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, December 12, 2023  
10:00 AM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  
ROLL CALL  
4 -  
Present:  
Commissioner Pete Emrich, Commissioner Debbie McDowell, Mayor Alice White  
and Vice Mayor Philip Stokes  
1 - Commissioner Barbara Langdon  
Not Present:  
ALSO PRESENT:  
City Manager Jerome Fletcher, City Attorney Amber Slayton, City Clerk Heather Faust,  
Recording Secretary Matthew Powell, Fire Chief Scott Titus, Police Chief Todd Garrison,  
Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Trish Sturgess, Legislative Analyst Todd Miles,  
Assistant Director of Development Services Lori Barnes, Assistant City Manager Julie  
Bellia, Risk and Benefits Manager Sandy Knowles, and Public Works Director Chuck  
Speake  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Miles.  
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Emrich, to  
approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:  
4 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White and Vice Mayor  
Stokes  
1 - Commissioner Langdon  
Not Present:  
2. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Ms. Faust played the following voicemail into the record:  
Tracy Deprat: expressed opposition to Ord. No. 2023-18  
Commissioner Langdon arrived to the meeting at 10:04 a.m.  
Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record:  
Jasmine Bowman: expressed opposition to Ord. No. 2023-18.  
In person public comment:  
James Strawser: expressed opposition to Ord. No. 2023-18.  
Alina Stolarski: expressed opposition to Ord. No. 2023-18.  
Elizabeth Dobrokolsky: expressed opposition to Ord. No. 2023-18.  
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS  
23-0450  
A.  
Current Vacancies and Upcoming Expirations for Advisory Boards and  
Committees  
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 Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Commissioner  
Emrich, to approve 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  
23-1429  
23-1435  
23-1501  
A.  
B.  
C.  
Approve Contract No. 2022-31.001 with CHA Consulting, Inc., for  
Professional Construction, Engineering, and Inspection (CEI) Services for  
2023 Diesel Bypass Pump Installation Project.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve Contract No. 2022-31.002 with CHA Consulting, Inc. for  
Professional Construction, Engineering, and Inspection Services for 2023  
Inflow and Infiltration Mitigation Projects Not to Exceed $188,640.00.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the KeyTrak System Purchase, Support and Software License  
Agreement, That Will Accompany a Budgeted Purchase in the Amount of  
$25,267.21, to Update and Expand Fleet’s Current Key Cabinet System.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
23-1525  
23-1561  
D.  
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 22PLN95 Between Florida  
Department of Environmental Protection and City of North Port for the City  
Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan to Extend Timeline, 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.  
E.  
Approve the Application to the Florida Legislature for the Blue Ridge /  
Salford Neighborhood Water and Sewer Expansion Phase II Project for  
Consideration in the Fiscal Year 2024 State of Florida Appropriations in  
the Amount of $2.25 million, 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.  
23-1562  
F.  
Approve the Application to the Florida Department of Emergency  
Management (FDEM) Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant in the Estimated  
Amount of $3.75 million for the Lift Station Fortification Project - Bypass  
Pumps 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.  
23-1580  
23-1651  
G.  
Approve RFB No. 2024-01 Gasoline & Diesel Fuels: Supply and Delivery  
Services for the City of North Port, to Palmdale Oil Company, LLC in the  
Estimated Annual Amount of $1,455,000.00 and Authorize the City  
Manager to Approve Renewals in Accordance with the Terms and  
Conditions in the Solicitation.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
H.  
Approve Services Agreement-PropLogix LLC, d/b/a Orange Data  
Systems for Lien Search Services  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
23-1664  
23-1682  
Accept the Cash Receipts Summary Report for October 2023.  
I.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
J.  
Approve the Twenty (20) Year Projected Water Demand Report for  
Submittal to the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority  
(PRMRWSA).  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
K. CC  
Approve the Consent by the City of North Port, Florida to the Acquisition of  
CTA-23-233 Real Property by the West Villages Improvement District for Tract 507,  
Preserve at West Villages Phase 3  
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, Amending the City of North  
2023-18  
Port Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Element Regarding Goal 2,  
Figure 1: Standards for Activity Centers, AC #7 Area A, Warm Mineral  
Springs; Amending the Density, Intensity, and Percentage Of Land Use;  
and Amending Goal 2, Activity Center #7 Area A, Policies 2.7.11 Through  
2.7.22, Providing for Findings; Providing for Adoption; Providing for  
Transmittal of Documents; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for  
Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. (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 Ordinance by title only and swore in those wishing to provide  
testimony.  
Mayor White called for disclosure of ex-parte communications.  
Ms. Slayton spoke to ex-parte communication requirements relating to quasi-judicial  
proceedings and public comments.  
Commissioner McDowell disclosed emails sent to City Attorney, text message from  
citizen, and public comments provided outside of testimony.  
Vice Chair Stokes disclosed public comments provided outside of testimony.  
Commissioner Langdon disclosed public comments provided outside of testimony.  
Mayor White disclosed public comments provided outside of testimony.  
Commissioner Emrich disclosed public comments provided outside of testimony.  
Ms. Faust stated there were no aggrieved parties.  
Ms. Barnes, being duly sworn, provided an overview and spoke to updates.  
There was no rebuttal by Staff.  
Public comment:  
James Strawser: expressed opposition to the proposed Ordinance.  
Marek Chilinski: expressed opposition to the proposed Ordinance.  
Elizabeth Dykas: expressed opposition to the proposed Ordinance.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding department title discrepancy,  
restrictive or burdensome regulation determination, adoption date discrepancy, Activity  
Center 7 versus 7A, density changes, utility infrastructure and connection requirements,  
and surrounding septic systems impact on Warm Mineral Springs (WMS).  
Ms. Barnes provided a closing argument regarding request for approval.  
Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Commissioner  
A
McDowell, to approve Ordinance No. 2023-18 and find that, based on competent  
substantial evidence, the amendment is consistent with the standards and intent of  
the City of North Port Comprehensive Plan and Florida Statutes.  
Commission discussion continued regarding discrepancy correction inclusion.  
Ms. Slayton spoke to recommendations regarding discrepancy correction inclusion.  
A
motion to amend was made by Commissioner McDowell, to correct the  
scrivener's error in Exhibit B, Policy 2.7.15 "Neighborhood Development Services"  
to read "North Port Development Services". The motion to amend failed due to lack  
of a second.  
Commission discussion continued regarding recommendations.  
The main motion carried on the following vote with Commissioner McDowell  
dissenting due to inaccurate department title inclusion:  
4 -  
Yes:  
No:  
Commissioner Emrich, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner  
Langdon  
1 - Commissioner McDowell  
B. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Prohibiting Smoking at  
Public Parks; Amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida to  
2023-33  
Create  
a
New Section 46-64; Providing for Findings; Providing for  
Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; 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 Ordinance by title only.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding enforcement concerns,  
costs, signage, material requirements, designated parking area requirement, City Center  
Green Complex area description, no smoking area designation, secondhand smoking  
statistics, municipality comparisons, littering concerns, and citizen rights.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Emrich, seconded by Commissioner  
McDowell, to amend Ordinance No. 2023-33 to include green spaces and buildings,  
and not include improved areas for the City Center Green Complex. The motion  
carried on the following vote with Mayor White dissenting due to dislike of  
smoking in public locations:  
4 -  
Yes:  
No:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Vice Mayor Stokes and  
Commissioner Langdon  
1 - Mayor White  
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 approve Ordinance No. 2023-33 as amended to include green spaces and  
buildings, and not include improved areas for the City Center Green Complex.  
Commission discussion continued regarding motion verbiage.  
The motion carried on the following vote with Commissioner Emrich and  
Commissioner McDowell dissenting due to not agreeing with the Ordinance:  
3 - Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner Langdon  
2 - Commissioner Emrich and Commissioner McDowell  
Yes:  
No:  
ORDINANCE - First Reading  
C. ORD. NO.  
2023-34  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Repealing and Replacing  
Section 74-84 and 74-93 of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Relating to Parking Violations; Clarifying the Penalties and Procedures for  
Contesting a Parking Violation Ticket; Prohibiting Parking for Storage  
Purposes in the Public Right-of-Way in Identified Zoning Districts and  
Along Tamiami Trail; and Updating Statutory References Related to  
Parking Spaces for Disabled Persons; By Amending the Code of the City  
of North Port, Florida, Section 74-84 and Sections 74-92 Through 74-94;  
and Repealing Certain Fees Related to Parking Violations by Amending  
Appendix A, Section F, Police Fees; Providing for Findings; Providing for  
Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; 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 Commissioner McDowell, 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.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding right-of-way parking  
regulations, public versus private roadway jurisdiction and enforcement, and potential  
holiday exemptions.  
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 continue Ordinance No. 2023-34 to second reading on January 23, 2024. The  
motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
RESOLUTION:  
D. RES. NO.  
A Resolution of the City Commission of North Port, Florida, Approving and  
Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the State of Florida Department of  
2023-R-82  
Transportation Memorandum of Agreement for Reimbursement of Certain  
Costs Associated with City's Maintenance, Mowing, and Litter Removal  
along U.S. Highway 41 from Ortiz Boulevard to the County Line; Providing  
for Incorporation of Recitals; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for  
Severability; and Providing for 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 Charlotte County line  
inclusion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Emrich, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-R-82 as amended to read "Charlotte County  
Line" where "County Line" is referenced throughout the document. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
E. RES. NO.  
2023-R-74  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Repealing and Replacing Resolution No.  
2022-R-66, Temporarily  
Suspending the Historic and Cultural Advisory Board Until January 1, 2025;  
Providing for Incorporation of Recitals; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for  
Severability; Providing an Effective Date; and Providing  
Provision.  
a
Sunset  
Mayor White 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.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Emrich, seconded by Commissioner  
Langdon, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-R-74 as presented. The motion carried on  
the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
F. RES. NO.  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Accepting Permanent Utility Easements Located on Portions of Property  
Lying in Section 32, Township 39 South, Range 20 East, Sarasota County  
Florida, Property Appraiser Parcel Identification Number 0783020030;  
Providing for Incorporation of Recitals; Providing for Filing of Documents;  
Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an  
2023-R-86  
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 Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Stokes,  
to adopt Resolution No. 2023-R-86 as presented. 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 11:31 a.m. to 11:41 a.m.  
G. RES. NO.  
2023-R-87  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Amending the Non-District Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 for Reroof of  
the Police Station Headquarters and Additional Police Vehicle Cost in the  
Amount of $1,588,000; 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 roof repair funding source  
and future process improvement potential.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Langdon, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-R-87 as presented. The motion carried on  
the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
6. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
23-1620  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Art Advisory Board  
Recommendation for a Piece of Art to be Placed on the First Floor of City  
Hall at a Cost Not to Exceed $800.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Ms. Sturgess provided a presentation regarding overview, mural, artist, and costs.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding location, payment process,  
timeline, informational placard, and funding.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Emrich, to approve the Art Advisory Board recommendation to place mural,  
a
procured by Clare Harvey, on the first floor of City Hall to be funded from the  
General Fund Public Art account, not to exceed $1,000 and to include an  
informational placard. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Yes:  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
23-1654  
23-1689  
23-1695  
B.  
C.  
D.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Approval of the November 6,  
2023 Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Ms. Faust introduced the item.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Commissioner  
McDowell, to approve the November 6, 2023 meeting minutes as presented with the  
recommended changes. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Approval of the November 14,  
2023 Commission Regular Meeting Minutes.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Ms. Faust introduced the item.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Emrich, to approve the November 14, 2023 meeting minutes as presented with the  
recommended changes. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding an Amendment to the City  
Clerk's Employment Agreement Relating to Annual Evaluation Date.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Ms. Faust introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding evaluation timeline.  
Ms. Faust spoke to waiving a potential salary increase.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding solutions relating to  
evaluation timeline and potential salary increase.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Emrich, to direct the City Attorney to work with the City Clerk to amend the City  
Clerk’s Employment Agreement to reflect an annual evaluation date of no later  
than November 1 and to bring back creative suggestions for potential salary  
increase in the interim. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
7. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
James Strawser: spoke to Warm Mineral Springs (WMS) management and costs.  
Chuck English: spoke to environmental preservation and staff role.  
8. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:  
23-1641  
23-1642  
23-1643  
23-1644  
23-1645  
Commissioner Langdon's Communications  
A.  
B.  
C.  
D.  
E.  
Commissioner Langdon reported on important topics and events attended.  
Mayor White's Communications  
Mayor White reported on important topics and events attended.  
Commissioner Emrich's Communications  
Commissioner Emrich reported on important topics and events attended.  
Commissioner McDowell's Communications  
Commissioner McDowell reported on important topics and events attended.  
Vice Mayor Stokes's Communications  
Vice Chair Stokes reported on important topics and events attended.  
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:  
Mr. Fletcher spoke to upcoming events.  
Ms. Slayton did not provide a report.  
Ms. Faust did not provide a report.  
10. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 12:29 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By:  
_________________________________________  
Alice White, Mayor  
Attest: _________________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk