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, April 8, 2025  
10:00 AM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Stokes called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.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, Board Specialist  
Lane, Police Chief Garrison, Fire Chief Titus, Parks & Recreation Director Pfundheller,  
Project Manager Humphreys, and Accountant III Fowler.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Charles Hines.  
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
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:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComment into record:  
Cari Murphy: Expressed support of parks.  
In person:  
Charles Hines: Spoke to Florida Gulf Coast Trail, River Road, Snook Haven, and Eco  
Tourism.  
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS  
25-2132  
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 record.  
4. CONSENT AGENDA:  
Mayor Stokes announced the item and queried the City Manager regarding items pulled  
from the consent agenda for discussion.  
Mayor Stokes requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,  
to approve the items in the consent agenda pulling Item No. 25-2095 for discussion.  
The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
25-1839  
25-1893  
A.  
B.  
Approve the Memorandum of Agreement Between United States  
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the City of North Port,  
Florida, on Behalf of the North Port Police Department, for the  
Performance of Certain Immigration Enforcement Functions.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Disposition of Surplus Fleet Assets in an Appropriate Fashion  
Pursuant to Chapter 2 Administration, Article VIII Procurement, Section  
2-419, Disposition of City Assets and Property (d), (1) and (3) of the Code  
of the City of North Port, Florida, and Approve a Suitable Surplus Asset for  
Project Graduation.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
25-1983  
C.  
Approve Contract No. 2025-15, Rehabilitation of Bridge No. 175001 Pan  
American Boulevard Over R-226 to Thomas Marine Construction, Inc. in  
the Amount of $955,117.10 and Contingency in the Amount of $95,511.71  
for a Total Amount of $1,050,628.81.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
25-2039  
25-2066  
D.  
E.  
Approve the March 11, 2025 Commission Regular, and March 12, 2025  
Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the State of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)  
Subgrant for Highway Traffic Safety Funds in the Amount of $20,000, and  
Authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as Applicable Under the City  
Charter, to Execute all Funding Documents After Legal Review.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
25-2069  
F.  
Approve the Application to the Florida Department of Agriculture and  
Consumer Services (FDACS) Urban and Community Forestry - Hurricane  
Ian Recovery (U&CF-HIR) Grant Program for the Funding of Sumter  
Boulevard Tree Recovery and Maintenance, in the Amount of $48,000, and  
Authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as Applicable Under the City  
Charter, to Execute all Funding Documents After Legal Review, Should the  
Grant be Awarded to the City.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
25-2077  
25-2079  
G.  
H.  
Approve Authorization Form for Third-Party Access to NaviNet to Allow for  
North Port Fire Rescue’s Primary Billing Company, Digitech, to Research,  
Submit and Adjust Medical Claims on North Port Fire Rescue’s Behalf.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Updating of the Online Portal and Completion of the Medicare  
Enrollment Application and Associated Agreements to Reflect Mayor  
Stokes as the Assigned Authorized Official to Allow for North Port Fire  
Rescue’s Primary Billing Company, Digitech, to Submit Claims and  
Receive Remits on North Port Fire Rescue’s Behalf.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
25-2091  
25-2095  
Accept the Cash Receipts Summary Report for February 2025.  
I.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
J.  
Approval of Third Amendment to Agreement No. 2017-40, Professional  
Design and Engineering Services for Warm Mineral Springs Park Master  
Plan, to Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., in the Amount of $692,800.00, to  
Provide Construction Plans and Documents to Facilitate a Trail Connection  
from Warm Mineral Springs Park to the North Port Connector of the Legacy  
Trail.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding support of the legacy trail  
attachment, conservation easement, timing of the project, maintenance cost,  
construction of the buildings, condition of 60 acres, safety, and Warm Mineral Springs.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to approve Item No. 25-2095 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
25-2096  
K.  
Approve Construction Manager at Risk Contract No. 2025-09 - Phase I,  
Preconstruction Services Contract, to Wharton Smith, Inc. in the Amount  
Not to Exceed $283,662 for Project WM19BR, Warm Mineral Springs Park  
Building Renovations.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
25-2102  
L.  
Approve a Template for a Contract for Reimbursement of Police Officers  
Training Expenses (New Employee - Training To Be Completed in First  
Year of Employment) and Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Sign  
Future Agreements Using the Approved Template.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
25-2105  
25-2106  
25-2108  
M.  
N.  
O.  
Approve the Appointment of Michel Simon as a Regular Member to Serve  
on the Community Economic Development Advisory Board From April 8,  
2025, Through April 9, 2028.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Appointment of Michel Simon as a Regular Member to Serve  
on the Citizen Tax Oversight Committee from April 8, 2025, Through April  
9, 2028.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve Polling Place Agreements for Use of the Morgan Family  
Community Center and George Mullen Activity Center Between the City of  
North Port and the Supervisor of Elections of Sarasota County for the May  
13, 2025, Special Election.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
5 PUBLIC HEARINGS:  
ORDINANCE - Second Reading:  
A. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida; Amending the Code of the  
2025-10  
City of North Port, Florida, Section 26-3 and 26-7 Relating to Fire  
Sprinklers and Exceptions to Fire Sprinklers; Providing for Findings;  
Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for  
Codification; 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.  
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 Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,  
to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-10 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
RESOLUTION:  
B. RES. NO.  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Accepting the Conveyance of Tract 9 of Wellen Park Downtown Phase 1  
Replat, Bearing Sarasota County Property Appraiser Parcel Identification  
Number 0783070090 and ±20 Acres of Real Property Located in the  
Southern Half of Section 34, Township 39 South, Range 20 East, Bearing  
Sarasota County Property Appraiser Parcel Identification Number  
0788010003; and Authorizing the Conveyance of ±63 Acres of Real  
Property Located in the Northeast Quarter of Section 3, Township 40  
South, Range 20 East, Bearing Sarasota County Property Appraiser  
Parcel Identification Number 0797001100; Providing for Filing of  
Documents; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and  
Providing an Effective Date.  
2025-R-21  
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 location, soccer fields, and  
sports tourism.  
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 adopt Resolution No. 2025-R-21 as presented. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
C. RES. NO.  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Appointing James Toale to the Position of Hearing Officer With the  
Authority to Hear and Decide Matters Related to Enforcing the City’s  
Codes, as Well as Zoning-Related Matters; Providing for Incorporation of  
Recitals; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing  
an Effective Date.  
2025-R-28  
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. Golen introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding evaluation of performance  
and submitting invoices.  
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 Resolution 2025-R-28 as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
D. RES. NO.  
2025-R-29  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Approving a Template for Contraband Forfeiture Settlement Agreement;  
Providing for Incorporation of Recitals; 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 Resolution 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 Duval, to  
adopt Resolution No. 2025-R-29 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:  
25-2000  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding a Transfer in the Amount of  
$2,000 From Commission Contingency to the Community  
Assistance/Special Event Assistance Program to Support Fee Assistance  
Requests Through Fiscal Year 2025.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Ms. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding balance of the contingency  
fund.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Stokes requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to approve a transfer in the amount of $2,000 from Commission Contingency to the  
Community Assistance/Special Event Assistance Program to support fee assistance  
requests through fiscal year 2025. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
25-2109  
B.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Rescheduling the 4:00 p.m.  
City Commission Regular Meetings Held on the First Thursday of Each  
Month (Requested by Commissioner Petrow).  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Commissioner Petrow introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding possible times, demographic  
consideration, staff concerns, intent, full time job, splitting between two meetings,  
flexibility, and future planning.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Stokes requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Duval, to  
not make any changes to the annual schedule. The motion carried on the following  
vote with Commissioner Petrow dissented due to efficiency of consolidating  
meetings.  
4 -  
Yes:  
No:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor  
Stokes  
1 - Commissioner Petrow  
25-2146  
C.  
Discussion and Possible Action in Regard to Letter of Support for  
Suncoast Technical College's Submission Regarding the Allocation of  
Hurricane Recovery Funds to Sarasota County Board of County  
Commissioners.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Ms. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding previous letter of support and  
benefits of sending an additional letter of support.  
There was no public comment.  
No action was taken.  
7 PUBLIC COMMENT:  
There was no public comment.  
8. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:  
Mayor Stokes called on Commissioners for communications.  
25-2127  
25-2128  
Mayor Stokes' Communications  
A.  
B.  
Mayor Stokes reported on events attend.  
Vice Mayor Emrich's Communications  
Vice Mayor Emrich reported on events attended.  
25-2129  
25-2130  
25-2131  
Commissioner Langdon's Communications  
C.  
D.  
E.  
Commissioner Langdon on events attended and important topics.  
Commissioner Duval's Communications  
Commissioner Duval reported on events attend.  
Commissioner Petrow's Communications  
Commissioner Petrow reported on events attended and important topics.  
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:  
Mayor Stokes calls on Charter Officers for reports.  
City Manager Fletcher did not report.  
City Attorney Golen did not report.  
City Clerk Faust did not report.  
10. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor Stokes adjourns the meeting 11:50 a.m.  
By: ___________________________________________  
Phil Stokes, Mayor  
Attest: _________________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk