A Message from
Mayor John Gunter
May is Water Safety Month. As our weather’s temperature rises, so does activity in and around the water. Swimming and aquatic-related activities play a vital role in good mental health and physical activity. It enhances the quality of life for all Floridians and visitors to our wonderful state. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ten people die from accidental drownings every day, with about one in five being children 14 years and younger.
It is very important for everyone to be aware of water safety rules and programs to prevent drownings and recreational water-related injuries. Some of the basics to remember; an adult should always supervise children; barriers, such as pool fences, should be installed; children should be given swimming lessons at a young age; and everyone, especially our caretakers, should learn CPR and have safety equipment such as floatation devices in arms reach. We live in a boater’s paradise where many can spend hours on the water. Making sure that your boat is operating properly is the key to safety. Read more from the Mayor-->
Sincerely,
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Cape Coral to Host Resilient Lee Town Hall Meeting on May 10
The City of Cape Coral will host a Town Hall Meeting with the Resilient Lee Recovery Task Force on Wednesday, May 10, from 6-8 p.m. in Council Chambers.
The Recovery Task Force is in the process of hosting a series of 16 town hall meetings throughout the county. One of the goals of Resilient Lee, the public-facing aspect of the Lee County Recovery Task Force, is community engagement.
The Town Hall Meeting will give residents, leaders, and businesses throughout our community an opportunity to learn about the work of the Recovery Task Force and provide input on what is needed to repair and rebuild more resilience to future hazards we may face.
The meeting will include facilitated discussions to encourage public involvement in the recovery-planning process. Advanced registration is not required. For more details, visit www.resilientlee.com.
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SUN Trail Phase 1 Ribbon-Cutting is Friday, May 12
Construction of the Shared-Used Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Phase 1 is now complete, about 20 months after work began, on schedule and under budget. This 12-foot-wide multi-used trail runs 3.5 miles along Van Buren Parkway, El Dorado Boulevard, and Kismet Parkway from Burnt Store Road to Nelson Road.
The project also includes a new pedestrian bridge, a new curb and gutter, and underground stormwater drainage improvements. The SUN Trail is an entirely grant-funded program planned to become a signature destination in the North Cape. A Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of NW 9th Avenue and Kismet Parkway.
Phase 2 of the SUN Trail design is complete, with construction scheduled for FY 2025, and Phase 3 design is anticipated to begin this fall.
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City Unveils Interactive EDO Projects Map
The City's Office of Economic and Business Development recently unveiled a tool allowing the public to view ongoing construction developments throughout Cape Coral.
The Interactive EDO Projects Map is a GIS-enable tool that shows all ongoing development types other than residential. Users can determine the location of ongoing developments, the developer's name, and the projects' status.
These statuses include:
- In-review: Staff is reviewing the development application.
- Approved: Review is complete, and staff has approved the submittal but is awaiting a condition to be met.
- Issued: A permit has been issued, and work can begin.
Data is updated daily, and projects are removed from the map once work is complete and a certificate of occupancy has been issued or if the project has been canceled.
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Cape Coral's Inaugural Hurricane Prep Expo is Wednesday, May 31
The City will host its Inaugural Cape Coral Hurricane Preparedness Expo on Wednesday, May 31, from 3:00-7:00 at Mercola Market, 125 SW 3rd Place, Cape Coral, FL 33991.
Meet with City representatives, local organizations, and businesses who will provide information to help you prepare before, during, and after a storm.
This is a FREE EVENT and is open to the residents of Cape Coral to stop by anytime between 3:00-7:00 p.m.
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Be Water Safe!
There's no better way to cool off in the hot weather than to go for a swim; however, it is essential to take caution around water, especially with children. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under five, but it is preventable.
Following the ABCs of water safety provides the best measures to prevent pediatric drowning:
- A = Active Adult Supervision
- B = Barriers
- C = CPR Classes
- S = Swim Lessons
Remember to practice water safety around open bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. Stay apprised of water conditions, particularly any rip current warnings. If you are caught in a rip current, don’t fight the current. Instead, swim parallel to shore until you are free of it. If you can’t escape, float or tread water and call or wave for help.
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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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Drinking Water Quality Highlighted in City Report
The consumer confidence report for the City of Cape Coral provides residents with information about the quality of their drinking water. This report, required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act, is issued annually by the City's Utilities Department.
The report uses easy-to-understand language and charts to provide an overview of the city’s water sources, treatment process, and distribution system. It also highlights some of the measures taken by the city to ensure the safety of its drinking water and provides valuable information about the quality and safety of Cape Coral's drinking water.
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Project Updates Presented to Council
Staff presented updates on a broad range of items at the City Council's Committee of the Whole meeting on April 12, 2023.
Click the links below to see the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) presentations:
In addition to CIP updates, the following offices presented their second-quarter activity reports. Click the links below to view the reports:
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New and Improved Cultural Park is Open
On April 21, a ribbon-cutting event was held for Cultural Park (528 Cultural Park Blvd.). With new amenities funded by the Parks GO Bond, this 16-acre park includes an enclosed playground, multi-use paths with benches, two covered pavilions, retention ponds, and restrooms.
It also includes an open event area with utilities, which has already been utilized to successfully host the City's inaugural Culture Fest on April 22.
The expansion complements the existing Cape Coral Historical Museum, Rose Garden, Cultural Park Theatre, and Cape Coral Art League.
Look for more GO Bond-funded park projects to open in the near future.
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Parks & Rec Summer Activity Guide is Ready
Looking for summer fun?
Cape Coral Parks and Recreation is offering a wide variety of activities for all ages and interests, from summer camps and classes, to special events and day trips.
Check out the online version of the Parks & Recreation May-August 2023 Activity Guide, then click the hot links to easily access online registration.
You can also pick up a printed copy of the guide at City Hall, the two Cape Coral libraries, or our recreation centers, then call the location of your choice to sign up!
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City to Conduct Citizen Survey This Summer
The City of Cape Coral will be conducting the biennial Citizen Survey in the coming weeks. The City plans to use the services of the National Research Center, Inc, which has conducted the past eight Cape Coral surveys. The NRC has a “National Citizen Survey” template that many municipalities use to solicit public opinion on a broad range of City services.
About 1,200 residents will be selected randomly to participate in the mail survey. If you receive a survey from the Center, please take the time to respond to the questions. Each person who receives a survey represents more than 150 citizens, so your input is very important as we move forward with gathering opinions from the community.
Once the survey is complete and the results tabulated, the findings will be presented to City Council. The City anticipates completion of the project and a final report from the National Research Center by the end of summer.
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Juan Guerra Appointed Interim Development Services Director |
Coral Interim City Manager, Michael Ilczyszyn, has appointed Juan Guerra as Interim Development Services Director, effective April 24, 2023.
Juan G. Guerra has been serving as the City of Cape Coral's Controller in the Finance Department. As Controller, Guerra manages payroll, accounting, accounts payable, and treasury. He develops and maintains internal control systems, policies, and procedures and liaises between the Finance Department and auditors, outside fiscal agencies, the public, and other city departments.
As a U.S. Marine veteran, Guerra started his career in municipal government in 2000. Guerra worked extensively on development services initiatives in his previous role as City Manager of Edinburg City, TX.
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May Happenings Around Cape Coral
*Pre-registration required
Wednesday, May 3
Friday, May 5
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"Abstracted Reality" Exhibit Opens in the Main Gallery of the Cape Coral Art Center (on display thru 5/25)
- Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Sands Park, 10:00 am
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Free Florida-Friendly Landscaping Class at Rotary Park, 1:00 pm*
Saturday, May 6
Friday, May 12
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Guided Kayak Tour of Eco Preserve, 10:00 am*
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Mother/Son Night of Fun #1 at Four Freedoms Park, 6:00 pm*
Saturday, May 13
Wednesday, May 17
Tuesday, May 16
Thursday, May 25
Wednesday, May 31
- Free Hurricane Prep Expo at Mercola Market, 3:00-7:00 pm
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