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 24, 2026  
6:00 PM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Emrich called the meeting to order at 6:00 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, Board Specialist Lindner,  
Police Captain Fussell, and Fire Chief Titus.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Mayor Langdon.  
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion to approve the agenda.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
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:  
Debbie McDowell: Spoke to procedural rules, annexation concerns, meeting  
transparency, and Boca Chica Park.  
Cheryl Cook: Spoke to suspension of rules and public participation.  
Steven Harrison: Spoke to advisory board recruitment and charter language.  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed concerns regarding meeting conduct and property rights.  
Tim Drumm: Expressed concerns regarding recent email communications.  
Valdy Olender: Expressed concerns regarding public trust and property rights.  
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS  
26-0137  
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 record.  
4. CONSENT AGENDA:  
Mayor Emrich announced the item and queried the City Manager regarding items pulled  
from the consent agenda for discussion.  
Public Comment:  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed concerns regarding fee increases.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
26-0336  
A.  
Approve Change Order No. 1 to Work Assignment 2025-12PW Under  
Professional Engineering Services - Continuing Services Contract No.  
2024-14.11 By and Between the City of North Port and OCI Associates,  
LLC for Indoor Air Quality at Police Department Headquarters Located at  
4980 City Hall Boulevard North Port, Florida, 34286 in the Amount of  
$184,030.00.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
26-0342  
26-0344  
B.  
C.  
Approve the Acceptance of the Harry Shapiro Charitable Foundation Grant  
in the Amount of $25,000 to Purchase Cool-Weather Jackets, Gear, and  
Accessories and Authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as Applicable  
Under the City Charter, to Execute all Funding Documents After Legal  
Review.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the LexisNexis Risk Solutions Master Terms & Conditions –  
Government and Schedule A, By and Between LexisNexis Risk Solutions  
FL Inc. and City of North Port, Florida, for the North Port Police Department  
for TraX and VIPER (Virtual Pen Register) Software Subscription in the  
Annual Amount Per Schedule A With Automatic Renewal Terms and Fee  
Increases.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
26-0348  
D.  
Approve the Award of Funds From the Special Event Assistance Program  
to North Port Area Chamber of Commerce in Support of the Business &  
Community Expo to be Held on March 14, 2026, in an Amount up to, and  
Not to Exceed, $500 to Cover the Costs of City Fees and Services.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
26-0373  
26-0374  
E.  
F.  
Approve the Encoretech Change Order 1 By and Between the City of North  
Port, Florida, and Encoretech Global, Inc. for Additional ndMAX  
Professional Service Hours in the Amount of $2,500.00.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Second Amendment to the NetDocuments Software as a  
Service Agreement By and Between the City of North Port, Florida, and  
NetDocuments for AI300 - ndMax Enterprise Services in the Initial Amount  
of $8,100.48.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
26-0378  
G.  
Approve the January 13, 2026 Commission Regular Minutes, January 20,  
2026 Commission Regular Minutes, and the February  
Commission Workshop Minutes.  
2, 2026  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:  
ORDINANCE - Second Reading:  
A. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Providing for the Imposition  
and Collection of Non-Ad Valorem Special Assessments to Fund Costs  
Incurred by the City in Abating Nuisance Conditions of Excessive Growth of  
Grass and Nuisance Weeds on Developed Lots, and Hazardous Trees  
and Accumulation of Debris on Any Lot; Amending the Code of the City of  
North Port, Florida, Chapter 42 – Nuisances, Article II – Lot Clearing, to  
Create Section 42-27; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts;  
Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an  
Effective Date.  
2026-01  
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.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
Public Comment:  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed concerns regarding property owner allocations, trespassing, local  
adjudication, and lien laws.  
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. 2026-01 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
B. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Adjusting the  
Commission’s Base Salary Rate; Amending the Code of the City of North  
Port, Florida, Section 2-23. - Declaration of Salary; Payment; Providing for  
Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for  
Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.  
2026-02  
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.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
Public Comment:  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed concerns regarding raises, trespassing, and protection.  
Mayor Emrich closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon,  
to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-02 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
RESOLUTION:  
C. RES. NO.  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Amending City Commission Policy No. 2021-05 Related to Commission  
Meeting Schedules, Notices, and Agendas; Providing for Incorporation of  
Recitals; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing  
an Effective Date.  
2026-R-14  
Mayor Emrich announced the item and called on the City Clerk to read by title only.  
Ms. Faust read the Resolution by title only and introduced the item.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
Public Comment:  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed concerns regarding proposed salary adjustments and fiscal  
impacts.  
Mayor Emrich closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to adopt Resolution No. 2026-R-14 as presented. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
6. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
26-0419  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Approaching the Sarasota  
County School District About Underutilized Space at the Heron Creek  
Middle School Campus. (Requested by Commissioner Duval)  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commissioner Duval spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding School Board use  
limitations, engagement processes, and potential collaboration.  
Public Comment:  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed concerns regarding background checks.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Duval, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon, to  
direct the City Manager to work with staff to engage with the Superintendent of  
Sarasota County Schools to discuss underutilized space at Heron Creek Middle  
School campus. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
26-0416  
B.  
Discussion Regarding Administrative Safeguards for Permit Processing  
and Development Services Interactions Involving Elected Officials and  
Related Parties.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding intent, safeguards utilized by  
other municipalities, allegations and sworn affidavits, email communications, board  
member and meeting procedures, ethical responsibilities, legal concerns, transparency,  
public perception, reporting processes for ethical concerns, refuted information, impacts  
to reputation, and potential investigation.  
Public Comment:  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed concerns regarding lawsuits, advisory board safeguards, and  
citizen involvement.  
Mark Frandsen: Expressed concerns regarding conduct during meetings and related  
communications.  
Tim Drumm: Expressed concerns regarding transparency.  
26-0431  
C.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Sending a Letter of Support to  
Governor Ron DeSantis on Behalf of the City Commission in Support of the  
Continued Funding and Expansion of the Teen Court Program.(Requested  
by Vice Mayor Langdon)  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Ms. Faust introduced the item.  
Vice Mayor Langdon spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding intent.  
Public Comment:  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Expressed concerns regarding property rights, police conduct, and opposition  
to salary increases.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Duval, to  
approve sending a letter of support on behalf of the City of North Port in support of  
the Teen Court Program to the Governor of Florida. 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 Vice Mayor Langdon.  
A
motion was made by Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Stokes, to  
approve the Vice Mayor signing the letter in support of Teen Court. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
7. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record:  
Debbie McDowell: Spoke to procedural concerns.  
Steven Harrison: Spoke to staff conduct and appreciation.  
In Person:  
Tim Doyle: Spoke to trespassing, fence construction, and expressed concerns regarding  
City conduct.  
8. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:  
Mayor Emrich called on Commissioners for communications.  
26-0031  
Commissioner Duval's Communications  
A.  
Commissioner Duval reported on events attended and important topics.  
26-0032  
26-0033  
26-0034  
26-0035  
Commissioner Stokes' Communications  
B.  
C.  
D.  
E.  
Commissioner Stokes did not have a report.  
Mayor Emrich's Communications  
Mayor Emrich did not have a report.  
Vice Mayor Langdon's Communications  
Vice Mayor Langdon did not have a report.  
Commissioner Petrow's Communications  
Commissioner Petrow did not have a report.  
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:  
Mayor Emrich called on Charter Officers for reports.  
26-0158  
26-0386  
26-0412  
City Clerk's Monthly Report  
A.  
B.  
C.  
Ms. Faust did not have a report.  
City Attorney’s Monthly Report  
Mr. Fuino did not have a report.  
City Manager's Monthly Report  
Mr. Fletcher did not have a report.  
10. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor Emrich adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By: __________________________________  
Pete Emrich, Mayor  
Attest: ________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk