The most immediate changes for residents are still on the way, not final yet: North Port commissioners moved two ordinances forward for another vote on June 9, 2026. One would update parks and recreation fees, including setting North Port Senior Center, Incorporated’s rent at the George Mullen Center at $200 a month for up to 120 hours of use. Staff said that matches what the group already pays. Commissioners also noted the fee schedule would bring back an annual pass for Warm Mineral Springs. That item advanced 5-0.
The commission also advanced a solid waste ordinance to second reading, 4-1. Demetrius Petrow voted no, saying he objected because vacant commercial lots could be charged a capital assessment even if they are not receiving service.
The biggest land-use decision of the night was unanimous. In a 5-0 vote, the commission approved revised terms for a conservation easement at Warm Mineral Springs Park, along with parcel map option B. That plan sets aside most of the park for conservation while keeping a 15-acre area out of the easement for possible future development. Staff said that smaller exclusion area would better avoid ecological and archaeological impacts. Barbara Langdon explored a larger compromise area, but no motion was made. David Duval, Phil Stokes, and Petrow all said they could support the 15-acre approach.
Commissioners also approved folding the old Tree Fund into the Environmental Protection Fund, 4-1. Duval voted no, saying tree money should stay limited to tree protection and reforestation.
Also approved: higher pay for athletic officials, plus several utility and property-related resolutions. The next key votes on parks fees and solid waste are set for June 9, 2026.
Key takeaways: - The North Port City Commission approved revised general terms and parcel map option B for a conservation easement at Warm Mineral Springs Park, using a 15-acre exclusion area for future development and leaving the remaining acreage for the easement. The vote was 5-0. (1:34:31)
The commission adopted an ordinance consolidating the former Tree Fund into the Environmental Protection Fund. The vote was 4-1, with David Duval voting no for reasons he stated on the record. (1:51:01)
The commission continued proposed changes to parks and recreation fees to second reading on June 9, 2026, including a $200 monthly rental rate for up to 120 hours of use by North Port Senior Center, Incorporated at the George Mullen Center. The vote was 5-0. (1:56:34) (1:57:05)
The commission continued a solid waste ordinance to second reading on June 9, 2026. The vote was 4-1, with Demetrius Petrow voting no because the ordinance includes assessments on vacant commercial lots. (2:01:59) (2:02:05)
Meeting opening and agenda approval
Mayor Pete Emrich called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll call showed David Duval, Phil Stokes, Pete Emrich, Vice Mayor Langdon, and Demetrius Petrow present. Also present were City Manager Jerome Fletcher, City Attorney Foligno, Deputy City Clerk Powell, Board Specialist Lindner, Police Chief Garrison, and Fire Chief Titus. The commission approved the agenda 5-0. (0:02:45) (0:04:22)
Public comment at the start of the meeting
The city clerk read several e-comments into the record, including comments from Stephanie Gibson, Cheryl Cook, [unclear] identified as “A.V.,” David Iannotti, a resident identified as “concerned resident,” and Elaine Emrich. In-person speakers included Debbie Blackwell, Robin San Vicente, Joseph Majorino, Valdi Olander, Tim Doyle, and another resident who spoke about Warm Mineral Springs and social media. Topics included social media posts, meeting conduct, Warm Mineral Springs, city transparency, Flock cameras, taxes, and other city matters. Mayor Pete Emrich responded on the record to the first e-comment, saying the Facebook post referenced was a generalized post on his private page and “simply satire.” (0:04:41) (0:06:25) (0:17:02) (0:17:14) (0:19:45) (0:23:01) (0:25:50) (0:28:52) (0:31:59)
Announcements of board and committee vacancies
The city clerk announced vacancies on multiple boards and committees, including the Art Advisory Board, Auditor Selection Committee, Charter Review Advisory Board, Citizen Tax Oversight Committee, Community Economic Development Advisory Board, Debt Management Committee, Environmental Advisory Board, Historic and Cultural Advisory Board, Joint Management Advisory Board, Police Officers Pension Trust Fund Board of Trustees, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning and Zoning Advisory Board, and two outside committee seats. (0:35:00)
Consent agenda
The commission approved the consent agenda 5-0 after pulling item E, Work Assignment No. 2023-40.003 IT2-2026 - I&I - CIPP - Freemont Street and LS-21 with Insituform Technologies, LLC in the amount of $896,857.35, for separate discussion. During public comment on the consent agenda, Tim Doyle spoke about the gas tax items and police equipment. (0:35:43) (0:39:06)
Pulled consent item: Freemont Street and LS-21 lining project
City Manager Jerome Fletcher said item E was pulled because staff had to reprioritize funding for another project and would bring the item back in the near future. No vote was taken on the item at that time, and staff said no motion was needed to bring it back. (0:39:42)
Warm Mineral Springs conservation easement terms and parcel map
Parks and Recreation Director Sandy [unclear] presented revised general terms for a conservation easement with Big Waters Land Trust for a portion of Warm Mineral Springs Park at 12200 San Servando Avenue. She said staff had identified $115,000 in Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership funding for year one of invasive species removal and an additional $50,000 from Gulf Coast Community Foundation for years two and three. She said staff brought back two parcel map options: option A with a 20-acre exclusion area and option B with a 15-acre exclusion area, with staff recommending option B to reduce impacts to ecological areas and avoid documented archaeological occurrences. (0:40:51)
Commission discussion focused on the size and location of the exclusion area, the trailhead, parking, future development capacity, and how the 2019 master plan would relate to the easement. David Duval said he would support option B. Vice Mayor Langdon asked about the management plan and later proposed a compromise of 17 acres, but no such motion was made. Demetrius Petrow said he supported option B and said he did not support more than 15 acres total. Phil Stokes said he wanted flexibility in the easement language to allow uses tied to the 2019 plan and later said he was “good with 15.” Staff said the general terms document was not yet the final conservation easement and that legal review would follow. Development Services Director Elena Ray said 15 acres could support a much larger development than a 10,000-square-foot building and later estimated that, after accounting for stormwater, parking, and open space, the site could support more than 98,000 square feet of building footprint. (0:45:00) (0:46:03) (0:46:46) (0:48:01) (0:50:55) (0:53:31) (0:55:57) (1:00:00) (1:04:59) (1:06:02) (1:14:15)
Big Waters Land Trust President Christine Johnson asked the commission to direct staff to proceed to drafting the conservation easement and said the community had spoken in support of conserving the public open space. John Thaxton, speaking on behalf of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, said the land would remain city property and said the easement would not require the city to restore scrub jay habitat, but to maintain habitats free of exotic species. Public speakers also addressed the item, including Robin San Vicente and another resident who asked the commission to follow the 2019 plan. (1:16:34) (1:25:44) (1:29:08) (1:32:31)
The commission approved the revised general terms and parcel map option B to facilitate development of the conservation easement. The vote was 5-0. (1:34:31)
Ordinance 2026-11: Tree Fund and Environmental Protection Fund
The commission held second reading on Ordinance 2026-11, which amends the Unified Land Development Code to consolidate the revenue account formerly known as the Tree Fund into the Environmental Protection Fund. Staff said the prior commission had already adopted the new ULDC in 2024 and that this ordinance was to clarify and explicitly merge the former Tree Fund into the Environmental Protection Fund. Demetrius Petrow said the change was effectively a title change and listed the allowed uses discussed on the record: acquisition and ongoing maintenance of environmentally sensitive land, acquisition of land for sustainability projects, planting and maintaining trees on public lands, and tree education, planting, and conservation programs. City Attorney Foligno said the old code no longer exists and that the ordinance was a procedural cleanup rather than a substantive change in the law. (1:35:21) (1:38:01) (1:45:28) (1:46:18)
David Duval said he opposed the ordinance, citing language from the comprehensive plan that said Tree Fund money should be reserved for tree protection and reforestation only. He said he had previously asked how many trees the city had planted and had not received those numbers. Staff said the Natural Resources Division was created in late December 2023 and was in procurement for tree planting and rewilding projects, and that the city had distributed 100 donated trees at Arbor Day that year. Phil Stokes said the commission would still control spending through the budget process. Tim Doyle also spoke during public comment. (1:40:43) (1:41:52) (1:43:48) (1:47:36)
The commission adopted Ordinance 2026-11 by a 4-1 vote, with David Duval dissenting for reasons stated on the record. (1:51:01)
Ordinance 2026-13: Parks and recreation fee schedule
On first reading, staff presented Ordinance 2026-13 amending the city fee schedule for parks and recreation general fees and facility rental fees. City Manager Jerome Fletcher said the ordinance followed a March 2, 2026 workshop discussion and would create a flat rental rate of $200 per month for up to 120 hours of monthly use by North Port Senior Center, Incorporated at the George Mullen Center, mirroring the current lease payment. Vice Mayor Langdon said residents would likely be pleased to see the annual pass reinstated for Warm Mineral Springs and asked whether the commission could later receive numbers on pass sales; staff indicated yes. Tim Doyle spoke during public comment. (1:56:34) (1:57:05) (1:52:53) (1:53:26)
The commission voted 5-0 to continue Ordinance 2026-13 to second reading on June 9, 2026. (1:56:34)
Ordinance 2026-16: Solid waste code changes
On first reading, staff presented Ordinance 2026-16 related to city solid waste services, saying it would align the code with current and proposed operating procedures and clarify rules for residential and commercial solid waste services. Tim Doyle spoke during public comment and said he appreciated the city’s garbage service. (1:57:31) (1:58:42)
The commission voted 4-1 to continue Ordinance 2026-16 to second reading on June 9, 2026. After the vote, Demetrius Petrow said he voted no because the ordinance includes vacant lots and would allow vacant commercial lots to be assessed a capital component assessment in the district for service they are not receiving. (2:01:59) (2:02:05)
Resolution 2026-R-25: Athletic officials pay and agreements
Staff presented Resolution 2026-R-25 to repeal and replace Resolution 2007-R-36 regarding recruitment and payment of athletic officials. City Manager Jerome Fletcher said staff had reviewed compensation levels in comparable jurisdictions and found several city rates were below prevailing standards, making recruitment and retention more difficult. David Duval said the fees had been set in 2007 and that the expected cost to the city was about $5,000. Tim Doyle spoke in support of paying officials more. (2:02:39) (2:04:17)
The commission adopted Resolution 2026-R-25 by a 5-0 vote. (2:08:05)
Resolution 2026-R-31: Partial termination of utility easements in Central Park Phase 3
Staff presented Resolution 2026-R-31 to terminate portions of legacy utility easements within the platted area of Central Park Phase 3 while preserving easements shown on the new plat. City Manager Jerome Fletcher said the city had used the same approach previously for Central Park Phase 1 and Phase 2. David Duval said the item was explained to him as changing easements from older piping to cover new piping. Tim Doyle spoke during public comment. (2:08:37) (2:10:11)
The commission adopted Resolution 2026-R-31 by a 5-0 vote. (2:13:10)
Resolution 2026-R-35: Corrective deed for approximately 63 acres
Staff presented Resolution 2026-R-35 authorizing a corrective deed in the conveyance of approximately 63 acres of real property previously addressed in Resolution 2025-R-21. City Manager Jerome Fletcher said a deficiency had been identified in the recorded deed regarding compliance with section 270.11, Florida Statutes, and that the corrective deed would release reserved statutory property rights and satisfy the obligations of the city and Wellen Park under the restated agreement. Tim Doyle spoke during public comment. (2:13:35) (2:14:18)
The commission adopted Resolution 2026-R-35 by a 5-0 vote. (2:16:31)
Resolution 2026-R-36: Easements for Wellen Park High School utilities
Staff presented Resolution 2026-R-36 to accept a non-exclusive permanent access utility easement and an exclusive permanent lift station easement associated with Wellen Park High School in Village K of Wellen Park. City Manager Jerome Fletcher said the infrastructure had been completed and placed into service and that the easements were required for utilities access, operation, maintenance, and repair. Tim Doyle spoke during public comment. (2:16:56) (2:17:41)
The commission adopted Resolution 2026-R-36 by a 5-0 vote. (2:20:50)
Rescinding prior motion on event sponsorship exploration
Deputy City Clerk Powell presented an item to rescind a motion made on May 5, 2026 directing the city manager to explore event sponsorship opportunities or a sponsorship program. He said Parks and Recreation staff later advised that the commission had already approved Resolution 2026-R-10 amending and restating the citywide sponsorship policy, so the later direction was already completed and not necessary. David Duval said, “We made a mistake. Let’s do this.” Tim Doyle spoke during public comment and said sponsorships could help fund parks activities. (2:21:22) (2:22:39) (2:23:08)
The commission voted 5-0 to rescind the May 5 motion. (2:24:00)
Final public comment
During final public comment, Tim Doyle again spoke about records he said he received regarding Flock cameras and said he intended to pursue the issue further. (2:24:57)
Commission communications
David Duval said he attended the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting and raised concerns that residents north of Interstate 75 in North Port cannot use Breeze OnDemand even though they pay for the service. He said he also spoke with a county commissioner about the issue. (2:28:11)
Phil Stokes said he attended the city’s annual recognition dinner, the ribbon cutting at King Plastics for YMCA Early Learning, the county EDC Economic Outlook Breakfast, and the chamber’s Night at the Races event. (2:29:41)
Mayor Pete Emrich said he attended the Do the Right Thing banquet and Night at the Races. He also thanked City Manager Jerome Fletcher and staff for working with him, residents, and veterans on coordinating two ceremonies on Friday, and said the VA clinic had postponed its event. He said the city’s Circle of Honor grand opening would still be at 11:00 a.m. Friday. (2:30:47)
Vice Mayor Langdon said anyone interested in her activities could see them on her commissioner Facebook page. (2:32:10)
Demetrius Petrow said he attended the Economic Development Corporation Outlook Breakfast and the King Plastics groundbreaking for the YMCA Kindergarten Academy. (2:32:22)
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. (2:33:12)
Watch the full meeting recording
Vote tallies in this recap were checked against the body’s official roll-call record.
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