TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Agreement #2025-44 Professional Architectural and Engineering Services for the City of North Port City Hall Hardening Project FM26CH, with Sweet Sparkman Architects, Inc., in the Amount of $309,609.00 for Hurricane Retrofit Building Assessment, Hardening Design, Bidding, Permitting, and Construction Administration Located at 4970 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34296.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Contract #2025-44 for Professional Architectural and Engineering Services for the City of North Port City Hall Hardening Project FM26CH, with Sweet Sparkman Architects, Inc., in the amount of $309,609.00 for hurricane retrofit building assessment, hardening design, bidding, permitting, and construction administration located at 4970 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34296.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Contract #2025-44 for Professional Architectural and Engineering Services for the City of North Port City Hall Hardening Project FM26CH, with Sweet Sparkman Architects, Inc., in the amount of $309,609.00 for hurricane retrofit building assessment, hardening design, bidding, permitting, and construction administration located at 4970 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34296.
• Pros: Allows the City Hall hardening project to proceed, including an assessment of the building’s hurricane retrofit needs, to support the City’s ability to maintain operations and emergency response capabilities.
• Cons: Commits $309,609.00 in project funding that would no longer be available for potential allocation to other General Fund Projects.
Option 2: Deny and authorize the City Manager to execute Contract #2025-44 for Professional Architectural and Engineering Services for the City of North Port City Hall Hardening Project FM26CH, with Sweet Sparkman Architects, Inc., in the amount of $309,609.00 for hurricane retrofit building assessment, hardening design, bidding, permitting, and construction administration located at 4970 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34296.
• Pros: Preserves the $309,609.00 in project funding for potential allocation to other General Fund Capital Improvement Projects.
• Cons: Prevents the City Hall hardening project from proceeding under this Contract, delaying the assessment of the building’s hurricane retrofit needs and potentially delaying improvements intended to support continued operations and emergency response capabilities.
Background Information
The City of North Port City Hall, located at 4970 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, FL, 34296, was constructed in 2005, with design complying with the 2004 Florida Building Code. Winds from Hurricane Ian in 2022 caused damage to both the roof assembly and windows. The existing roof is original to the facility and is non-compliant to current wind load requirements and has reached the end of its useful life. The windows have since been re-sealed, however, drawings indicate these assemblies are rated as a Category 2 wind load per the 2004 Florida Building Code.
During the November 28, 2023, City Commission Regular Meeting, the City of North Port Commission approved the application to the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant in the amount of $3.5 Million for the hardening of City Hall. FDEM manages the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hazard mitigation assistance program for the State of Florida. FEMA’s hazard mitigation assistance provides funding for eligible mitigation measures that reduce disaster losses. Mitigation planning breaks the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction and repeated damages and includes long-term solutions that reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
On May 12, 2025, the Florida Division of Emergency Management executed the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Contract No. H1171 between the City of North Port and the Division of Emergency Management obligating $3,251,878.76 of Federal Funds for Wind Retrofit of the City of North Port City Hall facility.
In accordance with the grant requirements, the design team will perform a Hurricane Retrofit Building Assessment. This assessment will identify deficiencies and propose retrofit solutions which will be transmitted to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, who will determine whether the structure is a good candidate for a wind retrofit project.
With the approval of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the project shall provide wind speed protection and impact requirements indicated by the effective Florida Building Code at the time permits are anticipated. Roofs, windows, doors, vents, louvers, and exhaust fans will be evaluated and wind protection provided to meet current Florida Building Code. Bid documents will be issued through a solicitation, and a qualified General Contractor will be selected to carry out construction. Construction will be phased to allow City Hall to remain open and functional throughout the project.
Contract #2025-44 for City of North Port City Hall Hardening with Sweet Sparkman Architects, Inc., was reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office and is legally correct as to form.
Contract #2025-44 for City of North Port City Hall Hardening with Sweet Sparkman Architects, Inc., was submitted to the City Clerk’s Office September 14, 2026, for signature, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Infrastructure and Facilities Integrity.
Financial Impact
Funding in the amount of $309,609.00 is available in Project No. FM26CH, account 001-0760-519.62-00, Buildings. Upon approval, $309,609.00 will be allocated to Contract No. 2025-44.
Procurement
Professional Architectural and Engineering Services were procured pursuant to Chapter 2 Administration, Article VIII Procurement, Section 2-406 - Professional services selection under Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA), F.S. §287.055 of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida.
Attachments:
1. Contract
2. RFQ 2025-44
3. Negotiation Memorandum
4. Notice of Intent
5. Tabulation
6. November 28, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Prepared by: Garrett Woods, CPWP-M Senior Business Manager
Department Director: Chuck Speake, Director of Public Works