April 2023
A Message from
Mayor John Gunter

April means spring is officially here. Spring is a hopeful season. It signifies new beginnings. Cape Coral continues to have a robust economic climate where individuals and businesses have opportunities to thrive in our region. The Office of Economic and Business Development has launched its CapeCompetes Incentive and Grants Programs to encourage organizations of all sizes to consider expanding or relocating to Cape Coral. 
 
Progress is being made on several capital improvement projects, including recent groundbreakings for the Caloosahatchee Connect, Fire Station #13, and Lake Kennedy Racquet Center. The Caloosahatchee Connect Project is a large, reclaimed water pipeline the City of Cape Coral is constructing between Cape Coral and Fort Myers that will provide additional irrigation water to residents. 

Sincerely,
John Gunter
Mayor
Hurricane Ian Recovery Update

Sign Repairs Continue
  • Data shows that more than 80% of the City's 57,000 street signs were damaged or displaced during Hurricane Ian, 8,000 of which were stop signs. City staff has fixed over 6,000 of the damaged stop signs, including all high-traffic locations. The remaining stop signs are expected to be repaired by June 1, 2023.

Debris Removal Wrapping Up
  • The final land pass of hurricane debris removal was completed in January, and canal debris is slated to wrap up in April. Reminder: The City's Bulk Waste Drop-Off Site for residents located at 1200 Kismet Parkway is open Tue-Sat, 8:00 am-4:00 pm.

Replacement Bins On the Way
  • The City is in the process of replacing an estimated 10,000 trash totes that were lost or damaged due to Hurricane Ian. Delivery of the new totes will begin in April. Read more-->

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Remains Open at Lake Kennedy
  • A temporary FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) remains open daily from 8:00 am-7:00 pm at Lake Kennedy Center to provide assistance based on residents' unique needs.
Join Citywide Earth Day Clean Up Event on Saturday, April 22

The City of Cape Coral is hosting a citywide Earth Day clean up event Saturday, April 22, and we need you!

There's no better way to contribute to a cleaner and healthier community than by volunteering to tackle the remnants of trash and debris left behind in the wake of the storm.

To participate:
  • Register online and select the fire station closest to your neighborhood.
  • Download the Cape Coral 311 app for Apple or Android.
  • Gather your family, friends, and neighbors on Earth Day, and work at your own pace to clean up the areas near you that need it most.
Together we can make a difference by improving our community's environmental quality and overall aesthetic. Be part of the largest community clean up effort our City has seen! Read more-->
City Breaks Ground on Multiple Capital Improvement Projects

During the month of March, City officials celebrated the official groundbreaking of several projects, including:

  • Caloosahatchee Connect Project - Slated for completion later this year, the City is constructing a large reclaimed water pipeline between Cape Coral and Fort Myers that will provide additional irrigation water to residents. See project details at www.caloosahatcheeconnect.com
  • Fire Station #13 - Located at 2025 NE 6th St., Fire Station 13 will incorporate areas currently covered by Stations 2 and 5, the City's two busiest stations. The estimated completion date for the station is December 2023.

  • Lake Kennedy Racquet Center - Funded by the Parks GO Bond, this future community park, scheduled for completion in 2024, will include 32 pickleball courts, 12 tennis courts, covered seating, a pro shop, a concession stand, and ample parking. See project details-->

The Caloosahatchee Connect project will be the first of its kind in the world, and all of these Capital Improvement Projects, with many more in the pipeline, will continue to help our city move forward.
Students Invited to Participate in Hurricane Prep Art Contest

CALLING ALL STUDENTS! The City of Cape Coral proudly announces its Inaugural Hurricane Preparedness Art Contest. Students who live in Cape Coral and are currently enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th Grade are encouraged to create and submit artwork with a theme of "Hurricane Preparedness."

Artwork should be submitted online by Saturday, April 15. Three winners will be selected and honored at a City Council Meeting. The winning pieces will be displayed throughout the City and may be used as a logo for the City's 2023 Hurricane Season.
Parks & Rec Summer Camp Registration Begins April 3

Looking for summer fun for children ages 4-14? Cape Coral Parks and Recreation is once again offering a wide variety of traditional and specialty day camps when school is out for the summer.

Camps will be offered starting the week of June 12 and running through August 4.

Registration will open online at www.CapeParks.com at 12:00 am on Monday, April 3, and in person during regular office hours.

Please note space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-paid basis, so be sure to register early!
Arbor Day Foundation Grant Replaces Trees Lost to Hurricane Ian

With the support of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Tree Recovery program and Verizon, the City of Cape Coral will plant 60 trees at Cultural Park. The planting event will be held at 8 a.m., April 12, at Cultural Park, 528 Cultural Park Boulevard.
 
The Arbor Day Foundation named the City of Cape Coral a 2023 Verizon Tree Planting recipient in January 2023. This will fund the volunteer planting of 60 trees to recover the tree canopy lost to Hurricane Ian.
Contractors Required to Submit Digital Permit Applications

As of March 20, the City Hall Permitting Counter no longer accepts new paper permit applications from registered contractors. Registered contractors must apply for new permits through the City’s EnerGov Citizen Self-Service portal at 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. 
Changes to City Licensing for Contractors

Effective immediately, the City will no longer renew or accept new applications for City licensing.

As of July 1, 2023, contractors must be licensed with the state to apply for certain permit types. House Bill 735, The Pre-emption of Local Occupational Licensing, eliminates local government licensing for construction trades.

Certain trades do not require a state license to apply for a permit.
Click below to learn how this change may affect your trade and licensing requirements.
New Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance Begins April 25

At the Cape Coral City Council Meeting on January 25, 2023, Council approved Ordinance 89-22, which stipulates all Mobile Food Vendors in Cape Coral be treated alike (except ice cream trucks) and requires food trucks to stay mobile. The Ordinance will officially go into effect on April 25, 2023.
 
The goal is to establish basic health and safety regulations. Prior to the adoption of this ordinance, there were no operational standards in place for food trucks in Cape Coral.
City Launches CapeCompetes Business Incentive & Grants Program

The City of Cape Coral Office of Economic and Business Development recently launched the CapeCompetes Business Incentives and Grants Program, with opportunities available for businesses of all sizes.

Businesses can log into the Live Portal to learn about and apply for the following:


 
 
For more information about the City of Cape Coral Office of Economic & Business Development (EBD) and how it can assist new and expanding businesses, visit the EBD website.
City Receives Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting

The City of Cape Coral’s Finance Department was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association. This is the 36th consecutive year the City has achieved this prestigious award.

This distinction is the highest recognition in government accounting and financial reporting. The Certificate of Achievement was awarded to the City’s Finance Division for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2021.
Burn Ban in Effect

In accordance with the City’s Code of Ordinance, Chapter 8-14, the City of Cape Coral issued a temporary burn ban on March 10 with the intent to limit fire hazards within the City to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our residents. This measure prohibits recreational burns (i.e., fire pits, campfires) and City permitted burns (i.e., bonfires and land clearing control burns).

This also includes burning vegetative debris. Fires solely for cooking purposes where the fire, flames, and heat generated are fully contained within the confines of the device being used (i.e., grill) are still allowed.

The burn ban shall be in effect until the local drought index is below 600 for seven consecutive days. 
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.
Del Prado Linear Park Expansion & Gator Trails Park Are Now Open

After much anticipation, families in NW Cape Coral now have easier access to parks and recreational amenities. On March 3, a new shaded playground, fenced basketball court, parking area, and public restrooms opened at 1223 NE 16th Place. This is an extension to Del Prado Linear Park made possible with GO Bond funds designated for improvements to existing parks.

On March 31, Gator Trails Park became the first brand-new GO Bond-funded neighborhood park to host a ribbon-cutting event and open to the public officially. Gator Trails Park features an enclosed playground, paved walking trail, multi-use sports courts appropriate for basketball, tennis, and pickleball, plus exercise equipment and covered picnic shelters.
Cultural Park Ribbon-Cutting Scheduled for Friday, April 21

The City of Cape Coral invites the public to attend a ribbon-cutting celebration at Cultural Park, located at 528 Cultural Park Blvd, on Friday, April 21, at 10:00 a.m.

With new amenities funded by the Parks GO Bond, this 16-acre park now includes an enclosed playground, multi-use paths with benches, two covered pavilions, an event area with utilities, retention ponds, and public restrooms.

The expansion of the park provides an excellent complement to the existing Cape Coral Historical Museum, Rose Garden, Cultural Park Theatre, and Cape Coral Art League.

Additional GO Bond-funded parks and park improvement projects are due to open in the coming months.
Know Your City Campaign - Meet Your City Council

The City of Cape Coral is governed by a Mayor and seven Councilmembers.

Click the links below to learn about these eight elected officials and what motivated them to seek public office in Cape Coral.


When you see these officials out and about, say hello and remember they are fellow citizens working hard to make our community the best it can be.
April Happenings Around Cape Coral
*Pre-registration required

Saturday, April 1
  • Touch a Truck on Lafayette St., 9:00 am-3:00 pm
  • Free Fossil Show at Rotary Park, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
  • Free "Movie on the Lawn" at City Hall, 5:00 pm

Friday, April 7
  • "Wilderscapes" Exhibit Opens in the Main Gallery and "Ring of Fire" Opens in the Side Gallery of the Cape Coral Art Center

Saturday, April 8

Friday, April 14

Sunday, April 16

Friday, April 21

Saturday, April 22

Thursday, April 27
  • Burnt Store Road Ribbon-Cutting, 10:00 am

Friday, April 28
  • Arbor Day Tree Planting at Oasis South Elementary, 10:00 am
REMINDERS