June 2022
A Message from Mayor John Gunter

It’s hard to believe it’s already June, which is shaping up to be a very busy month. June marks the start of hurricane season, the beginning of the fertilizer ban, and we have several City events to look forward to. 
 
Officials are once again predicting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2022. While we keep our fingers crossed that no major storms hit our city, it’s important to be prepared. I want to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to review their emergency plans and assemble a hurricane supply kit to ensure you are well-prepared if a storm should impact our area. It is important to create a list of supplies that you could take with you if you are forced to evacuate.

Knowing where to turn for reliable, up-to-date emergency information is also crucial to making it through a disaster. Be sure to regularly check the city’s website www.capecoral.gov and our official social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date information. 
 
Hurricane season is also our wet season. During our rainy season, I want to remind all Cape Coral residents that fertilizer use rules changed on June 1. The application of fertilizer containing phosphorus or nitrogen is prohibited from June 1 through September 30.  Keep an eye out for City messaging on this topic and encourage your friends and neighbors to “Be Wise, Don’t Fertilize.” 
 
Coming up on June 8, we will celebrate with the South Cape Community Redevelopment Agency as an art sculpture is unveiled at the roundabout located at SE 47th Terrace and Vincennes Boulevard... READ MORE-->

Sincerely,
John Gunter
Mayor

Fire Department Training Facility Townhall is June 6

The Cape Coral Fire Department is hosting a townhall on Monday, June 6 at 6:00 pm at Oasis Middle School cafeteria (3507 Oasis Blvd.) to discuss the new Training Facility. The townhall will include presentations by City staff, Sweet Sparkman Architects, and Wright Construction, a meet and greet, and light refreshments. No RSVP is required. 


For FAQs on this Capital Improvement Project, click the button below: 
Be Prepared for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season has officially begun and understanding your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding, and the wind is vital. Here is your checklist of things to do before a hurricane develops.

  • Know your zone: Hurricane Evacuation Zones are no longer referenced by storm category but are now named by Hurricane Surge Evacuation Zones A/B/C/D/E. *Please note that Hurricane Surge Evacuation Zones are different than Flood Zones.

  • Put together an emergency kit and check emergency equipment, such as flash-lights, generators, and storm shutters.

  • Write or review your family emergency plan: Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supplies kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster.

  •  Be aware of Special Needs shelters: Lee County offers a Special Needs Program for those who live in a home and/or area that is not safe from storm surge or wind and have no other safe place to go. For more information and to register, visit www.LeeEOC.com. Registrations must be renewed yearly and made early – registration must occur before Lee County enters the five-day forecast cone of a storm. 

  • Know where to get your emergency information. Sign up for the AlertLee system (www.alertlee.com) to receive targeted emergency mass notifications from County officials. Follow the City, CCPD, and CCFD on social media. Monitor local media outlets. 

Remember, it only takes one event to devastate a community, so now is the time to get yourself and your family prepared! Click the button below to view the 2022 Lee County All Hazards Guide for more preparedness information. 
Fertilizer Restrictions Now in Effect

The City of Cape Coral would like to remind everyone that new fertilizer use rules went into effect on June 1.
 
The application of fertilizer containing phosphorus or nitrogen is prohibited from June 1 through September 30.

Excess nutrients can cause harmful algal blooms that can cause fish kills, harm pets, and wildlife, and potentially injure people who encounter them. 

Eliminating the use of phosphorus and nitrogen during the wet season helps to protect our canals and waterways, quality of life, and economy. Click below for details and important points to remember.
Public Works Dept Facilitates "Clean Up, Green Up" Event

On Arbor Day in late April, the Public Works Department held its inaugural "Clean Up, Green Up" event, which ended up being a huge success.

Employees from Public Works spent the day collecting 15 cubic yards of trash from nearly 22 miles of roadway in North Cape Coral. This was done in an effort to make the City a more beautiful place to live, work, and play.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to help with this clean-up project and with other beautification projects in the community. Your efforts are appreciated!
Fire Station #12 is
Now Open

On May 4, the Cape Coral Fire Department opened its 12th fire station at 2129 Chiquita Blvd. S.

The response district for Fire Station 12 incorporates areas previously covered by Stations 4, 6, and 8 and services a population of over 20,000. It is anticipated this station will respond to 2,500 emergency calls annually. The addition of this fire station was necessary to improve response times in the west-central area of Cape Coral.

See the updated response district map by clicking the button below:
Fun-Mobile Teams up with Summer BreakSpot

Cape Coral Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Lee County Food and Nutrition Services once again this summer to provide the "Summer BreakSpot" program at Paul Sanborn Park (2310 SE 3rd St) from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every weekday from June 7-July 29 (closed 7/4).

As part of this program, every child up to age 18 will receive a free, healthy lunch daily, and the Cape Coral Fun-Mobile will be onsite to offer a variety of fun and entertaining activities.

The Summer BreakSpot Program, also known as the Summer Food Service Program, is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and, in Florida, administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

For more details on the Cape Coral Fun-Mobile and/or Summer BreakSpot, visit www.CapeFunMobile.com or www.SummerBreakSpot.com
City Welcomes New Economic & Business Development Officer

The City of Cape Coral is pleased to welcome Ms. Sharon Woodberry as the City's new Officer of Economic & Business Development.

In addition to having more than 20 years of experience in business attraction and retention efforts, Woodberry managed the merging of her previous Economic Development Department with the Community Development and Planning and Zoning Departments, implementing strategic and coordinated changes to promote comprehensive development.

In her new role with the City of Cape Coral, Sharon is looking forward to cultivating relationships and establishing collaborative partnerships within the region to support and promote business growth in Cape Coral. Welcome, Sharon! 
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. See some of the latest notable news below recognizing their efforts and/or click on the newsroom link for more details:



  • Governor DeSantis Visits Cape Coral to Announce New Housing Program (See story/pic below)
Governor Ron DeSantis visited Cape Coral on May 23 to announce the June 1 launch of the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program. Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter, several City Councilmembers, and Cape Coral Police Chief, Tony Sizemore, attended the press conference held at the Cape Coral Police Department.  
 
The program is designed to help Floridians in over 50 critical professions, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans, purchase their first home. This program will assist with down payment and closing costs to help first-time, income-qualified homebuyers purchase a primary residence in the communities they serve.
 
The Florida Housing and Finance Corporation administers the program. It is geared toward expanding on Florida’s existing housing programs to reach critical workers and those who have served our country. For more program details, visit www.floridahousing.org/hometownheroes.
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Finance Department Receives Two Excellence Awards

The City of Cape Coral's annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 qualified for GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government agency and its management.

Additionally, the Finance Deparment was awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the current fiscal period, which is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.

Congratulations to the Finance team for these noteworthy achievements!
Click below for a summary explanation of the three referendums regarding amendments to the City Charter that are scheduled to be on the 2022 Ballot.
REMINDERS:
The City of Cape Coral puts together a variety of quarterly department reports to help keep the public and business community informed.
June Happenings Around Cape Coral

Monday, June 6

Wednesday, June 8
  • Public Art Unveiling at Roundabout on 47th Terrace, 4:00pm

Friday, June 10

Saturday, June 11
  • Vino's Picasso Paint pARTy at Rotary Park, 2:00-4:00pm

Saturday, June 18
  • Florida Friendly Landscaping at Rotary Park, 10:00am-12:00pm

Tuesday, June 21

Friday, June 24
  • Groundbreaking at Yellow Fever Creek Preserve, 10:00am
Your City Council