A Message from Mayor John Gunter |
Welcome to our new monthly e-newsletter, Cape Connect. Through recent surveys and information gathered by the Florida Institute of Government as part of our strategic planning process we learned that many residents prefer to receive city news and information delivered to their email inbox.
We are moving into the second half of the hurricane season. Let’s continue to be prepared as storm threats remain through November 30. The hurricane season began June 1 and being prepared for severe weather is the best way to keep you and your family safe. Our City is well-prepared thanks in part to our Fire Department and its Emergency Management Division.
Speaking of safety, the new school year is under way and your city council and the Cape Coral Police Department’s school resource officers are committed to the safety and security of our students. I asked all motorists to be extra careful so students can get to and from school safely. Your city council is doing its part with plans to fund the construction of more sidewalks especially near schools. Also, we recently discussed expanding the partnership between the City and the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs of Cape Coral to replace deteriorating picnic tables, that were placed by community groups, at school bus stops with new longer-lasting benches.
In Cape Coral, September is the month when the Council sets the budget and confirms our priorities for the next fiscal year. Public safety is always a top priority; however, we have several other priorities including infrastructure, economic development, and water quality improvement.
Regards,
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New Councilmember Appointed to District 6
On September 1, Cape Coral City Council appointed Keith Long to the District 6 Council seat. He was among 14 candidates who applied for the vacant seat following the resignation of former Council Member Rick Williams due to health reasons. Council Member Long will fulfill the remainder of the term that expires in 2022.
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City to Host 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, the City of Cape Coral will be hosting a remembrance ceremony on Saturday, September 11 on the front lawn at City Hall (1015 Cultural Park Blvd.) beginning at 8:30 a.m. Click here for more info.
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City’s New Website Address is CapeCoral.gov
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Parks GO Bond News
Four New Parks to Break Ground in October
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During the Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting on August 25, City Council received an update from City staff on the parks general obligation bond (GO bond) projects. Updates on these parks projects are presented quarterly at public meetings. To view the latest update, please click here.
In 2018, Cape Coral voters approved the parks go bond and a $60 million expansion of the city’s parks and recreation amenities. The project includes seven new neighborhood parks, the development of three community parks, an environmental park, and improvements to existing parks.
Waypoint Contracting and Wright Construction Group were awarded construction contracts on September 1 by the City Council for four new parks. Construction is slated to begin next month on the following parks:
Cultural Park
Gator Circle Park
Joe Coviello Park (formerly referred to as Oasis Woods)
Sands Park
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City Budget Public Hearings Begin September 9
The first public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) budget for the City of Cape Coral will be held Thursday, September 9 at 5:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall (1015 Cultural Park Boulevard).
The second public hearing on the proposed FY22 budget is scheduled for Thursday, September 23 at 5:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The FY22 budget for the City of Cape Coral is available online, online with a budget in brief City Manager’s Budget Message for residents. To view the proposed FY22 budget, click here.
State law requires that two public hearings be held to discuss the budget. These hearings occur every September. The first public hearing date is advertised on the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM Notice) that you received and the second is published in the local newspapers and on the City’s website.
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Work To Begin in Sept on Cape Coral Parkway Turn Lane Extension |
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Work will begin this month on a left turn lane extension on Cape Coral Parkway. The turn lane is located in the eastbound lanes of Cape Coral Parkway at SE 15th Avenue/Cape Coral Street. The extension of the turn lane will help alleviate some of the Cape Coral Parkway congestion.
Most of the work will be done at night to mitigate disruption to Cape Coral Parkway traffic, however, the work zone may cause some traffic delays.
The City’s Transportation Advisory Commission recommended an extension of the turn lane to accommodate the storage of more vehicles. Vehicles attempting to turn left onto SE 15th Avenue often block the thru lanes of Cape Coral Parkway and Del Prado Boulevard. This recommendation was made after an extensive evaluation of potential improvements to reduce congestion on the Parkway.
The eastbound congestion during peak a.m. hours is primarily due to the traffic bottleneck created by the Cape Coral Bridge.
The existing turn lane can accommodate about nine vehicles. The extension will allow about 12 more vehicles. Extending the turn lane will close the existing median opening at Cape Coral Parkway and Cape Coral Street. This will prevent a left turn from Cape Coral Street onto Cape Coral Parkway.
The project cost is about $200,000.
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Residential Rental Property Registration Required |
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Beginning October 1, residential rental properties with four dwelling units or less that are rented to another person or entity will be required to be registered in the city. Resident rental properties that are owner-occupied don’t require registration.
There is a one-time registration fee of $35. Owners of structures with 2-4 dwelling units may register all units under a single registration ($35 total) when each unit is owned by the same owner and located on the same parcel.
The registration includes contact information for the residential rental property including, the legal name of the owner (individual or company name), direct mailing address, email address (if any), and telephone number for a person or entity responsible to respond to any nuisances, code violations, and emergencies that may arise at the residential rental property.
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Hidden Costs of Hiring Unlicensed Contractors |
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In Florida, it is a criminal offense to engage in contracting work or to act in the capacity of a contractor without a valid contractor’s license. While hiring unlicensed contractors can present a lower cost than hiring licensed contractors, the work produced may be subpar.
Working with an unlicensed contractor is a dangerous practice that can leave you with faulty work that may not be constructed correctly. What’s worse is that you could be setting yourself up for additional costs that go far beyond the savings you realized.
Unlicensed contractors are not being held accountable by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Many unlicensed contractors operate without general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. This means that if they are injured while on your property, you may be responsible.
Red Flags
- A contractor suggests a large down payment before the work begins.
- If they call themselves a “licensed handyman”- there’s no such thing.
- If you’re asked to pay in cash or make the check payable to cash or an individual instead of a company.
- You, as the homeowner, are asked to secure permits. If you’re told the job doesn’t need a building permit. Check with your local building department first.
- If the contractor will only work weekends and evenings
- If the contractor asks for a verbal contract- get it in writing
- If the contractor does not have proof of insurance
Be Proactive
- Get estimates from at least three contractors. They should specify how long it will take them and the type of material they’ll use for the job.
- Don’t choose your contractor just on price. Ask for references, see how long they’ve been working, check out past jobs they’ve done.
- Check if your contractor has unresolved complaints, or if his or her license has ever been revoked or suspended.
To check a license, visit www.myfloridalicense.com, Click “Verify a License” or call the City’s Licensing Division at (239) 574-0613.
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Report an Issue to the City 24/7 |
The City of Cape Coral's 311 Action Center, formerly known as the Citizen's Action Center, offers citizens a way to obtain information about city services, ask questions of city staff, report non-emergency issues, and submit service requests.
There are several ways to reach the 311 Action Center:
Telephone: Dial 3-1-1 or (239) 574-0425. Telephone lines are open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
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Other helpful phone numbers:
Emergencies 911
Police Department (239) 574-3223 (non-emergency)
Water Main Breaks (239) 242-3400 (after hours water main breaks)
Mayor and City Council Offices (239) 574-0436
City Hall (239) 574-0401
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1015 Cultural Park Boulevard Cape Coral, FL |www.capecoral.gov |
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