City Commission Special Meeting

4970 CITY HALL BLVD NORTH PORT, FL 34286City 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 8:00 AM City Commission ChambersFriday, August 29, 2025 City Attorney Interview CALL TO ORDER Mayor Stokes called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. ROLL CALL Vice Mayor Pete Emrich, Commissioner David Duval, Commissioner Demetrius Petrow, Commissioner Barbara Langdon and Mayor Philip Stokes Present: 5 - 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: Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes 5 - 2. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Faust read the following eComment into the record: Valdy Olender: Spoke to questions to City Attorney candidates. 3. GENERAL BUSINESS: Page 1City of North Port Printed on 9/24/2025 August 29, 2025City Commission Special Meeting Meeting Minutes 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. Page 2City of North Port Printed on 9/24/2025 August 29, 2025City Commission Special Meeting Meeting Minutes 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: Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes 5 - 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: Page 3City of North Port Printed on 9/24/2025 August 29, 2025City Commission Special Meeting Meeting Minutes Yes: Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes 5 - 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: Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes 5 - 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: Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes 5 - The main motion as amended carried on the following vote: Yes: Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes 5 - 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: Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes 5 - 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: Vice Mayor Emrich, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Petrow, Commissioner Langdon and Mayor Stokes 5 - 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 Page 4City of North Port Printed on 9/24/2025