TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida, Authorizing and Directing the Acquisition of Certain Real Property and/or Easement Interest by Any Legal Means for the Construction of the Hillsborough Boulevard/Cranberry Boulevard Intersection Improvements Project; Providing for Incorporation of Recitals; Providing for Findings and Public Necessity; Providing for Terms for Temporary Construction Easements; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Resolution No. 2025-R-85 as presented.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Resolution No. 2025-R-85 as presented.
• Pros: Allows staff to proceed with acquiring the temporary construction easements needed to move forward with the Hillsborough Boulevard/Cranberry Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project.
• Cons: Acquisition of these temporary construction easements will likely require financial compensation to the affected property owners.
Option 2: Deny Resolution No. 2025-R-85 as presented.
• Pros: The funds allocated for easement acquisition could be redirected to other Road and Drainage improvement projects.
• Cons: The Hillsborough Boulevard/Cranberry Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project could not be constructed as currently designed, and land already acquired for this project will no longer be needed by the City.
Background Information
The Public Works Department is seeking authorization to obtain temporary construction easements on privately owned property near the project area. These easements are required to move forward with the Hillsborough Boulevard/Cranberry Boulevard Intersection Improvements Project (“Project”). Efforts to secure the temporary easements through direct negotiation have been unsuccessful and the Attorney of the landowner has not responded to the City’s inquiries.
To ensure the Project can proceed, the Public Works Department is requesting Commission approval to begin the eminent domain process to acquire the necessary temporary construction easements. The Resolution details the process that the City will follow and authorizes the City Manager and City Attorney to handle negotiations; complete necessary paperwork; and take legal action if needed. The City Attorney has retained Attorney Robert Gill as special counsel to assist with the eminent domain and acquisition process. Staff and legal counsel believe that adopting Resolution No. 2025-R-85 will demonstrate the City’s intent to move forward with the Project and may encourage the property owner to resume negotiations without the need for court action.
Resolution No. 2025-R-85 has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Resolution 2025-R-85 was provided to the City Clerk's Office on October 24, 2025, for signature, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Infrastructure & Facilities Integrity
Financial Impact
Funds are available in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, Project No. R20HCI. The total Project cost for eminent domain is not known at this time.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Resolution
Prepared by: Anthony Friedman, P.E., PTOE, City Engineer
Department Director: Chuck Speake, Public Works Director