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  
Michael Golen, Interim City Attorney  
Heather Faust, City Clerk  
Tuesday, October 22, 2024  
10:00 AM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.  
ROLL CALL  
5 -  
Present:  
Vice Mayor Pete Emrich, Commissioner Debbie McDowell, Mayor Alice White,  
Vice Mayor Philip Stokes and Commissioner Barbara Langdon  
Also Present:  
City Manager Fletcher, Interim City Attorney Golen, Assistant City Clerk Powell, Board  
Specialist Bodmer, Fire Chief Titus, Police Captain King, Application Development  
Manager Gore, Finance Director Williams, Performance & Accountability Officer Griffin,  
Assistant Public Works Director Wisner, Development Services Director Ray, Assistant  
Director of Development Services Barnes, Human Resources Manager Hope, and Deputy  
City Manager Yarborough  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Gail West.  
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
2. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
In person public comment:  
Robin San Vicente: Spoke to Emergency Management and the Spring Haven Drive  
expansion.  
John Rawling: Spoke to the Emergency Operation Center and North Port progress.  
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS  
24-0219  
Announcement of Current Advisory Board and Committee Vacancies  
A.  
Mayor White announced the item and called on the Assistant City Clerk to read the  
announcements.  
Mr. Powell 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  
McDowell, to approve the consent agenda with the exception of Item No. 24-1380  
being pulled for discussion. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
24-1275  
24-1329  
24-1331  
A.  
B.  
C.  
Approve the Eighth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract  
No. 2023-17.002 for Construction Services Contract, Phase II With  
Halfacre Construction Company in the Amount of $78,097.63, for Hurricane  
Ian Repairs at Pine Park.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Ninth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract  
No. 2023-17.002 for Construction Services Contract, Phase II With  
Halfacre Construction Company in the Amount of $21,783.93, for Hurricane  
Ian Repairs at Hope Park.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Corrected First Amendment to the Subrecipient Agreement  
Between Sarasota County, Florida, and the City of North Port, Florida, for  
Greenwood Avenue Sidewalk Construction, Extending the Timeline to  
September 30, 2025, 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.  
24-1380  
D.  
Approve the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)  
Cybersecurity Assessments Rules of Engagement Agreement and Provide  
CISA With Express Approval to use the City Seal in Furtherance of the  
Agreement.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Commissioner McDowell spoke to the item.  
There were no questions and discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Langdon, to approve the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)  
cybersecurity assessments rules of engagement agreement denying the use of the  
city seal within the agreement.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding usage of City seal.  
The motion failed on the following vote with Mayor White, Commissioner  
Langdon, Vice Mayor Stokes dissenting due to recommendation by IT:  
2 - Vice Mayor Emrich and Commissioner McDowell  
Yes:  
No:  
3 - Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner Langdon  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to approve Item No. 24-1380 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote: Commissioner McDowell dissenting due to not following policy:  
4 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner Langdon  
1 - Commissioner McDowell  
Yes:  
No:  
24-1400  
24-1406  
E.  
F.  
Approve the Tenth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract  
No. 2023-17.002 for Construction Services Contract, Phase II With  
Halfacre Construction Company in the Amount of $228,103.95, for  
Hurricane Ian Repairs at Atwater Park.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Eleventh Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk  
Contract No. 2023-17.002 for Construction Services Contract, Phase II  
With Halfacre Construction Company in the Amount of $318,101.31, for  
Repairs/Replacement of the Myakkahatchee Bridge and Observation Deck  
at the Environmental Park.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-1433  
24-1443  
Accept the Cash Receipts Summary Report for August 2024.  
G.  
H.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the National Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant Worksite  
Agreement With Suncoast Workforce Board, Inc. dba CareerSource  
Suncoast.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-1450  
I.  
Approve the September 11, 2024 Commission Special Meeting  
Minutes  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-1451  
J.  
Approve the September 10, 2024 Commission Regular Meeting  
Minutes  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
24-1452  
24-1382  
Approve the August 6, 2024 Commission Special Meeting Minutes  
K.  
L.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the NeoGov Services Agreement V050724 Between PowerDMS,  
Inc. and the City of North Port for a Total Estimated Cost of $3,219.45.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
5. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
24-1458  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Status Update Relating to the  
North Port Art Guild Lease of City Property on Sam Shapos Way.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Gail West and Board Members, North Port Art Guild, spoke to use of the Scout House,  
demolition of current North Port Art Center, designation of the green area near the art  
center as additional parking, strategic plan, support from the city, and community  
outreach.  
In person public comment:  
Catherine Beausoleil: Spoke to being the founder of the North Port Art Center and City's  
cooperation.  
Mr. Fletcher spoke to the North Port Art Center's current footprint and parking issues.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding history of the Scout House,  
dual use, timing conflicts, cost factor, current property usage, nonprofits, fundraising  
progress, current building money saved, current buildings history, donations, potential  
lease, potential parking solutions, parks maintenance, multi-purpose field, potential  
revenue, and timeline.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to direct staff to work with the art center and bring back details and documentation  
to lease the Scout House as well as the existing land the art center sits on. The  
motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
6. PRESENTATIONS: TIME LIMIT OF 15 MINUTES:  
24-1462  
Presentation on the City of North Port's Performance Dashboards.  
A.  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Ms. Griffin provided a presentation including purpose of the dashboards, performance  
dashboards by departments, strategic pillars, and dashboard demonstration.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding transparency, data on the  
dashboards, user groups, user interface, resident input, outdated information, and cost for  
staff to update.  
There was no public comment.  
Recess was taken from 11:40 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.  
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS:  
RESOLUTION - Continued:  
F. RES. NO.  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
2024-R-59  
Stating That the City Has No Objection to Proposed Legislation Amending  
Chapter 2004-456, Laws of Florida, Which Creates and Governs the West  
Villages Improvement District; Providing for Incorporation of Recitals;  
Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an  
Effective Date.  
Mayor White announced the item and called on the Assistant City Clerk to read by title  
only.  
Mr. Powell read the Resolution by title only.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding other district agreements  
and total acreage.  
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-59 as presented. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
RESOLUTION:  
A. RES. NO.  
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida,  
Adopting City Commission Policy No. 2024-01 Related to the Debt  
Management Policy; Providing for Incorporation of Recitals; Providing for  
Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.  
2024-R-57  
Mayor White announced the item and called on the Assistant City Clerk to read by title  
only.  
Mr. Powell read the Resolution by title only.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Jeremy Niedfeldt, PFM Advisors, provided a presentation including debt management  
policy, summary of policy changes, governmental fund, debt affordability measures,  
historical debt affordability metrics, governmental fund historical trend, and debt  
affordability measures.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding impact of future debt,  
capacity of borrowing limits, fiscally responsible debt management, industry standard,  
rate cut, annual debt services versus semi-annual debt services, debt clarification, debt  
enhancement, variable debt rate, limits on non-emergency debt, board versus committee,  
charter referendum, and second reading requirement.  
In person public comment:  
David Duval: Spoke to making amendments to items already passed and fiscal  
responsibility.  
Chuck English: Spoke to the debt management policy.  
Susan Balmer: Spoke to educating the public.  
Robin San Vicente: Spoke to implementing more detailed language into the policy.  
Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to continue Resolution No. 2024-R-57 to a second reading on November 4, 2024.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding amendment.  
A
motion to amend was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by  
Commissioner Langdon,to direct staff to clarify before second reading that the debt  
service coverage is annual and any time it is referenced to be "at least" that it says  
"of at least blank of the revenue."  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding annual timeline and revenue.  
The motion to amend carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
The main motion as amended carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
Recess was taken from 1:02 p.m. to 1:47 p.m.  
ORDINANCE - First Reading:  
B. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending Section 2-420 of  
2024-10  
the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Regarding Public-Private  
Partnerships (P3); 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 Assistant City  
Clerk to read by title only.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to direct the Assistant City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
Mr. Powell read the Ordinance by title only.  
Mr. Yarborough introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding submission and costs,  
process requirements, fee timeline and options, Commission and City Manager roles,  
qualifying process, pros and cons inclusion, scrivener’s error relating to the date, solicited  
versus unsolicited review, and opportunity costs.  
In person public comment:  
Robin San Vicente: Spoke to Public Private Partnership (P3) partnership.  
Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Commissioner  
Emrich, to continue Ordinance No. 2024-10 to second reading on November 12,  
2024.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding amendment.  
A
motion to amend was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Vice  
Mayor Stokes, to add language to line 86 stating the proposal should or should not  
proceed.  
Commission questions and discussion continued language modification.  
The motion to amend failed on the following vote:  
2 - Commissioner McDowell and Mayor White  
Yes:  
No:  
3 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner Langdon  
The main motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
C. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Establishing the Debt  
Management Advisory Committee; Amending the Code of the City of North  
Port, Florida, Chapter 4 - Boards and Committees, to Create Article XI -  
Debt Management Advisory Committee; Providing for Findings; Providing  
for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and  
Providing an Effective Date.  
2024-37  
Mayor White announced the item and requested a motion to direct the Assistant City  
Clerk to read by title only.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Commissioner  
Emrich, to direct the Assistant City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only. The  
motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
Mr. Powell read the Ordinance by title only.  
Mr. Yarborough introduced the item.  
Ms. Wisner provided a presentation including development of a debt management policy  
and committee, committee composition, member appointment, member term, powers  
and duties, and recommended action.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding voting privileges, member  
residential requirements, and lack of quorums.  
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. 2024-37 to second reading on November 4, 2024.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding voting authority.  
A
motion to amend was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Vice  
Mayor Stokes, to direct staff to review and include voting and non-voting criteria  
within the ordinance, prior to second reading.  
The motion to amend failed on the following vote:  
1 - Commissioner McDowell  
Yes:  
No:  
4 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner Langdon  
The main motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
ORDINANCE - Second Reading:  
D. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Code of the  
2024-32  
City of North Port, Florida, Appendix A-City Fee Schedule; Amending  
Development Services Fees, including Building, Development Review,  
Planning and Zoning, and Natural Resources Fees, to Correspond with the  
New Unified Land Development Code; Providing for Findings; Providing  
for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.  
Mayor White announced the item and called on the Assistant City Clerk to read by title  
only.  
Mr. Powell read the Ordinance by title only.  
Mr. Yarborough introduced the item.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
In person public comment:  
Robin San Vincente: Spoke to the tree fund.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding square feet clarity and  
zoning compliance.  
Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner McDowell,  
to adopt Ordinance No. 2024-32 as presented.  
A
motion to amend was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Vice  
Mayor Stokes, to add language to the environmental mitigation fee in lieu of tree  
mitigation per tree stating "$8000 per 15000 square feet."  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding the average per tree, tree  
calculation, and tree surveys.  
The motion to amend carried on the following vote with Commissioner Langdon  
and Vice Mayor Stokes dissenting due to staff's original work was sufficient:  
3 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell and Mayor White  
2 - Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner Langdon  
Yes:  
No:  
The main motion carried on the following vote with Commissioner McDowell  
dissenting due to lack of changes from first reading and changing fees without  
justification:  
4 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner Langdon  
1 - Commissioner McDowell  
Yes:  
No:  
E. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Adjusting the Base Salary  
Rate Formula; 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.  
2024-39  
Mayor White announced the item and called on the Assistant City Clerk to read by title  
only.  
Mr. Powell read the Ordinance by title only.  
Mr. Yarborough introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding population statue and salary  
increase.  
In person public comment:  
David Duval: Expressed opposition of the item.  
John Rawlings: Expressed support of the item.  
Mr. Powell read the following public comment cards into the record:  
Art Bilski: Expressed opposition of the item.  
Jeffrey Price: Expressed opposition of the item.  
Dawn Cassells: Expressed opposition of the item.  
Bill Keast: Expressed opposition of the item.  
Mayor White closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor Stokes,  
to adopt Ordinance No. 2024-39 with the following changes that are additions that  
we use the state formula at time of first reading and use North Port population  
numbers.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding the salary formula and payroll  
conflicts.  
Vice Mayor Stokes withdrew his second.  
The motion was restated by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor  
Stokes, to adopt Ordinance No. 2024-39 using the $7,500 starting after November 5,  
2024 as the base and moving to $9,000 in 2025 as the base and using North Port  
population figures. The motion carried on the following vote with Commissioner  
McDowell dissenting due to increase being high:  
4 - Vice Mayor Emrich, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes and Commissioner Langdon  
1 - Commissioner McDowell  
Yes:  
No:  
GENERAL BUSINESS - Continued:  
24-0519  
B.  
Discussion  
and  
Possible  
Action  
Regarding  
Advisory  
Board  
Recommendation Memorandums Including 1. Historic and Cultural  
Advisory Board - City Interest in Designation of Historical Sites and  
Designation of Specific Homes as Historical Sites for Preservation  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Powell introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding further information, historical  
significance, house number 10 information, and history of the city.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A
motion was made by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner  
Langdon, to direct the staff liaison to send a memo to the Historical and Cultural  
Advisory Board (HCAB), copying the Commission, seeking additional information  
for the memo dated September 11, 2024 on reasons for Biscayne Plaza and specific  
homes and to share the minutes from the March 3, 2022 Commission meeting with  
the HCAB seeking validation for the turpentine dock and railroad. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
24-1407  
C.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Annexation of Ortiz  
Boulevard (Requested by Commissioner Langdon).  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Powell introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding annexation, word  
clarification, sewage, property desirability, and extending water lines.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
In person public comment:  
Robin San Vicente: Spoke to Warm Mineral Springs.  
24-1466  
D.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Approval of the September 9,  
2024, Commission Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Powell 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 Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Langdon,  
to approve the September 9, 2024 meeting minutes as presented with the  
recommended changes. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
24-1489  
E.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Property Owner Notification of  
the new Unified Land Development Code and Official Zoning Map  
Mayor White announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding costs, Accela, notifying  
residents of the rezoning, post cards, and amount of parcels affected.  
In person public comment:  
Robin San Vicente: Spoke to recent post cards.  
Mayor White requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Emrich, to  
approve the endorsement of the Development Services Department’s recommended  
notification plan. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner McDowell, Mayor White, Vice Mayor Stokes  
and Commissioner Langdon  
8. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
In person public comment:  
Robin San Vicente: Spoke to emergency services during the hurricane response.  
9. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:  
24-0247  
24-0266  
24-0298  
24-0317  
Commissioner Langdon's Communications  
A.  
B.  
C.  
D.  
Commissioner Langdon did not provide a report.  
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 did not provide a report.  
24-1483  
Vice Mayor Stokes' Communications  
E.  
Vice Mayor Stokes did not provide a report.  
10. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:  
Mr. Fletcher did not provide a report.  
Mr. Golen did not provide a report.  
Mr. Powell did not provide a report.  
11. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 3:54 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By:  
_________________________________________  
Alice White, Mayor  
Attest: _________________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk