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, January 23, 2024  
6:00 PM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  
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 Jerome Fletcher, City Attorney Amber Slayton, City Clerk Heather Faust,  
Assistant City Clerk Matthew Powell, Police Chief Todd Garrison, Fire Chief Scott Titus,  
Legislative Analyst Todd Miles, Development Services Director Alaina Ray, and Public  
Works Director Chuck Speake  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Miles.  
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:  
Valdy Olender: expressed concern with City policy and actions.  
3. 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 Emrich, seconded by Commissioner  
McDowell, to approve the consent agenda with the exception of Item No. 24-0128  
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  
24-0018  
A.  
Approve the Reappointment of Paul Kaskey as a Regular Member of the  
Municipal Firefighters Pension Trust Fund Board, to Serve a Third Term  
From January 23, 2024, to January 23, 2026.  
This Item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-0021  
24-0034  
Accept the Cash Receipts Summary Report for November 2023.  
B.  
C.  
This Item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Sole Source Purchase of Replacement Public Safety Radios  
from Motorola Solutions, Inc in the Amount of $2,415,455.63.  
This Item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-0128  
D.  
Approve Template for a Contract for Reimbursement of Firefighter or  
Paramedic Training Expenses (Current Employee – Tuition and Fees Paid  
by the City) and Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Sign Future  
Agreements Using the Approved Template.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Commissioner McDowell spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding recruit success rate,  
comparison with Police Department training opportunities and reimbursement, and  
paramedic school cost.  
There was no public comment.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Langdon, to approve Item No. 24-0128 as presented. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
24-0144  
E.  
Approve the January 4, 2024 Commission Regular Meeting Minutes, the  
January 4, 2024 Commission Special Meeting Minutes, and the January 8,  
2024 Commission Workshop Minutes.  
This Item was approved on the consent agenda.  
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS:  
ORDINANCE - Second Reading:  
A. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of The City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Future Land  
Use Designation from Low Density Residential to Medium Density  
Residential for ±18.63 Acre Area Generally Located North of  
2023-31  
a
Hillsborough Boulevard and West of Toledo Blade Boulevard; Amending  
the City of North Port Comprehensive Plan Chapter 2, Future Land Use  
Map 2-7; Providing for Findings; Providing for Adoption; Providing for  
Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.  
(QUASI-JUDICIAL)  
Mayor White announced the item, stated this is a quasi-judicial hearing, and called on  
the City Clerk to read by title only.  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only and swore in those wishing to provide  
testimony.  
Mayor White called for disclosure of ex-parte communications.  
Vice Chair Stokes, Commissioner Langdon, Mayor White, and Commissioner Emrich  
disclosed no ex-parte communications since first reading.  
Commissioner McDowell disclosed the same ex-parte communications from first reading  
and a meeting with citizens on January 15, 2024 regarding next steps and processes of  
development.  
Ms. Faust stated there were no aggrieved parties.  
Jeffery Boone, Boone Law Firm, being duly sworn, requested all testimony from first  
reading be included in the record.  
Ms. Ray, being duly sworn, requested all testimony from first reading be included in the  
record.  
There were no rebuttals by the Applicant or Staff.  
There was no public comment.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
Staff provided a closing argument regarding recommendations.  
There was no closing argument by the Applicant.  
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. 2023-31 as presented and find that, based on competent  
substantial evidence, the amendment is consistent with the standards and intent of  
the City of North Port Comprehensive Plan and Florida Statutes. The motion carried  
on the following vote with Commissioner McDowell dissenting due to not in City's  
best interest and a need for more commercial land as opposed to residential:  
4 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner  
Langdon  
1 - Commissioner McDowell  
No:  
B. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of The City of North Port, Florida, Rezoning ± 18.63 Acres  
Located in Section 36, Township 39S, Range 21E of Sarasota County and  
Further Described as Tract “B” Fifty-First Addition to Port Charlotte  
Subdivision and in Instrument No. 2008066012 in the Official Records of  
2023-32  
Sarasota  
County,  
from  
Residential  
Single-Family  
District  
(RSF)  
Classification to Residential Multi-Family District (RMF) Classification;  
Amending the Official Zoning Map; Providing for Findings; Providing for  
Filing of Approved Documents; Providing for Severability; Providing for  
Conflicts; and Providing an Effective Date.(QUASI-JUDICIAL)  
Mayor White announced the item, stated this is a quasi-judicial hearing, and called on  
the City Clerk to read by title only.  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only and swore in those wishing to provide  
testimony.  
Mayor White called for disclosure of ex-parte communications.  
Vice Chair Stokes, Commissioner Langdon, Mayor White, and Commissioner Emrich  
disclosed no ex-parte communications since first reading.  
Commissioner McDowell disclosed the same ex-parte communications from first reading  
and a meeting with citizens on January 15, 2024 regarding next steps and processes of  
development.  
Ms. Faust stated there were no aggrieved parties.  
Jeffrey Boone, Boone Law Firm, being duly sworn, requested all testimony from first  
reading be included in the record.  
Ms. Ray, being duly sworn, requested all testimony from first reading be included in the  
record.  
There were no rebuttals by the Applicant or Staff.  
Ms. Faust read the following public comment card into the record:  
Diane Sutton: being duly sworn, opposed to Ord. No. 2023-32.  
In person public comment:  
Cynthia Cunningham: being duly sworn, spoke to neighborhood in Activity Center 6 being  
rezoned with City rezoning.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
Staff provided a closing argument regarding recommendations.  
There was no closing argument by the Applicant.  
Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Stokes,  
to adopt Ordinance No. 2023-32 and find that, based on the competent substantial  
evidence, the rezoning will not adversely affect the public interest, health, safety  
and general welfare; and that the specific requirements in the City of North Port  
Comprehensive Plan, and the standards listed in Section 1-33.E(1) of the Unified  
Land Development Code have been met. The motion carried on the following vote  
with Commissioner McDowell dissenting due to large parcels of land being used  
for residential instead of commercial adversely affecting the City:  
4 -  
Yes:  
No:  
Commissioner Emrich, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner  
Langdon  
1 - Commissioner McDowell  
PETITION:  
A. CC  
Consideration  
of  
Petition  
No.  
DMP-23-121 Serenity  
Multi-Family  
DMP-23-121 Development Master Plan (QUASI-JUDICIAL)  
Mayor White announced the item, stated this is a quasi-judicial hearing, and called on  
the City Clerk to read by title only.  
Ms. Faust read the Petition by title only and swore in those wishing to provide testimony.  
Mayor White called for disclosure of ex-parte communications.  
Commissioner Langdon disclosed no ex-parte communications.  
Commissioner McDowell disclosed  
a
meeting with the developer in August 2023  
regarding revised plans, town hall meetings regarding development process and  
procedures and quasi-judicial purpose, conversations and meetings with citizens  
regarding development process and procedures, and emails connected to Comprehensive  
Plan amendment and rezoning.  
Vice Chair Stokes disclosed a meeting with the developer regarding revised plans and  
emails received.  
Mayor White disclosed a meeting with the developer in November 2023 regarding revised  
plans.  
Commissioner Emrich disclosed a meeting with the developer regarding revised plans.  
Ms. Faust stated there were no aggrieved parties.  
Jeffrey Boone, Boone Law Firm, Michael Belfonti, Belfonti Companies, Mark Forlenza,  
Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, Sina Ebrahimi, Kimley-Horn, and Bob Agrusa,  
Kimley-Horn, all being duly sworn, provided a presentation including overview, location,  
size, targeted audience, amenities, neighborhood meeting changes, architecture,  
environmental and wildlife preservation, buffers, site plan, utilities, traffic impact,  
modification request, and requested approval.  
Ms. Ray, being duly sworn, provided a presentation including overview, applicant, property  
owner, request, location, aerial view, neighborhood meeting, zoning, site plan,  
environmental  
and  
wildlife  
preservation,  
modification  
request,  
compliance  
with  
Comprehensive Plan, Unified Land Development Code (ULDC), and Florida Statutes,  
typographical error, public notice, and recommendations.  
There were no rebuttals by the Applicant or Staff.  
There was no public comment.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding neighborhood meeting  
accommodation efforts, Toledo Blade Boulevard left turn lane installation responsibility  
and timeline, financial analysis impact fees, no impact fee deferral request, park overview  
and plans, wildlife perimeter fencing, wildlife and environmental preservation, and  
commendation regarding development process.  
Staff provided a closing argument regarding recommendations.  
The Applicant provided a closing argument regarding community needs, consistency with  
the Comprehensive Plan and ULDC, and requested approval.  
Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Langdon, to approve Petition No. DMP-23-121 with the following modification and  
conditions and find that, based on competent substantial evidence, the  
Development Master Plan and the modification and conditions comply and are  
consistent with the intent of the Unified Land Development Code and the  
Comprehensive Plan, and do not adversely affect the public interest.  
Modification:  
1. Modification to Sec. 53-153, to allow a minimum living area of the unit(s) of 650  
square feet.  
Conditions:  
1. The future detailed design of the stormwater management system must meet all  
requirements in the City of North Port Unified Land Development Code (ULDC)  
Stormwater Regulations. Detailed stormwater quality treatment calculations and  
water quantity attenuation analysis must be provided in the later detailed design  
applications. If the later detailed design includes hydraulic modeling that shows  
additional pond footprint will be needed, changes will need to be made to the DMP  
plans and go through the entire DMP approval process again.  
2. Has a trash compactor which works out fine, except recycling is mandatory and  
will need an area for recycling collection containers.  
3. a. Before FDEP permits will be signed, North Port Utilities requires the following:  
a. Four complete sets of DEP permit applications (water and sewer) and four sets of  
construction plans both sets of items shall be signed and sealed by the engineer of  
record.  
b. One engineer certified (sealed) estimate for the cost of utility construction.  
c. A check for the Utility Construction Inspection Fee. The fee shall be 6.5% of the  
utility construction costs for projects $0 to $2 million, plus 2.5% of utility  
construction cost over $2 million. The minimum fee is $250.00.  
d. Prior to commencement of utility site construction, three copies of shop  
drawings plus any copies required by the applicant shall be submitted to the Utility  
Department for review and approval.  
e. Irrigation systems shall be designed and constructed to meet reuse standards.  
f. Provide the Utility Department with floor plans and plumbing riser drawings for  
each building so meter sizes and capacity fees can be calculated. Meter and  
Capacity fees shall be paid prior to issuance of the building permit.  
g. Prior to utility site construction the Development Order, Department of  
Environmental Protection Permit and Development of Health Permit shall be posted  
at the project site and provided at the preconstruction meeting.  
h.  
A developer agreement shall be negotiated with the utility department and  
approved by the Utility Director and City Staff prior to DEP or DOH permits being  
signed and released.  
Commission discussion continued regarding development approval process.  
The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
Recess was taken from 7:23 p.m. to 7:33 p.m.  
ORDINANCE - Second Reading - Continued:  
C. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the City of North  
2023-27  
Port Comprehensive Plan Chapter 4, Utilities Element, Policy 1.1.5;  
Adopting the City of North Port 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan;  
Providing for Findings; Providing for Adoption; Providing for Transmittal of  
Documents; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and  
Providing an Effective Date.  
Mayor White 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 White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Emrich, to  
adopt Ordinance No. 2023-27, as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
D. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Repealing and Replacing  
Section 74-84 and 74-93 of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Relating to Parking Violations; Clarifying the Penalties and Procedures for  
Contesting a Parking Violation Ticket; Prohibiting Parking for Storage  
Purposes in the Public Right-of-Way in Identified Zoning Districts and  
Along Tamiami Trail; and Updating Statutory References Related to  
Parking Spaces for Disabled Persons; By Amending the Code of the City  
of North Port, Florida, Section 74-84 and Sections 74-92 Through 74-94;  
and Repealing Certain Fees Related to Parking Violations by Amending  
Appendix A, Section F, Police Fees; Providing for Findings; Providing for  
Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and  
Providing an Effective Date.  
2023-34  
Mayor White 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.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding uncorrected scrivener's error.  
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 McDowell,  
to adopt Ordinance No. 2023-34, as presented with correcting the scrivener's error  
in the Business Impact Statement. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
5. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
24-0124  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Request for Joint Meeting with  
the Charter Review Advisory Board to Discuss and Review the Board's  
Annual Report.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Commissioner McDowell introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding Charter Review Advisory  
Board (CRAB) goals and intent, attracting candidates for Commission, joint meeting  
timing and history, bond and referendum requirements, and Commission and Advisory  
Board role.  
Ms. Slayton spoke to the legal review process regarding the December 20, 2023 CRAB  
meeting discussion related to referendum options for City bonds and deadlines for the  
2024 City election ballot.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding direction provided, schedules,  
and joint meeting requirements.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Emrich, to direct the City Clerk to schedule a joint meeting with the Charter Review  
Advisory Board at a time that is convenient for both parties. The motion carried on  
the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
24-0161  
B.  
Discussion  
and  
Possible  
Action  
Regarding  
Talking  
Points  
for  
Commissioner Meetings with Legislators During Florida League of Cities  
Legislative Action Days  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Mr. Miles spoke to schedule limitations, prioritization, and recommendations.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding current versus future  
legislative session discussion topics, topic prioritization and relevance to current needs,  
letter of support, current versus future City needs and impact, prioritizing topics versus  
open discussion, flood mitigation funding, Commission role as City advocates, current  
versus future year advocacy, connections to current bills, and available time for topic  
discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Emrich, seconded by Vice Mayor Stokes, to  
approve recommended talking points of Emergency Operations Center, Suncoast  
Technical College Expansion, and YMCA of Southwest Florida Early Learning  
Academy. The motion carried on the following vote with Commissioner McDowell  
dissenting due to disagreeing with these talking points because they are next years:  
4 -  
Yes:  
No:  
Commissioner Emrich, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner  
Langdon  
1 - Commissioner McDowell  
24-0023  
C.  
Consider the City’s Application for an Exception by Special Permit and for  
a Variance to the Noise Regulations in City Code Sections 46-40 through  
46-45 for the Toledo Blade Boulevard Rehabilitation Project.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding phase 2 timeline and public  
notice.  
Ms. Slayton spoke to motion recommendations.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Langdon, to find that good cause exists to issue a variance to the City Code Section  
46-42, Subsection (6) and move to issue a special exception permit for the Toledo  
Blade Boulevard rehabilitation project, allowing night-time construction work to  
occur from January 24, 2024 through February 29, 2024, with the following  
parameters and conditions:  
Parameters:  
Work Zone Area Hours:  
Setup: 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, weekends, and holidays in or within 50 yards of any  
residential area.  
Breakdown: 8:00 a.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays in or  
within 50 yards of any residential area.  
Road Rehabilitation Work Hours:  
9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day on weekdays or 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.  
on weekends and holidays in or within 50 yards of any residential area.  
Conditions:  
1. The contractor shall be required to maintain applicable maintenance of traffic  
operations.  
2. The contractor shall maintain one (1) travel lane in each direction at all times.  
3. The contractor will prioritize emergency response vehicles through the work  
zone.  
The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
6. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
There was no public comment.  
7. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:  
24-0058  
24-0060  
24-0052  
24-0054  
24-0056  
Commissioner McDowell's Communications  
A.  
B.  
C.  
D.  
E.  
Commissioner McDowell reported on important topics and events attended.  
Commissioner Langdon's Communications  
Commissioner Langdon reported on important topics and events attended.  
Mayor White's Communications  
Mayor White reported on important topics and events attended.  
Vice Mayor Stokes' Communications  
Vice Chair Stokes reported on important topics and events attended.  
Commissioner Emrich's Communications  
Commissioner Emrich reported on important topics and events attended.  
8. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:  
24-0127  
24-0129  
24-0151  
City Attorney's Monthly Report  
A.  
B.  
C.  
Ms. Slayton did not provide a report.  
City Manager Report  
Mr. Fletcher did not provide a report.  
City Clerk's Monthly Report  
Ms. Faust did not provide a report.  
9. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By:  
_________________________________________  
Alice White, Mayor  
Attest: _________________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk