A Message from
Mayor John Gunter
March is when spring officially begins and when we turn our clocks forward. There are lots of reasons to look forward to spring; warmer weather, spring break, and Daylight Saving Time, which begins Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 2:00 a.m. At this time, we “spring forward” one hour!
Last month City Council appointed Interim City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn. After careful consideration, we made our decision. The City of Cape Coral must operate with a clear vision of responsiveness, trust, and transparency. Our city is rapidly growing, and with this comes the need to overcome many new and existing challenges.
Sincerely,
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Hurricane Ian Recovery Update
The City continues to make positive strides in recovering from the effects of Hurricane Ian. Here's a quick look at the latest progress:
Debris Removal Operations
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Curbside debris has ended and Waste Pro is now collecting household garbage, recycling, bulk trash, and horticulture waste according to its normal collection schedule.
- Canal debris removal is on track to be completed by the end of March 2023, with punch list items to be conducted in April.
- The City is in the process of replacing an estimated 10,000 trash totes that were lost or damaged due to Hurricane Ian. We anticipate delivery of the new totes will begin in April, so please be patient.
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If you have already reported your missing totes, you do not need to do so again. If you have yet to report your missing totes, email the Citizen Action Center at 311@capecoral.gov.
- We understand residents' frustration and remind everyone to be polite when contacting 311 about the status of your totes. Our 311 team is here to help, so please treat them kindly.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Remains Open at Lake Kennedy Center
- A temporary FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) remains open daily from 8:00 am-7:00 pm at Lake Kennedy Center (400 Santa Barbara Blvd) to help residents with their initial registration and provide individual assistance for based on residents' unique needs.
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Lake Kennedy Center recreational programs are taking place at alternate locations while the building is being utilized by FEMA.
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Del Prado Linear Park Ribbon-Cutting is March 3
The City of Cape Coral invites the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Del Prado Linear Park Friday, March 3, at 10 a.m.
Parking for the event will be at the newest addition to the park, on the east side of Del Prado, at NE 16th Pl. and NE 12th Ter.
In 2018, Cape Coral voters approved a $60 million expansion of the City's parks and recreation amenities. The approved 15-year general obligation bond is funding significant parks and recreation improvements throughout the City.
Final improvements to Del Prado Linear Park include:
- Shaded playground featuring:
- Accessible swing seat and traditional swings
- Moon rock climbing component
- Cozy cocoon spinning apparatus
- Fenced basketball court
- Accessible and traditional parking
- Public restrooms
- Improved landscaping and lighting
This new site is a trailhead for Del Prado Linear Park, the only linear park in Cape Coral. The park hosts a nearly 4-mile paved and lighted path, which includes eight fitness stations, a loop around Lake Zurich, and a rain garden.
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North 1 UEP Informational Meeting is March 8
The North 1 UEP is in the City's northeast quadrant and will complete the extension of water, sewer, and irrigation services to the three areas (Southwest 6/7, North 2, and North 1) that City Council approved in 2012.
City Council approved three initial assessment resolutions at the Regular Council Meeting February 1. With the initial resolutions approved, individual parcel assessment notices and Homeowner Informational Packet have been finalized and mailed out.
The City is hosting an Informational Meeting about the Utilities Extension Project (UEP) Wednesday, March 8, from 5:00-8:00 pm, on the second floor of City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Boulevard.
The meeting is open house style. Residents can stop by and chat with a representative on the following topics:
- What to expect during UEP construction
- Septic tank abandonment
- Endangered species in the project area
- The hardship program
- One-on-one Q&A regarding UEP assessments
Residents must check in for one-on-one sessions to secure a time slot with City staff. Homeowners are asked to bring their assessment notice to assist staff in answering questions.
All six project contractors will be in council chambers, the health department and a representative for endangered species will be on the catwalk, and the hardship representative will be available in the City Manager's lobby for privacy. One-on-one Q&A will take place in conference room 220A.
The Final Assessment Resolution will take place March 22, 2023. It is anticipated that the construction Notice To Proceed of this phase will be issued in April 2023, with an approximate 2-year construction duration and anticipated completion by early 2025.
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Digital Permit Submission Required by Contractors Starting March 20
Beginning Monday, March 20, the City’s permitting counter will no longer accept new paper permit applications from registered contractors. Registered contractors must apply for new permits through the EnerGov Citizen Self-Service portal at www.capecoral.gov/energov.
Contractors with paper resubmission or revision documents for existing paper permit applications will continue to be able to submit these paper documents at the permitting counter. The changes only affect new permit applications.
Digital submissions will increase efficiency, make the City’s processes consistent with other local permit-issuing agencies, and eliminate space required to store paper permits.
Owner-Builders can still submit permit applications at the permitting counter from 7:30 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The last sign-in for the day is at 3:00 p.m.
The permitting counter will continue to utilize the Qless virtual queue system at City Hall. Owner-Builders and contractors can sign in to the virtual queue at www.capecoral.gov/qless.
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Smoke Alarms Save Lives
A Reminder from the
Cape Coral Fire Department
Last month, Cape Coral firefighters responded to a residential structure fire caused by an electrical short in the oven. One of the occupants woke around midnight to do work for their home-based business and found the residence full of smoke. A smoke alarm should have awoken them, but there were none installed. They are fortunate to have needed to wake up for work because, otherwise, without smoke alarms to wake them up and alert them to the fire, the outcome could have been far worse.
These occupants were renters, and according to Florida State Statute, “Unless otherwise agreed in writing, at the commencement of the tenancy of a single-family home or duplex, the landlord shall install working smoke detection devices.” In other words, it is the law that the landlord install smoke alarms in rental units before occupants move in unless it is otherwise agreed in writing. And you should NEVER agree to not having smoke alarms installed.
Roughly two out of three fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms, or the alarms are not working. Renting or owning, all residences should have working smoke alarms, with the following in mind:
- Smoke alarms should be installed inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level.
- Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms.
- Test all smoke alarms at least once a month and replace them when they are ten years old.
If you have questions or need more information, please call (239) 242-3646.
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Cape Coral Fire Department CERT Class Begins Tuesday, March 21
The Cape Coral Fire Department has a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class beginning Tuesday, March 21. Tuesday and Thursday sessions are from 5:30-8:30 pm, and the Saturday session is from 9:00 am-2:00 pm.
CERT is a training program that prepares citizens to help themselves, their family, and their neighbors before, during, and after an emergency when first responders are not quickly available. The class is free and open to Cape Coral residents aged 16 and above. For more information or to sign up, email capecert@capecoral.gov.
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Cape Coral Police Department News
The men and women of the Cape Coral Police Department work hard every day to help keep our City safe. Click on the newsroom link to see recent law enforcement news, and follow them on Facebook for regular updates.
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Cape Residents Reminded to Conserve Water
The City of Cape Coral urges its residents to conserve water as the dry season continues. Current rainfall is 1.75 inches behind the seasonal average and water levels in drinking water aquifers are lower than levels present this time last year. These conditions are impacted by the influx of new residents, recovery workers, and seasonal residents.
Though groundwater conditions typically improve with the onset of the wet season in June, reducing usage now is vital to protecting Cape Coral’s water resources.
Lawn irrigation can account for 50 percent of household use, but it's important to remember that lawns need less weekly watering during the dry season. Cape Coral residents can do their part to reduce water consumption by optimizing their irrigation system for high efficiency and following the City’s year-round watering schedule.
For more information on how to conserve water, see The South Florida Water Management District's 50 Ways to be Water Smart. To help combat the issue, the City is currently constructing the Caloosahatchee Connect Project, a reclaimed water pipeline between Cape Coral and Fort Myers that will help to rehydrate Cape Coral's freshwater canals and provide additional irrigation water to residents.
This project, slated for completion this year, will allow Cape Coral to purchase millions of gallons of reclaimed water that would otherwise be discharged in the Caloosahatchee River.
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City Council Appoints Interim City Manager
Cape Coral City Council appointed Michael Ilczyszyn as Interim City Manager at a Special Meeting held Friday, February 17, 2023. In his new role, Ilczyszyn will oversee the day-to-day operations of the City of Cape Coral.
Michael Ilczyszyn is currently the City’s Public Works Director. He began his career with the City in 2002 as a Water Treatment Plant Operator. He was promoted to Business Manager within the Public Works Department before moving into the City Manager’s Office as the Business Manager for the City.
Mr. Ilczyszyn is a Mariner High School graduate with a Magna Cum Laude in Environmental Studies and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University. Ilczyszyn is a Navy Veteran who served on the USS Yorktown.
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Applications Being Accepted for Charter School Authority Governing Board
The Cape Coral City Council is currently accepting applications for the City of Cape Coral Charter School Authority Governing Board.
VACANCIES AVAILABLE (2)
1 – Member, Community at Large
1 – Member, Community at Large
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must meet both of the following requirements:
(1) Citizen of the United States
(2) Full-time resident of Cape Coral, Florida
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Friday, March 16, 2023, no later than 4:30 p.m. EST
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
In-Person: City Hall – City Clerk’s Office, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
By Mail: Contact the City Clerk’s Office at (239) 574-0411.
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March Happenings Around Cape Coral
*Pre-registration required
Friday, March 3
Friday, March 10
Saturday, March 11
Saturday, March 18
Sunday, March 19
Saturday, March 25
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