4970 CITY HALL BLVD  
NORTH PORT, FL 34286  
City of North Port  
Meeting Minutes  
City Commission Regular Meeting  
CITY COMMISSIONERS  
Alice White, Mayor  
Phil Stokes, Vice Mayor  
Pete Emrich, Commissioner  
Barbara Langdon, Commissioner  
Debbie McDowell, Commissioner  
APPOINTED OFFICIALS  
Jerome Fletcher, City Manager  
Amber L. Slayton, City Attorney  
Heather Faust, City Clerk  
Tuesday, April 23, 2024  
6:00 PM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and provided required notifications  
regarding conducting a hybrid meeting.  
Commissioner Emrich stated he will be attending the hybrid meeting via CMT due to  
experiencing a medical condition.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to approve the use of communications media technology (CMT) for  
meeting. The motion carried on the following vote:  
a hybrid  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
ROLL CALL  
5 -  
Present:  
Commissioner Pete Emrich, Commissioner Debbie McDowell, Mayor Alice White,  
Vice Mayor Philip Stokes and Commissioner Barbara Langdon  
Also Present:  
City Manager Fletcher, City Attorney Slayton, City Clerk Faust, Board Specialist  
Bodmer, Police Captain Gregory, Deputy Fire Chief Herlihy, Grant Division Manager  
Malingowski, Public Works Director Speake, Assistant City Manager Bellia, Natural  
Resource Manager Kalev, Parks and Recreation Director Pfundheller, Assistant Director  
of Development Services Barnes, and Director of Development Services Ray  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Robin San Vicente.  
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
2. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
In person public comment:  
Valdy Olender: Expressed concern with City policy and actions.  
Robin San Vicente: Spoke to sensitive lands.  
Josh Smith: Spoke to better communication to the public.  
Chuck English: Provided an apology for no quorum for the Environmental Advisory Board.  
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS  
24-0210  
Announcement of Current Advisory Board and Committee Vacancies  
A.  
Mayor White 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 White announced the item and queried the City Manager regarding items pulled  
from the consent agenda for discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Langdon, to approve the items in the consent agenda with the exception of Item  
No. 24-0508 and Item No. 24-0509 being pulled for discussion. The motion carried  
on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
24-0416  
24-0417  
24-0432  
A.  
B.  
C.  
Approve Work Assignment No. 2024-06-OF With DMK Associates, Inc. to  
Provide Engineering Services for the Development of a Multi-Purpose  
Sports Field and Site-Wide ADA Improvements at Dallas White Park for a  
Total Work Assignment Price of $109,420.00.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve First Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No.  
2023-17.001 for Construction Services Contract Phase II With Wharton  
Smith in the Amount of $1,980,968, for Park Maintenance Temporary  
Office/ Workshop Space at Dallas White Park.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Central Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force  
Memorandum of Understanding Aimed at Increasing the Investigative  
Capabilities of Law Enforcement Officers on Technology-Facilitated Child  
Exploitation.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-0468  
24-0502  
D.  
Approve the Application to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in  
the Amount of $808,655.04 for Personal Protective Equipment 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.  
E.  
Approve the Application to the Resilient SRQ Community Development  
Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program in the Amount of $2,042,000 for  
the Reconstruction of Water Control Structure 121 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.  
24-0503  
24-0506  
24-0507  
24-0508  
F.  
G.  
H.  
I.  
Approve the Application to the Resilient SRQ Community Development  
Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program in the Amount of $2,042,000 for  
the Reconstruction of Water Control Structure 130 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.  
Approve the Application to the Resilient SRQ Community Development  
Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program in the Amount of $12,314,000 for  
the Reconstruction of the Myakkahatchee Creek Bridge over Price  
Boulevard 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.  
Approve the Application to the Resilient SRQ Community Development  
Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program in the Amount of $106,000 for the  
Reconstruction of the Bridge at North Port Boulevard and Cocoplum  
Waterway 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.  
Approve the Application to the Resilient SRQ Community Development  
Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program in the Amount of $50,310,000 for  
the Price Boulevard Widening Phase II Project 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.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Commissioner McDowell spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding financing, timeline for  
completion, process if not approved, vetting process, reimbursement process,  
reimbursement of expenditures, budgeting, and funding mechanism for submitted  
applications.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Vice Mayor Stokes,  
to approve Item No. 24-0508 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
24-0509  
J.  
Approve the Application to the Resilient SRQ Community Development  
Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program in the Amount of $5,945,000 for  
the Spring Haven Roadway Expansion 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.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding wildlife corridor, funding,  
Capital Improvement Project (CIP), cost to construct, environmentally sensitive area,  
inclusion on project list, prior Commission discussion, evacuation, and fencing around  
Little Salt Springs.  
Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record:  
Jill Luke: Expressed opposition of the Item.  
In person:  
Robin San Vicente: Expressed opposition of the Item.  
Chuck English: Expressed opposition of the Item.  
A motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Vice Mayor Stokes,  
to direct the City Manager to remove the Resilient SRQ Community Development  
Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program in the Amount of $5,945,000 for the Spring  
Haven Roadway Expansion. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner McDowell,  
to add the proposed Spring Haven Roadway Expansion project to a future agenda  
for discussion and possible action.  
Commission discussion took place regarding prior discussion.  
The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
24-0510  
K.  
Approve the Application to the Resilient SRQ Community Development  
Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program in the Amount of $1,810,000 for a  
Fire Mobile Command Unit 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.  
24-0525  
24-0529  
L.  
Ratification of City Manager's Use of Emergency Authorization to Approve  
the First Amendment to Contract No. 2023-19, Jeffery Lake Sea Wall and  
Sidewalk Reconstruction With Thomas Marine Construction, Inc.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
M.  
Approve the Application to the Resilient SRQ Community Development  
Block Grant - Disaster Recovery Program in the Amount of $2,260,000 for  
the Lift Station Bypass Pump Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Match 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.  
24-0532  
24-0548  
N.  
Approve the Application to the State of Florida Department of  
Transportation Highway Safety Concept Paper Grant for Work Zone  
Enforcement in the Amount of $100,000, 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.  
O.  
Approve Work Assignment No. 2024-06 with Stantec Consulting Services,  
Inc., in the Amount of $364,590.00, for the Lead and Copper Rule  
Revisions - Assessment & Predictive Modeling Project.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-0549  
24-0551  
24-0553  
Approve the March 5, 2024 Commission Regular Meeting Minutes.  
P.  
Q.  
R.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the February 26, 2024 Commission Regular Meeting Minutes.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Disposition of Surplus Assets in an Appropriate Fashion  
Pursuant to Chapter 2 Administration, Article VIII Procurement, Section  
2-419, Disposition of City Assets and Property (d) of the Code of the City  
of North Port, Florida.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-0556  
24-0557  
S.  
T.  
Approve Payment Processing Agreement with CSG Forte Payments, Inc.  
for Electronic Payment Processing for the Development Services  
Department.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve ePermitHub Subscription Software & Services Agreement with  
PermitRocket Software LLC dba ePermitHub for  
Implementation and  
Subscription for the ePermitHub Electronic Document Review Software  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-0574  
24-0550  
U.  
V.  
Approval of the Addition of Two Mobile Command Units for 2024 Federal  
Legislative Funding Consideration.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve Worksite Agreement #PWE2023-16 Career StartUp Between  
Suncoast Workforce Board, Inc., dba CareerSource Suncoast and the City  
of North Port.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
5. PRESENTATION:  
2023-03  
A.  
Presentation by Alan Steinbeck, Director of Community Planning with  
Discussion and Possible Direction regarding the Draft Activity Center 3  
(Gateway) Master Plan  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Alan Steinbeck, Pritchett Steinbeck Group (PSG), Director of Community Planning,  
provided  
a
presentation regarding status, assessments, stormwater evaluation, draft  
master plan, master plan topics, Gateway Activity Center, flooding photographs, flood  
zone map, zoning designation, assessment findings, environmental conditions,  
infrastructure issues, recreational area photographs, guiding principles, hospital area  
development, and land use scenarios.  
There was consensus to extend the presentations time by 5 minutes.  
Mr. Steinbeck continued the presentation including land use scenarios, mixed use  
conversion, and next steps.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding drainage, north of interstate  
flooding, stormwater flow, flooding solutions, archaeological sites, and infrastructure Tax  
Increment Financing (TIF).  
Ms. Barnes spoke to easement process, master plan, and restricting property uses.  
Ms. Ray spoke to master plan, property owners, land preservation, and deadline.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding land use, flood plan  
expansion, environmental concern, economic driver, reservoir funding, 25-year flood event,  
economic development, and low impact tourism.  
In person public comment:  
Chuck English: Spoke to drainage concern.  
Josh Smith: Spoke to city growth.  
Robin San Vicente: Spoke to city growth.  
Ms. Bellia spoke to the 2019 stormwater study, options to minimize flooding issues, and  
Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) funding.  
Recess was taken from 8:05 p.m. until 8:15 p.m.  
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS:  
ORDINANCE - Second Reading:  
A. ORD. NO  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Annexing ± 1.7716 Acres of  
2024-08  
Real Property Located in the Unincorporated Area of Sarasota County,  
Florida and Contiguous to the Existing City Limits of the City of North Port,  
Florida; Redefining the Boundary Lines of the City of North Port to Include  
this Property; Providing for Findings; Providing for Annexation; Amending  
the Official Zoning Map; Providing for Assessment and Taxation; Providing  
for Filing of Documents; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability;  
and Providing an Effective Date. (Legislative)  
Mayor White announced the item.  
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 White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to adopt Ordinance No. 2024-08 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
B. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Code of The  
City of North Port, Florida, Chapter 4, Article X, Regarding the Historic and  
Cultural Advisory Board; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts;  
Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an  
Effective Date.  
2024-06  
Mayor White announced the item.  
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 White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Langdon, to adopt Ordinance No. 2024-06 as presented. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
RESOLUTION:  
C. RES. NO.  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Repealing Resolution No. 2023-R-74, Which Temporarily Suspended the  
Historic and Cultural Advisory Board; Providing for Incorporation of  
Recitals; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing  
an Effective Date.  
2024-R-08  
Mayor White announced the item.  
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 White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Vice Mayor Stokes,  
to adopt Resolution No. 2024-R-08 as presented. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
7. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
24-0601  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Environmental Advisory Board  
Memorandums Titled Environmental Scorecard, Pesticides, Land  
Acquisition, Conservation Easements, and Community Gardens.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Ms. Faust introduced the item.  
Mr. Kalev provided an overview of the scorecard memorandum.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding use of scorecard,  
compliance with state and federal regulations, tree canopy study, water quality testing,  
air quality, and wildlife.  
Mr. Kalev provided an overview of the pesticide memorandum.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding Material Safety Data Sheets  
(MSDS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, review of current chemical  
practice, mosquito fish, and monthly report of pesticides used.  
Mr. Kalev provided an overview of the land acquisition memorandum.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding land purchase, land  
designation, annual review of land list, land preservation, conservation designations,  
escheated lots, sustainability millage rate, and use of escheated lot funds.  
Ms. Barnes spoke to city owned land, land conservation, environmental preservation, city  
owned property list, and land easement.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding land conservation, city  
working with the county, land buying, tree fund land purchase, millage rate, conservation  
groups, tax sales, sustainability millage rate, and use of escheated lot funds.  
Mr. Kalev provided an overview of conservation easements memorandum and community  
gardens memorandum.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding existing community gardens,  
costs, and maintenance.  
In person public comment:  
Chuck English: spoke to preservation of city owned land.  
Robin San Vicente: spoke to algae, land acquisition, and environmental scorecard.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Langdon, to direct the City Manager to send a memorandum to the Environmental  
Advisory Board regarding the environmental scorecard noting tracking of  
suggested recommendations outlined in memorandum and to advise the board of  
the status of tree canopy study. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
A motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Vice Mayor Stokes,  
to direct the City Manager to provide the Environmental Advisory Board a copy of  
the MSDS sheets regarding pesticides used on land, water, and pests and to have  
staff represent their presentation to Commission in the near future. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell to direct the City Manager to  
provide an updated memorandum to the Environmental Advisory Board, copying  
Commission, on the actions and plan for land acquisition. The motion failed due to  
lack of a second.  
8. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
In person comment:  
Robin San Vicente: spoke to scrub jay population.  
9. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:  
24-0240  
24-0257  
24-0289  
24-0308  
24-0602  
Commissioner Langdon's Communications  
A.  
B.  
C.  
D.  
E.  
Commissioner Langdon did not provide a report.  
Commissioner McDowell's Communications  
Commissioner McDowell did not provide a report.  
Commissioner Emrich's Communications  
Commissioner Emrich did not provide a report.  
Mayor White's Communications  
Mayor White reported on important topics and events attended.  
Vice MayorStokes' Communications  
Vice Mayor Stoke did not provide a report.  
10. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:  
24-0227  
24-0558  
24-0578  
City Clerk's Monthly Report  
A.  
B.  
C.  
Ms. Faust did not provide a report.  
City Attorney's Monthly Report  
Ms. Slayton did not provide a report.  
City Manager Report  
Mr. Fletcher did not provide a report.  
11. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 9:41 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By:  
_________________________________________  
Alice White, Mayor  
Attest: _________________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk