4970 CITY HALL BLVD  
NORTH PORT, FL 34286  
City of North Port  
Meeting Minutes  
City Commission Special 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  
Thursday, December 11, 2025  
1:00 PM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Emrich called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.  
ROLL CALL  
5 -  
Present:  
Mayor Pete Emrich, Commissioner David Duval, Commissioner Demetrius Petrow,  
Vice Mayor Barbara Langdon and Commissioner Philip Stokes  
ALSO PRESENT  
City Manager Fletcher, City Attorney Fuino, City Clerk Faust, Deputy Police Chief  
Garrison, and Fire Chief Titus.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Clerk Heather Faust.  
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion to approve the agenda.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon,  
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 eComments into the record:  
Sandy Cortopassi: Expressed support of Item No. 26-0216 and concerns regarding the  
City Manager.  
Carmine Miranda: Expressed support of the City Manager.  
City Employee: Expressed support of the City Manager.  
Jeremy Ansel: Expressed support of the City Manager.  
Citizen North Port: Expressed support of the City Manager and concerns related to  
property tax proposals.  
Valerie Franks: Expressed support of Item No. 26-0216 and concerns regarding the City  
Manager.  
City Employee: Expressed support of the City Manager.  
Karen Jamalle: Spoke to previous hostile work environment.  
Anonymous Person: Expressed support of the City Manager.  
In Person:  
Susan Balmer: Expressed concern regarding the City Manager.  
Pam Tokarz: Spoke to the need for compromise.  
John Rawlings: Spoke to the need for professionalism.  
Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record:  
Laura Ansel: Expressed support of the City Manager.  
Jill Luke: Spoke to the need for unity.  
3. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
26-0216  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Placement of the City Manager  
on Administrative Leave  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fuino introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding complaint, the City  
Manager’s apology, opportunities to resolve the matter, public commentary and public  
perception, investigation process, independent investigation, respect, opinions versus  
facts, policy language and its relationship to the Charter, comparisons to other  
municipalities, transparency and accountability, the need for compromise, addressing  
underlying issues, employee disciplinary guidelines, distinctions between policy and law,  
the full scope of the complaint, and interpretation of Charter provisions.  
Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record:  
Jerry Sing: Expressed support of the City Manager.  
Michele Moore: Expressed opposition of the item.  
Cheryl Cook: Spoke to the commission–manager form of government and separation of  
policymaking and administration.  
Anonymous Employee: Expressed support of the City Manager.  
Anonymous Person: Expressed concerns regarding Commissioner conduct and  
employee morale.  
In Person:  
Joan Morgan: Expressed opposition of the item and spoke to employee morale and  
community unity.  
Pam Tokarz: Expressed opposition of the item and spoke to optics.  
John Rawlings: Spoke to the need for Commission to follow policy and procedures.  
Peggy Burton: Spoke to concerns regarding embarrassment and distractions.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to not conduct an investigation regarding the complaint filed on December 8, 2025.  
The motion carried on the following vote:  
3 - Mayor Emrich, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner Stokes  
2 - Commissioner Duval and Commissioner Petrow  
Yes:  
No:  
4. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
There was no public comment.  
5. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor Emrich adjourned the meeting at 2:45 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By: _______________________________________  
Pete Emrich, Mayor  
Attest: _____________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk