City Commission Special Meeting on 2025-08-29 8:00 AM - City Attorney Interview
Special MeetingNorth Port, FL · August 29, 2025
Minutes
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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Agenda
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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