4970 CITY HALL BLVD  
NORTH PORT, FL 34286  
City of North Port  
Meeting Minutes  
City Commission Regular Meeting  
CITY COMMISSIONERS  
Phil Stokes, Mayor  
Pete Emrich, Vice Mayor  
Barbara Langdon, Commissioner  
David Duval, Commissioner  
Demetrius Petrow, Commissioner  
APPOINTED OFFICIALS  
Jerome Fletcher, City Manager  
Michael Golen, Interim City Attorney  
Heather Faust, City Clerk  
Tuesday, November 26, 2024  
6:00 PM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Stokes called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  
ROLL CALL  
5 -  
Present:  
Vice Mayor Pete Emrich, Commissioner David Duval, Commissioner Demetrius  
Petrow, Commissioner Barbara Langdon and Mayor Philip Stokes  
Also Present:  
City Manager Fletcher, Interim City Attorney Golen, City Clerk Faust, Deputy Police  
Chief Morales, Fire Chief Titus, Budget Administrator Herrmann, Legislative Analyst Miles  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Petrow.  
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Mayor Stokes requested a motion to approve the agenda.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,  
to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
2. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Valdy Olender: Spoke to meeting procedure and various topics.  
Victor Dobrin: Spoke to Homeowners Association (HOA) concerns.  
Commission questions took place regarding debris removal.  
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS  
24-0222  
Announcement of Current Advisory Board and Committee Vacancies  
A.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item and called on the City Clerk to read the  
announcements.  
Ms. Faust read the announcements into the record.  
4. CONSENT AGENDA:  
Mayor Stokes announced the item and queried the City Manager regarding items pulled  
from the consent agenda for discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Stokes requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,  
to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
24-0935  
A.  
Approve the Letter of Agreement and Contract Between the University of  
North Florida Training and Services Institute, Inc., d/b/a Institute of Police  
Technology and Management and the City of North Port, for  
Reimbursement of Costs in an Amount Not to Exceed $6,612.70, for the  
North Port Police Department to Provide High Visibility Law Enforcement  
Operations in Areas With a High Rate of Pedestrian/Bicycle Crashes.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-1151  
24-1154  
B.  
C.  
Approve Fifth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No.  
2023-17.001 for Repair Services Contract Phase II with Wharton-Smith,  
Inc., in the Amount of $521,159.00, for Repair Services of the Public Works  
Fleet and Administrative Campus and Site.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve Second Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract  
No. 2023-17.003 for Construction Services Contract Phase II With Ajax  
Building Company, LLC., in the Amount of $539,982.90, for Repairs to the  
Police Headquarters and Immediate Site Under Work Assignment  
2024-21FM.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-1470  
24-1481  
D.  
E.  
Approve the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Requested  
Operational Assistance and Voluntary Cooperation Agreement Between  
Law Enforcement Agencies Located in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve Third Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No.  
2023-17.003 for Construction Services Contract, Phase II With Ajax  
Building Company, LLC., in the Amount of $677,239.55, for Hurricane Ian  
Repairs to the George Mullen Activity Center.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-1482  
F.  
Approve the Annual Security Complete Limited Warranty Agreement for  
the Provision of Insurance Coverage in the Event of a Security Incident.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-1554  
24-1572  
Accept the Cash Receipts Summary Report for September 2024.  
G.  
H.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Ninth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract  
No. 2023-17.001 for Construction Services Contract, Phase II With  
Wharton Smith, Inc. in the Amount of $37,780, for Hurricane Ian Repairs at  
Dallas White Park Kayak Launch.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-1574  
24-1580  
I.  
Approve the Eighth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract  
No. 2023-17.004 for Construction Services Contract, Phase II With Jon F.  
Swift, Inc. in the Amount of $1,105,010, for Hurricane Ian Repairs at  
Narramore Sports Complex.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
J.  
Approve the October 22, 2024 Commission Regular Meeting Minutes  
10:00 A.M.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-1581  
24-1582  
24-1583  
Approve the October 17, 2024 Commission Emergency Meeting Minutes  
K.  
L.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the October 7, 2024 Commission Special Meeting Minutes  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
M.  
Approve the October 22, 2024 Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 6:00  
P.M.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-1593  
24-1601  
Approve the November 7, 2024 Commission Regular Meeting Minutes  
N.  
O.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the November 4, 2024 10:00 A.M. Commission Workshop  
Meeting Minutes  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-1602  
24-1604  
P.  
Approve the November 4, 2024 9:00 A.M. Commission Special Meeting  
Minutes  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the November 12, 2024 Commission Regular Meeting Minutes  
Q.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:  
ORDINANCE - First Reading:  
A. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Establishing a Schedule  
2024-38  
and Location of City Commission Regular Meetings and Workshops for the  
2025 Calendar Year; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts;  
Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item and requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to  
read by title only.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to direct the City Clerk to read by title only. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only and introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding rescheduling the November  
25, 2025 Commission regular meeting, and amending district schedules.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,  
to continue Ordinance No. 2024-38 to second reading on December 10, 2024 as  
amended to move the November 25, 2025 6:00 p.m. meeting to November 18, 2025  
at 6:00 p.m. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
B. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Non-District  
Budget and Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for  
Budgeting Bond Proceeds and Debt Service for Price Boulevard Project  
R15PW1 in the Amount of $64,221,510; Providing for Findings; Providing  
for Posting; Providing for Conflicts: Providing for Severability; and  
Providing an Effective Date.  
2024-45  
Mayor Stokes announced the item and requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to  
read by title only.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to direct the City Clerk to read by title only. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Yes:  
Yes:  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to continue Ordinance No. 2024-45 to second reading on December 10, 2024. The  
motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
C. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Code of the  
City of North Port, Florida, Section 4-3 Regarding Qualifications of Boards  
and Committees; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing  
for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective  
Date.  
2024-46  
Mayor Stokes announced the item and requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to  
read by title only.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,  
to direct the City Clerk to read by title only. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only and introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding employee and Commission  
ability to serve on boards, communication to citizens, youth membership, teen court, and  
future discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Duval, to  
continue Ordinance No. 2024-46 to second reading on December 10, 2024. The  
motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
ORDINANCE - Second Reading:  
D. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Non-District  
2024-44  
Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 for Adjustments to the Fleet  
Management Fund in the Amount of $460,000; Providing for Findings;  
Providing for Posting; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability;  
and Providing an Effective Date.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item and called on the City Clerk to read by title only.  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding increase in labor income and  
parts income source.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Duval, to  
adopt Ordinance No 2024-44 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
RESOLUTION:  
E. RES. NO.  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Located on Denargo Road and  
Described as Lot 5, Block 1817 of the Thirty-Seventh Addition to Port  
Charlotte Subdivision, Sarasota County Property Appraiser Parcel  
Identification Number 0995181705; Incorporating Recitals; Providing for  
Filing of Documents; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and  
Providing an Effective Date.  
2024-R-68  
Mayor Stokes announced the item and called on the City Clerk to read by title only.  
Ms. Faust read the Resolution by title only.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding lot price.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Duval,  
to adopt Resolution No. 2024-R-68 as presented. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
6. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
24-1548  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding Suggested Agenda Items  
for the 2024 Convocation of Governments Based on the Interlocal  
Agreement for School Facility Planning.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding timeline and funding  
regarding Suncoast Technical College (STC) expansion, and update regarding Wellen  
Park High School.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Stokes requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,  
to approve an update on the STC expansion funding and implementation timeline  
and update on Wellen Park High School for the January 2025 Convocation of  
Governments. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
24-1596  
B.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Appointing a Commissioner to  
Sit on the Florida League of Cities Legislative Policy Committees and the  
Legislative Advocacy Committee.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Ms. Faust introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding committee appointments,  
Finance and Taxation Committee discussions, and future reconsiderations.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Stokes requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,  
to approve the appointment of Commissioner Duval to the Advocacy Committee,  
Commissioner Duval to the Municipal Operations Committee, Commissioner  
Langdon to the Development, Code Compliance, and Redevelopment Committee,  
and Commissioner Petrow to the Finance and Taxation Committee. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
24-1611  
C.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the City of North Port 2025  
State and Federal Legislative Priorities and Information for Presentation at  
the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Mr. Miles spoke to prior discussion, draft priorities, discussion with Congressman  
Steube, and county priorities.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding last year’s priorities,  
simplifying list, infrastructure, long range planning and protection of natural resources,  
police headquarters, Suncoast Technical College (STC) funding, Florida Forever Program,  
removing affordable housing, environmental impact projects, offering support to county  
priorities, combining environmental resources and parks, recreation, and natural  
resources, property insurance, interstate exchange, and modifying list for future  
discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mr. Miles spoke to Sarasota County Legislative Delegation.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding stormwater management,  
critical infrastructure, environmental and natural resources, regional versus state level,  
and interchanges.  
No action was taken on this item.  
24-1664  
D.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the City Commission Board  
and Committee Assignments for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Ms. Faust introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding board appointments.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Stokes requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,  
to appoint Mayor Stokes to Coastal and Heartland Estuary Partnership as primary  
and Commissioner Langdon as alternate, Vice Mayor Emrich to Community Health  
Action Team as primary and Mayor Stokes as alternate, Commissioner Petrow to  
Manasota League of Cities as primary, Commissioner Duval to Sarasota Manatee  
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) as 1st seat alternate and Commissioner  
Petrow as 2nd seat alternate, Commissioner Duval to Sarasota County Community  
Action Agency Board as primary, and Commissioner Duval to Teen Court as  
alternate for the 2024-2025 year. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
7. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
There was no public comment.  
8. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:  
Mayor Stokes called on Commissioners for communications.  
24-0320  
24-0301  
24-0250  
Mayor Stokes' Communications  
A.  
B.  
C.  
Mayor Stokes reported on events attended and important topics.  
Vice Mayor Emrich's Communications  
Vice Mayor Emrich reported on important topics.  
Commissioner Langdon's Communications  
Commissioner Langdon reported on events attended and important topics.  
24-0269  
24-1613  
Commissioner Duval's Communications  
D.  
E.  
Commissioner Duval reported on events attended and important topics.  
Commissioner Petrow's Communications  
Commissioner Petrow reported on important topics.  
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:  
Mayor Stokes called on Charter Officers for reports.  
24-0233  
24-1592  
24-1605  
City Clerk's Monthly Report  
A.  
B.  
C.  
Ms. Faust did not have a report.  
City Attorney's Monthly Report  
Mr. Golen did not have a report.  
City Manager Report  
Mr. Fletcher did not have a report.  
10. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor Stokes adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By: ___________________________________________  
Phil Stokes, Mayor  
Attest: _________________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk