TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Temporary Use and Occupancy Agreement By and Between the West Villages Improvement District and the City of North Port Regarding Fire Station 87 Located at 17890 Preto Boulevard, Venice, Florida, 34293.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the Temporary Use and Occupancy Agreement by and between the City of North Port and the West Villages Improvement District regarding Fire Station 87 located at 17890 Preto Boulevard, Venice, Florida, 34293.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the Temporary Use and Occupancy Agreement by and between the City of North Port and the West Villages Improvement District regarding Fire Station 87 located at 17890 Preto Boulevard, Venice, Florida, 34293.
• Pros:
o Allows the North Port Fire Rescue Department to occupy and make use of the newly constructed fire station and equipment, enabling the Department to improve fire and emergency medical services (EMS) response times and coverage in the surrounding area.
o Ensures the community benefits from the fire station while conveyance paperwork is finalized, avoiding an unnecessary delay in deploying completed public-safety infrastructure.
• Cons:
o Staff was not able to identify any negative outcomes from approving the Agreement as operating and functioning from this facility was a planned outcome aligning with budgeted timelines.
Option 2: Do not approve the Temporary Use and Occupancy Agreement.
• Pros:
o Staff was not able to identify any positive outcomes from not approving the Agreement as operating and functioning from this facility was a planned outcome aligning with budgeted timelines.
• Cons:
o A completed fire station and related equipment would remain unused, delaying anticipated improvements to response times and fire and EMS service levels in the area.
o Denial could be perceived as inconsistent with the Developer’s Agreement now that the developer has completed construction. There could potentially be a legal risk and strained future public-private partnerships.
o Delays activation of a fire station designed to support a growing service demand, which may negatively affect community safety and perception of City responsiveness.
Background Information
During the City Commission Regular Meeting held on November 12, 2024, the Commission approved the First Amendment and Restatement of the West Villages Developer Agreement (Post Annexation) (PAA) under agenda item no. 24-1515. Pursuant to the PAA, the Developer is required to construct a fire station (Station 87), to be conveyed to the City along with all associated warranties.
Further, the Agreement contains language that directs the process for the West Villages Improvement District (Wellen Park) to convey real property to the City of North Port for Fire System Improvements upon obtaining the Certificate of Occupancy (CO). The Developer has recently obtained a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) which allows the fire station to be open and operational but does not meet the standard for conveyance under the PAA. To expedite North Port Fire Rescue Department’s ability to inhabit and operate from Fire Station 87, the developer has agreed to enter into a Temporary Use and Occupancy Agreement which will allow the Fire Department to run operations from the fire station until the final CO is obtained and the fire station can be conveyed to the City.
Fire Station 87, located at 17890 Preto Boulevard, will permit public safety emergency response units from the North Port Fire Rescue Department to provide a high level of service to City of North Port residents, keeping pace with the growing needs of the area.
The Temporary Use and Occupancy Agreement by and between the City of North Port and the West Villages Improvement District regarding Fire Station 87 located at 17890 Preto Boulevard, Venice, Florida, 34293.has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
the Temporary Use and Occupancy Agreement by and between the City of North Port and the West Villages Improvement District regarding Fire Station 87 located at 17890 Preto Boulevard, Venice, Florida 34293 was provided to the City Clerk on May 29, 2026, for signature subject to Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Agreement
2. Amendment and Restatement of West Villages Developer Agreement (Post Annexation)
Prepared by: Nicholas Herlihy, Deputy Fire Chief
Department Director: Scott Titus, Fire Chief