4970 CITY HALL BLVD  
NORTH PORT, FL 34286  
City of North Port  
Meeting Minutes  
City Commission Regular Meeting  
CITY COMMISSIONERS  
Barbara Langdon, Mayor  
Alice White, Vice Mayor  
Pete Emrich, Commissioner  
Debbie McDowell, Commissioner  
Phil Stokes, Commissioner  
APPOINTED OFFICIALS  
Jerome Fletcher, City Manager  
Amber L. Slayton, City Attorney  
Heather Faust, City Clerk  
Tuesday, May 23, 2023  
6:00 PM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Langdon called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  
ROLL CALL  
5 - Mayor Barbara Langdon, Vice Mayor Alice White, Commissioner Pete Emrich,  
Commissioner Debbie McDowell and Commissioner Philip Stokes  
Present:  
ALSO PRESENT:  
City Manager Jerome Fletcher, City Attorney Amber Slayton, City Clerk Heather Faust,  
Recording Secretary Matthew Powell, Deputy Police Chief Chris Morales, Acting Fire  
Chief Nick Herlihy, Public Works Director Chuck Speake, Development Services  
Director Alaina Ray, and Planner III Carl Benge  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Mayor Alice White.  
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Mayor Langdon requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Commissioner  
Emrich, to approve the Agenda as amended to hear Ordinance No. 2023-13  
before Ordinance No. 2023-12. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Langdon, Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner  
McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
2. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Valdy Olender: expressed concern regarding City policy and actions.  
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS  
23-0439  
Current Vacancies and Upcoming Expirations for Advisory Boards and  
Committees  
A.  
Mayor Langdon 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 Langdon announced the item and queried the City Manager regarding items  
pulled from the Consent Agenda for discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Langdon requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Emrich, seconded by Commissioner  
McDowell, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion carried on  
the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Langdon, Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner  
McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
23-0246  
23-0368  
Ratification of City Manager's Use of Emergency Authorization to Enter  
into a Contract with Carlton Sarasota, L.L.C. for Land Lease Under  
Purchase Order No. 049762 in an Amount Not to Exceed $60,000.00.  
A.  
B.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
Ratification of City Manager's Use of Emergency Authorization to Enter  
into a Contract with Iron Bow Technologies, LLC for Security Camera  
Repairs Under Purchase Order No. 049993 in an Amount Not to Exceed  
$13,284.80  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
23-0369  
23-0370  
23-0371  
Ratification of City Manager's Use of Emergency Authorization to Enter  
into a Contract with Nova Pole Industries Inc for Lighting Products Under  
Purchase Order No. 049996 in an Amount Not to Exceed $48,145.00.  
C.  
D.  
E.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
Ratification of City Manager's Use of Emergency Authorization to Enter  
into a Contract with Utility Structures, Inc for Lighting Products Under  
Purchase Order No. 049994 in an Amount Not to Exceed $9,995.00.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
Ratification of City Manager's Use of Emergency Authorization to Enter  
Into a Contract With Pemco Lighting Products, Inc. for Lighting Products  
Under Purchase Order No. 049995 in an Amount Not to Exceed  
$224,165.00.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
23-0762  
23-0759  
23-0734  
Ratification of City Manager's Use of Emergency Authorization to Enter  
into a Contract with Ajax Paving Industries of Florida for Road Paving  
Under Purchase Order No. 49635 in an Amount Not to Exceed  
$350,000.00.  
F.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
Ratification of City Manager's Use of Emergency Authorization to Enter  
into a Contract with ZEP Construction, Inc. for Repair Services of Fixed  
Weir No. 123 Under Purchase Order No. 049989 in an Amount Not to  
Exceed $470,756.06.  
G.  
H.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
Approve Multi-Award Continuing Services Contracts for Professional  
Architectural Services and Authorize the City Manager to Approve  
Future Renewals of Agreements for Contract No. 2023-16.01 with ADG  
Architecture, LLC; Contract No. 2023-16.02 with Goodwyn Mills  
Cawood, Inc.; Contract No. 2023-16.03 with Plunkett Raysich Architects,  
LLP; Contract No. 2023-16.04 with Schenkel Shultz, Inc.; and  
&
&
Contract No. 2023-16.05 with Sweet Sparkman Architects, Inc.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
23-0740  
Approve Multi-Award Continuing Services Contracts for Construction  
Manager at Risk Preconstruction Services, Phase 1, and Authorize the  
City Manager to Approve Future Renewals of Agreements for Contract  
No. 2023-17.001 with Wharton-Smith, Inc.; Contract No. 2023-17.002  
with Halfacre Construction Company; Contract No. 2023-17.003 with  
Ajax Building Company, LLC; Contract No. 2023-17.004 with Jon F.  
Swift, Inc.; and Contract No. 2023-17.005 Willis A. Smith Construction,  
Inc.  
I.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
23-0605  
23-0761  
Approve  
Memorandum  
of  
Understanding  
Between  
the  
Patterson  
J.  
Foundation and the City of North Port to Support the Suncoast  
Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Within Summer Camp.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of North  
Port, Florida, on Behalf of the North Port Police Department and the  
United States Secret Service Establishing the Procedures and  
Responsibilities of Both Parties for Work Performed Under the Cyber  
Fraud Task Forces.  
K.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
23-0764  
Approve Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of North Port  
and the Southwest Florida Police Benevolent Association, Inc., (PBA)  
Relating to Sergeant and Police Officer Compensation.  
L.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
23-0771  
23-0815  
Approve the Agreement Between Imagine School at North Port, Inc. and  
City of North Port for the School Resource Officer Program, in the Total  
Amount of $168,020.00.  
M.  
N.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
Approve the Application for Merchant Account and Agreement–  
ACH/Check Services, Merchant Processing Application and Agreement,  
CardConnect Merchant Services Program Terms and Conditions,  
Service Fee Addendum and Affidavit of Identity-Government Employee,  
to Allow the Public to Safely Process Electronic Payments Through the  
Citizen Services Portal.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
23-0833  
Approve the Voluntary Cooperation Mutual Aid Agreement Between the  
Participating Agencies and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement  
O.  
to Form  
a
Fort Myers Regional Operations Center Child Abduction  
Response Team.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
23-0835  
23-0820  
Approve the First Amendment to Traffic Enforcement Agreement With  
the West Villages Improvement District for Traffic Enforcement Services  
on Additional District Roads.  
P.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
Approve the Appointment of Sergio Stephens as a Veteran of the  
American Armed Services on the Veterans Park Advisory Committee to  
Serve a Three-Year Term From May 23, 2023, to May 23, 2026.  
Q.  
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.  
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:  
ORDINANCE - First Reading  
ORD. NO.  
2023-13  
An Ordinance of the CIty of North Port, Florida, Amending the Unified  
Land Development Code, Chapter 53, Article XVIII. - V Village Section  
53-213.A; Adopting and Incorporating the Toledo Village Index Map for  
±2,086 Acre Area Generally Located East of Toledo Blade Boulevard  
and North of Interstate 75; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts;  
Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an  
Effective Date. (QUASI-JUDICIAL).  
B.  
Mayor Langdon announced the item and stated this is a quasi-judicial hearing.  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only and swore in those wishing to provide  
testimony.  
Mayor Langdon called for disclosure of ex-parte communications.  
Commissioner Stokes, Mayor Langdon, and Commissioner Emrich disclosed no  
ex-parte communications.  
Vice Mayor White disclosed conversations during Agenda briefing.  
Commissioner McDowell disclosed emails sent to staff regarding duplication of backup  
materials, and missing exhibits.  
Ms. Faust stated there were no aggrieved parties and spoke to procedure  
requirements.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Emrich, to direct the City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Langdon, Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner  
McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
Jackson Boone, Boone Law Firm, and Rhea Lopes, RVi Planning and Landscape  
Architecture, both being duly sworn, provided  
a presentation including project team,  
location, property overview, history entitlement, index maps, aerial view, consistency  
with the Comprehensive Plan, recommendations, and requested approval.  
Mr. Benge, being duly sworn, provided  
a presentation including overview, applicant,  
property owner, request, location, property size, related ordinances, aerial view, review  
process, compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Land Development  
Code (ULDC), and recommendations.  
There were no rebuttals by the Applicant or Staff.  
There was no public comment.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding index map missing acreage  
specifications, area minimums, neighborhood comparisons, staff report relating to  
acreage specifications, timeline relating to Village District Pattern Book (VDPB) and  
index map updates, and commercial development area.  
There were no closing arguments by Staff.  
Mr. Boone provided closing arguments including recommendations and consistency  
with the ULDC and Comprehensive Plan.  
Mayor Langdon closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Emrich, seconded by Vice Mayor White, to  
continue Ordinance No. 2023-13 to second reading on June 13, 2023.  
Commission discussion continued regarding timeline requirements.  
The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Langdon, Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner  
McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
ORD. NO.  
2023-12  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Unified  
Land Development Code, Chapter 53, Article XVIII. - V Village, Section  
53-213.B; Adopting and Incorporating the Toledo Village Village District  
Pattern Book for a ±2,086 Acre Area Generally Located East of Toledo  
Blade Boulevard and North of Interstate 75; Providing for Findings;  
Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for  
A.  
Codification; and Providing for Effective Date. (QUASI-JUDICIAL).  
Mayor Langdon announced the item, stated this is  
requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to read by title only.  
a
quasi-judicial hearing, and  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Emrich, 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 Langdon, Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner  
McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only and swore in those wishing to provide  
testimony.  
Mayor Langdon called for disclosure of ex-parte communications.  
Commissioner Stokes, Mayor Langdon, and Commissioner Emrich disclosed no  
ex-parte communications.  
Commissioner McDowell disclosed emails sent to staff regarding duplication of backup  
materials, missing exhibits, and scrivener's errors.  
Vice Mayor White disclosed general questions to staff.  
Ms. Faust stated there were no aggrieved parties.  
Jackson Boone, Boone Law Firm, and Rhea Lopes, RVi Planning and Landscape  
Architecture, both being duly sworn, provided  
a presentation including pattern books,  
units, location, neighborhoods and centers, village center, greenbelts, consistency with  
the Comprehensive Plan, recommendations, and requested approval.  
Mr. Benge, being duly sworn, provided  
a presentation including overview, applicant,  
property owner, request, location, property size, related ordinances, aerial view, review  
process, compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Land Development  
Code (ULDC), and recommendations.  
There were no rebuttals by the Applicant or Staff.  
There was no public comment.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding ULDC applications relating  
to Village District Pattern Book (VDPB), wetlands versus surface water, commercial  
development within village center approval process, housing types and notification  
timeline, town center exclusion reasoning, affordable housing preferences, curb height  
concern relating to emergency services and wildlife, Toledo Blade Boulevard and  
Tropicaire Boulevard stop light installation timeline and responsibilities, dwelling unit  
requirements, ingress and egress requirements, VDPB versus ULDC verbiage  
discrepancy relating to neighborhood center commercial development, and village  
center acreage dedicated to commercial development.  
Mr. Benge spoke to commercial development acreage and ULDC limitations.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding amending commercial  
development acreage.  
There were no closing arguments by Staff.  
Mr. Boone provided closing arguments including recommendations and consistency  
with the ULDC and Comprehensive Plan.  
Mayor Langdon closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor White, seconded by Commissioner Emrich, to  
continue Ordinance No. 2023-12 to second reading on June 13, 2023.  
A
motion to amend was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by  
Commissioner Stokes, to have village centers increase 35 acres each or a total of  
70 acres allocated among the two as the developer and staff see fit. The motion  
to amend carried on the following vote:  
4 - Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell and  
Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
No:  
1 - Mayor Langdon  
Mayor Langdon dissented due to concern regarding limiting the developer and not in  
Commission purview.  
A
motion to amend was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by  
Commissioner Stokes, to add that each neighborhood center have  
component added. The motion to amend carried on the following vote:  
a commercial  
3 - Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
2 - Mayor Langdon and Vice Mayor White  
Yes:  
No:  
Commission discussion took place regarding non-residential development.  
The main motion as amended carried on the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Langdon, Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner  
McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
Commission discussion continued regarding second reading timeline and requirements.  
RESOLUTION:  
RES. NO.  
2023-R-18  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Accepting Access and Utility Easements in Wellen Park in Section 10,  
Township 40 South, Range 20 East, Sarasota County, Florida; Providing  
for Incorporation of Recitals; Approving the Easement Agreement for  
Groundwater Wells; Providing for Recording; Providing for Conflicts;  
Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.  
A.  
Mayor Langdon 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 Langdon closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Emrich, seconded by Commissioner  
Stokes, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-R-18 as presented. The motion carried on  
the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Langdon, Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner  
McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
RES. NO.  
2023-R-34  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida  
Accepting Ownership of Donated Real Property Located on Grenard  
Circle and Described as Lot 5, Block 2118, 45th Addition to Port  
Charlotte Subdivision, Sarasota County Property Appraiser Parcel  
Identification Number 1149211805; Incorporating Recitals; Providing for  
Filing of Documents; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability;  
and Providing an Effective Date.  
B.  
Mayor Langdon 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 outstanding property taxes.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Langdon closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Stokes, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-R-34 contingent upon property tax for Tax  
Year 2022 being paid in the amount of $393.65 by the current property owner.  
Commission discussion took place regarding donation process.  
The motion failed on the following vote:  
2 - Commissioner McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
3 - Mayor Langdon, Vice Mayor White and Commissioner Emrich  
No:  
Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, and Mayor Langdon dissented due to  
concerns regarding requiring the donator to pay.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Emrich, seconded by Commissioner  
McDowell, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-R-34 as presented.  
Commission discussion continued regarding amending Resolution related to paid  
status.  
A
motion to amend was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Vice  
Mayor White, to remove the third whereas clause that states the property tax has  
been paid. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Langdon, Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner  
McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
Commission discussion continued regarding outstanding property tax.  
Ms. Slayton spoke to City Manager authority relating to negotiations of the property.  
The main motion as amended carried on the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Langdon, Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner  
McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
Recess was taken from 7:30 p.m. to 7:40 p.m.  
RES. NO.  
2023-R-38  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
C.  
Accepting the Conveyance of  
a
Water Treatment Plant, Associated  
Warranties and Intangible Property, as Well as ±6.80 Acres of Real  
Property Located North of Manasota Beach Road and Described as a  
Tract of Land Lying in Section 9, Township 40 South, Range 20 East,  
Bearing Sarasota County Property Appraiser Parcel Identification  
Number 0809060100; Providing for Filing of Documents; Providing for  
Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.  
Mayor Langdon 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 Langdon closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Commissioner  
McDowell, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-R-38 as presented. The motion carried  
on the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Langdon, Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner  
McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
RES. NO.  
2023-R-41  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Declaring a Housing Emergency as a Result of Hurricane Ian and  
Authorizing the Use of Temporary Structures on Home Sites; Providing  
for Automatic Repeal; Providing for Incorporation of Recitals; Providing  
for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.  
D.  
Mayor Langdon 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.  
Commissioner Emrich spoke to concerns for length of time on property, mobile homes  
versus manufactured housing units (MHU), location, liability for removing structures,  
abandonment, easement encroachment, neighbors effected, unknown factors, and lot  
size limitations.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding staff role, requirements for  
temporary structure placement, assisting citizens, Senate Bill 250, permitted structure  
types, permanency of structure, easement encroachment, alternative housing options,  
structure and lot size, Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) stipulations relating to  
housing emergency, mobile homes versus MHUs, private versus Federal Emergency  
Management Agency (FEMA) structures, and ULDC amendment process.  
Ms. Slayton spoke to ULDC amendment process and notice requirements.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding Holiday Park, structure  
removal, and structure versus lot size.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Langdon closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Stokes, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-R-41 as presented. The motion carried on  
the following vote:  
4 - Mayor Langdon, Vice Mayor White, Commissioner McDowell and Commissioner  
Stokes  
Yes:  
No:  
1 - Commissioner Emrich  
Commissioner Emrich dissented due to reasons stated.  
6. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
23-0903  
Discussion and Possible Action to Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Letter  
of Support for State Appropriations Funding in the Amount of $1.5  
Million for the Price Boulevard Waterway Crossings Project  
A.  
Mayor Langdon announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding including additional  
recipients.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Langdon requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Stokes, to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for state appropriated  
funds in the amount of $1.5 million for the Price Boulevard Waterway Crossing  
Project  
as  
amended  
to  
add  
Senator  
Gruters,  
Representative  
Buchanan,  
Representative Grant, and Lobbyist Dempsey. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 - Mayor Langdon, Vice Mayor White, Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner  
McDowell and Commissioner Stokes  
Yes:  
7. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
There was no public comment.  
8. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:  
23-0412  
23-0413  
23-0414  
23-0415  
23-0416  
Mayor Langdon's Communications  
A.  
B.  
C.  
D.  
E.  
Mayor Langdon reported on important topics and events attended.  
Vice Mayor White's Communications  
Vice Mayor White reported on important topics and events attended.  
Commissioner Emrich's Communications  
Commissioner Emrich reported on important topics and events attended.  
Commissioner McDowell's Communications  
Commissioner McDowell reported on important topics and events attended.  
Commissioner Stokes' Communications  
Commissioner Stokes reported on important topics and events attended.  
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:  
23-0871  
23-0837  
23-0430  
City Manager Report  
A.  
B.  
C.  
Mr. Fletcher did not provide a report.  
City Attorney's Monthly Report  
Ms. Slayton did not provide a report.  
City Clerk Report  
Ms. Faust did not provide a report.  
10. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor Langdon adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By:  
_________________________________________  
Barbara Langdon, Mayor  
Attest: _________________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk  
These minutes were approved on the ____ day of _______________, 2023.