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, July 9, 2024

6:00 PM

City Commission Chambers

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and provided required notifications

regarding conducting a hybrid meeting.

Commissioner Emrich stated he will be attending the hybrid meeting via Communications

Media Technology (CMT) due to experiencing a medical condition.

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

to accept the use of CMT for a hybrid meeting. The motion carried on the following

vote:

4 -

Yes:

No:

Commissioner Emrich, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner

Langdon

1 - Commissioner McDowell

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 Fletcher, City Attorney Slayton, City Clerk Faust, Board Specialist

Bodmer, Police Chief Garrison, Fire Chief Titus, Public Works Director Chuck Speake,

Planner Brown, Planning and Zoning Manager Flores, Assistant Director of Public Works

Wisner,

Finance

Director

Williams,

Deputy

Communication

Manager

Ingalls,

Communication Manager Bartolone, Deputy City Manager Yarborough, and Utilities

Director Gallinaro

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by David Duval.

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Vice Mayor Stokes,

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:

In person public comment:

Robin San Vicente: spoke to referendum, tree fund, and current debt.

Mayor White spoke to former Commissioner Luke's mothers hospitalization.

3. ANNOUNCEMENTS

24-0215

Announcement of Current Advisory Board and Committee Vacancies

Mayor White 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 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 Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner McDowell,

to approve the items in the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried on the

following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes

and Commissioner Langdon

24-0774

24-0889

24-0907

Approve First Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No.

2023-17.004 for Construction Services Contract, Phase II With Jon F.

Swift, Inc. in the Amount of $2,072,007, for Hurricane Ian Repairs at the

Morgan Family Community Center.

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

Approve Second Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract

No. 2023-17.004 for Construction Services Contract, Phase II with Jon F.

Swift, Inc. in the Amount of $611,883, for Hurricane Ian Repairs at the North

Port Aquatic Center.

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

Approve Third Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No.

2023-17.004 for Construction Services Contract, Phase II with Jon F. Swift,

Inc. in the Amount of $124,350, for Hurricane Ian Repairs at the Butler Park

Kayak Launch.

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

24-0910

24-0813

24-0828

Approve Fourth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No.

2023-17.004 for Construction Services Contract, Phase II with Jon F. Swift,

Inc. in the Amount of $124,077, for Hurricane Ian Repairs at the Blue Ridge

Park Kayak Launch.

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

Approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the City of North

Port and the Florida Police Benevolent Association - A Chapter of the

Southwest Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA), for the Period of

October 1, 2024, - September 30, 2027.

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

Approve the Award of Funds from the Special Event Assistance Program

to North Port Young Professionals/North Port Area Chamber of Commerce

in Support of the Back to School Bash to be Held on July 20, 2024, in an

Amount up to, and Not to Exceed, $1,000 to Cover the Costs of City Fees

and Services.

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

24-0895

Approve the First Amendment to Contract No. 2023-34 with Jay’s Fencing

LLC., on an As-Needed Basis; and Approve the First Amendment to Work

Assignment No. 1, for an Additional Amount of $3,600.00, for a Total of

$91,998.00

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

24-0915

24-0916

Accept the Cash Receipts Summary Report for May 2024.

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

Approve the Second Amendment to Contract No. 2020-56 School

Crossing Guard Services for Purposes of Increasing the Hourly Billing Rate

from $21.30 an Hour to $28.30 an Hour.

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

24-0919

24-0920

Approve the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System

Reporting Service Agreement and Business Associate Agreement at

Rider D Between Digitech Computer LLC and the City of North Port in the

Amount of $35,000.

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

Approve First Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No.

2023-17.005 for Construction Services Contract Phase II with Willis A.

Smith Construction, Inc., in the Amount of $78,032.00, for Fire Station 86

and Police Substation Repairs.

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

24-0921

24-0927

Approve Second Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract

No. 2023-17.005 for Construction Services Contract Phase II with Willis A.

Smith Construction, Inc., in the Amount of $21,247.00, for Fire Station 85

Repairs.

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

Approve Third Amendment to Agreement No. 2020-03 for Financial

Advisor Services with PFM Financial Advisors, LLC to Complete an

Economic Development Study, Financial Condition Analysis, Economic

Impact Analysis, and Long-Term Comprehensive Capital Improvement

Plan for a Fee of $210,000.

This item was approved on the consent agenda.

5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

PETITIONS:

A. CC

Consideration of Petition PLF-24-054, a Final Plat for Sunstone Village F5

Phase 3 (aka Wellen Park West Villages)(QUASI-JUDICIAL)

PLF-24-054

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 McDowell, Vice Chair Stokes, Commissioner Langdon, Mayor White, and

Commissioner Emrich disclosed no ex-parte communications.

Ms. Faust stated there were no aggrieved parties.

Tom Griggs, representing property owner, being duly sworn, provided

including overview and requested approval.

a presentation

Mr. Flores, being duly sworn, provided

a presentation including overview, applicant,

property owner, request, location, aerial view, compliance with Unified Land Development

Code (ULDC) and Florida Statutes, and recommendations.

There were no rebuttals by the Applicant or Staff.

There was no public comment.

There were no Commission questions or discussion.

There were no closing arguments by Staff or the Applicant.

Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.

motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Commissioner

McDowell, to approve the Petition for Sunstone Village F5 Phase 3 (aka Wellen

Park West Villages) Petition No. PLF-24-054 and find that, based on the competent

and substantial evidence, the plat is consistent with Florida Statutes Section

177.081, the Unified Land Development Code, and the North Port Comprehensive

Plan. The motion carried on the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes

and Commissioner Langdon

B. CC

PLF-23-255

Consideration of Petition PLF-23-255, Tract B, Suncoast Plaza III, Replat

and Renaming of Subdivision to SIG North Port. (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 McDowell, Vice Chair Stokes, Commissioner Langdon, Mayor White, and

Commissioner Emrich disclosed no ex-parte communications.

Ms. Faust stated there were no aggrieved parties.

Jack Brent, Sig Investment Group, being duly sworn, provided a presentation including

overview, location, and requested approval.

Mr. Brown, being duly sworn, provided

a presentation including overview, applicant,

property owner, request, location, Illustration of easement, compliance with Unified Land

Development Code (ULDC) and Florida Statutes, and recommendations.

There were no rebuttals by the Applicant or Staff.

There was no public comment.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding renaming of the subdivision,

easement relocation, and Commissioner review.

Ms. Slayton spoke to the ULDC.

Commission questions and discussion continued regarding land development concerns.

There were no closing arguments by Staff or the Applicant.

Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.

A motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Vice Mayor Stokes,

to approve the Petition for Tract B, Suncoast Plaza III, Replat and Renaming of

Subdivision to SIG North Port. Petition No. PLF-23-255 and find that, based on the

competent and substantial evidence, the plat is consistent with Florida Statutes

Section 177.081, the Unified Land Development Code, and the North Port

Comprehensive Plan. The motion carried on the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes

and Commissioner Langdon

ORDINANCE - FIRST READING:

A. ORD. NO.

An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Calling for a Referendum

Question to be Placed Before the Qualified Electors of the City of North

2024-07

Port, Florida at the November 5, 2024 General Election; Providing a

Referendum Question Determining Whether to Amend the City Charter to

Authorize the City Commission to issue Debt in Certain Circumstances

Without Prior Voter Approval; Providing for the Full Text of the Proposed

Charter Amendment; Providing Findings; Providing for an Effective Date

for the New Charter Language if the Proposed Charter Amendment is

Approved; Providing for the Filing of the Ordinance with the Sarasota

County Supervisor of Elections; Providing for Publication of the Text of the

Proposed Charter Amendment; Providing for Filing with the Florida

Department of State if the Proposed Charter Amendment is Approved;

Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an

Effective Date.

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

by title only.

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

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

the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes

and Commissioner Langdon

Ms. Faust read the Ordinance by title only.

Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.

Ms. Wisner provided a presentation regarding overview, meeting motions and status, debt

services, and recommended action.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding referendum language, charter

language, assurance of debt, ballot language, and simplify ordinance language.

There was consensus to direct the City Attorney to work with bond counsel to

provide clarity regarding principal indebtedness and obligation meaning and

purpose.

Commission questions and discussion continued regarding indebtedness and obligation,

community education, QR code, fact sheet, community engagement events, community

outreach, Charter Review Advisory Board's recommendation, quorum issues, Engineering

News Record (ENR) increase, industry standard, borrowing cap, Consumer Price Index

(CPI), emergency response, approval via emergency ordinance language and project

phasing language, general obligation debt language, regulatory agency requirements, City

Manager ability to take out debt, usage of property tax money, regulatory agent

requirements, deteriorating utilities, debt policy adoption, borrowing authority, typo in

Section 6.01, and what is a safety issue of public health.

Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record:

Stephanie Gibson: Expressed opposition to the item.

Willie Braswell: Expressed opposition to the item.

In person public comment:

David Duval: Spoke to various concerns with the item.

Josh Smith: Spoke to various concerns with the item.

Pam Tokarz: Spoke to various concerns with the item.

Robin San Vicente: Spoke to various concerns with the item.

Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.

A motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Vice Mayor Stokes,

to remove all references to “ENR” in the Ordinance.

Commission questions and discussion continued regarding cost of living adjustment,

borrowing increases, and charter amendment.

The motion failed on the following vote:

1 - Commissioner McDowell

Yes:

No:

4 -

Commissioner Emrich, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner

Langdon

Commission questions and discussion continued regarding implied language.

motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner

Langdon, to add language within the Ordinance, prior to second reading, stating

that general obligation debt will go to voters.

Commission questions and discussion continued regarding current proposed language,

and language to add and location within the ordinance.

The motion carried on the following vote:

4 -

Yes:

No:

Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White and Vice Mayor

Stokes

1 - Commissioner Langdon

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner McDowell,

to continue Ordinance No. 2024-07 to second reading on July 23, 2024, including

the motions as approved. 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 8:35 p.m. until 8:45 p.m.

RESOLUTIONS:

A. RES. NO.

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

Amending the Non-District Budget and Capital Improvement Budget for

2024-R-27

Fiscal

Year

2023-2024 for

Kayak

Launch

Repairs

and

Utilities

Administration and Field Operations Building in the Amount of

$13,195,681; Providing for Findings; Providing for Posting: 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 Resolution by title only.

Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.

Commission questions and discussion took place regarding proposed budget.

There was no public comment.

Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.

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

to adopt Resolution No. 2024-R-27 as presented. The motion carried on the

following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes

and Commissioner Langdon

B. RES. NO.

2024-R-32

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

Accepting the Transfer of Water and Wastewater Infrastructure and

Improvements and Associated Warranties in Brightmore at Wellen Park

Phases 1A-1C,2A, and 3;

Providing for Incorporation of Recitals;

Providing for Filing 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 Resolution 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 Langdon,

to adopt Resolution No. 2024-R-32 as presented. The motion carried on the

following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes

and Commissioner Langdon

C. RES. NO.

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

Accepting the Transfer of Water and Wastewater Infrastructure and

Improvements and Associated Warranties in Sunstone Village F5, Phase

2024-R-33

Providing for Incorporation of Recitals; Providing for Filing 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 Resolution 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 McDowell,

to adopt Resolution No. 2024-R-33 as presented. The motion carried on the

following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes

and Commissioner Langdon

6. PUBLIC COMMENT:

In person public comment:

Robin San Vicente: Spoke to mosquito management.

Josh Smith: Spoke to fiscal responsibility.

Pam Tokarz: Spoke to viewership.

7. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:

Commissioner McDowell's Communications

Commissioner McDowell did not provide a report.

Commissioner Emrich's Communications

Commissioner Emrich did not provide a report.

Mayor White's Communications

Mayor White reported on important topics and events attended.

Vice Mayor Stokes' Communications

Vice Mayor Stokes reported on important topics and events attended.

Commissioner Langdon's Communications

Commissioner Langdon reported on important topics and events attended.

8. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:

Mr. Fletcher did not provide a report.

Ms. Slayton did not provide a report.

Ms. Faust did not provide a report.

9. ADJOURNMENT:

Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 9:06 p.m.

City of North Port, Florida

By:

_________________________________________

Alice White, Mayor

Attest: _________________________________________

Heather Faust, City Clerk