City Commission Regular Meeting on 2026-01-20 6:00 PM - Amended to add Item Nos. 26-0345 and 26-0340. — North Port, FL
Date: 2026-01-20

4970 CITY HALL BLVD
 City of North Port NORTH PORT, FL 34286



 Meeting Agenda

 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, January 20, 2026 6:00 PM City Commission Chambers


 Amended to add Item Nos. 26-0345 and 26-0340.


PUBLIC COMMENT: Properly submitted comments will be accepted and included in the official record of the meeting
pursuant to City Commission Policy No. 2020-04.

Public comment may be submitted in the following ways:

In Person Attendance: Submit a comment card to the City Clerk. Comment cards with completed information may be
submitted until the Mayor closes Public Comment for the agenda item. Public comment is limited to three minutes per
person.

Online: Submit a written eComment using the eComment link at cityofnorthport.legistar.com/Calendar. The link will be
available online at 8:00 a.m. the day before the meeting until one hour prior to the start of the meeting. Your public
comment is limited to 2,000 characters.

Voice Mail Message: Leave a voice mail message via telephone at 941-429-1032. Voice Mail messages will be
accepted the day before the meeting from 8:00 a.m. until one hour prior to the start of the meeting. Please provide
information as listed in the City’s outgoing message. The message must not exceed two minutes, fifteen seconds.


CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

2. PUBLIC COMMENT:

(The purpose of the Public Comments Section of the Agenda is for members of the public to speak to the City
Commission/District Governing Body on any subject pertaining to City Business whether or not it is on the Agenda, with
the exception of Quasi-Judicial Items.)



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3. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. 26-0135 Announcement of Current Advisory Board and Committee Vacancies

 Attachments: Vacancy List


4. CONSENT AGENDA:

(All matters under the Consent Agenda are considered by the City Commission to be routine and will be enacted by one
motion. Any City Commission member may, however, remove an item from the Consent Agenda by request. Items
removed for separate discussion will be considered after the motion to approve the Consent Agenda.)

A. 25-2842 Approve the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of North
 Port, Florida, a Municipal Corporation, and Better Together Strengthening
 Families, Inc., a Florida Not-For-Profit Organization D/B/A Better Together
 to Reduce the Number of Children Entering Foster Care by Streamlining
 the Process of Caring for and Placing Minors Encountered During Law
 Enforcement Activities.
 Attachments: Memorandum of Understanding
 Florida Division of Corporations

B. 25-2980 Approve the Canine Donation Agreement By and Between the City of
 North Port, Florida, and High Cotton Bloodhounds for a Bloodhound Puppy
 Valued at $1,500.00 to be Utilized as a Search and Rescue Tool.
 Attachments: Canine Donation Agreement
 Canine Bloodhound Donation Letter Exhibit A
 Photo - AKC-Registered Bloodhound Puppy

C. 26-0211 Approve Sixteenth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract
 No. 2023-17.001 for Construction Services Contract Phase II, Work
 Assignment #2025-52FM, By and Between the City of North Port, Florida,
 and Wharton-Smith, Inc., for the Installation of Temporary Office Buildings
 at the Public Works Campus in the Amount of $277,640.00
 Attachments: Amendment
 Contract No. 2023-17.001
 Florida Division of Corporations Document

D. 26-0269 Approve the Letter to Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply
 Authority (PRMRWSA) Providing Annual Water Demand Projections
 Report.




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 Attachments: 2026-2045 Annual Water Demand Projections
 2025-2044 Commission approved Water Demand Projection
 North Port Water Demand and Supply Projections Chart
 PRMRWSA Master Water Supply Contract
 Amendment 1 to PRMRWSA Master Water Supply Contract
 Amendment 2 to PRMRWSA Master Water Supply Contract
 Third Amended PRMRWSA Master Water Supply Contract

E. 26-0277 Accept the Cash Receipts Summary Report for November 2025.

 Attachments: Cash Receipts Summary - November 2025

F. 26-0297 Approve Contract for Transfer of Canine From the City of North Port,
 Florida, to the City of North Miami Beach, Release and Indemnification for
 the Transfer of K-9 Officer Rio to the City of North Miami Beach Police
 Department in the Amount of $10.00.
 Attachments: Contract for Transfer of Canine

G. 26-0345 Approve the Removal of Eva M. Rathgeber as a Regular Member of the
 Environmental Advisory Board.
 Attachments: Minutes


5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

ORDINANCE - First Reading:

A. ORD. NO. An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Regarding Golf Carts and
 2026-03 Low Speed Vehicles; Amending the Code of the City of North Port,
 Florida, by Removing Subsection (B) of Section 74-152; Providing for
 Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for
 Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.
 Attachments: Ordinance No. 2026-03
 City Code Section 74-152(b)
 Florida Statute 316.2122(1)(a)
 Business Impact Estimate


6. GENERAL BUSINESS:

A. 26-0288 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Draft Facility Lease Policy
 for City-Owned Facilities
 Attachments: Draft Facility Lease Policy
 December 2, 2024 Commission Workshop Minutes

B. 26-0331 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the City of North Port 2026
 State and Federal Legislative Priorities.
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 Attachments: 2026 State Legislative Priorities
 2026 Federal Legislative Priorities
 Sarasota County 2026 Legislative Priorities

C. 26-0340 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Accepting an Invitation From
 Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners to Schedule a Joint
 Meeting of the Two Commissions in 2026.
 Attachments: Invitation to Consider a Joint Meeting Letter With Sarasota County Commission


7. PUBLIC COMMENT:

(The purpose of the Public Comments Section of the Agenda is for members of the public to speak to the City
Commission/District Governing Body on any subject pertaining to City Business whether or not it is on the Agenda, with
the exception of Quasi-Judicial Items.)


8. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS:

A. 26-0021 Commissioner Duval's Communications

B. 26-0022 Commissioner Stokes' Communications

C. 26-0023 Mayor Emrich's Communications

D. 26-0024 Vice Mayor Langdon's Communications

E. 26-0025 Commissioner Petrow's Communications


9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:

A. 26-0299 City Attorney’s Monthly Report

 Attachments: Commission Directives to the City Attorney
 Matter List (Redacted)

B. 26-0311 City Clerk's Monthly Report

 Attachments: Open Requests by Status Chart
 Fiscal Year to Date Requests-Closed Status
 Public Records Request Log

C. 26-0332 City Manager's Monthly Report

 Attachments: City Manager Report - January 2026


10. ADJOURNMENT:




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NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF REPORTS - The Agenda is a summary of the proposed actions to be taken by the City
Commission. For almost every agenda item, the City staff has prepared materials for Commission consideration and
provided a staff recommendation. All of these materials are available at the City Clerk's Office, during normal
business hours, for inspection and (for a fee) copying. Questions on these materials may be directed to the staff
member who prepared them, or to the City Clerk's Office, who will refer you to the appropriate person.

AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990 - The North Port City Hall is wheelchair accessible. Special parking is
available on the west side of City Hall and the building may be accessed from the parking area. Persons with hearing
difficulties should contact the City Clerk to obtain a hearing device for use during meetings.

NONDISCRIMINATION: The City of North Port does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age,
disability, family or religious status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or physical
characteristic in administration of its programs, activities or services.

No stenographic record by a certified court reporter is made of these recordings. Accordingly, anyone seeking to
appeal any of the decisions involving the matters herein will be responsible for making a verbatim record of the
meeting/testimony and evidence upon which any appeal is to be based. Copies of the recordings are available (for a
fee) at the City Clerk's Office.




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4970 CITY HALL BLVD
 City of North Port NORTH PORT, FL 34286



 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, January 20, 2026 6:00 PM City Commission Chambers


CALL TO ORDER

 Mayor Emrich called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

 Present: 5- 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,
 Deputy Police Chief Morales, Fire Chief Titus, Public Works Director Speake, and Public
 Information Manager Ingalls.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Public Information Manager Madison Ingalls.

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:

 Yes: 5- Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon
 and Commissioner Stokes

2. PUBLIC COMMENT:

 In Person:
 Steven Harrison: Spoke to Charter non-interference clause language and advisory board
 vacancy concerns.
 Valdy Olender: Spoke to Charter language clarifications, City Attorney communications,
 and public trust.


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3. ANNOUNCEMENTS


 A. 26-0135 Announcement of Current Advisory Board and Committee Vacancies

 Mayor Emrich 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 Emrich announced the item and queried the City Manager regarding items pulled
 from the consent agenda.

 There was no public comment.

 Mayor Emrich requested a motion.

 A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon,
 to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried on the following
 vote:

 Yes: 5- Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon
 and Commissioner Stokes

 A. 25-2842 Approve the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of North
 Port, Florida, a Municipal Corporation, and Better Together Strengthening
 Families, Inc., a Florida Not-For-Profit Organization D/B/A Better Together
 to Reduce the Number of Children Entering Foster Care by Streamlining
 the Process of Caring for and Placing Minors Encountered During Law
 Enforcement Activities.
 This item was approved on the consent agenda.


 B. 25-2980 Approve the Canine Donation Agreement By and Between the City of
 North Port, Florida, and High Cotton Bloodhounds for a Bloodhound Puppy
 Valued at $1,500.00 to be Utilized as a Search and Rescue Tool.
 This item was approved on the consent agenda.


 C. 26-0211 Approve Sixteenth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract
 No. 2023-17.001 for Construction Services Contract Phase II, Work
 Assignment #2025-52FM, By and Between the City of North Port, Florida,
 and Wharton-Smith, Inc., for the Installation of Temporary Office Buildings
 at the Public Works Campus in the Amount of $277,640.00
 This item was approved on the consent agenda.


 D. 26-0269 Approve the Letter to Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply
 Authority (PRMRWSA) Providing Annual Water Demand Projections
 Report.


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 This item was approved on the consent agenda.


 E. 26-0277 Accept the Cash Receipts Summary Report for November 2025.

 This item was approved on the consent agenda.


 F. 26-0297 Approve Contract for Transfer of Canine From the City of North Port,
 Florida, to the City of North Miami Beach, Release and Indemnification for
 the Transfer of K-9 Officer Rio to the City of North Miami Beach Police
 Department in the Amount of $10.00.
 This item was approved on the consent agenda.


 G. 26-0345 Approve the Removal of Eva M. Rathgeber as a Regular Member of the
 Environmental Advisory Board.
 This item was approved on the consent agenda.

5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

ORDINANCE - First Reading:


 A. ORD. NO. An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Regarding Golf Carts and
 2026-03 Low Speed Vehicles; Amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida,
 by Removing Subsection (B) of Section 74-152; Providing for Findings;
 Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for
 Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.
 Mayor Emrich announced the item and requested a motion to direct the City Clerk to
 read by title only.

 A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon,
 to direct the City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only. The motion carried on
 the following vote:

 Yes: 5- Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon
 and Commissioner Stokes

 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 requested a motion.

 A motion was made by Vice Mayor Langdon, seconded by Commissioner Stokes,
 to continue Ordinance No. 2026-03 to second reading on February 10, 2026. The
 motion carried on the following vote:

 Yes: 5- Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon
 and Commissioner Stokes


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6. GENERAL BUSINESS:


 A. 26-0288 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Draft Facility Lease Policy
 for City-Owned Facilities
 Mayor Emrich announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.

 Mr. Speake spoke to the item.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding options, tenant impacts,
 Awaken Food Pantry, and Family Service Center.

 There was no public comment.

 Mayor Emrich requested a motion and passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Langdon.

 A motion was made by Mayor Emrich, seconded by Commissioner Duval, to direct
 the City Manager to bring back the Facility Lease Policy for formal Commission
 approval using a set discount based on market value. The motion carried on the
 following vote:

 Yes: 5- Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon
 and Commissioner Stokes

 B. 26-0331 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the City of North Port 2026
 State and Federal Legislative Priorities.
 Mayor Emrich announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding state preemptions, Florida
 Senate Bill 180 (SB 180), municipal home rule, general fund and property tax impacts,
 public safety, education funding, and Florida League of Cities Advocacy.

 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 prepare talking points to supplement the existing
 priorities including impact of potential property tax cuts on the ability of the City of
 North Port to continue delivering effective city services and to present the
 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as a project the City is requesting State
 funding for. The motion carried on the following vote:

 Yes: 5- Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Vice Mayor Langdon
 and Commissioner Stokes

 C. 26-0340 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Accepting an Invitation From
 Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners to Schedule a Joint
 Meeting of the Two Commissions in 2026.

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City Commission Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes January 20, 2026

 Mayor Emrich announced the item.

 Mr. Fletcher introduced the item.

 Commission questions and discussion took place regarding Sarasota County
 coordination, workshop preparation, and regional impacts.

 There was no public comment.

 Mayor Emrich requested a motion.

 A motion was made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Vice Mayor Langdon,
 to direct the City Manager to work with the Sarasota County Administrator to
 schedule a joint meeting with the Sarasota County Board of County
 Commissioners. The motion carried on the following vote:

 Yes: 5- 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.


 A. 26-0021 Commissioner Duval's Communications

 Commissioner Duval did not have a report.


 B. 26-0022 Commissioner Stokes' Communications

 Commissioner Stokes did not have a report.


 C. 26-0023 Mayor Emrich's Communications

 Mayor Emrich did not have a report.


 D. 26-0024 Vice Mayor Langdon's Communications

 Vice Mayor Langdon reported on events attended and important topics.


 E. 26-0025 Commissioner Petrow's Communications

 Commissioner Petrow reported on events attended.

9. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REPORTS:


 A. 26-0299 City Attorney’s Monthly Report

 Mr. Fuino did not have a report.




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City Commission Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes January 20, 2026

 B. 26-0311 City Clerk's Monthly Report

 Ms. Faust did not have a report.


 C. 26-0332 City Manager's Monthly Report

 Mr. Fletcher did not have a report.

10. ADJOURNMENT:

 Mayor Emrich adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m.

 City of North Port, Florida

 By: __________________________________
 Pete Emrich, Mayor

 Attest: ________________________________
 Heather Faust, City Clerk




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