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, December 9, 2025  
10:00 AM  
City Commission Chambers  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Emrich called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.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 Chief Garrison, Fire Chief Titus, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director  
Sturgess, Development Services Director Ray, Assistant City Manager Bellia,  
Environmental Planner  
I Bosch, Natural Resources Manager Kalev, and Development  
Services Deputy Director Barnes.  
Mayor Emrich recognized former Commissioner Joan Morgan.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by former Commissioner Joan Morgan.  
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:  
Dominick Segreto: Expressed the importance of support for leadership.  
City Employee: Expressed support for the City Manager and concerns regarding  
workplace structure, morale, and political pressure.  
In Person:  
Joan Morgan: Spoke to prior history of objection to leadership and Commissioners.  
Robin San Vicente: Spoke to importance of citizen perspectives and legislative  
conversation land policies.  
John Rawlings: Spoke to citizen communications and leadership.  
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS  
Mayor Emrich announced the item and called on the City Clerk to read the  
announcements.  
Ms. Faust read the announcements into the record.  
26-0133  
Announcement of Current Advisory Board and Committee Vacancies  
A.  
4. CONSENT AGENDA:  
Mayor Emrich announced the item and queried the City Manager regarding items pulled  
from the consent agenda for discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to approve the consent agenda with the exception of Item No. 25-2350 being pulled  
for discussion. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
25-2350  
A.  
Approve First Amendment to Contract No. 2022-28 for Professional  
Architectural and Engineering Services for Public Services Facility Phase  
II, by and Between the City of North Port, Florida, and Sweet Sparkman  
Architects, Inc., in the Amount of $3,044,062.05.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and noted an error in the contract language.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Duval,  
to approve Item No. 25-2350 as amended to include the removal of language  
relative to Dallas White Park. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
25-2644  
B.  
Approve First Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No.  
2022-36 for Construction Services Contract Phase II, by and Between the  
City of North Port, Florida, and Ajax Building Company, LLC, in the Amount  
of $335,169.00, for the Public Services Facility Phase II.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
25-2949  
25-3031  
C.  
D.  
Approve the Aquatic Examiner Service Agreement By and Between the  
City of North Port and the American National Red Cross.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Application to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement  
Local Law Enforcement Immigration Grant Program in the Amount of  
$95,000, 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.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
25-3032  
25-3033  
25-3037  
E.  
F.  
G.  
Approve the Application to Sarasota County's Community Development  
Block Grant Program in the Amount of $55,000 to Fund Staff Salaries for  
the Social Services Division and Utility Payments for Qualified Recipients  
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.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the First Amendment (First Memorandum of Understanding) to  
the Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the City of North Port,  
Florida, and Florida Police Benevolent Association - A Chapter of the  
Southwest Florida Police Benevolent Association, for the Rank-and-File  
Police Department Bargaining Unit, Amending Appendix B, for the Period  
of October 1, 2024, - September 30, 2027.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Application to the Florida Legislature for the Emergency  
Operations Center Outfitting Project for Consideration in the Fiscal Year  
2026 State of Florida Appropriations, in the Amount of $900,000, 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.  
25-3041  
25-3066  
H.  
I.  
Approve the Annual Certification Statement Between Florida Highway  
Safety and Motor Vehicles and the City of North Port Regarding Access to  
the Biometric Facial Analysis System (BFAS).  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the Disposition of Surplus Assets in an Appropriate Fashion  
Pursuant to Chapter 2 Administration, Article VIII Procurement, Section  
2-419, Disposition of City Assets and Property (d) of the Code of the City  
of North Port, Florida.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
25-3072  
J.  
Approve Master Agreement Products and Services Between the City of  
North Port, Florida, and Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.  
(ESRI) for the Geographic Information System (GIS) Software Subscription  
With a Term of Three Years in the Amount Not to Exceed $180,900.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
25-3079  
26-0079  
K.  
L.  
Approve the Appointment of Diane Stark as a Regular Member to Serve  
on the Environmental Advisory Board From December 9, 2025, Through  
December 9, 2028.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
Approve the October 14, 2025 Commission Regular Minutes, the October  
28, 2025 Commission Regular Minutes, the November 3, 2025  
Commission Workshop Minutes, the November 4, 2025 Commission  
Regular Minutes, and the November 6, 2025 Commission Regular Minutes.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
26-0129  
26-0170  
M.  
Approve Agreement for Professional Lobbying Services By and Between  
the City of North Port, Florida and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. for State  
Legislative Lobbyist Services for an Annual Amount of $56,100 and  
Authorize City Manager to Execute Any Subsequent Renewals Under the  
Same Terms and Conditions.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
N.  
Approve the Water and Wastewater System Standard Developer's  
Agreement Addressing Onsite and Offsite Facilities By and Between the  
City of North Port, Florida, and Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group Inc.  
This item was approved on the consent agenda.  
5. GENERAL BUSINESS:  
26-0167  
A.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding North Port City Charter,  
Section 5.02 and City of North Port Personnel Policy Manual, Section 6.8.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Mr. Fuino spoke to the item including outside legal opinion received.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding opinion received, policy  
approval, commission limitations, employee concerns and safety, Commissioners’  
agreement to follow the Charter as written, communications with prior City Manager Lear,  
access to staff and information through the City Manager, and possible ethics  
complaints.  
Mr. Fletcher spoke to policy signing, outside counsel findings, creating  
a positive  
workplace, apology for prior actions, embracing opportunities, health care hub, more  
accomplishments, and staff roles and responsibilities.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding commission roles, questions  
of staff during meetings, public petition, ability to ask questions while following the  
Charter, and respect.  
Public Comment:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record:  
Debbie McDowell: Spoke to past experiences, staff engagement, and expressed  
concerns regarding culture of control.  
In Person:  
John Rawlings: Expressed concern regarding rule-following and leadership dynamics.  
Joan Morgan: Spoke to unity and concerns over personal agendas.  
Robin San Vicente: Spoke to legal opinions and clarifying Charter language.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to accept Ms. Day’s review of the North Port City Charter, Section 5.02 and City of  
North Port Personnel Policy Manual, Section 6.8. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
3 - Mayor Emrich, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner Stokes  
2 - Commissioner Duval and Commissioner Petrow  
Recess was taken from 11:51 a.m. until 12:01 p.m.  
Yes:  
No:  
26-0181  
B.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Tasking the Charter Review  
Advisory Board to Review and Provide Recommendations Regarding  
Potentially Revising Section 5.02 of the City Charter Though a Referendum  
Question  
to  
Incorporate  
Language  
Regarding  
Commissioner  
Communication With City Staff (Requested by Commissioner Petrow).  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Commissioner Petrow introduced and spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding Punta Gorda Charter  
language.  
Mr. Fuino spoke to statutory language regarding exceptions to general rules.  
Commission questions and discussion continued regarding forms of government, impact  
of external agendas, direction to the Charter Review Advisory Board (CRAB), access to  
information and staff, cost of referendum, commitment to follow the Charter, Attorney  
General opinion, similar issues in other municipalities, attendance at city events, and  
transparency.  
Public Comment:  
Ms. Faust read the following eComments into the record:  
Cheryl Cook: Expressed opposition to CRAB review.  
Tamara Rehm: Expressed support for Charter review and concerns about centralized  
control.  
In Person:  
Robin San Vicente: Spoke to Charter language and communication standards.  
Joan Morgan: Spoke to prior petition experience and motivation for public efforts related to  
the Charter.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Petrow, seconded by Commissioner Duval,  
to task the Charter Review Advisory Board to review and provide recommendations  
regarding potentially revising Section 5.02 of the City Charter through  
referendum question to incorporate language regarding Commissioner  
communication with City staff.  
a
Commission discussion continued regarding language review to determine if Charter  
should be changed, and CRAB purpose.  
A
motion to amend was made by Commissioner Petrow, seconded by  
Commissioner Duval, to incorporate language to allow Commissioners to ask  
questions of city employees. The motion to amend failed on the following vote:  
2 - Commissioner Duval and Commissioner Petrow  
Yes:  
No:  
3 - Mayor Emrich, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner Stokes  
The main motion failed on the following vote:  
2 - Commissioner Duval and Commissioner Petrow  
Yes:  
No:  
3 - Mayor Emrich, Vice Mayor Langdon and Commissioner Stokes  
Recess was taken from 1:11 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to reorder the agenda to hear Item No. 25-2920 at this time. The motion carried on  
the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
25-2920  
E.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Adoption of the North Port,  
Florida, Parks & Recreation Master Plan Final Report.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Ms. Sturgess spoke to recommendations and introduced Director of Parks and Public  
Spaces Kristen Caborn and Planning Manager Amy Zengotita of GAI Consultants.  
Ms. Zengotita spoke to Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies  
(CAPRA) accreditation and provided a presentation including City strategy, Master Plan  
process, the park system, measuring the parks, neighborhood park level of service,  
community park level of service, visioning, public engagement feedback, programming  
needs and opportunities, youth sports demand analysis, eco-tourism opportunities  
across three scales, other recommendations, master planning, guiding principles, land  
acquisition strategy, Wellen Park, neighborhood park, community park, Italy Avenue  
Park, map amenities overview, Community Center program statement and conceptual  
footprint, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), short term (1-2 years), mid term (3-5 years),  
long term (5+ years), funding sources and opportunities recommendations, and grant  
stacking.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding conservation and  
eco-tourism opportunities, Activity Centers 6 and 10 growth impacts, park programming  
demographics, coordinated land acquisition, developer contributions, Italy Avenue Park  
prioritization, and CIP funding and phasing.  
Public Comment:  
Joan Morgan: Expressed support of the item.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Duval, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon, to  
approve the Parks & Recreation Master Plan Final Report as presented. The motion  
carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS:  
ORDINANCE - Second Reading:  
A. ORD. NO.  
An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Non-District  
2025-34  
Budget and Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for  
Additional Funding for the Emergency Operations Center Project F24EOC  
in the Amount of $1,685,105; Providing for Findings; Providing for Posting;  
Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an  
Effective Date.  
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.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-34 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, Amending Water and  
Wastewater Capacity Fees; Amending the Code of the City of North Port,  
Florida, Section 78-30; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts;  
Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an  
Effective Date.  
2025-35  
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.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Duval, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-35 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,  
Electing to Use the Uniform Method of Collecting Non-Ad Valorem  
Assessments for More Than One Year Levied on Certain Real Property in  
the City of North Port, Florida, to Fund Costs Incurred by the City Each Year  
in Providing Municipal Services Related to the Abatement of Nuisance  
Conditions as Contemplated by Chapter 42 of the Code of the City Of  
North Port, Florida, Which Services May Include But Are Not Limited to  
Eliminating Excessive Growth of Grass and Nuisance Weeds on  
Developed Lots, and Removal of Hazardous Trees and Accumulation of  
Debris on any Lot; Stating a Need for Such Levy; Providing for the Mailing  
of this Resolution; Providing for Incorporation of Recitals; Providing for  
Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.  
2025-R-87  
Mayor Emrich 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.  
Ms. Ray spoke to outstanding code enforcement liens and collection operation costs,  
unimproved lots and abandoned homes, general fund allocations, and approval deadlines.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding future discussion for  
assessing properties.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon,  
to adopt Resolution No. 2025-R-87 as presented. The motion carried on the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
D. RES. NO.  
A Resolution of the City of North Port, Florida, Adopted as a Curative Law  
to Ratify, Validate, and Confirm the Approval of the Master Services  
Agreement By and Between the City of North Port Police Department and  
2025-R-88  
Hotwire Communications, Ltd. (“Hotwire”) for Hotwire Television and  
Internet Services for the North Port Police Department, PD3 Located at  
19955 Preto  
Boulevard,  
Venice,  
Florida,  
34293;  
Providing  
for  
Incorporation of Recitals; Providing for Ratification, Validation, and  
Confirmation of Prior Actions; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for  
Severability; Providing for Retroactive Application; and Providing for an  
Effective Date.  
Mayor Emrich 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 Emrich closed the public hearing and requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Duval, seconded by Vice Mayor Emrich, to  
adopt Resolution No. 2025-R-88 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
GENERAL BUSINESS - Continued:  
25-2534  
C.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Agreement Between  
Hotwire Communication, Ltd., and the City of North Port, Florida, for  
Internet and Cable Services to the Wellen Park Substation for Three Years  
in the Amount of $15,008.04.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding the availability of internet  
service providers in the Wellen Park area, service redundancy, and the developer ’s  
selection of Hotwire as the primary provider.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Duval,  
to approve Item No. 25-2534 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
25-2655  
D.  
Discussion and Possible Action on City of North Port Land Acquisition  
Program Utilizing the Environmental Protection Fund.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
Ms. Bosch provided a presentation including program purpose, importance to North Port,  
environmental and economic connection, overview of identified ecological zones, benefits  
of permanent conservation, funding mechanism, acquisition strategy, scorecard  
guidelines, projected community benefits, alignment with City goals, case study and  
example, Commission direction options, next steps, and call to action.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding environmental partnerships,  
land acquisition and evaluation criteria, tree funds and planting programs, stormwater  
management and water quality, development partnerships, funding availability and grants,  
and Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) incentives related to mitigation fees.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,  
to direct the City Manager to pursue all identified properties by priority ranking and  
availability. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
25-3007  
F.  
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the First Amendment to  
Construction Manager at Risk Contract No. 2024-16.002 for Construction  
Services Contract Phase II, by and Between the City of North Port, Florida  
and AJAX Building Company, LLC for Construction of an Emergency  
Operations Center in the Amount of $12,748,398.00.  
Mayor Emrich announced the item.  
Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.  
There were no Commission questions or discussion.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon,  
to approve Item No. 25-3007 as presented. The motion carried on the following  
vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
26-0210  
G.  
Discussion and Possible Regarding Presenting the Key to the City to Bud  
Korte on January 8, 2026 (Requested by Mayor Emrich)  
Mayor Emrich announced, introduced, and spoke to the item.  
Commission questions and discussion took place regarding the history and naming of the  
North Port Scout House and Bud and Wanda Korte’s community service and charitable  
contributions.  
There was no public comment.  
Mayor Emrich requested a motion.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Duval, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon, to  
approve Item No. 26-0210 as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:  
5 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon  
and Commissioner Stokes  
7. PUBLIC COMMENT:  
There was no public comment.  
8. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:  
Mayor Emrich called on Commissioners for communications.  
25-9911  
25-9912  
25-9913  
25-9914  
25-9915  
Commissioner Duval's Communications  
A.  
B.  
C.  
D.  
E.  
Commissioner Duval reported on events attended.  
Commissioner Stokes' Communications  
Commissioner Stokes reported on events attended.  
Mayor Emrich's Communications  
Mayor Emrich reported on events attended.  
Vice Mayor Langdon's Communications  
Vice Mayor Langdon reported on events attended.  
Commissioner Petrow's Communications  
Commissioner Petrow reported on events attended.  
9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:  
Mayor Emrich called on Charter Officers for reports.  
Mr. Fletcher did not have a report.  
Mr. Fuino did not have a report.  
Ms. Faust did not have a report.  
10. ADJOURNMENT:  
Mayor Emrich adjourned the meeting at 4:02 p.m.  
City of North Port, Florida  
By: ___________________________________________  
Pete Emrich, Mayor  
Attest: _________________________________________  
Heather Faust, City Clerk