4970 CITY HALL BLVD

NORTH PORT, FL 34286

City of North Port

Meeting Minutes

City Commission Special Meeting

CITY COMMISSIONERS

Phil Stokes, Mayor

Pete Emrich, Vice Mayor

Barbara Langdon, Commissioner

David Duval, Commissioner

Demetrius Petrow, Commissioner

APPOINTED OFFICIALS

Jerome Fletcher, City Manager

Michael Golen, Interim City Attorney

Heather Faust, City Clerk

Friday, August 29, 2025

8:00 AM

City Commission Chambers

City Attorney Interview

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

Mayor Stokes called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.

5 -

Present:

Vice Mayor Pete Emrich, Commissioner David Duval, Commissioner Demetrius

Petrow, Commissioner Barbara Langdon and Mayor Philip Stokes

ALSO PRESENT

City Manager Fletcher, Interim City Attorney Golen, City Clerk Faust, Board Specialist

Lindner, Police Captain Fussel, and Fire Deputy Chief Lane

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Doug Thomas.

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Mayor Stokes requested a motion to approve the agenda.

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

to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:

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Yes:

Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner

Langdon and Mayor Stokes

2. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record:

Valdy Olender: Spoke to questions to City Attorney candidates.

3. GENERAL BUSINESS:

25-2647

Interview Preparation

Mayor Stokes announced the item.

Mr. Fletcher introduced the item and Doug Thomas from Strategic Government

Resources (SGR).

Mr. Thomas provided an overview of the interview process and queried Commission on

interview questions.

There was no public comment.

25-2648

Time Certain 9:00 a.m. – Interview with City Attorney Candidate Michael

Fuino

Mayor Stokes announced the item.

Mr. Thomas introduced Michael Fuino.

Mr. Fuino provided a presentation and responded to Commission interview questions

regarding mixed-use projects, department head collaboration with year-end score sheet,

leading change in the City Attorney’s Office (CAO), motivation to achieve goals, dealing

with difficult people, method for gathering and analyzing information, personal

management style, response to constructive feedback, working with people you don ’t

care for, handling situations with conflicting values, integrity and ethics, learning from

mistakes, colleague involvement, process for providing advice to staff, building positive

team spirit, working with a divided Commission, greatest weakness, ability to say “no”,

position on in-house versus outsourcing land development contract work, and

relationships with developers and partners.

Commissioners responded to questions from Mr. Fuino regarding biggest challenge and

opportunity of the City.

There was no public comment.

Recess was taken from 10:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

25-2649

Interview with City Attorney Candidate John Anastasio

Mayor Stokes announced the item.

Mr. Thomas introduced John Anastasio.

Mr. Anastasio provided a presentation and responded to Commission interview questions

regarding leading change in the City Attorney’s Office (CAO), dealing with difficult people,

method for gathering and analyzing information, personal management style, response to

constructive feedback, working with people you don’t care for, integrity and ethics,

learning from mistakes, colleague involvement, process for providing advice to staff,

building positive team spirit, working with a divided Commission, transitioning into the

needs of the City, dealing with times when State Statutes conflicts with City needs, land

use development contracts, position on in-house versus outsourcing, and aiding mission

accomplishments.

Mr. Anastasio did not have any questions for Commission.

There was no public comment.

Recess was taken from 11:17 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

25-2650

Interview with City Attorney Candidate Regina Kardash

Mayor Stokes announced the item.

Mr. Thomas introduced Regina Kardash.

Ms. Kardash provided a presentation.

Commissioners provided comment and asked questions regarding growth and team

inclusion.

Commissioners responded to questions from Ms. Kardash regarding leading change in

the City Attorney’s Office (CAO), motivation to achieve goals, dealing with difficult people,

personal management style, response to constructive feedback, working with people you

don’t care for, handling situations with conflicting values, integrity and ethics, remaining

calm under pressure, learning from mistakes, colleague involvement, process for providing

advice to staff, insights and innovations, working with a divided Commission, professional

qualities, management of city growth, contract management, and benefits of working with

local municipalities.

There was no public comment.

Recess was taken from 1:09 p.m. until 1:15 p.m.

25-2651

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding City Attorney Candidates and

Selection

Mayor Stokes announced the item.

Mr. Thomas introduced the item.

Commission discussion took place regarding pros and cons of each candidate.

There was no public comment.

Mayor Stokes requested a motion.

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

to pursue contract negotiations with Michael Fuino as the next City Attorney and to

designate Mayor Stokes as Point of Contact for negotiations. The motion carried on

the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner

Langdon and Mayor Stokes

A motion was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Duval,

to implement a three-year contract for the City Attorney position.

Commission discussion continued regarding relocation and term duration.

The motion carried on the following vote:

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Yes:

Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner

Langdon and Mayor Stokes

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

to begin the position term approximately 30-days after execution of the contract.

The motion carried on the following vote:

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Yes:

Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner

Langdon and Mayor Stokes

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

to offer a starting salary between $190,000 and 220,000.

A motion to amend was made by Commissioner Langdon, seconded by Vice Mayor

Emrich, to amend the motion to add “to approve the mayor to negotiate the

starting salary as long as it is within the range of…”. The motion to amend carried

on the following vote:

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Yes:

Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner

Langdon and Mayor Stokes

The main motion as amended carried on the following vote:

5 -

Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner

Langdon and Mayor Stokes

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

for the Mayor to negotiate a monthly vehicle allowance.

Commission discussion continued regarding vehicle allowance, justification, and mileage.

Commissioner Langdon restated the motion to read “for the mayor to negotiate the

per diem mileage reimbursement for travel outside of the city. The motion as

restated carried on the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner

Langdon and Mayor Stokes

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

for the Mayor to write a letter from the Commission giving honor and gratitude to

each of the final candidates. The motion carried on the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner

Langdon and Mayor Stokes

4. PUBLIC COMMENT:

There was no public comment.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Mayor Stokes adjourned the meeting at 2:15 p.m.

By: _________________________________________

Phil Stokes, Mayor

Attest: _________________________________________

Heather Faust, City Clerk