[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6089486,"mediaKeyId","2873859-ebf829690f82df3ee42168f2a3d7cd73","parentId",2873859,"title","Punta Gorda council votes to seek new city attorney, sends nonrenewal letter to current firm","audioSeconds",293,"startMs",10103000,"endMs",10396000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2873859-ebf829690f82df3ee42168f2a3d7cd73&start=10103&end=10396","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2873859-ebf829690f82df3ee42168f2a3d7cd73/thumbnail_10103000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6089486/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Punta-Gorda-council-votes-to-seek-new-city-attorney-sends-nonrenewal-letter-to-current-firm","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089486-2cce7d5208f4111920303975da6622af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201677&Signature=fyXhJzbJ4nyhf92Amm9LmdO4wCrsnDZFkTi4PHYU1b6Rty0eOPGNDyb2qlNOI3dhgciwwmU~efLnbWNt~mBcRbpYcRGBmRrztTPM8pE8xqxFvxwLmo3DyG~HzhjGPXyP17a7DWLpzBjUYNFg-RJFu83RMykkF4uKBb2~4OWIaUN5k~pMIU34rkE2OIQMz-Sj1RQMENXZKtC6iJk1mxslFTo4RWz80CHgDgPhIoUuxiCipna3~xj9QiP~BUqrgmm~EDJdTmmoM2KrmY9vFqlUHpRyCq~NkQ3oGsZ4jb0-F6VG3A3zv8fyw4mHcDGSE1WuXdsYDnLJ4DYsK5I7m5MHxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Punta Gorda, FL","date","2025-04-04T13:28:09.25Z","article","Punta Gorda City Council voted Wednesday to send a letter of nonrenewal to the current city-attorney firm, opening a formal search for legal services ahead of the contract expiration in July.

City Clerk Sarah Welch and staff explained the April timing requirement: the city must notify the incumbent firm in April if the council intends not to renew the contract that otherwise would automatically extend in July. The council directed staff to issue the nonrenewal notice and proceed with a solicitation for city-attorney services; staff confirmed the request-for-proposals posting closed April 18.

Legal transition: City Attorney David Levinson said that, per council direction, he will continue to serve through his contract period unless council elects to relieve him earlier. Staff also said procurement will present all submitted applications to council and that they will provide copies of the raw applicant materials for transparency.

Why it matters: The city attorney provides legal advice on ordinances, contracts, land-use matters and litigation. Council members said they want to explore alternate service models, including in-house counsel, part-time arrangements or outside-firm options, and emphasized the importance of continuity while a replacement is selected.

Quote: “We are required to send Icard Merrill a letter during the month of April if we would not like to retain the services of Icard Merrill for the next contract term,” City Clerk Sarah Welch explained while summarizing the process.

Ending: Staff said the solicitation will run through April 18; procurement will screen applicants and return qualified candidate lists to council for further review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Council Meeting 4-2-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council voted to send a letter of nonrenewal for the city attorney contract that expires in July and directed the city to proceed with a public solicitation; the request for proposals closes April 18.","taxTitle","Punta Gorda City, Charlotte County, Florida","taxId",54477,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089491,"Council approves $80,520 amendment to Carollo Engineers for utilities code update",768,8772000,9540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2873859-ebf829690f82df3ee42168f2a3d7cd73&start=8772&end=9540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2873859-ebf829690f82df3ee42168f2a3d7cd73/thumbnail_8772000.jpg","/articles/6089491/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Council-approves-80520-amendment-to-Carollo-Engineers-for-utilities-code-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089491-faa55fafc745ff14ede3a3f117ff1685/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201677&Signature=AQK29~ZA3PN6qYlWpWk1WKkka1lhpAwRokblKTTHW36mHkWWAfbbyGPArubYIOFHo5fuPx3Kjq5qEEi2x97JkefVJ5MTUGSz2DL3OaFxQ69CK9PDQZQ0BKp-qVMPYqevRojVMN6e-KUpBrseYAtUDS1Mqelzj8j95v-iK69~8RtkxPHwV42SebM4fZiNKjP8d175ETlaZF6lMRvOF2wR12e9ZD4r0OhZe-cyoEmTiFhyR6c0co1WNwliuU-OJwpzG4VyQ5LMMv9vgF4Hh3nkY8xlPzc02z-LwFOS~mCEmHdbMdBKqYFw7MD0e3sBDRSX6qOr83B94Boii342jrU0pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Punta Gorda City Council on Wednesday approved an $80,520 amendment to the master engineering agreement with Carollo Engineers to update utilities-related sections of the city code and standards.

Utilities Director Tom Spencer told council the scope includes revisions to Chapter 17 (the utilities code) addressing: water-emergency procedures and conservation tied to Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs); reservation of capacity; cross-connection/backflow programs; responsibility for third-party damage repairs; utility extensions policy; construction and material standards; and meter requirements. Spencer said the work will also support the AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) and meter-procurement process.

The amendment carries a six-month estimated timeline to produce draft ordinance language and supporting materials for review by the Utilities Advisory Board and council. Council approved the amendment by voice vote after a short discussion on schedule and budget; staff confirmed funds were available in the utility budget to cover the work.

Quote: “This is going to be a major undertaking, not just on the part of the utilities office, but ... our legal staff, urban design and planning — everybody within the city has some part in our utilities ordinance,” Tom Spencer said.

Ending: Staff will present draft ordinance revisions to the Utilities Advisory Board and return to council for consideration later this year.","The council approved an $80,520 contract amendment with Carollo Engineers to update the city utilities code and related standards, including water emergencies, conservation, capacity reservation and cross-connection control.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089496,"Council approves ADA transition-plan update and $30,000 annual subscription for inspection software",911,5474000,6385000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2873859-ebf829690f82df3ee42168f2a3d7cd73&start=5474&end=6385","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2873859-ebf829690f82df3ee42168f2a3d7cd73/thumbnail_5474000.jpg","/articles/6089496/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Council-approves-ADA-transition-plan-update-and-30000-annual-subscription-for-inspection-software","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089496-0237d317e66b443aae176cd522abf501/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201677&Signature=HohBY86wwsnuzLuNrScLd94qgZ1qyZuOvo4k5j5rUhVwyZz~~PSJoYMF90mep0RacQQF5U0~Ls-SPXvVmmoEHrF1Sw3Uzl9TtZMrBDkMy4vb4JgHTfHpfeOudboe7FS4gO6EMY3vhlO6ywuqwRsDLlDBUa15O5kJYf2jq47Mczji6QQQvw~Dxr0c4AO7Qwwl-CNvUSNSV2jti1jbU4qqNL-AWmb~bi-ecsqRnyX1yctmiNgRbJghqErIs-wdg12zPUxo9O4lfd0jnVhaN~IkRvea6tKvyfsaDTqcu6z9r8Ku6W~yYDI2Qd9EHhjsntAMNW5hD4ndV7UfCRBYDUOeTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Punta Gorda City Council on Wednesday accepted the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition-plan annual update for fiscal years 2022–24 and approved the proposed FY25 project allocations. The council also approved staff’s request to pursue ADA-tracking software at an estimated annual cost of $30,000.

City staff presented the transition-plan update and a list of recent ADA work, including sidewalk and crosswalk upgrades, signage replacements and ongoing projects such as the Lashley Park splash zone and Nature Park work. Urban Design Senior Project Manager Danielle Berhow explained the plan’s purpose: to identify physical obstacles to accessibility, document methods to remediate them, and schedule work and inspections under Title II of the ADA.

Council and staff also discussed a remaining undesignated ADA allocation of $180,244 for fiscal year 2025. Council agreed to keep these funds designated in the ADA program fund and to schedule a future workshop to prioritize specific projects — suggestions included improved downtown accessible parking and enhanced crosswalk treatments.

On software, staff described a web/tablet-based ADA inspection and tracking product that would guide non-technical staff through inspections, collect consistent measurements and photos, schedule follow-up maintenance and track compliance. Berhow said the vendor’s pricing model is population-based; staff estimated about $30,000 in recurring annual costs and said the purchase would likely be funded from IT or other operating budgets rather than the ADA capital fund.

Council approved the transition-plan update, authorized the FY25 allocations as presented, and supported staff pursuing the ADA software subscription and funding it in the city’s IT/operating budget. Berhow said staff will return with procurement steps as needed.

Quote: “This is a drop in the bucket compared to the several hundred thousand dollars we paid in 2017 for consultant work,” Danielle Berhow said of the software’s annual cost estimate.","City Council adopted the Americans with Disabilities Act transition-plan annual update and authorized using FY25 funds to maintain the ADA program; council also approved a budget request to purchase an ADA-tracking software subscription estimated at $30,000 per year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089501,"Council waives pre-annexation requirement for Charlotte County Airport Authority water service",1282,6831000,8113000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2873859-ebf829690f82df3ee42168f2a3d7cd73&start=6831&end=8113","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2873859-ebf829690f82df3ee42168f2a3d7cd73/thumbnail_6831000.jpg","/articles/6089501/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Council-waives-pre-annexation-requirement-for-Charlotte-County-Airport-Authority-water-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089501-9fc2233567b91b5691f87c16979d9152/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201677&Signature=SrQ8VA6wIy8kDcdQadXOezfhmzshnObiDFeG8q08ab~qFwriMWtLG9Zx-2iLUWoJDLRVhebWy4Y5W4VwI7tBz4CHqKHQ8RekSF-FDyily1iWx9cGB3q4dnUVI0p~Wzu06QjhjF2bGF7ub7BcDqgeQYdqjxdCsKG~5aioVjV-Y2Z8Ppuyh9wXBCsGl0iDlketFJbboQ-4CWAXD4QHDSJJfP09etWsEs9vacIihQZLQHrPWsdtnh3Mu3JKVXDTNrevWvF7jUJ2-u~g67CrAhKPvXmCWYZZxELM9kdVdPNNPXEpg-A1St92IAkBvc1mswseZwpOORR88XDkCWz4K7Z7dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Punta Gorda City Council voted Wednesday to waive the city’s usual requirement that entities sign a pre-annexation agreement before obtaining water service when annexation could follow in the future. The waiver was granted to the Charlotte County Airport Authority for a maintenance facility and related airport uses.

The waiver came after representatives from the airport authority — including board chairman Rob Hansick and CEO James Parrish — told council their board was concerned the standard agreement could limit future grant eligibility or conflict with federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant assurances. Hansick and Parrish asked council to exempt the authority from the pre-annexation requirement for the parcels in question; council discussed the policy implications before voting.

Council vote and outcome: After debate, council approved the waiver. A tally quoted in the meeting transcript indicates the vote carried 4–2–1. Following the vote, city staff and airport representatives said they would proceed to finalize service arrangements.

Why it matters: Pre-annexation agreements are a city policy tool used to clarify future annexation expectations when the city provides service outside municipal boundaries. The decision to waive the requirement for the airport authority removes a potential administrative obstacle to the airport’s immediate water-service needs while leaving annexation as a future option.

Council discussion and caveats: Attorney and staff discussion at the meeting emphasized that signing or not signing a pre-annexation agreement does not automatically force annexation; rather, annexation would be a future decision by city council if statutory criteria are met. Airport representatives said their concern centered on grant assurances and the airport’s governance structure. Council members who opposed waiving the requirement cited precedent and possible implications for future annexations in contiguous areas.

Quote: “By waiving the pre-annexation agreement, it doesn't preclude us from, if the conditions in the future are such that annexation is beneficial, we can still do that,” airport CEO James Parrish told council.

Ending: City staff said they will proceed with water service arrangements for the airport parcels and that future annexation remains a discretionary, later council decision if statutory criteria are met.","Punta Gorda City Council voted to waive the city’s standard pre-annexation agreement requirement for the Charlotte County Airport Authority’s maintenance facility, allowing water service without an advance annexation commitment.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089506,"Punta Gorda council pauses enforcement of impervious-surface rules after downtown business outcry",4779,1757000,6536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2873859-ebf829690f82df3ee42168f2a3d7cd73&start=1757&end=6536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2873859-ebf829690f82df3ee42168f2a3d7cd73/thumbnail_1757000.jpg","/articles/6089506/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Punta-Gorda-council-pauses-enforcement-of-impervious-surface-rules-after-downtown-business-outcry","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089506-c486855ff93b56e00cc29fef0ecc06fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201677&Signature=JhFLHzgXg1e5~X5YHUKQHphwiQvEh42GdME3TtYhZ83VR7AOkiCEhLwSi7bcQjo0zzX8AzgxITQr6QuQ6KnlXXGan2VNd9y2ENBDgeA6mk2vRbxdQDIddyWBX9wqJ8BAhQrbgoGzFsJ8aFFY~y2cQ75fCwMsTnZNyGkOB5b38tB0DslVIueMyZa0w2JQJ~0P71A-1SstEh7GRXE3i67UARlCprjrO8GDgZJ0Z6rjNWvCxQeWTFVcacztrvcvk09-PX3Iv~CAeLtIGxeOio2OPAp8RhEjuqc-Glw6~~nUruzLf3IDZuu53RiCLurNrwJfUOGEt3N-vx3ABUTNGsMYkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Punta Gorda City Council voted Wednesday to place a 180-day stay on code enforcement for a set of privately owned downtown parcels with impervious surfaces, after multiple business owners and residents warned that immediate enforcement could remove needed parking and harm commercial activity.

The move follows more than two hours of public comment from owners and managers of downtown businesses — including the Ice House Pub, Salty Tarpon and the Celtic Ray — who said lots used informally for parking for 18–20 years would be fenced or otherwise closed if owners were required to remove asphalt or meet full modern parking-lot standards.

Councilmember Melissa Lockhart moved for the 180-day stay; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. City staff said they will send letters to already-notified property owners informing them of the pause and use the interval to pursue a workshop, stakeholder outreach and potential code changes.

Why it matters: The city’s impervious-surface rule, added in 2011, requires removal of concrete and asphalt on parcels when certain primary structures are removed. Several downtown business owners said that rule was being applied to properties that have functioned as parking for years, and they warned that fencing or other owner responses would cause immediate parking shortages that could reduce customer traffic and revenue.

How the discussion unfolded: Residents and business owners described long-standing, informal parking use at lots on Marion Avenue and nearby blocks. Cheryl Mayman, a local property manager, said one lot had been used as overflow parking “for 18 years” and that forcing its removal would “cause a lot of problems for a lot of businesses.” John Barry, owner of the Ice House Pub, said the lot is used for staging after storms and by emergency responders, and pleaded with council to reconsider immediate enforcement.

Zoning staff told council the impervious-surface requirement was adopted in February 2011 and that staff had sent letters to owners of properties that appear to meet the code’s nonconforming/abandonment criteria. Rachel Berry, zoning official, said the only property with an issued notice of violation so far is 300 West Retta Esplanade (the former Waterfront Hotel) because demolition permits left required impervious removal incomplete. “As directed, we did send those letters,” Berry said.

Legal and policy context: City Attorney David Levinson explained the code’s nonconforming-use language and the limits on selective enforcement, noting that the council must decide whether to modify the ordinance or follow the current enforcement steps. Planner Jason Green and other commenters cautioned that forcing removal of long-standing improvements could produce legal claims or other unintended consequences.

Council next steps: Council directed staff to draft and send a letter notifying affected owners the city will not pursue compliance actions immediately, to hold a workshop with downtown stakeholders, and to consider revisions to the Land Development Regulations (LDRs) and parking policy. Councilmembers also discussed prioritizing the Virginia Street “complete street” project in sales-tax-funded capital lists as one longer-term approach to easing downtown parking pressure.

Quote: “If you keep it like it is, you will not lose your rights,” public commenter John Barry said, urging the city to preserve existing, informal parking arrangements while a solution is developed.

Ending: Councilmembers said they expect to bring the impervious/parking issue back for further discussion after stakeholder outreach and the planned workshop. Staff will prepare notices to property owners and present a follow-up timeline to council.","After extensive public comment from downtown property and business owners, Punta Gorda City Council voted to pause enforcement of code requirements for impervious surfaces on several privately owned lots for 180 days and to pursue a workshop and stakeholder outreach on longer-term options.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Punta Gorda council votes to seek new city attorney, sends nonrenewal letter to current firm

Council approves $80,520 amendment to Carollo Engineers for utilities code update

Council approves ADA transition-plan update and $30,000 annual subscription for inspection software

Council waives pre-annexation requirement for Charlotte County Airport Authority water service

Punta Gorda council pauses enforcement of impervious-surface rules after downtown business outcry