site related roadways,at its own expense... 'Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, from Communications Parkway to Fruitville Road:  construct two lanes prior to first construction plan; (and) two additional lanes...' Yet, if you read the October 8th Sarasota Herald Tribune article on the construction of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, the newspaper stated 'Jensen has also proposed four lanes for the road - instead of the two he's required to build - and for the county to pay the difference.' This article refers to comments made by Rex Jensen of the Lakewood Ranch SMR development company.  (see attached link to article) So when did it change from Lakewood Ranch development paying for all four lanes of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to where they are only required to pay for two lanes?  When did we get stuck with the bill for paying for 2 lanes? This is one example of how existing Sarasota County taxpayers will be subsidizing new development in the rural lands. There were several 2050 developments approved to date and more expected. We have no idea how much subsidizing new development will cost the Sarasota County taxpayers in the near future. So join us in sending your objections to the state.  Send your objections to: valerie.brookens@deo.myflorida.com ray.eubanks@deo.myflorida.com