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, February 10, 2026  
10:00 AM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Emrich called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and provided required  
notifications regarding conducting a hybrid meeting.  
ROLL CALL  
Vice Mayor Langdon stated she will be attending the hybrid meeting via Communications  
Media Technology (CMT) due to experiencing a medical condition.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Petrow,  
to accept the use of CMT for a hybrid meeting. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
ALSO PRESENT  
City Manager Fletcher, City Attorney Fuino, City Clerk Faust, Deputy City Clerk Powell,  
Board Specialist Lindner, Police Chief Garrison, Deputy Police Chief Morales, Fire Chief  
Titus, Planner III Willette-Grondin, Planner II Silva, Development Services Deputy Director  
Barnes, Development Services Director Ray, Communications Manager Bartolone,  
Marketing and Engagement Manager Sutherland, and Brand Design Specialist DeCastro.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chuck English.  
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion to approve the agenda.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Petrow,  
to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
2. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record:  
Kiwanis Club: Expressed support of Item No. 26-0259 and opposition to Item No.  
26-0364.  
In Person:  
Ron Alexander: Spoke to opposition of cameras and property violations.  
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS  
26-0136  
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 the record.  
4. CONSENT AGENDA:  
Mayor Emrich announced the item and queried the City Manager regarding items pulled  
from the consent agenda for discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Petrow,  
to approve the items in the consent agenda. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
25-3009  
26-0175  
A.  
B.  
Approve the Licensed Training Provider Agreement and Centennial  
Addendum By and Between the American National Red Cross and the City  
of North Port, Florida, for a Thirty-Six Month Term at Contract Unit Prices.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Application to the Florida Legislature for the Solid Waste  
Transfer Station Project for Consideration in the Fiscal Year 2026 State of  
Florida Appropriations, in the Amount of $5,000,000, 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 of North Port.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
26-0209  
C.  
Approve the Annual Security Complete Limited Warranty Agreement for  
the Provision of Insurance Coverage in the Event  
of a Security Incident.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
26-0257  
D.  
Approve Multi-Award Professional Engineering Services  
-
Continuing  
Services Contracts for City of North Port General Planning Services for: 1)  
Agreement Number 2025-36.01, By and Between the City of North Port  
and Ayres Associates, Inc.; 2) Agreement Number 2025-36.02, By and  
Between the City of North Port and Bowman Consulting Group, LTD., Inc.;  
3) Agreement Number 2025-36.03, By and Between the City of North Port  
and Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering, LLC; 4) Agreement Number  
2025-36.04, By and Between the City of North Port and Johnson  
Engineering, LLC; 5) Agreement Number 2025-36.05, By and Between  
the City of North Port and Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.; and 6)  
Agreement Number 2025-36.06, By and Between the City of North Port  
and RVI Planning + Landscape Architecture, Inc. and Authorize the City  
Manager to Approve Future Renewals in Accordance With the Terms and  
Conditions in the Agreements.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
26-0289  
26-0291  
E.  
F.  
Approve the Acceptance of the Community Grant From the Walmart  
Foundation in the Amount of $3,500 to be Used for Shop With a Cop and  
Home for the Holidays Programs.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Application for the 2025 Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest  
Partnership Grant in the Amount of $22,387.50, 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.  
26-0330  
26-0335  
26-0349  
G.  
H.  
I.  
Approve the Appointment of Kevin D. Wallace as a Regular Member to  
Serve a First Term on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board From  
February 10, 2026, Through February 10, 2029.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the January 5, 2026 Commission Workshop Minutes, January 6,  
2026 Commission Workshop Minutes, and January 8, 2026 Commission  
Regular Minutes.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Seventeenth Amendment to Agreement No. 2023-17.001 By  
and Between the City of North Port, Florida, and Wharton-Smith, Inc.,  
Eighteenth Amendment to Agreement 2023-17.002 By and Between the  
City of North Port, Florida and Halfacre Construction Company, Sixth  
Amendment to Agreement 2023-17.003 By and Between the City of North  
Port, Florida, and AJAX Building Company LLC, Thirteenth Amendment to  
Agreement 2023-17.004 By and Between the City of North Port, Florida,  
and Jon F. Swift, Inc., and Third Amendment to Agreement 2023-17.005  
By and Between the City of North Port, Florida, and Willis A. Smith  
Construction Inc., for Construction Manager at Risk Services Adding a  
Renewal Term of Two (2) Additional Two (2) Year Terms by Mutual  
Agreement and Within Budgetary Limitations, at the Same Terms and  
Conditions and  
Renewals.  
Authorize the City Manager to Approve all Future  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
26-0350  
J.  
Approve  
Multi-Award  
Professional  
Utility  
Engineering  
Services  
-
Continuing Services Contracts for the City of North Port for 1) Agreement  
Number 2025-12.01, By and Between the City of North Port and Ardurra  
Group, Inc.; 2) Agreement Number 2025-12.02, By and Between the City  
of North Port and Black & Veatch Corporation; 3) Agreement Number  
2025-12.03, By and Between the City of North Port and Carollo Engineers;  
Inc.; 4) Agreement Number 2025-12.04, By and Between the City of North  
Port and CDM Smith, Inc.; 5) Agreement Number 2025-12.05, By and  
Between the City of North Port and CHA Consulting, Inc.; 6) Agreement  
Number 2025-12.06, By and Between the City of North Port and CPH  
Consulting, LLC; 7) Agreement Number 2025-12.07, By and Between the  
City of North Port and Giffels-Webster Engineers, Inc.;  
8) Agreement  
Number 2025-12.08, By and Between the City of North Port and Hazen and  
Sawyer, P.C.; 9) Agreement Number 2025-12.09, By and Between the  
City of North Port and Johnson Engineering, LLC; 10) Agreement Number  
2025-12.10, By and Between the City of North Port and Kimley-Horn and  
Associates, Inc.; and 11)  
Agreement Number 2025-12.11, By and  
Between the City of North Port and Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. and  
Authorize the City Manager to Approve Future Renewals in Accordance  
With the Terms and Conditions in the Agreements.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
26-0352  
26-0360  
Accept the Cash Receipts Summary Report for December 2025.  
K.  
L.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Appointment of Doreen German as a Regular Member to  
Serve a First Term on the Environmental Advisory Board From February  
10, 2026, Through February 10, 2029.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
26-0362  
M.  
Approve the Reappointment of Gavin Gray as a Student Member to Serve  
a Second Term on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board From  
February 26, 2026, Through February 26, 2027.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:  
RESOLUTION:  
A. RES. NO.  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida;  
Approving a Preliminary Subdivision Plat for Brightmore East, a 290-Unit  
2026-R-05  
Multi-Family Residential Subdivision, on Approximately  
108.8 Acres  
Located Generally West of South River Road and North of Manasota  
Beach Road; Providing for Findings; Providing for Preliminary Subdivision  
Plat Approval; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and  
Providing an Effective Date. (QUASI-JUDICIAL)  
Mayor Emrich 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 Resolution by title only, stated there were no aggrieved parties, and  
swore in those wishing to provide testimony.  
Mayor Emrich called for disclosure of ex-parte communications.  
There were no ex-parte communications.  
John Luczynski, Wellen Park, being duly sworn, provided  
a presentation including  
overview, trail construction connections, mixed-use, school property lines, single-family  
townhome clarifications, and consistency.  
Ms. Willette-Grondin, being duly sworn, provided  
a presentation including overview,  
proposed preliminary subdivision plat, consistency with Florida Statutes, compliance with  
the Comprehensive Plan and United Land Development Code (ULDC), environmental  
survey results, flood zone analysis, staff review, public notice, legal review, Planning and  
Zoning Advisory Board (PZAB) recommendation, and staff recommendations.  
There were no rebuttals by the applicant or staff.  
There was no public comment.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding prior development  
processes.  
Ms. Willette-Grondin provided closing arguments regarding request for approval.  
Mr. Luczynski provided closing arguments regarding vicinity to high school.  
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-05 as presented. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
B. RES. NO.  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City Of North Port, Florida,  
Vacating Utility and Drainage Easement for Lots 12, 13 & Tract J Block  
1492 of the 30th Addition to the Port Charlotte Subdivision; Providing for  
Findings; Providing for Recording; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for  
Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. (QUASI-JUDICIAL)  
2026-R-07  
Mayor Emrich 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 Resolution by title only, stated there were no aggrieved parties, and  
swore in those wishing to provide testimony.  
Mayor Emrich called for disclosure of ex-parte communications.  
There were no ex-parte communications.  
The applicant was not present.  
Ms. Silva, being duly sworn, noted the applicant was not present and provided  
a
presentation including overview, background, review process, compliance review, staff  
recommendations, and legal review.  
There was no rebuttal by staff.  
There was no public comment.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
There was no closing argument by staff.  
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-07 as presented. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
ORDINANCE - Second Reading:  
C. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Regarding Golf Carts and  
2026-03  
Low Speed Vehicles; Amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida,  
by Removing Subsection (B) of Section 74-152; Providing for Findings;  
Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for  
Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.  
Mayor Emrich 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 meeting timelines, thru-traffic  
and safety concerns, low-speed vehicle (LSV) clarifications, enforcement authority, and  
electric bicycle (E-bike) regulations.  
Mr. Morales provided clarification regarding LSV and golf cart comparisons and  
regulations.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding E-bike regulations.  
Public Comment:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record:  
Angela Leclerc: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Greg Faulkner: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Art Bilski: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Michael Schuelke: Expressed opposition to 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 Ordinance No. 2026-03 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
D. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Unified Land  
Development Code Regarding Authorized Hours for Business Activities  
and Deliveries in Corridor Transitional and Corridor Zoning Districts by  
Amending Section 3.2.4.; Providing for Findings, Providing for Conflicts;  
Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an  
Effective Date.  
2026-04  
Mayor Emrich 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 allowable uses, Unified Land  
Development Code (ULDC) consistency, residential property impacts, non-residential land  
percentages, flooding concerns, hours of operation implementation, quality of life, and  
surrounding city regulations.  
Public Comment:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record:  
Tamara Rehm: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Maria Leslie: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Debbie McDowell: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Michael Schuelke: Expressed opposition to the item.  
In Person:  
Robin San Vicente: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Mark Hanson: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding hours of operation limitations  
and noise ordinance enforcement clarifications.  
Mayor Emrich closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Petrow, seconded by Commissioner Duval,  
to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-04 as amended to only permit business activities  
indoors from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. The motion failed on the following vote:  
2 - Commissioner Duval and Commissioner Petrow  
Yes:  
No:  
3 - Mayor Emrich, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner Stokes  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon,  
to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-04 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
3 - Mayor Emrich, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner Stokes  
2 - Commissioner Duval and Commissioner Petrow  
Recess was taken from 11:28 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.  
Yes:  
No:  
6. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
26-0259  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Bestowing a Key to the City to  
Jill Luke at a Future Commission Meeting. (Requested by Commissioner  
Petrow).  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Ms. Faust introduced the item.  
Commissioner Petrow spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding representation, events,  
values, and accomplishments.  
Public Comment:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record:  
Debbie McDowell: Expressed support of the item.  
In Person:  
Joan Morgan: Expressed support of the item.  
Chuck English: Expressed support of the item.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Petrow, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to direct the City Clerk to create an agenda item for the next ceremonial  
Commission Meeting to present Jill Luke with a Key to the City. The motion carried  
on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
26-0293  
B.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Development of a Hometown  
Heroes Workforce Housing Impact Fee Incentive Program.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced and spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding employer collaboration,  
housing studies and growth projections, workforce housing needs, development  
participation, affordable housing, first-time homebuyer demographics, impact fee waivers  
and deferrals, infrastructure and construction costs, investment strategies, market  
demand, and taxpayer concerns.  
Public Comment:  
Mr. Powell read the following eComments into the record:  
Debbie McDowell: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Michael Schuelke: Expressed opposition to the item.  
In Person:  
Robin San Vicente: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Petrow,  
to direct the City Manager to work with the initiating developer to draft  
a
Hometown Heroes Program to provide impact fee waivers for workforce housing  
and bring the item back for Commission consideration.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding impact fee waivers versus  
deferrals, housing study data, program parameters, and potential fiscal impacts.  
The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
26-0329  
C.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Approving the Two  
Appointments of Adrian Sari, Megan R. Taylor, or Bella G. Scott as Student  
Members to Serve a First Term on the Environmental Advisory Board From  
February 10, 2026, Through February 10, 2027.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Powell introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding applicant grade levels, age  
eligibility, and appointment options.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Duval, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to approve Megan R. Taylor and Bella G. Scott to serve in the Student Members  
category for the Environmental Advisory Board serving a first term from February  
10, 2026, to February 10, 2027. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
26-0364  
D.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Selecting and Adopting the  
City of North Port's Logo, Color Scheme, and Tagline and Revisions to the  
Mission, Vision and Values.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Mr. Bartolone and Ms. Sutherland provided a presentation including project timeline,  
meeting purpose, quantitative and qualitative data, online and in-person survey results,  
survey sentiment and critical insights, survey themes, social media comment sentiment  
and engagement, feedback themes, and summary.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding phase clarifications, focus  
group turnout, logo design interpretation processes, email communications, appreciation,  
neighboring county comparisons, and selection options.  
Recess was taken from 1:45 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.  
Ms. DeCastro and Ms. Sutherland continued the presentation including proposed  
palettes, logo options, resident feedback, current and proposed mission feedback and  
updates, strategic pillars, taglines, and next steps.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding verbiage considerations,  
updated vision statement, and values.  
Public Comment:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record:  
Maria Leslie: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Debbie McDowell: Expressed opposition to the item.  
Michael Schuelke: Expressed opposition to the item.  
In Person:  
Robin San Vicente: Expressed support of the item.  
Monica Becket: Expressed support of the item and spoke to the Drug-Free Youth  
Program (D-Fy).  
Joan Morgan: Expressed support of the item and spoke to the Drug-Free Youth Program  
(D-Fy).  
Mayor Emrich passed the gavel to Commissioner Stokes.  
A motion was made by Mayor Emrich, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon, to select  
the logo 2B with the color scheme of blues and the tagline of “Achieve Anything."  
The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
Mayor Emrich passed the gavel to Commissioner Stokes.  
A motion was made by Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Duval, to adopt  
the updated suggested Mission, Visions, and Values as presented. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
7. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
In Person:  
Chuck English: Spoke to advisory board member notification policies.  
8. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:  
Mayor Emrich called on Commissioners for communications.  
26-0026  
26-0027  
26-0028  
Commissioner Petrow's Communications  
A.  
B.  
C.  
Commissioner Petrow reported events attended.  
Vice Mayor Langdon's Communications  
Vice Mayor Langdon reported on important topics.  
Mayor Emrich's Communications  
Mayor Emrich reported on events attended.  
26-0029  
26-0030  
Commissioner Stokes' Communications  
D.  
E.  
Commissioner Stokes reported on important topics and events attended.  
Commissioner Duval's Communications  
Commissioner Duval reported on important topics and events attended.  
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:  
Mayor Emrich called on Charter Officers for reports.  
Mr. Fletcher did not have a report.  
Mr. Fuino did not have a report.  
Ms. Faust did not have a report.  
10. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor Emrich adjourned the meeting at 2:46 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By: __________________________________  
Pete Emrich, Mayor  
Attest: ________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk