The biggest day-to-day item for many residents was the commission’s approval of a $3 million state grant for the Blue Ridge/Salford water and sewer expansion project. In the same 5-0 consent vote, North Port also moved ahead with two HUD grant applications totaling $605,000 for a Greenwood Avenue sidewalk widening project and a new playground at La Brea Park, along with other routine business.
Commissioners also took up how the city can use money once tied to the old Tree Fund. They voted 4-1 to move Ordinance 2026-11 to a second reading on May 19. The change would fold that balance into the broader Environmental Protection Fund, which staff said could support land purchases, habitat work, sustainability projects, and tree planting. David Duval voted no, saying he was concerned the ordinance no longer spelled out the city’s former tree-canopy goals in the fund language.
Another split vote came on Sabal Trace. The commission approved, 4-1, a fourth amendment to the developer’s water and wastewater agreement, giving the developer more time to make certain future capacity-fee payments. Duval dissented there too, saying the city should be compensated for delaying those payments. Barbara Langdon also raised concerns before ultimately voting yes.
The commission also approved a $125,000 budget amendment for the Legacy Trail connection to Warm Mineral Springs, a revised city sponsorship policy, the $950,000 sale of city property on Commerce Parkway, acceptance of a donated Coastal Street lot, and a donated K-9 temperature alarm system.
Looking ahead, commissioners unanimously told staff to bring back more information on two issues: a lease policy for nonprofits using city buildings, and the possible financial and development effects of supporting H.R. 642, the Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025. The Environmental Protection Fund ordinance returns for its next vote on May 19.
Key takeaways: - The North Port City Commission approved the consent agenda 5-0, including a $3,000,000 state grant agreement for the Blue Ridge / Salford water and sewer expansion project, two HUD grant applications totaling $605,000, and other routine items. (0:16:13)
The commission advanced Ordinance 2026-11 on the Environmental Protection Fund to second reading on May 19 by a 4-1 vote, with David Duval dissenting. (0:16:24)
The commission approved a fourth amendment to the Sabal Trace developer’s water and wastewater agreement by a 4-1 vote, extending the schedule for certain future capacity-fee payments; David Duval dissented. (1:08:00)
The commission directed staff, in two separate 5-0 votes, to bring back more information on city facility lease policy for nonprofits and on the possible effects of supporting H.R. 642, the Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025. (2:07:34) (2:25:19)
Call to order, roll call, and agenda approval
Mayor Pete Emrich called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. He said commissioners present were David Duval, Phil Stokes, Pete Emrich, Barbara Langdon, and Demetrius Petrow. He also said City Manager Fletcher, City Attorney Fueno, City Clerk Faust, Board Specialist Linder, Police Chief Garrison, and Fire Chief Titus were present. Former County Commissioner John Thaxton led the Pledge of Allegiance. The commission approved the agenda 5-0. (0:02:54)
Public comment at the start of the meeting
The city clerk read an emailed comment from an anonymous employee about city workplace issues and conduct at meetings. (0:04:44)
John Thaxton, speaking on behalf of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, discussed Warm Mineral Springs and presented the city with a photograph of the springs taken by Michael Prince. Mayor Pete Emrich said the city would find a place for it. (0:06:07)
A resident spoke about elimination of the penny, fuel prices, and county use of city building space. (0:08:32)
Announcements
The city clerk announced vacancies on multiple city 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, and Planning and Zoning Advisory Board. The clerk also announced two Sarasota County advisory vacancies for North Port residents. (0:11:29)
Consent agenda
No items were pulled from the consent agenda. One resident commented in support of grant funding and raised ideas about water meters, parks, and a board appointment. The commission then approved the consent agenda as presented, 5-0. Items included the $3,000,000 Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant agreement for the North Port Blue Ridge / Salford Neighborhood Water and Sewer Expansion Phase 1 Project; HUD grant applications for $305,000 for the Greenwood Avenue Sidewalk Widening Project and $300,000 for the La Brea Park Playground Replacement Project; a federal appropriations support letter and application for the Water Control Structure 114 project at $2,282,907; a federal funding application for $1,680,000 for four wastewater pumping stations; lease actions; board appointments and reappointments; surplus asset actions; and approval of minutes and the March 2026 cash receipts summary. (0:16:13)
Ordinance 2026-11: Tree Fund and Environmental Protection Fund
The commission voted 5-0 to have the city clerk read Ordinance 2026-11 by title only. Staff said the ordinance would clarify that the former Tree Fund balance is consolidated into the Environmental Protection Fund and continue the item to second reading on May 19. Staff said the fund supports natural resources operations, environmentally sensitive land acquisition and maintenance, sustainability projects, tree planting in public spaces, tree maintenance on public lands, and tree education and conservation programs. (0:16:24)
Phil Stokes asked when staff would report back on the $2.5 million budgeted for environmentally sensitive land purchases. Deputy Director Lori Barnes said staff was contacting property owners from the previously presented list, would return with willing-seller information, and expected any unspent funds to roll into the next budget year through a project encumbrance. She also said some owners not on the original list had expressed interest. (0:18:51)
David Duval said he had concerns that the former tree fund language about preserving and planting trees to achieve 35% citywide canopy coverage, with 50% native species, was no longer in the ordinance text. Staff responded that the 35% canopy goal remains in the comprehensive plan, that the city is currently at 38% canopy coverage, and that the ordinance does not delete tree-protection regulations from the ULDC. Staff also said the former tree fund balance was about $5.6 million, with about $3 million from the former tree fund that had been restricted to tree planting only. Staff said the city did not have enough public land to plant $3 million worth of trees and that the broader Environmental Protection Fund would allow spending on other natural-resource goals. David Duval said he would withhold approval until second reading if the item advanced. (0:21:15)
Demetrius Petrow asked how restrictive the Environmental Protection Fund would be compared with the former Tree Fund and how much of the money collected under the 2024 tree ordinance would be spent on planting trees. Staff said the former Tree Fund was more restrictive and that no set percentages had been assigned among tree planting, land acquisition, rewilding, reforestation, habitat restoration, and related purposes. Finance Director Irina Kukarenko said the city could not simply roll the balance into the Environmental Protection Fund because the Tree Fund had been more restrictive. (0:28:40)
One resident commented in support of the change and suggested the fund could help with land acquisition and wildlife crossings related to an east-west road. (0:34:36)
The commission voted 4-1 to continue Ordinance 2026-11 to second reading on May 19, 2026. The transcript states David Duval dissented. (0:38:28)
Ordinance 2026-14: Legacy Trail Connection budget amendment
Staff said Ordinance 2026-14 would amend the non-district and capital improvement budgets for fiscal year 2025-2026 to increase the park impact fee funded Legacy Trail Connection to Warm Mineral Springs project by $125,000. David Duval said the item had passed first reading and he supported passing it again. One resident spoke in support. The commission adopted the ordinance 5-0. (0:42:03)
Resolution 2026-R-10: Sponsorship policy
Staff said the resolution would amend and restate the citywide sponsorship policy for city events, activities, programs, and designated public spaces. Staff said the revisions followed a February 2 workshop and included changes to cost alignment, renewal timelines, payment windows, and presenting-sponsor benefits. One resident spoke in support. The commission adopted Resolution 2026-R-10 as presented, 5-0. (0:45:24)
Resolution 2026-R-11: Sale of 2400 Commerce Parkway
Staff said the city had negotiated a proposed sale price of $950,000 with Sentinel Fund SPV XII LLC for city-owned property at 2400 Commerce Parkway. Staff said the parcel was appraised at $920,000, zoned ILW, and about 2.11 acres. David Duval said the sale price was above the appraisal and called it a good deal for the city. One resident commented that the future use should fit the community and create jobs. The commission adopted Resolution 2026-R-11 as presented, 5-0. (0:49:04)
Resolution 2026-R-19: Acceptance of donated Coastal Street lot
Staff said Lorraine and John Damasco had offered to donate a vacant 10,000 square-foot residential lot on Coastal Street, with no tax liens according to the Sarasota County tax appraiser. David Duval said the city should send a thank-you letter to the donors. A resident agreed. The commission adopted Resolution 2026-R-19 as presented and added a letter of thanks from the commission on behalf of the community. The vote was 5-0. (0:53:12)
Resolution 2026-R-26: Donation of K-9 temperature alarm system
Staff said the Retired Law Enforcement Association of Southwest Florida, Inc. offered to donate one ACE canine watchdog temperature alarm deployment system to the North Port Police Department canine unit, with the department responsible for installation. A resident spoke in support of accepting the equipment and also commented on police dog use. The commission adopted Resolution 2026-R-26 as presented, 5-0. (0:56:21)
Sabal Trace developer agreement amendment
Staff presented the fourth amendment to the city’s water and wastewater system developer’s agreement with Sabal Trace Development Partners, LLC. Staff said the developer cited delays in governmental approvals and a housing market downturn and wanted to revise the schedule in section 20.3 so the next fourth payment for capacity fees would be due on or before January 1, 2030, with later annual payments due each January 1 through 2037. (1:08:00)
David Duval said the request was a delay in paying fees and asked whether the city should consider adding a fee or interest charge. Barbara Langdon said she was uncomfortable pushing the entire payment out and was interested in some kind of fee, interest payment, or interim payment. (0:57:43)
After questions, Assistant Utilities Director Mike [unclear] said the overall scope involved 104 ERCs that the developer would continue paying guaranteed revenues on. He said anything above that would be paid at the current capacity and ERC calculations at the time of future use, and that the city would need to reallocate ERCs back to the project later. He also said the developer had already installed and conveyed the infrastructure and had already used 292 ERCs, with 104 left over that they were still paying guaranteed revenues on. (1:02:01) (1:11:44)
A resident said the city could push the developer into bankruptcy if it required payment for development that had not yet been built. (1:04:30)
The commission approved the fourth amendment 4-1. The transcript states David Duval dissented. He said the city should be compensated for helping the developer by delaying money and that a 1% or 2% fee would not be too much. After the vote, the commission briefly reopened discussion. Barbara Langdon said she became more comfortable after hearing that future capacity fees could rise. Demetrius Petrow said he voted yes because he did not want the developer to go bankrupt and asked whether future capacity fees would be adjusted; staff said they would be paid at the current rate at the time of payment. Mayor Pete Emrich and Barbara Langdon said they would not add anything further. No new motion was made. (1:08:00) (1:08:30)
Event cost reduction strategies for parks and recreation
The city clerk said the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board had recommended charging fees for bounce houses and specialized activities at special events to offset costs and also recommended exploring sponsorship opportunities. Phil Stokes suggested continuing the item to a Thursday workshop because parks and recreation topics were already scheduled there. Demetrius Petrow said he did not believe the city should charge enough to break even and said quality of life should be considered. Mayor Pete Emrich said he did not support charging an entry fee for community events. A resident also opposed a $20 fee and supported sponsorships instead. (1:14:31)
The commission voted 5-0 to direct the city manager to work with staff to explore event sponsorship opportunities and/or a sponsorship program and bring it back later for commission review. (1:18:56)
Facility lease policy for city-owned facilities
Staff said the item involved formal commission approval of a facility lease policy for city-owned facilities, including selection of a set discount based on market value. Staff said the commission had previously directed staff to return with a policy using a set discount and examples showing how a standardized discount would apply. Staff said the proposed policy would generally use a commercial lease structure, with tenants responsible for improvements to their lease space, utilities, and other use-related costs, while the city would maintain common areas, major building systems, and overall structures. Staff said the policy would not apply to air ambulance leases, cell tower agreements, daily or short-term rentals, or similar specialized agreements. (1:18:59)
Barbara Langdon asked about Flotilla 92 and SCHD; staff said Flotilla 92 was the Coast Guard Auxiliary and SCHD was the Sarasota County Health Department. She also asked how utilities would be handled. Staff said under the new policy utilities would be the responsibility of the tenant and, where there were no separate meters, would be allocated by square footage. Staff said the examples presented did not include those added costs. (1:21:00)
Barbara Langdon said she needed to understand the impact of a double-net lease and utilities before setting a percentage discount. She also asked about penalties for breaking a lease, whether the city would maintain a waiting list for nonprofits, and what service-level agreement the city would have for processing applications. Staff said some of those details would be in the actual lease document rather than the policy. (1:23:04)
Phil Stokes said he did not see value in addressing the policy at this time because of uncertainty about future buildings, nonprofit space, and state property-tax issues. He said even a 50% discount could price some nonprofits out and noted the North Port Senior Center example. Demetrius Petrow said some nonprofits, such as Awaken Food Pantry, provide direct value to residents and that the city should keep that in mind. David Duval said he leaned toward a heavier discount, such as 60 or 70%, and then revisiting it in a year. Mayor Pete Emrich said he preferred continuing to handle leases case by case rather than setting a flat percentage that could leave buildings empty. (1:27:09)
City Manager Fletcher said another option previously discussed was not to use market-rate discounts but instead to establish a uniform cost per square foot for nonprofit spaces and charge only for actual city costs such as utilities, maintenance, and garbage. Barbara Langdon said she wanted to see that option and wanted the item brought back in a workshop. Demetrius Petrow said that if any decision were made, he would want it to be for a trial period such as six months or a year. (1:51:37)
A resident said the commission should wait because too much remained uncertain and said county entities should pay full price if they use city space. Elaine Allen Emrich, identifying herself as a member or officer of several nonprofits, said nonprofits differ significantly in structure and resources and asked for a workshop at night so nonprofits could attend and explain their public purpose. (1:59:01)
The commission voted 5-0 to direct the city manager to work with staff and schedule a workshop at a later date to address questions raised at the meeting, present options based on a fixed amount per square foot, and include an assessment of the legality of offering nonprofits that are 100% volunteer an additional discount off the flat rate. (2:07:34)
Charter Review Advisory Board appointments
The city clerk said there were three applicants for the Charter Review Advisory Board: Robin San Vicente, Daniel Kowalczyk, and Jacqueline Torres. The clerk said there were two openings for regular members and one could be an alternate. The clerk also said Robin San Vicente was already serving on one other board and the other two applicants were not serving on any board. (2:07:37)
Barbara Langdon said she generally looks at application order but, in this case, noted that Robin San Vicente already had a board seat and Daniel Kowalczyk had been approved earlier that day as an alternate on another board. She said she was inclined to appoint Jacqueline Torres and Daniel Kowalczyk as regular members and Robin San Vicente as an alternate. (2:08:46)
A resident said applicants should approach the role with a clean slate and act for the good of the community. (2:10:20)
Demetrius Petrow moved to appoint Robin San Vicente and Jacqueline Torres as regular members and Daniel Kowalczyk as an alternate. The motion passed 3-2. The transcript states that Mayor Pete Emrich and Barbara Langdon dissented. (2:12:21)
Letter of support request for H.R. 642, Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025
Staff said the city had received a request from Ronnie Carabia, legislative assistant to Congressman Greg Steube, asking the city to consider sending a letter of support for H.R. 642 to the House Committee on Natural Resources. Staff said Sarasota County and several regional and environmental organizations had supported the proposed legislation. (2:12:45)
Barbara Langdon said she was concerned because the act would prohibit new dams and other water-diversion projects along the Myakka River. She said that could limit the city’s future ability to secure potable water or control flooding and referred to a prior utilities memorandum identifying diversion from the river as one possible water-supply alternative. (2:14:02)
Phil Stokes said the bill’s purpose appeared to be to protect the river but that he did not know the financial or development impact on North Port and could not support a letter without more information. Barbara Langdon added that once conservation restrictions are in place, local governments and conservation groups may be unwilling to revisit them later. (2:17:41)
A resident read from the proposed support letter that the designation would not impose federal land-use controls or affect private property rights, but said he agreed with the concerns raised and opposed taking action without more facts. (2:21:30)
The commission voted 5-0 to direct the city manager to have staff review the impact H.R. 642 would have on the city from a financial and development standpoint. (2:25:19)
Final public comment and commissioner communications
A resident returned to comments about the penny, county government, and county support for North Port. (2:25:23)
Demetrius Petrow said he attended the Alamanda Garden Club’s 60th anniversary celebration and mentioned Mayor Pete Emrich speaking there. (2:28:29)
Barbara Langdon said she would file her activity report as an attachment to the final meeting of the month. (2:29:02)
Mayor Pete Emrich also said he attended the Alamanda Garden Club event. (2:29:08)
Phil Stokes said he had nothing further. (2:29:36)
David Duval said he attended a Rescue Garage event that raised $17,000 and said his household now had “a new queen” weighing about 13 pounds. (2:29:40)
The meeting adjourned at 12:27 p.m. (2:30:08)
Watch the full meeting recording
Vote tallies in this recap were checked against the body’s official roll-call record.
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