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, July 8, 2025  
6:00 PM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Stokes called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  
ROLL CALL  
5 - Vice Mayor Pete Emrich, Commissioner David Duval, Commissioner Demetrius  
Petrow, Commissioner Barbara Langdon and Mayor Philip Stokes  
Present:  
Also Present:  
City Manager Fletcher, Assistant City Attorney Coughlin, City Clerk Faust, Board  
Specialist Gray, Police Chief Garrison, Fire Chief Titus, Parks and Recreation Director  
Pfundheller, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Sturgess, Aquatics Manager  
Poulos, Solid Waste Manager Lama, Deputy Police Chief Morales, Development  
Services Director Ray, and Public Works Deputy Director Wisner.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Clerk Heather Faust.  
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Mayor Stokes requested a motion to approve the agenda.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Duval, to  
approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Yes:  
2. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record:  
Jill Luke: Spoke to establishing a policy regarding non-profits.  
In Person:  
Valdy Olender: Spoke to statutes, regulations, and other topics.  
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS  
25-2465  
Announcement of Current Advisory Board and Committee Vacancies  
A.  
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 agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Yes:  
25-2434  
25-2466  
Accept the Cash Receipts Summary Report for May 2025.  
A.  
B.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the June 10, 2025, Commission Regular, June 16, 2025,  
Commission Workshop, and June 17, 2025, Commission Workshop  
Meeting Minutes.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:  
ORDINANCE - First Reading:  
ORD. NO.  
2025-14  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Code of  
the City of North Port, Florida, Appendix City Fee Schedule;  
Amending City-Wide Fees, Development Services Development  
Review, Planning and Zoning, And Natural Resources Fees,  
A.  
A
-
-
Development Services - Code Enforcement Fees, Fire Rescue District  
Fees, Police Fees, Parks and Recreation - General Fees, Parks and  
Recreation - Facility Rental Fees,  
Solid Waste District Fees, Utilities  
Fees, Road and Drainage District Fees, and Social Services Fees;  
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:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Yes:  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding fee structure intention, and  
comparisons to surrounding municipalities.  
Ms. Pfundheller provided  
a presentation including Warm Mineral Springs admission  
fees, current fee schedule, proposed fee structure changes, proposed new rate  
category for Sarasota County residents, Fiscal Year (FY) 24 annual revenue, visitors,  
expense, cost recovery, and fee considerations.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding annual visit calculations,  
maintenance, proposed schedule benefits, cost recovery needs to cover repairs and  
maintenance, second reading to incorporate FY 26 and new rate categories for  
Sarasota  
County  
residents,  
student  
rates  
for  
Aquatic  
Center,  
consultant  
recommendations, new construction fee for solid waste containers, subsidizing for  
Aquatic Center, police department related increases, and non-profit fee waiver for  
police detail services.  
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. 2025-14 to second reading on July 22, 2025,  
incorporating the proposed Warm Mineral Springs FY 26 rate and discount  
changes and the new rate categories for Sarasota County residents. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Yes:  
ORD. NO.  
2025-16  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Clarifying the  
B.  
Qualifications for Appointment as  
a
Hearing Officer and Alternate  
Hearing Officers; Amending the City Code of the City of North Port,  
Florida, Section 2-111 and 2-505; 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 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:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Yes:  
Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding support staff requirements  
and compensation.  
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 Duval, to  
continue Ordinance No. 2025-16 to second reading on July 22, 2025. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Yes:  
ORD. NO.  
2025-17  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the  
Non-District Budget and Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal Year  
2024-2025 for Outsourced Fleet Repair Services and Increase in  
Transportation Impact Fee Funding for Price Widening Phase 1 Project  
R15PW1 in the Amount of $6,681,789; Providing for Findings; Providing  
for Posting; Providing for Conflicts: Providing for Severability; and  
Providing an Effective Date.  
C.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item 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:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Yes:  
Yes:  
Yes:  
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 Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich,  
to continue Ordinance No. 2025-17 to second reading on July 22, 2025. The  
motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
ORD. NO.  
2025-18  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the  
Non-District Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for Purchase of Items  
From Federal Forfeiture Funds in the Amount of $159,606; Providing for  
Findings; Providing for Posting; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for  
Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.  
D.  
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:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
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 continue Ordinance No. 2025-19 to second reading on July 22, 2025. The  
motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Yes:  
6. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
25-2359  
Discussion  
and  
Possible  
Action  
Regarding  
Advisory  
Board  
A.  
Recommendation Memorandums Including 1. Historic and Cultural  
Advisory Board - Significance and Validation of Suspected Historical  
Sites within the City  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Ms. Faust introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding guidelines for historic site  
designations, creating  
a policy, prior memorandum to board regarding substantiating  
proposed historic designations, turpentine dock item evaluation, and Warm Mineral  
Springs Cyclorama designation.  
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 Clerk to work with the board and the board’s staff liaison to  
create  
a draft policy regarding determination and designation of historical sites.  
The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Yes:  
Recess was taken from 6:59 p.m. until 7:05 p.m.  
25-2440  
Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Public Private  
Partnership (P3) Conceptual Proposal Related to the Police Department  
Headquarters Facility, Solid Waste Transfer Station, and Wastewater  
Treatment Facility.  
B.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Ken Artin, Bryant Miller Olive, and Jay Glover, PFM, along with staff responded to  
Commission questions and discussion regarding the police department headquarters  
including rent repayment, use of general funds for lease repayment, rules for use of ad  
valorum/non-ad valorum revenues, rate negotiations, certificate of participation (COPs),  
additional information needed, PFM Capital Improvement Project (CIP) list review,  
project prioritization, COPs process timeline, unsolicited Public Private Partnership (P3)  
process, and need for additional information.  
Public Comment:  
Kevin Riley: Expressed opposition of the item.  
Ray Jeries: Expressed opposition of the item.  
John O’Grady: Expressed support of the item.  
Mayor Stokes requested a motion and passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Emrich.  
A
motion was made by Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Duval, to  
direct the City Manager to work with PFM, Bryant Millier Olive, and the P3  
applicant to explore the P3 and COP’s, to review the concerns and questions  
expressed by Commission, and to bring back information at  
regarding the Police Department Headquarters project:  
a future meeting  
A
motion to amend was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Mayor  
Stokes, to include a realistic evaluation of the City’s ability to repay the amount  
determined as result of the analysis. The motion to amend carried on the  
a
following vote with Commissioner Petrow dissenting due to staff currently  
working on providing additional information and the importance of the other  
projects:  
4 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor  
Stokes  
Yes:  
No:  
1 - Commissioner Petrow  
The main motion as amended carried on the following vote:  
4 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor  
Stokes  
Yes:  
No:  
1 - Commissioner Petrow  
Vice Mayor Emrich passed the gavel to Mayor Stokes.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding the Solid Waste Transfer  
station including solid waste cost increase, need for additional information, revenue and  
cost savings, return on investment, COP process, rejecting P3, exploring COP,  
validation process, and reviewing all options.  
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 bond counsel, PFM and staff to bring back  
details for the Solid Waste Transfer Station project including the cost, pros, and  
cons and comparing the P3 process with the city conducting their own COP  
process. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Yes:  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding the water treatment facility  
including, examine supplementary funding options, reducing project proposal amount,  
and State involvement in imposing penalties.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to direct the City Manager to move forward with Option 2 accepting the P3  
conceptual proposal for substantive review, providing written notification to the  
private entity regarding the anticipated timeframe required for the City to  
complete comprehensive review of the unsolicited P3 conceptual proposal for  
the Wastewater Treatment Facility. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner  
Langdon and Mayor Stokes  
Yes:  
25-2448  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Sending a Letter of Support  
to Celtic Bank for the Bobcat Trail Community's Request That the Bank  
Maintain the Bobcat Trail Golf Course. (Requested by Commissioner  
Langdon).  
C.  
Mayor Stokes announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commissioner Langdon spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place staff involvement, community  
request, Code Enforcement authority, and current property status.  
Ms. Coughlin spoke to current foreclosure status and sale.  
Public Comment:  
Richard Burke: Spoke to condition of golf course and code violations.  
Steven Ball: Spoke to code violations and safety concerns.  
Doug McNamee: Spoke to golf course and housing market declining in the community.  
No action was taken on this item.  
7. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Ray Jeries: Spoke to the need for additional clarification on referendum questions.  
8. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:  
Mayor Stokes called on Commissioners for communications.  
25-2460  
25-2461  
25-2462  
25-2463  
25-2464  
Commissioner Duval's Communications  
A.  
B.  
C.  
D.  
E.  
Commissioner Duval did not have a report.  
Commissioner Langdon's Communications  
Commissioner Langdon noted she will submit her report to the City Clerk.  
Mayor Stokes' Communications  
Mayor Stokes reported on events attended.  
Vice Mayor Emrich's Communications  
Vice Mayor Emrich did not have a report.  
Commissioner Petrow's Communications  
Commissioner Petrow did not have a report.  
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:  
Mayor Stokes called on Charter Officers for reports.  
Mr. Fletcher did not have a report.  
Ms. Coughlin did not have a report.  
Ms. Faust did not have a report.  
10. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor Stokes adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By: ___________________________________________  
Phil Stokes, Mayor  
Attest: _________________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk