TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve and Authorize the Mayor to Execute the TECO Peoples Gas Service Agreement, Florida Natural Gas Service Agreement, Peoples Gas System, Inc. NaturalChoice Transportation Service Peoples Gas System Letter of Authorization, and NaturalChoice Transportation Service Information Sheet for Fire Station 81 and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Associated Documents Necessary to Establish Natural Gas Service for Fire Station 81 Located at 4980 City Center Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34286.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the TECO Peoples Gas Service Agreement, Florida Natural Gas Service Agreement, Peoples Gas System, Inc. NaturalChoice Transportation Service Peoples Gas System Letter of Authorization, and NaturalChoice Transportation Service Information Sheet for Fire Station 81 and authorize the City Manager to execute all associated documents necessary to establish natural gas service for Fire Station 81 located at 4980 City Center Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34286.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the TECO Peoples Gas Service Agreement, Florida Natural Gas Service Agreement, Peoples Gas System, Inc. NaturalChoice Transportation Service Peoples Gas System Letter of Authorization, and NaturalChoice Transportation Service Information Sheet for Fire Station 81 and authorize the City Manager to execute all associated documents necessary to establish natural gas service for Fire Station 81 located at 4980 City Center Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34286.
• Pros: Establishes natural gas utility service necessary to support operations at Fire Station 81. Provides access to natural gas commodity transportation services and allows the City to obtain competitive natural gas supply pricing.
• Cons: Staff could not identify any negative outcomes to approval.
Option 2: Do not approve the agreements and forms associated with natural gas service for Fire Station 81.
• Pros: Staff could not identify any positive outcomes to denial.
• Cons: Delays the establishment of natural gas service required for Fire Station 81 operations and may impact facility readiness and occupancy timelines.
Background Information
During the City Commission Regular Meeting held on June 24, 2025, the City Commission approved the Second Amendment to Contract No. 2023-07 with Wharton Smith, Inc. for Construction Manager at Risk Services for construction phase services to demolish the former Fire Station 81, and construct a new, storm-hardened Fire Station 81.
The reconstructed Fire Station No. 81 will utilize an existing natural gas line near the fire station, as opposed to a liquid propane (LP) tank which supported the former fire station. Using the existing natural gas line allows for maximum site utilization, as space is not reserved for an LP tank. In addition, service through the existing natural gas line is more reliable and stable than service provided through an LP tank.
North Port Fire Rescue is requesting approval of Agreements necessary to establish commercial natural gas service for Fire Station 81, located at 4980 City Center Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34286. The agreements facilitate the installation and activation of natural gas service through TECO Peoples Gas and participation in the NaturalChoice transportation program through Florida Natural Gas.
The attached documents include:
• TECO Peoples Gas System Gas Service Agreement
• Florida Natural Gas Service Agreement
• NaturalChoice Transportation Service Letter of Authorization
• NaturalChoice Transportation Service Information Sheet
The Peoples Gas System Gas Service Agreement provides for the installation of the gas service line, meter, and activation of the commercial account. The Agreement includes estimated annual usage of approximately 6,350 therms and identifies associated deposits and turn-on fees.
The Florida Natural Gas Service Agreement establishes the supply arrangement for natural gas commodity services under the NaturalChoice transportation program. The Agreement includes an initial one-year term with automatic annual renewals unless terminated in accordance with the agreement terms.
Participation in the NaturalChoice program allows the City to separately procure natural gas commodity services while TECO Peoples Gas continues to provide distribution, meter reading, and emergency response services.
The TECO Peoples Gas System Gas Service Agreement, Florida Natural Gas Service Agreement, NaturalChoice Transportation Service Letter of Authorization, and NaturalChoice Transportation Service Information Sheet have been reviewed by the City Attorney and are legally correct as to form.
The TECO Peoples Gas System Gas Service Agreement, Florida Natural Gas Service Agreement, NaturalChoice Transportation Service Letter of Authorization, and NaturalChoice Transportation Service Information Sheet were submitted to the City Clerk on August 6, 2026, for signature subject to City Commission Approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Financial Impact
The Agreements establish natural gas utility service for Fire Station 81. Costs associated with monthly utility usage, commodity charges, deposits, transportation charges, and related fees will be paid from the approved Fire Rescue operating budget, split 50/50 between General Fund operating account 001-2222-526.43-05 and Fire District Fund operating account 110-2222-522.43-05.
Known initial charges include:
• Gas Deposit: $375.00
• Turn-on Charge: $121.00
Additional recurring utility costs will vary based on actual consumption and market rates.
Procurement
The provision of natural gas from TECO Peoples Gas is being procured pursuant to Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Section 2-403(a)(3)(k) Procurement of: water, sewer, electrical, cable television or other utility service.
Attachments:
1. TECO Peoples Gas Service Agreement
2. Florida Natural Gas Service Agreement
3. NaturalChoice Transportation Service Letter of Authorization
4. NaturalChoice Transportation Service Information
Prepared by: Deanna Marshall, Sr. Business Manager
Department Director: Scott Titus, Fire Chief