4970 CITY HALL BLVD  
NORTH PORT, FL 34286  
City of North Port  
Meeting Minutes  
City Commission Workshop  
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  
Monday, July 1, 2024  
9:00 AM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and provided required notifications  
regarding conducting a hybrid meeting.  
Commissioner Emrich stated he will be attending the hybrid meeting via Communications  
Media Technology (CMT) due to experiencing a medical condition.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to accept the use of CMT for a hybrid meeting. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
4 -  
Yes:  
No:  
Commissioner Emrich, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner  
Langdon  
1 - Commissioner McDowell  
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, Assistant City Clerk Powell, Board  
Specialist Bodmer, Police Captain Fussell, Fire Chief Titus, Assistant Public Works  
Director Wisner, Parks and Recreation Director Pfundheller, and Assistant Parks and  
Recreation Director Sturgess  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Parks and Recreation Director Sandy Pfundheller.  
1. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Mr. Powell read the following eComments into the record:  
Robin San Vicente: Spoke to location of a new park and resources.  
2. PRESENTATION:  
24-0890  
A.  
Presentation Regarding Existing Park System Service Areas and Future  
Planning.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Ms. Sturgess provided  
a
presentation including park system planning, inventory,  
maintenance, park classification, community parks, service area, neighborhood and  
community park access, special use facilities, greenway, conservation, concentration of  
current parks, future parkland, current parcels, and San Mateo Drive properties.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding future goals, parkland  
preservation versus budget balancing, prairie land, hunting land, Orange Hammock  
Wildlife Management Area tourism potential, recreational use, Natural Springs,  
environmental groups, past public comments, neighborhood survey, nature trails, water  
retention, Italy Avenue, parks master plan, park impact fees, lack of parks on the east  
side of North Port, Warm Mineral Springs, County Schools owned property, general fund,  
adult consideration in parks, trail expansion, partnership, and potential funding.  
There was consensus to direct the City Manager to bring funding options for a  
parks master plan to include Italy Ave property for the July workshop for additional  
conversation.  
Recess was taken from 10:37 a.m. to 10:43 a.m.  
3. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
24-0570  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding Options for a Recognition  
Program to Honor Individuals through Banner Installations on Designated  
City Infrastructure  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Ms. Wisner provided  
a presentation including existing programs, North Port honor  
program, honoree qualifications, streetlight pole locations, and honor program  
management.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding program downside, intent,  
honoree qualifications, banner dimensions, gold star honoree, sponsors, and ceremony.  
There was consensus to thank staff for bringing the item forward and to not move  
forward with the program at this time.  
4. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
There was no public comment.  
5. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 11:21 a.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By:  
_________________________________________  
Alice White, Mayor  
Attest: _________________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk