City Commission Special Meeting on 2025-08-29 8:00 AM - City Attorney Interview — North Port, FL
Date: 2025-08-29

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



 Meeting Agenda

 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


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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City Commission Special Meeting Meeting Agenda August 29, 2025



3. GENERAL BUSINESS:

A. 25-2647 Interview Preparation

B. 25-2648 Time Certain 9:00 a.m. – Interview with City Attorney Candidate Michael
 Fuino
C. 25-2649 Interview with City Attorney Candidate John Anastasio

D. 25-2650 Interview with City Attorney Candidate Regina Kardash

E. 25-2651 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding City Attorney Candidates and
 Selection

4. 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.)


5. ADJOURNMENT:

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 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

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

ROLL CALL

 Present: 5- 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:

 Yes: 5- 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:


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City Commission Special Meeting Meeting Minutes August 29, 2025



 A. 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.

 B. 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.

 C. 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.

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City Commission Special Meeting Meeting Minutes August 29, 2025



 There was no public comment.

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

 D. 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.

 E. 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:

 Yes: 5- 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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City Commission Special Meeting Meeting Minutes August 29, 2025


 Yes: 5- 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:

 Yes: 5- 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:

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

 The main motion as amended carried on the following vote:

 Yes: 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:

 Yes: 5- 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:

 Yes: 5- 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



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