TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Presentation Regarding the Funding for the Emergency Operations Center Project.
Recommended Action
No action requested.
City Commission Options
Not applicable.
Background Information
The City of North Port has endured several large-scale disasters in recent years and continues to face significant risks from hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires. These events have highlighted the critical need for a dedicated, centralized Emergency Operations Center to coordinate disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. This need has been consistently documented in After Action Reports from past activations and exercises, as well as in the City’s 2024 Long-Term Disaster Recovery and Resilience Strategy.
The following provides a chronological order of events regarding the Emergency Operations Center Project:
Ø April 12, 2022: During the City Commission Regular Meeting, the Commission approved Agreement No. 2021-17 Professional Architectural and Engineering Service with Schenkel & Shultz for City of North Port Police Department Facilities (“Original Agreement”) for renovation of the existing North Port Police Department facility and design of the new Emergency Operations Center (“EOC”).
Ø March 2, 2023: During the City Commission Special Meeting, agenda item 23-0262 discussion and recommendation for a stand-alone Emergency Operations Center, separate from PD Headquarters, nearby on City-Owned land - Presentation to Commission.
Ø September 12, 2023: During the City Commission Regular Meeting, the Commission approved the Second Amendment to Agreement No. 2021-17 Professional Architectural and Engineering Services to Expand the Scope of Service with Schenkel & Shultz to include Phase II - Schematic Design for the New Police Headquarters and an Emergency Operations Center Facility.
Ø February 26, 2024: During the City Commission Workshop, agenda item 24-0347 discussion with Commission regarding EOC costs and location, adjacent to Fire Station 81. EOC adopted as new Capital Improvement Project (CIP) F24EOC.
Ø December 10, 2024: During the City Commission Regular Meeting, agenda item 24-1627, the Commission approved the Fourth Amendment to Agreement No. 2021-17 with Schenkel and Shultz to complete Phase III - V for Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding Assistance, and Construction Administration. Agenda Item 24-1630 Commission approved Contract No. 2024-16.002 Preconstruction Services, Phase I, with Ajax Building Company, LLC, for Design Support, Coordination, Project Scheduling, Design and Equipment Evaluation and Recommendations, and a Guaranteed Maximum Price for Project F24EOC, Emergency Operations Center.
Ø August 28, 2025: City of North Port Emergency Management, Public Works Project Management, Schenkel & Shultz and Ajax Building Company hold the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Negotiation Meeting.
Ø September 8, 2025: During the City Commission Workshop, the EOC Project update was provided to Commission. Emergency Management was asked to bring back a funding solution for the $1.7 million shortfall to begin construction.
Ø September 9, 2025: During the City Commission Regular Meeting, the Commission adopted Resolution 2025-R-61, Revising the List of Proposed Infrastructure Projects Funded Through Sarasota County’s Collection of the One Percent Infrastructure Sales Surtax Proceeds for Years 2025 Through 2039, to include Project F24EOC, Emergency Operations Center.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Disaster Response and Recovery Management
Infrastructure and Facilities Integrity
Financial Impact
$1,685,105 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026
$900,000 in FY 2027
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Presentation
Prepared by: Stacy Aloisio, Emergency Manager
Department Director: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager