4970 CITY HALL BLVD  
NORTH PORT, FL 34286  
City of North Port  
Meeting Minutes  
City Commission Regular Meeting  
CITY COMMISSIONERS  
Pete Emrich, Mayor  
Barbara Langdon, Vice Mayor  
Phil Stokes, Commissioner  
David Duval, Commissioner  
Demetrius Petrow, Commissioner  
APPOINTED OFFICIALS  
Jerome Fletcher, City Manager  
Michael Fuino, City Attorney  
Heather Faust, City Clerk  
Tuesday, April 7, 2026  
10:00 AM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Emrich called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.  
ROLL CALL  
5 - Mayor Pete Emrich, Commissioner David Duval, Commissioner Demetrius  
Petrow, Vice Mayor Barbara Langdon and Commissioner Philip Stokes  
Present:  
ALSO PRESENT  
City Manager Fletcher, City Attorney Fuino, City Clerk Faust, Board Specialist Lindner,  
Police Chief Garrison, Deputy Fire Chief Herlihy, Planner II Silva, Impact Fee  
Administrator Bowling, Planner III Willette-Grondin, Public Works Director Speake,  
Deputy City Manager Yarborough, and Finance Director Kukharenko.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dominic Segreto.  
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon,  
to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
2. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
In Person:  
Scott Smith: Spoke to North Port Police Department funding.  
Tim Doyle: Expressed concerns regarding meeting conduct.  
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS  
26-0140  
Announcement of Current Advisory Board and Committee Vacancies  
A.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item and called on the City Clerk to read the  
announcements.  
Ms. Faust read the announcements into record.  
4. CONSENT AGENDA:  
Mayor Emrich announced the item and queried the City Manager regarding items pulled  
from the consent agenda for discussion.  
Public Comment:  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed concerns regarding criminal activity.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Duval, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon,  
to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
26-0421  
26-0443  
Approve the Reappointment of Paul Jackomin as a Regular Member to  
Serve a Second Term on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board  
From April 26, 2026, Through April 26, 2029.  
A.  
B.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Grant Application to the AARP Community Challenge Grant  
Program in the Amount of $15,000 for a MobiMat for Warm Mineral  
Springs Park 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.  
26-0486  
26-0523  
Approve the March 2, 2026 Commission Workshop Minutes, the March  
5, 2026 Commission Regular Minutes, and the March 13, 2026  
Commission Workshop Minutes  
C.  
D.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Application to the State of Florida Department of  
Transportation (FDOT) Subgrant for Highway Traffic Safety Funds in the  
Amount of $20,000 for the North Port Police Department Teen Driver  
Safety Course, 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.  
26-0524  
Approve the Application to the State of Florida Department of  
Transportation (FDOT) Subgrant for Highway Traffic Safety Funds in the  
Amount of $100,000 for the North Port Police Department Interstate  
E.  
Speed Enforcement, 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.  
26-0549  
26-0562  
Approve Letter of Support for the Wastewater Pumping Station Upgrade  
Project for a Federal Appropriations Request.  
F.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Reappointment of Scott Duff as the Fifth Trustee to the  
Firefighters' Pension Board of Trustees to Serve a Ninth Term by the  
North Port City Commission as a Ministerial Duty, From April 12, 2026,  
to April 12, 2028.  
G.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:  
ORDINANCE - First Reading:  
ORD. NO.  
2026-08  
An Ordinance of The City of North Port, Florida, Adopting the FY 2026 –  
FY 2030 Five-Year Schedule of Capital Improvement Components of  
the Capital Improvements Element of the City of North Port  
Comprehensive Plan; Adopting by Reference the Sarasota County  
School District 2024-2025 Five Year District Facilities Work Plan;  
Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability;  
and Providing an Effective Date.  
A.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item and requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to  
read by title only.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon,  
to direct the City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only. The motion carried on  
the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Ms. Silva spoke to the item.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to continue Ordinance No. 2026-08 to second reading on April 21, 2026. The  
motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
ORD. NO.  
2026-10  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Relating to Impact Fee  
Collection and the Impact Fee Deferral Program; Amending and  
Renumbering Chapter 58 of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida;  
Providing for Impact Fees; Purpose and Authority; Definitions; Payment  
of Fees; Impact Fee Schedules; Exemptions; Appeals, Reporting and  
Reviewing of Fees; Refunds; Developer Reimbursements and Credits;  
Amending the Deferral Program; Providing for Eligible Development,  
Timing of Application, Application Contents, Agreement and Payment  
Schedule; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for  
Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.  
B.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item and requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to  
read by title only.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Commissioner  
Petrow, to direct the City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Mr. Bowling spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding impact fee timing.  
Public Comment:  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed concerns regarding incentives.  
Mayor Emrich closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Petrow, seconded by Mayor Emrich, to  
continue Ordinance No. 2026-10 to second reading on April 21, 2026. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
3 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow and Vice Mayor Langdon  
2 - Commissioner Duval and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
No:  
ORD. NO.  
2026-12  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Code of  
the City of North Port, Florida, Chapter 4, Boards and Committees, to  
Create Article VIII - North Port Youth Council; Providing for Findings;  
Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for  
Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.  
C.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item and requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to  
read by title only.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to direct the City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only. The motion carried on  
the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only and introduced the item.  
Liz Mena, Boys and Girls Club Teen Program Director, spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding Student Leadership  
Training Program (STAR), age brackets, and community exposure.  
Public Comment:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record:  
Kiwanis Club: Spoke to youth board involvement, community service initiatives,  
expansion of student participation, and expressed support of the item.  
In Person:  
Dominic Segreto: Expressed support of the item.  
Savannah Wilmer: Expressed support of the item.  
Omy Patel: Spoke to Gene Matthews Boys and Girls Club and expressed support of the  
item.  
Joan Morgan: Spoke to Gene Matthews Boys and Girls Club, Drug-Free Youth Program  
(D-Fy), and expressed support of the item.  
Tim Doyle: Expressed support of the item.  
Mayor Emrich closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to continue Ordinance No. 2026-12 to second reading on April 21, 2026. The  
motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
RESOLUTION:  
RES. NO.  
2026-R-22  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Amending City Commission Policy No. 2021-03 Related to the Rules of  
Order and Rules of Decorum for Boards; Providing for Incorporation of  
Recitals; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing  
an Effective Date.  
D.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item and called on the City Clerk to read by title only.  
Ms. Faust read the Resolution by title only and introduced and spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding policy direction.  
Public Comment:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record:  
Cheryl Cook: Expressed concerns regarding consensus procedures and transparency.  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed support of the item.  
Mayor Emrich closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Duval,  
to adopt Resolution No. 2026-R-22 as presented. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
RES. NO.  
2026-R-08  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Identifying an Inventory List of City-Owned Real Property Sites that Are  
Appropriate for Use as Affordable Housing; Providing for Incorporation  
of Recitals; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and  
Providing an Effective Date.  
E.  
Mayor Emrich 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.  
Ms. Silva provided  
property inventory list.  
a presentation including surplus properties, Florida Statute, and  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding affordable housing, public  
use, compliance, sale process and policy, real property acquisitions, approval timeline,  
and zoning clarifications and limitations.  
Public Comment:  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Mayor Emrich closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Duval, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to adopt Resolution No. 2026-R-08 as amended to remove Parcel Identification  
Numbers 0951139915, 0951139914, and 0951139913. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
6. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
26-0555  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding a Recommendation to Close  
City Manager Report Item #591 Related to the Irdell Terrace Property,  
Parcel No.1141260522.  
A.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to close City Manager Report Item No. 591 related to Irdell Terrace, Parcel No.  
1141260522, and take no further action related to park use. The motion carried on  
the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
26-0441  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Bestowing a Key to the City  
to Alice White at a Future Commission Meeting. (Requested by Vice  
B.  
Mayor Langdon)  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Ms. Faust introduced the item.  
Vice Mayor Langdon spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding landscaping and history  
teaching contributions, recognition, and future process and policy suggestions.  
Public Comment:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record:  
Cheryl Cook: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Kiwanis Club: Expressed support of the item.  
In Person:  
Joan Morgan: Expressed support of the item.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to direct the City Clerk to create an agenda item for the next ceremonial  
Commission Meeting to present Alice White with a Key to the City. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding next steps and policy  
clarification.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Duval,  
to direct the City Clerk to create an agenda item for discussion and possible  
action to review the ceremonial item policy. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
Recess was taken from 11:32 a.m. to 11:42 a.m.  
26-0556  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Seeking Borrowing Authority  
for a Specific List of Capital Projects.  
C.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced and spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding rationale, criteria, budget  
allocations, validation process, municipal legal clarifications and authority, Charter  
interpretation in courts, revenue bonds, state, local, and federal programs, independent  
consultant studies, North Port Police Headquarters needs and debt capacity, amenity  
borrowing, impact and usage fees, office space allocations, George Mullen and Morgan  
Center repurposing, North Port Senior Center, repayment sources and funding, surtax  
and general fund considerations, long-term viability and structural repair, shell space  
allocations, intent, public opinion, borrowing capacity limitations, Capital Improvement  
Plan  
(CIP),  
urgency,  
unfunded  
projects,  
goals,  
financial  
methodology,  
legal  
clarifications, economic impact, building conditions, prioritization of projects, item list  
legal considerations, and optics.  
Public Comment:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record:  
Cheryl Cook: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Kiwanis Club: Expressed support of the item and spoke to nonprofits.  
In Person:  
Chris Street: Expressed support of the item.  
Gale West: Expressed support of the item and spoke to North Port Art Center.  
Tim Doyle: Expressed support of the item and spoke to North Port Police Department.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Mayor Emrich, to  
direct the City Manager to work with financial and legal advisors to seek  
borrowing authority for the following capital projects: Police Headquarters in the  
amount of $25 million, Legacy Trail Connection to Warm Mineral Springs in the  
amount of $4 million, and Awaken Food Pantry in the amount of $2 million.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding Community Service Center,  
optics,  
tax  
revenue,  
funding,  
community  
challenges,  
Warm  
Mineral  
Springs  
conservation, and economic development.  
Mayor Emrich passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Langdon.  
motion to amend was made by Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner  
A
Duval, to remove Legacy Trail Connection to Warm Mineral Springs in the amount  
of $4 million and Awaken Food Pantry in the amount of $2 million and add  
Community Service Center and Dallas White Park. The motion to amend carried  
on the following vote:  
4 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner  
Stokes  
Yes:  
No:  
1 - Commissioner Petrow  
The main motion as amended to read “to direct the City Manager to work with  
financial and legal advisors to seek borrowing authority for the following capital  
projects: Police Headquarters in the amount of $25 million, Community Service  
Center, and Dallas White Park”, carried on the following vote:  
4 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner  
Stokes  
Yes:  
1 - Commissioner Petrow  
No:  
7. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed concerns regarding government spending, war concerns, and  
safety.  
8. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:  
Mayor Emrich called on Commissioners for communications.  
26-0046  
26-0047  
Commissioner Petrow's Communications  
A.  
B.  
Commissioner Petrow did not have a report.  
Vice Mayor Langdon's Communications  
Vice Mayor Langdon reported on important topics.  
26-0048  
26-0049  
26-0050  
Mayor Emrich's Communications  
C.  
D.  
E.  
Mayor Emrich did not have a report.  
Commissioner Stokes' Communications  
Commissioner Stokes reported on important topics.  
Commissioner Duval's Communications  
Commissioner Duval spoke to events attended.  
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:  
Mayor Emrich called on Charter Officers for reports.  
Ms. Faust did not have a report.  
Mr. Fletcher did not have a report.  
Mr. Fuino did not have a report.  
10. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor Emrich adjourned the meeting at 1:43 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By: __________________________________  
Pete Emrich, Mayor  
Attest: ________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk