TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Authorization for the City Manager to Initiate Discussions with the West Villages Improvement District (WVID) to Explore Alternatives for the City-Owned General Government Land Located on Market Way, Venice FL, Parcel Identification Number 0783070090.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Direct the City Manager to initiate discussions with the West Villages Improvement District (WVID) regarding alternatives for the City-owned General Government Land located on Market Way, Venice FL, Parcel Identification Number 0783070090, and return to the City Commission with the results and any proposal requiring further action.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Direct the City Manager to initiate discussions with the West Villages Improvement District (WVID) to explore alternatives for the City-owned General Government Land located on Market Way, Venice FL, Parcel Identification Number 0783070090, and return to the City Commission with the results and any proposal requiring further action.
• Pros: Allows the City to explore all available options related to the property and the potential need for future services in the area prior to the 2029 design milestone.
• Cons: A sale could reduce City control of the site or make service delivery dependent on leased space.
Option 2: Do not authorize the City Manager to initiate discussions with the West Villages Improvement District (WVID) regarding alternatives for the City-owned General Government Land located on Market Way, Venice FL, Parcel Identification Number 0783070090.
• Pros: Not exploring options would preserve the City-controlled site for its planned government use.
• Cons: Not exploring options could leave potential cost savings and more flexible service-delivery alternatives unevaluated, while the City may be unable to meet the Amendment and Restatement of West Villages Developer Agreement (Post Annexation) design and construction deadlines.
Background Information
On March 25, 2020, the City Commission approved the original West Villages Developer Agreement (Post Annexation), recorded as Sarasota County Official Records Instrument 2020042302.
On November 12, 2024, the City Commission approved the Amendment and Restatement of West Villages Developer Agreement (Post Annexation), which replaced and superseded the original agreement. The amended and restated agreement was recorded as Sarasota County Official Records Instrument 2024156163.
The parties to the agreement are Wellen Park, LLLP, formerly known as West Villages, LLLP, acting for itself and the WVLP Entities; the West Villages Improvement District; and the City of North Port. The parcel that is the subject of this discussion, PID 0783070090, is identified in the Amendment and Restatement of West Villages Developer Agreement (Post Annexation) as the “General Government Land.” This parcel was conveyed to the City at no cost and without an obligation to reimburse the developer for the land.
On April 8, 2025, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2025-R-21, accepting the parcel that is the subject of this discussion, General Government Land, PID 0783070090, through a warranty deed from Main Street Ranchlands, LLLP. The deed is dated January 24, 2025, and was acknowledged on March 18, 2025. The deed was subsequently recorded on May 15, 2025, as Sarasota County Official Records Instrument 2025075212.
Section 6.1(b) of the Amendment and Restatement of West Villages Developer Agreement (Post Annexation) establishes the following design and construction milestones for the City:
|
Milestone |
Agreement requirement |
Associated timeline |
|
Conveyance of land |
City Commission acceptance of the conveyance. |
Accepted on April 8, 2025 |
|
Initiate design |
The City must initiate first-phase design within four years of conveyance of the General Government Land. |
Initiate design by April 8, 2029. |
|
Approve design and begin construction |
The City must finalize design, obtain City Commission approval, and commence construction within two years after first-phase design begins. Construction must commence within six years of conveyance; earlier design initiation starts the two-year period earlier. |
Commence construction by April 8, 2031. |
|
Complete the first phase |
The City must use its best efforts to complete first-phase construction within two years after construction commences. This is a best-efforts commitment, not an unconditional completion deadline. |
Complete first phase of construction April 8, 2033. |
The upcoming design milestone provides a timeframe for the City to evaluate alternatives while considering its obligations under the agreement. The requested action would authorize discussions with WVID but would not authorize the sale, lease, or other final disposition of the property. Any proposal requiring further Commission action would be brought back to the City Commission for consideration.
Strategic Plan
Economic Development & Growth Management
Financial Impact
Potential financial impact will be determined based upon direction received.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. First Amendment and Restatement of West Villages Developer Agreement
2. Resolution No. 2025-R-21
3. Ordinance No. 2023-03 with Policy 2023-01
4. Sarasota Property Record
5. Map
Prepared by: Chelsea Buell, Administrative Services Specialist
Department Director: Chuck Speake, Public Works Director