4970 CITY HALL BLVD

NORTH PORT, FL 34286

City of North Port

Meeting Minutes

City Commission Regular Meeting

CITY COMMISSIONERS

Phil Stokes, Mayor

Pete Emrich, Vice Mayor

Barbara Langdon, Commissioner

David Duval, Commissioner

Demetrius Petrow, Commissioner

APPOINTED OFFICIALS

Jerome Fletcher, City Manager

Michael Golen, Interim City Attorney

Heather Faust, City Clerk

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

10:00 AM

City Commission Chambers

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Stokes called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

ROLL CALL

4 -

Present:

Mayor Pete Emrich, Commissioner Demetrius Petrow, Vice Mayor Barbara

Langdon and Commissioner Philip Stokes

1 - Commissioner David Duval

Absent:

ALSO PRESENT

City Manager Fletcher, Interim City Attorney Golen, City Clerk Faust, Board Specialist

Lindner, Police Chief Garrison, Deputy Fire Chief Herlihy, Parks and Recreation Director

Pfundheller, Planner III Willette-Grondin, Development Services Deputy Director Barnes,

Public Works Director Speake, Grants Divison Manager Malingowski, and Natural

Resources Manager Kalev.

Mayor Stokes acknowledged prior Commissioner James Blutcher.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by James Blutcher.

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Mayor Stokes requested a motion to approve the agenda.

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,

to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:

4 -

Yes:

Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner

Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

2. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Ms. Faust played the following voicemail into the record:

Gary Thalman: Expressed support of the Central Parc Pattern Plan Amendment and the

Planning and Zoning Advisory Board’s (PZAB) recommendation.

Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record:

Brock Mitchell: Expressed support of

Amendment.

the Central Parc Development Master Plan

In Person:

Joan Morgan: Spoke to Commission involvement with nonprofits and expressed support

of Item Nos. 25-2532 and 25-2813.

Chris Johnson: Spoke to disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts following recent

hurricanes, partnerships with volunteer organizations, and ongoing case management and

outreach programs.

3. ANNOUNCEMENTS

25-2913

Announcement of Current Advisory Board and Committee Vacancies

Mayor Stokes 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 Stokes announced the item and queried the City Manager regarding items pulled

from the consent agenda for discussion.

There was no public comment.

Mayor Stokes requested a motion.

A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,

to approve the consent agenda with the exception of Item Nos. 25-2532 and 25-2813

being pulled for discussion. The motion carried on the following vote:

4 -

Yes:

Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner

Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

25-2451

Approve the Tenth Amendment to Agreement No. 2015-19, Professional

Engineering Services for the Widening of Price Boulevard, From Sumter

Boulevard to Toledo Blade Boulevard by and Between the City of North

Port, Florida, and Consor North America, Inc. in the Amount of

$295,796.50.

This Item was approved on the consent agenda.

25-2467

Approve the Contract Addendum for Hosting Services With Vermont

Systems (RecTrac).

This Item was approved on the consent agenda.

25-2493

25-2532

Approve the Seventeenth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk

Contract No. 2023-17.002 for Construction Services Contract Phase II by

and between the City of North Port, Florida and Halfacre Construction

Company for Installation of Portable Office Trailers in the Amount of

$535,297.64.

This Item was approved on the consent agenda.

Approve the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of North

Port, Florida, and the North Port Art Center to Memorialize the City's

Support for a Future Ground Lease on City Owned Property Located on

Sam Shapos Way.

Mayor Stokes announced the item.

Commissioner Langdon spoke to the item.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding nonprofit support, land lease

terms, policy development, legal review, fundraising, taxpayer spending, and

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) updates.

Mr. Golen spoke to redrafting the MOU to clarify termination processes.

Commission questions and discussion continued regarding include language regarding

milestones, cancellation terms, and future MOU revisions.

There was no public comment.

Mayor Stokes requested a motion.

A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,

to direct the City Manager to work with Awaken Food Pantry, Senior Center,

Kiwanis Club, and the Art Center to identify needs and expectations and to bring

back for a future meeting an agenda item for discussion and possible action on

how to approach the space building and other needs in order retain the non-profits

within the boundaries of North Port. The motion carried on the following vote with

Mayor Stokes dissenting due to the need of clarification on the order in which

actions would occur, while expressing overall support for the majority direction

moving forward:

3 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow and Vice Mayor Langdon

1 - Commissioner Stokes

Yes:

No:

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

Mr. Fletcher spoke to lease policy revisions and next meeting date.

Mayor Stokes requested a motion and passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Emrich.

motion was made by Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Langdon, to

direct the City Attorney to review the Memorandum of Understanding to create

consistency regarding termination to ensure either party has the right to terminate

for any reason.

Commission questions and discussion continued regarding inclusion of annual

milestones, MOU flexibility, avoiding unnecessary fundraising goals, potential updates to

the MOU during future review, and timeline for bringing the revised document back for

consideration.

motion to amend was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by

Commissioner Petrow, to include language regarding milestones. The motion to

amend carried on the following vote with Mayor Stokes dissenting:

3 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow and Vice Mayor Langdon

1 - Commissioner Stokes

Yes:

No:

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

The main motion as amended carried on the following vote:

4 -

Yes:

Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner

Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

25-2813

Approve the Eighteenth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk

Contract No. 2023-17.002 for Construction Services Phase II by and

Between the City of North Port and Halfacre Construction Company for

Construction of the Boca Chica Park in the Amount of $821,336.20.

Mayor Stokes announced the item.

Commissioner Langdon spoke to the item.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding nonprofit lease terms,

City-owned property use, maintenance, park impact fees, park impact fee refunding

processing timeline, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and upcoming development

master plan.

There was no public comment.

Mayor Stokes requested a motion.

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Petrow, to

approve Item No. 25-2813 as presented. The motion carried on the following vote

with Commissioner Langdon dissenting due to it not being the proper time to

evaluate the construction of a new park:

3 - Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow and Commissioner Stokes

1 - Vice Mayor Langdon

Yes:

No:

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

25-2814

Approve the Fourteenth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk

Contract No. 2023-17.001 for Construction Services Contract Phase II by

and Between the City of North Port, Florida, and Wharton-Smith, Inc., for

Construction of the Dallas White Park Multi-Use Field and ADA

Improvements in the Amount of $1,457,054.

This Item was approved on the consent agenda.

25-2834

Approve

Agreement

No.

2025-02 Non-Exclusive

Disaster

Debris

Monitoring Services and Financial Recovery Management Agreement by

and Between the City of North Port, Florida, and Rostan Solutions, LLC

(Primary Vendor) and Thompson Consulting Services, LLC (Secondary

Vendor) and Authorize the City Manager to Approve the Future Renewal

Terms.

This Item was approved on the consent agenda.

25-2835

Approve

Disaster

Agreement

Debris

No.

2025-01 Emergency

Services,

Response

and

Services,

Ancillary

Management

Preparation/Recovery Services in the City of North Port by and Between

the City of North Port, Florida, and Ceres Environmental Services, Inc.,

(Primary Vendor), Crowder-Gulf Joint Venture, Inc., (Secondary Vendor),

and DRC Emergency Services, LLC, (Tertiary Vendor) and Authorize the

City Manager to Approve the Future Renewal Terms.

This Item was approved on the consent agenda.

25-2854

Approval of the September 18, 2025 Commission Special Meeting

Minutes

This Item was approved on the consent agenda.

25-2855

25-2860

Accept the Cash Receipts Summary Report for August 2025.

This Item was approved on the consent agenda.

Approve Award of Request for Bid 2025-38 Lazy River Resurfacing Project

to Electro Mechanic Industries, LLC in the Amount of $261,484 Plus a

Construction Contingency of $26,148 for an Amount Not to Exceed

$287,632.

This Item was approved on the consent agenda.

25-2866

Approval of the September 23, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes

This Item was approved on the consent agenda.

5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

ORDINANCE - First Reading:

A. ORD. NO.

An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Central Parc

2025-28

at North Port (Activity Center 9) Pattern Plan to Revise the Buffer Plan;

Amending Article III, Table 3.3.1.2: Dimensional Standards and Article IV,

Development Standards of the Unified Land Development Code to

Reference the Amended Central Parc at North Port Pattern Plan; Providing

for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing

for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date. (QUASI-JUDICIAL).

Mayor Stokes announced the item, stated this is a quasi-judicial hearing, and requested

a motion to direct the City Clerk to read by title only.

A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,

to direct the City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only. The motion carried on

the following vote:

4 -

Yes:

Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner

Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only, swore in those wishing to provide testimony,

and stated there were no aggrieved parties.

Mayor Stokes called for disclosure of ex-parte communications.

Commissioner Petrow disclosed

conversation with Williams Parker and other

representatives. Mayor Stokes spoke to one on one meetings with the City Manager.

Commissioner Langdon had very minimal conversation in her agenda briefing. Vice Mayor

Emrich disclosed no ex-parte communications.

Peter Van Buskirk, Kimley Horn and Associates, being duly sworn, provided

presentation including request, zoning and uses, January 2018 concept, July 2018

concept, Section 21-9, Table 1, Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) required

landscape buffers, landscape buffer areas as proposed in amendment, current buffer plan,

proposed revisions to the plan, staff recommendations, lake 13, waiver 1, lake 5, waiver 2,

lake 9, Comprehensive Plan consistency, compliance with applicable findings review

criteria, and request for approval.

Ms. Willette-Grondin, being duly sworn, provided

a presentation including overview,

history, site information, proposed changes, waiver requests, staff analysis, Central Parc

approved and proposed buffers, analysis of buffer changes, required planting locations,

analysis of requested waivers 1 and 2, request to change the buffer type b to sod for lake

13, review process pre-application meeting, natural resources concerns, consistency with

Florida Statutes, the Comprehensive Plan, and ULDC, public comment, neighborhood

meeting, public notice, legal review, business impact estimate, Planning and Zoning

Advisory Board recommendation, and staff recommendations.

Mr. Buskirk provided a rebuttal regarding buffer landscaping, noise reduction, community

support, villa classification, and state compatibility rules.

Ms. Willette-Grondin provided

rebuttal regarding multi-family and single-family

compatibility, and buffer requirements.

Public Comment:

In Person:

James Murphy, being duly sworn: Expressed opposition of the item.

Steven Skoda, being duly sworn: Expressed support of the item and opposition to tree

plantings near lake 7.

James Blutcher, being duly sworn: Expressed support of the item and opposition to lake

landscaping.

Ron Barrier, being duly sworn: Expressed support of the item and opposition to tree

plantings near lake 13.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding sod environmental impacts.

Mr. Kalev, being duly sworn, provided an overview of ecological perspectives regarding

sod placement versus vegetation.

Commission questions and discussion continued regarding vegetation, waivers, buffer

options, ecological importance of vegetation around lakes, concerns of erosion and

flooding, staff communication with residents, Home Owner's Association (HOA) buffer

approvals, and clarification of options presented.

Mr. Kalev provided an overview of sod soil stabilization and benefit of trees and shrubs for

protection against storm events.

Ms. Willette-Grondin provided clarity on one on one communications with HOAs, email

communications with public, and staff recommendations.

Ms. Willette-Grondin provided closing arguments regarding staff recommendation, buffer

requirements, and code compliance.

Mr. Buskirk provided closing arguments regarding report, buffer waivers, neighborhood

completion, erosion control, and project approval request.

Mayor Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion.

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,

to continue Ordinance No. 2025-28 to second reading on October 28, 2025 with

Option 3 including all waivers. The motion failed on the following vote with

Commissioner Petrow and Mayor Stokes dissenting due to concerns over design,

ecology, and citizen involvement:

2 - Mayor Emrich and Vice Mayor Langdon

2 - Commissioner Petrow and Commissioner Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Yes:

No:

Absent:

Commission questions and discussion continued regarding voting procedures, waiver

requests, ecological benefits, citizen input, and applicant compliance concerns.

Mr. Golen provided clarity regarding meeting procedure.

Ms. Faust spoke to waiver or no wavier decision procedures.

Commission questions and discussion continued regarding planting procedures clarity.

Ms. Faust spoke to meeting procedure.

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,

to continue Ordinance No. 2025-28 to second reading on October 28, 2025. The

motion failed on the following vote with Commissioner Petrow and Mayor Stokes

dissenting due to concerns over tree removals:

2 - Mayor Emrich and Vice Mayor Langdon

2 - Commissioner Petrow and Commissioner Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Yes:

No:

Absent:

Commission questions and discussion continued regarding meeting procedures, next

steps, waiver options, and buffer compromises.

A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,

to direct the City Manager and staff to work with the developer and community

groups to determine if there can be negotiations and movement on both sides to

minimize the disruption of views and address environmental concerns and to

continue to second reading on October 28, 2025. The motion carried on the

following vote:

4 -

Yes:

Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner

Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

Recess was taken from 12:23 p.m. until 1:04 p.m.

B. ORD. NO.

2025-31

An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Regarding Sales of

Alcoholic Beverages in Proximity to Churches and Schools; Amending the

Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Sections 6-1 and 6-4; Providing for

Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for

Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.

Mayor Stokes announced the item and requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to

read by title only.

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,

to direct the City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only. The motion carried on

the following vote:

4 -

Yes:

Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner

Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only.

Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding distance requirements, bar

and restaurant definitions, food service percentages, licensing, and state regulation

consistency.

There was no public comment.

Mayor Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion.

A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,

to continue Ordinance No. 2025-31 to second reading on October 28, 2025. The

motion carried on the following vote:

4 -

Yes:

Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner

Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

ORDINANCE - Second Reading:

C. ORD. NO.

An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Code of the

2025-30

City of North Port, Florida, Appendix A - City Fee Schedule for Utilities

Fees; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for

Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.

Mayor Stokes 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 Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion.

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,

to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-30 as presented. The motion carried on the following

vote:

4 -

Yes:

Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner

Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

RESOLUTION:

D. RES. NO.

A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,

Authorizing the City Commission to Participate in a Joint Meeting With the

Sarasota County Commission to Receive, Discuss, and Act Upon Matters

of Mutual Interest; Incorporating Recitals; Providing for Severability; and

Providing an Effective Date.

2025-R-52

Mayor Stokes 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 Stokes closed the public hearing and requested a motion.

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,

to adopt Resolution No. 2025-R-52 as presented. The motion carried on the

following vote:

4 -

Yes:

Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner

Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

6. GENERAL BUSINESS:

25-2904

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Request From the Kiwanis

Club, Inc. of North Port for Placement of a Portable Building on City Owned

Property at Dallas White Park, Located at 5900 Greenwood Avenue, North

Port, Florida, 34287.

Mayor Stokes announced the item.

Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.

Mayor stokes called for public comment.

Public comment:

Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record:

Nonprofits: Spoke to community partnerships and Clothing Closet Program.

In Person:

Ms. Cislo: Spoke to Clothing Closet needs.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding nonprofit policy consistency,

lease options and fees, site suitability for the portable, grant timelines and funding, city

financial impact, and direction to staff to explore space options.

Mayor Stokes requested a motion.

A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,

to direct the City Manager to identify options to offer the Kiwanis Club of North

Port, Inc. space at Dallas White Park. The motion carried on the following vote:

4 -

Yes:

Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner

Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

25-2903

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the City of North Port 2026

State and Federal Legislative Priorities.

Mayor Stokes announced the item.

Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding property tax impacts, Senate

Bill 180 (2025), insurance rate concerns, the new police headquarters, widening Toledo

Blade Boulevard, construction of the I-75 interchange, and overall infrastructure funding

strategies.

There was no public comment.

25-2709

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Projects for 2026 State and

Federal Legislative Funding Consideration.

Mayor Stokes announced the item.

Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding state and federal funding

priorities,

emergency

services

facilities,

infrastructure

projects,

environmental

preservation, and county coordination on sex offender regulations.

There was no public comment.

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,

to approve the list of projects for 2026 state and Federal legislative funding

consideration, as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:

4 -

Yes:

Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner

Stokes

1 - Commissioner Duval

Absent:

25-2898

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding

Proposed Ordinance

Establishing Stricter Residency, Clustering, and Activity Restrictions for

Registered Offenders and Predators, Including a Comparison of Current

City of North Port Laws With Ordinances Adopted in Miami-Dade County,

Putnam County, and Existing State of Florida Density Restrictions.

(Requested by Commissioner Duval).

Mayor Stokes announced the item.

Ms. Faust introduced the item on behalf of Commissioner Duval.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding sex offender residency

regulations, legal review, county coordination, and future action.

Mr. Garrison expressed support of the item and spoke to legislative limits, need for

Sheriff’s guidance, and regional consistency across Sarasota County.

Public Comment:

Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record:

Casey Ruark: Expressed support of stricter offender residency restrictions.

Erik Henderson: Expressed support of stricter offender residency restrictions.

Danielle Santoro: Expressed support of stricter offender residency restrictions.

In Person:

Hannah Crosby: Expressed support of stricter offender residency restrictions and

referenced related county ordinances and state law.

Tricia Gibbs: Expressed support of stricter offender residency restrictions and referenced

related county ordinances and state law.

25-2915

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Suggested Agenda Items for

the 2026 Convocation of Governments.

Mayor stokes announced the item.

Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding upcoming joint meeting

preparations, school board and charter school matters, school partnerships, and agenda

scheduling.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Public Comment:

Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record:

Lynn Hutcherson: Spoke to support for the Central Park Development Master Plan

Amendment.

8. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:

Mayor Stokes called on Commissioners for communications.

25-2907

25-2908

Commissioner Duval's Communications

Commissioner Duval was absent and did not have a report.

Commissioner Langdon's Communications

Commissioner Langdon did not have a report.

25-2909

25-2910

25-2911

Mayor Stokes' Communications

Mayor Stokes did not have a report.

Vice Mayor Emrich's Communications

Vice Mayor Emrich did not have a report.

Commissioner Petrow's Communications

Commissioner Petrow spoke to events attended.

9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:

Mayor Stokes called on Charter Officers for reports.

There were no reports.

10. ADJOURNMENT:

Mayor Stokes adjourned the meeting at 2:37 p.m.

City of North Port, Florida

By:

_________________________________________

Phil Stokes, Mayor

Attest: _________________________________________

Heather Faust, City Clerk