TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Letter of Agreement and Contract Between the City of North Port, Florida, on Behalf of the North Port Police Department and University of North Florida Training and Services Institute, Inc., d/b/a Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), a Direct Support Organization of the University of North Florida, for Reimbursement of Costs in an Amount Not to Exceed $7,143.38, for the North Port Police Department to Provide High Visibility Law Enforcement Operations in Areas With a High Rate of Pedestrian/Bicycle Crashes.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the Letter of Agreement and Contract Between the City of North Port, Florida, on Behalf of the North Port Police Department and University of North Florida Training and Services Institute, Inc., d/b/a Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), a Direct Support Organization of the University of North Florida, for reimbursement of costs in an amount not to exceed $7,143.38, for the North Port Police Department to provide high visibility law enforcement operations in areas with a high rate of pedestrian/bicycle crashes.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the Letter of Agreement and Contract Between the City of North Port, Florida, on Behalf of the North Port Police Department and University of North Florida Training and Services Institute, Inc., d/b/a Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), a Direct Support Organization of the University of North Florida, for reimbursement of costs in an amount not to exceed $7,143.38, for the North Port Police Department to provide high visibility law enforcement operations in areas with a high rate of pedestrian/bicycle crashes.
• Pros: Improves public safety by reducing the risk of pedestrian and bicyclist injuries/fatalities. It is funded through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), so there is no financial impact on the City of North Port. The Agreement supports the City’s partnership with FDOT.
• Cons: The funding is limited and may not support long-term impact, and the enforcement could be viewed negatively if not paired with education. Grant reporting and staff scheduling required.
Option 2: Deny the Letter of Agreement and Contract Between the City of North Port, Florida, on Behalf of the North Port Police Department and University of North Florida Training and Services Institute, Inc., d/b/a Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), a Direct Support Organization of the University of North Florida, for reimbursement of costs in an amount not to exceed $7,143.38, for the North Port Police Department to provide high visibility law enforcement operations in areas with a high rate of pedestrian/bicycle crashes.
• Pros: No requirement to manage grant reporting or overtime scheduling. It avoids enforcement controversy and reduces the risk of public backlash related to increased ticketing.
• Cons: The loss of $7,143.38 that could go toward enhancing public safety. The high-risk areas may remain under-patrolled, potentially leading to more crashes and it may affect future funding opportunities with FDOT.
Background Information
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has identified the City of North Port Police Department (NPPD) as a priority agency within Sarasota County, due to the high incidence of traffic crashes resulting in serious or fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists. In response, FDOT has allocated $7,143.38 in overtime reimbursement funding to support High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) operations. These efforts are aimed at increasing compliance with traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle laws, thereby improving roadway safety for vulnerable road users.
The Contract includes crash data maps highlighting locations within the North Port Police Department’s jurisdiction that exhibit an overrepresentation of serious pedestrian and bicycle crashes. These maps are intended to guide enforcement operations for maximum impact.
The allocated funding must be used specifically for enforcement activities related to pedestrian and bicycle safety, in accordance with FDOT guidelines. Although the FDOT is identified on the signature block as executing the Contract, they are not a party to the Agreement. FDOT is the governmental agency that awards federal subgrant funds to the University of North Florida, who then passes the funding through the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM) for distribution to grant recipients. FDOT requires its signature of approval on the Contract.
The City will be reimbursed up to $7,143.38 for overtime costs of sworn personnel who participate in the FDOT campaign. Overtime must be incurred between the Subcontract date of execution and May 8, 2026, to qualify for reimbursement. The goal of this campaign is to mitigate crashes by increasing awareness of and compliance with traffic laws that protect the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists on Florida’s roads. Staff time spent on this detail will be monitored and when the funds have been exhausted, the campaign will end. No additional fees will be incurred by the City for this high visibility enforcement operation.
The Letter of Agreement and Contract Between the City of North Port, Florida, on Behalf of the North Port Police Department and University of North Florida Training and Services Institute, Inc., d/b/a Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), a Direct Support Organization of the University of North Florida, for reimbursement of costs in an amount not to exceed $7,143.38, for the North Port Police Department to provide high visibility law enforcement operations in areas with a high rate of pedestrian/bicycle crashes has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The Letter of Agreement and Contract Between the City of North Port, Florida, on Behalf of the North Port Police Department and University of North Florida Training and Services Institute, Inc., d/b/a Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), a Direct Support Organization of the University of North Florida, for reimbursement of costs in an amount not to exceed $7,143.38, for the North Port Police Department to provide high visibility law enforcement operations in areas with a high rate of pedestrian/bicycle crashes was submitted to the City Clerk’s Office on December 29, 2025 for signature subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Financial Impact
Payments to sworn personnel will come from multiple personnel accounts and reimbursements will be made to revenue account: 001-0000-366.00-00.
Procurement
These services will be procured under Sec. 2-403 (a) (2) of the City of North Port Procurement Code Procurement Contracts between the City and nonprofit organizations, other governments, or other public entities.
Attachments:
1. Letter of Agreement and Contract - IPTM
2. Florida Division of Corporations - IPTM
3. Florida Division of Corporations - University of North Florida
Prepared by: Jamie Ebershoff, Executive Assistant
Department Director: Todd R. Garrison, Chief of Police