ARKS t Inside! On The Move - Cape Coral, Florida · 2019-07-22 · 2 SUMMER 2012 On The Move is a...

S U M M E R 2 0 1 2

John Szerlag is Cape Coral’s New City Manager

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H I G H L I G H T Sn Successful Year for Charter Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

n Council Approves Updated Watering Ordinance . . . 6

n Council/BOCC Extend Ceitus Lift Deadline . . . . . . . . 7

n City Testing Open Lock Operations at Chiquita . . . 8

n ProjectDox – Electronic Permit Submission . . . . . . . 9

n Cape Coral’s Flood Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

n Sign Up for CodeRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

n City to Discontinue Mailing License Renewals . . 14

n Sun Splash Open for Summer Season . . . . . . . . . . 15

n Recycling Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

n Apartment Complex is First “Green” Building . . . 16

n City Issues RFP for SW 6/7 Utilities Project . . . . . . 17

n Prepare for Standing Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

n Chief Inspector Has Eye for Photography . . . . . . . 19

n Fire Celebrates 50th Anniversary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

On The MoveA Q U A R T E R Ly U p d A T E F R o M y o U R C I T y H A L L

he 2012 Hurricane Season begins June 1, and Floridians should begin making annual preparations for the Atlantic hurricane

season, which continues to November 30.In Cape Coral, hurricane planners are evaluating

potential evacuation zones due to the latest storm surge maps. These updated maps note a significant expansion of Category A, B and C zones. Based on the new storm surge maps and actual data specific to each storm, you may be required to evacuate sooner than in the past. Now, if you live south of Cape Coral Parkway you may be asked to evacuate when Sanibel, Pine Island and Fort Myers Beach evacuates. This is one example of how the County and City will be using a phased evacuation approach to respond to the threat from storm surge. Each storm is different, and it is critical to listen to local media and public officials when they make evacuation requests.

The good news for this year’s hurricane season is that the tropical Atlantic has

cooled over the past several months. It appears that the chances of an El Niño event this summer and fall are relatively high. Because of that, hurricane prog-nosticator Dr. William Gray is anticipating a below-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean. Predictions for this year are 10 named storms, four being hurricanes and two categorized as major or intense, which means a Category 3 or higher.

The names for the 2012 hurricanes are: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, He-lene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, Tony, Valerie and William.

With tropical storm systems, we can experience extremely high winds, massive amounts of rain and the possibility of tornadoes. One of the most deadly aspects of a hurricane is storm surge or a massive wall of water making landfall. A good portion of Cape Coral is susceptible to storm surge,

New Storm Surge Maps Affect Evacuation Zones for 2012 Hurricane Season

continued on page 4

Check Out Our CITY PARKS Insert Inside!

ohn Szerlag, the former city manager for Troy, Michigan, is Cape Coral’s new city manager. Szerlag was selected from

five finalists at a special City Council meeting on Monday, March 26. His first day in the of-fice was May 29.

Szerlag served two stints as the city man-ager of Troy, Michigan: 2009 – now and 1999 – 2006. He also was an assistant city manager in Troy for 10 years prior to becoming city manager in 1999. From 2006 – 2009, he was the city manager for Sunny Isles, Florida.

Szerlag holds a Master of Arts degree with a major in Urban Affairs from the University of Detroit, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration with a major in Public Administration from Ferris State College (University).

John and his wife, Debbie, have two children and one grandson. n

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2 S U M M E R 2 0 1 2 www.CApECoRAL.nET

On The Move is a quarterly newsletter produced by the City of Cape Coral for the citizens of the city. The publication is mailed as a courtesy to every household and business in the city. Comments or questions can be directed to the

City Manager’s Office, P.O. Box 150027, Cape Coral, FL 33915-0027 or by email to [email protected].

City of Cape Coral Council MembersD I S T R I C T 1

D I S T R I C T 5

D I S T R I C T 2

D I S T R I C T 6

D I S T R I C T 3

D I S T R I C T 7

D I S T R I C T 4

Kenneth “Marty” McClain 239-574-0437

[email protected]

Lenny Nesta 239-574-0437

[email protected]

John Carioscia 239-574-0437

[email protected]

Rana Erbrick 239-574-0437

[email protected]

Derrick Donnell, Ed.D 239-574-0437

[email protected]

Kevin McGrail 239-574-0437

[email protected]

Chris Chulakes-Leetz 239-574-0437

[email protected]

City of Cape Coral AdministrationCity ManagerJohn Szerlag

City AttorneyDolores Menendez

City AuditorMargaret Krym

City ClerkRebecca van Deutekom

Community DevelopmentPaul Dickson, Team Leader

Economic DevelopmentDana Brunett, Director

Financial ServicesVictoria Bateman, Director

Fire ServicesBill Van Helden, Chief

Human ResourcesKatherine Robinson,

Administrator

Information Technology ServicesJohn MacLean, Director

Parks and RecreationSteve Pohlman, Director

Police DepartmentJay Murphy, Chief

Public WorksSteve Neff, Director

Utilities DepartmentJeff Pearson, Director

Editor/Public InformationConnie Barron, Director

3www.CApECoRAL.nET S U M M E R 2 0 1 2

Mayor’s Message

City Manager’s Message

ummer is here, and in Cape Coral, that means rainfall and storms for the next few months. While we may be looking at a

less-active season than past years, please remember it only takes one storm to make landfall and cause significant damage. We still need to plan properly and be prepared, so take time to read through the storm-related articles in this issue.

I want to welcome our new city manager, John Szerlag, to the City of Cape Coral. John brings a wealth of municipal government experience to our city, and I look forward to working with him on pol-icy, projects and initiatives. I think I speak for all of Council when I say that we are very pleased to have John and his wife, Debbie, here in beautiful Cape Coral. We have some challenges in our city, whether they be economic, financial or business-related. I am confident that John will work with staff and Council to address these challenges and identify reasonable solutions in the process.

There continues to be good news on the widen-ing plan for Pine Island Road. The widening of this important roadway will improve property values for

elcome to the summer issue of our com-munity newsletter and my first message as your city manager. Let me start by

thanking our City Council for giving me the op-portunity to serve this wonderful community. I am very excited to be here, and look forward to working with City staff and the citizens of Cape Coral as we continue to move in a positive direc-tion.

The City of Cape Coral has navigated through some rough waters, and our City employees deserve credit for stepping up and giving back. Thank you! While we remain on a slow road to recovery, the good news is that property values have been inching upward this past year or so. As we put together the FY2013 budget, we must make the best use of limited revenues and take a measured approach in how we provide our core services.

My arrival as city manager coincides with a couple of significant annual events in Cape Coral. First, the departure of our seasonal snowbirds is complete, and most are back at their northern homes. I will enjoy meeting them when they

businesses in the area and provide for a better evacua-tion route in the event of a hurricane. The City Council recently approved a resolution that authorized the City to borrow funds from the State Infrastructure Bank. These funds will be provided to Florida Department of Transportation for the roadway construction and engineering services. The City will receive reimburse-ment for these borrowed dollars from the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization. This means the widening of Pine Island Road, which originally was pro-jected to cost the City $50 million a few years ago, will be completed without any investment of City tax funds.

Congratulations to our Cape Coral Fire Department for 50 years of service to our community. The Fire Department celebrated its 50th anniversary in April, and we appreciate all their hard work and dedication to our citizens.

Speaking of our firefighters, they held their annual “boot drive” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in April. Thanks to the generosity of our residents and visitors, they collected nearly $30,000 this year, which is the highest total ever raised by our firefighters during this annual event.

return later this year. Second, our annual hurricane season officially started June 1.

Dr. William Gray is predicting a less-active season in 2012 with 10 named storms, and four could be-come hurricanes. Two of these hurricanes could be “major” hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5). Even with this reduced activity forecast, our residents need to plan and “act as if ” Cape Coral will be impacted by a major storm. We provide a good amount of information in this newsletter to help our residents prepare for the storm season. These articles not only help our citizens plan properly, they also generate valuable public information points with FEMA. Combined with points from other City projects, the City is able to secure a 25 percent discount on flood insurance premiums for residents who live in the “special flood hazard areas” and 10 percent for our remaining residents.

Whether or not Cape Coral experiences hurricane activity, we still have the rainy season. We should expect humid conditions, heavy rainfall, lightning, and standing water in our roads and swales. We ask that our residents exercise caution and patience this season – “caution” if you are traveling on the road-

City Council will be taking its annual sum-mer break following the June 11 meeting. We will back in ses-sion on July 16. While we have several tasks to address, our main focus will be the FY 2013 City Operating Budget. We will have a general idea from the Lee County Property Appraiser of our assessed property values by the time you receive this newsletter. This will help our city manager complete his proposed budget, which he must submit to City Council. By law, municipal budgets must be bal-anced. Our assessed property values often dictate the level of services we can provide to our citizens. The goal is to provide our residents with the best munici-pal services at the best value possible. Any input and feedback from the community will be appreciated.

Thank you for your time. n

ways during a storm event and “patience” in waiting for the stormwater to drain from our swales and streets. Cape Coral has an excellent stormwater manage-ment system; how-ever, “management” does not mean immediately whisking away the water within moments of the rain stopping. It means the rainwater will percolate gradually through the swales, filtering out contami-nants and keeping them out of our waterways. It may seem like our roads and swales are “flooded,” and sometimes they are. But in most cases, within 24 hours of a heavy rain event, the streets are clear and there is minimal water in the swales. Just re-member that until the water flows away, be careful and patient.

Again, I am glad to be in Cape Coral serving as your city manager.

Have a safe summer. n

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and this could result in the loss of property or life if one chooses to stay through a storm.

Many people believe that Southwest Florida is not susceptible to storm surge; however, Cape Coral could experience substantial storm surge if a storm hits our area. Residents need to continue to be very aware of storm surge predictions and plan accordingly. Remember: Hide from wind and run from water!

If you are requested to evacuate, you need to know what evacuation route to take out of Cape Coral. Evacuation signs are posted on the major roads leading out of Cape Coral. Review a map of the area now while the weather is still calm. Learn the safe routes inland, north, south or east of our area. You will be directed based on the category of the impending storm and the direction the storm is traveling. You may be asked to evacuate north toward Tampa, east toward Or-lando or south to the Miami area, depending on the direction and intensity of the storm, while it is still sunny!

A disaster preparedness kit is essential. There are a number of items neces-sary to have on hand to help weather a storm. A list is available on the Red Cross web site, www.redcross.org, the FEMA website, www.fema.gov, and the State of Florida website, www.floridadisaster.org.

Detailed hurricane information for this area is available on the Lee County website, www.lee-county.com. If you do not have access to the Internet, an “All Hazards” booklet with extensive hurricane preparation information is available from the Fire Department/EOC administrative offices at 1115 SE 9th Avenue and from City Hall on Cultural Park Boulevard. It is also available at the Cape Coral Public Library, and the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce. This publication is free. In addition, Lee County is producing this All Hazards guide in Spanish to assist our diversified population in preparing for storms.

When considering a disaster plan, please remember to plan for any pets, and have food, water and a pet carrier on hand for them. Pets are not allowed in shelters, although limited availability with certain restrictions will now be made at the Lee County Civic Center. Please contact Lee County Emergency Manage-ment at 533-3622 for additional details.

If you or a member of your family needs medical assistance, i.e., oxygen or other medical problems that require monitoring, or if you need assistance in getting to a shelter, please make arrangements in advance by calling Lee County Public Safety at 533-3640. Do not wait until the last minute as this could delay assistance.

Storm shelters are in short supply in Cape Coral (4,700 spaces for 160,000 + residents). Because of the lack of space, shelters only should be used as a last resort. A list of shelters is in the Lee County Phone Book, or in the All Hazards Guide. If a shelter is the only option, it is strongly suggested that you learn the locations of shelters, both in Cape Coral and across the river in other parts of Lee County.

The best plan in the event of a storm is to leave early and get out of harm’s way. The earlier you leave, the better the choice of hotels. Plus, you can avoid the inevitable traffic jam that will occur should a massive evacuation take place.

Here are some steps to take prior to the approach of a hurricane: Protect all windows and the garage door in your home. Trim back all trees and palms. Check your insurance coverage. Insurance is not available if there

is an active named storm in the Atlantic, Gulf or Caribbean, and there is 30-day wait period for flood insurance. It is recommended that all homeowners in Cape Coral carry flood insurance to help cover dam-ages sustained by water other than storm surge.

Hurricane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . from page 1 Have a family communication plan with someone out of the area to serve as a contact. Purchase enough food, water and medication for 5-7 days for each person.

(With the heat in Southwest Florida, plan on having one gallon of water per per-son per day on hand). Keep your car fully fueled. Take pictures and/or video of your home, the contents and all possessions for

insurance purposes to prove what you owned should you lose everything. Bring your outdoor furniture inside, and anchor anything that cannot be

stored inside. Secure your boat (excellent information in All Hazards brochure). Gather valuables and insurance documents in a waterproof container and

take with you. If you are leaving your home, disconnect power from all appliances, except

refrigerator. Watch TV or listen to the radio for hurricane reports and shelter openings. Keep a supply of cash at home, preferably in small bills. Banks may be closed

and ATMs may not work due to loss of the facility or loss of electricity.

The City of Cape Coral continues to be committed to working with Lee County in the event of an impending storm. The state and county agencies are responsible for evacuation decisions and opening of shelters. We will make every effort to warn Cape Coral residents via the media of the status of the storm, conditions in Cape Coral and the availability of shelters. City staff will prepare for the storm, take emergency protective measures prior to, and assist in response and recovery following the storm. As long as Internet service is available, you can also check for storm updates on the City’s website at www.capecoral.net.

For more informa-tion on hurricanes and preparedness, contact the Cape Coral Emergency Operations Center at 573-3022. n


T he City of Cape Coral Charter School Sys-tem is completing another successful year in the community. The system has four

charter schools: Christa McAuliffe Elementary, Oasis Elementary, Oasis Middle School and Oasis High School. In addition to their contin-ued academic success, the schools empha-size giving back to the commu-nity.

Students at Christa McAuliffe raised more than $8,000 for the American Heart

Association through their “Jump Rope for Heart” event. Oasis Elementary also raised more than $8,000 for the American Cancer Society during the “Relay for Life” event.

These are just two examples of how the City’s charter schools give back to the community. If you are interested in exploring our schools as an option for your child, please call 242-6100 to contact a school for a tour. Enrollment is ongoing at the schools, and space is very limited. n

Cape Charter Schools Wrap Up a Successful Year

T he Community Redevelopment Agency and Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department worked together on the development of Malaga Park on SE 46th Lane near Club Square in downtown Cape

Coral. This vacant lot was developed into a small park to help beautify the downtown area and encourage visitors to stop by and relax. The ¾-acre park was used as a staging area for the underground electric project, and

park improve-ments began shortly after the staging operation area was no long-er needed. Park improvements were completed in February including the installation of an irrigation system, re-sodding the park site,

constructing a walking path, planting several trees and bushes, and placing a couple of park benches. The CRA contributed $25,000 toward this project.

At press time, changing the park name was being considered by City and CRA staff, and plans were in the works for a combination ceremony of the new park opening with the downtown underground project. Once the park name is official, a park sign with surrounding landscape will be completed. n

Malaga Park Opens in Downtown Cape Coral

Malaga Park

Chris Terrill Leaving for North Carolina

he charter schools are saying “good-bye” to Chris Terrill, the principal at Oasis High School. Terrill is leaving to

be superintendent at a charter school system in North Carolina.

“I cannot tell you how much we are going to miss Chris and his leadership in our school system,” said Dr. Lee Bush, principal at Christa McAuliffe Elementary. “He has been a tremen-dous asset to the City of Cape Coral.”

“Chris, Lee and I worked well together and made a great team as we were trying to get our charter schools up and running,” added Steve Hook, principal at Oasis Elementary. “He started at the middle school and had a vision of where he wanted to take our high school, and then he worked to get it there.”

Terrill was the founding principal of Oasis Middle School in 2006, and then moved to the high school when it was established in 2009. We wish him well in his new career in North Carolina. Terrill will be replaced by Kim Lunger from North Ft. Myers High School. n

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C ity Council has established a Budget Review Committee to assist Council during the budget process. Council created the committee on March 12 to replace the Financial Advisory Committee.

City staff currently is working on the City Manager’s Proposed Budget for FY 2013. The Budget Review Committee will meet with the City’s finance team and City departments to review the proposed budget. The committee then will provide recommendations to City Council for expenditures and revenue allocation.

Budget Review committee members will provide an important service to City Council in helping to maintain a balanced budget and good financial management policies. n

City Council Establishes Budget Review Committee

Committee replaces Financial Advisory Committee

Chris Terrill


ity Council approved an updated watering ordinance, which main-tains the two-day irrigation schedule in place year-round for water-ing lawns in Cape Coral. The ordinance provides the City with the

authority to declare an emergency during severe drought when water supplies might be running low and public safety (fire protection) becomes a concern. If an emergency declaration becomes necessary, watering could be reduced to one day a week.

Currently, residents who use wells or the dual-water system have a specific four-hour timeframe on their designated days for watering. The watering days depend on the last number of the home address.

Here is the two-day schedule that is in effect for all of Cape Coral:

Properties or developments up to and including five acres in size with ir-rigation systems that must irrigate multiple properties with different watering times will be allowed to water on Monday and Friday from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. This includes but is not limited to duplexes, multi-family units, compound use and mixed-use units.

Properties or developments more than five acres in size with irrigation systems that simultaneously irrigate multiple properties with different water-ing times shall be allowed to water on Monday and Friday from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. This includes but is not limited to multi-family, compound-use and mixed-use units. n

Council Approves Updated Watering Ordinance

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Active Military Discounts Offered at Coral Oaks and Sun Splash

o recognize and honor military personnel who are on leave from active duty, the City of Cape Coral is proud to offer special discounts at two of its recreational facilities – Coral Oaks Golf Course and Sun

Splash Family Waterpark.At Coral Oaks Golf Course, any active military on leave from a combat

area will receive a complimentary round of golf for themselves and a guest by showing their current leave papers. In addition, any other active military from any service branch will receive a one-time discounted cart fee rate of $19. Military personnel seeking these discounts should notify Coral Oaks’ staff in advance, preferably when booking their tee times, which can be re-served up to five days in advance by calling (239) 573-3100. For more information on the golf course, visit www.CoralOaksGolf.com.

At Sun Splash Family Waterpark, active duty mil-itary representing any of the five service branches, active members of a Reserve or National Guard unit, and up to three direct dependants will re-ceive complimentary admission to Sun Splash when a valid, active duty military/service ID is pre-sented. Dependents age 10 and older must present a valid Dependent ID to receive the offer. This special discount is valid for one complimentary single-day admission per person, per year. For more information on Sun Splash and the operating schedule, visit www.SunSplashWater park.com or call (239) 574-0558. n

Ordinance maintains current two-day watering schedule but allows for emergency declaration by city manager

Horton Park Boat Ramp under Repair

T he City of Cape Coral will be clos-ing the Horton Park

Boat Ramp during the month of June for repair work. The project will include repairs to the concrete ramp and adding ADA accessibility. The project is funded with $100,000 from the Florida Boating Improvement Pro-gram, and the contract was awarded to CSJ of Southwest FL, Inc. by City Council. The project could extend beyond June if there are too many days of wet weather; however, the goal is to have the work completed as quickly as possible for the convenience and enjoyment of Cape Coral’s boating community. While the Horton Park Boat Ramp is closed, signage will be posted to keep the public informed. Area boaters should use the Rosen Park Boat Ramp located at 2414 SE 15th Terrace. n

Horton Park Boat Ramp

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Monday & Friday: Midnight to 4 a.m. for addresses ending in 0 Monday & Friday: 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for addresses ending in 1 Wednesday & Saturday: Midnight to 4 a.m. for addresses ending in 3 and 5 Wednesday & Saturday: 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for addresses ending in 7 and 9 Thursday & Sunday: Midnight to 4 a.m. for addresses ending in 2 and 4 Thursday & Sunday: 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for addresses ending in 6 and 8

Next Citizens Academy will Begin in September

T he Citizens Academy is a 12-week class that will teach citizens about City government and how the processes work. The City offers two opportuni-ties each year to participate, and the next class will start in September.

The academy focuses on what is involved with running one of the largest cities in Florida. Participants will spend about 50 hours learning about each City department, the City’s charter schools and the Community Redevelop-ment Agency.

Take the challenge and discover for yourself. Sign up at for the next class www.capeacademy.com. Enrollment is open to Cape Coral residents only. Class size is limited so sign up soon. Additional information is available by contacting the program coordinator at 574-0446 or by email at [email protected]. n


Enhanced Public Space for the CRAt its May Meeting, the CRA Board approved the proposed revisions

to the City’s Land Use and Development Regulations for the core area of the CRA. The revisions were sent to the City Attorney’s office for drafting in formal ordinance format. The proposed regulations will go to the Planning and Zoning Com-mission and then to City Council for consideration.

With this task of the Vision Plan on its way to approval, the Board is moving on to its next major project: The redesign of the City-owned Big John’s Park-ing Lot in the Entertainment District of the CRA into a destination and public gathering place.

The Entertainment District is at the heart of the CRA. It has the greatest energy and concentration of active uses, including the Big John’s Shopping Center. The district also has concentrated uses along Vincennes Boulevard and SE 47th Terrace, both important streets in Downtown. The sub-district includes one of the largest municipally owned parking lots, which serves many of the existing adjacent uses. The parking lot is also the venue for some of the CRA’s events and festivals.

The area currently is designed to provide convenient parking and not designed to be a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly urban place. The challenge facing the CRA is to elevate the quality of the sub-district by changing its character from a place for cars to a place for people. This can be achieved by redesigning the parking lot to act as a unifying space within the district, rather than a space that serves to disconnect it. Strategies to achieve the change to a unifying space include:

A Create a central space that links Big John’s with SE 47th Terrace and supports popular events and festivals; Program the central space on

a regular basis with activities (live music, markets, etc.) to support an entertainment and dining experi-ence; Redesign the alley frontage to

feel more like an active pedestrian friendly street and less like a fire lane;

Reorganize the parking layout using more appropriate urban dimensional criteria, while retaining the existing parking inventory (+/- 316 spaces); Add landscape elements, street trees and screened waste receptacle areas

to soften the visual impact of the parking areas and to improve the walkability of the street edges; Improve and integrate the arcade area of Big John’s with the adjacent park-

ing lot, to better support outdoor dining and other similar active uses; Improve the character of the Big John’s Shopping Center pedestrian pas-

sageways to enhance connectivity to the Parkway; and Execute streetscape improvements on SE 47th Terrace and Vincennes

Boulevard.

Zyscovich Architects is now working with the CRA on a Design Criteria Report. The report will give the Board a single document that can be used to solicit bids with clear expectations and designs. This will ensure that the Board will receive true comparative construction bids. Zyscovich also will provide the CRA with assistance and guidance throughout the planning and implementation process. n

T he Cape Coral Police Department has partnered with ‘Autism Speaks U at Florida Gulf Coast University’ in the

organization’s “Light it up Blue” campaign.The Cape Coral Police Department chose

to participate by “lighting up blue” the depart-ment’s “Protector” statue in the front plaza of Police Headquarters.

Cape Police Officer Daniel Barbour asked the department to take part in the campaign. Officer Barbour attends FGCU and has a family member who is autistic. He is a founding member of “Autism Speaks U.”

AutismSpeaks.org designates April as Autism Awareness Month and invites businesses, government buildings and private homes to literally light it up blue to shine a light on the neurobiological disorder.

“The Cape Coral Police Department was proud to take part in the “Light it up Blue” event and to raise awareness to autism,” said Lt. Tony Sizemore.

For more information, please visit www.AutismSpeaks.org. n

Cape Coral Police ‘Light it Up Blue’ for Autism Awareness

t a joint meeting of City Council and Lee County Commission, the two elected bodies decided to extend the deadline for the two sides to reach agreement on the disposition of the Ceitus boat lift. City

and County representatives will have 180 days to see if the parties can reach a mutually agreeable solution. If no consensus is reached, Lee County has indicated it may take legal action against the City of Cape Coral to compel the City to replace the lift.

The Ceitus boat lift was removed a few years ago because the artificial structure was contributing to significant erosion and damage to protected mangroves throughout the spreader system. Per a consent agreement, Cape Coral submitted a permit to rebuild the structure; however, the Florida De-partment of Environmental Protection denied the permit. Lee County wants the City to reconstruct the barrier and asserts that leaving the channel open will have a detrimental effect on the estuary. The City prefers not to rebuild a barrier in the northwest spreader canal system and has scientific data show-ing the greater benefit of leaving the channel open. n

City Council and Lee County Commissioners Extend Deadline

for Ceitus Lift Agreement

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Preliminary design for Big John’s Shopping Center.


Yacht Club Pool and Sun Splash Offer Swim Lessons

and Summer Campslthough drowning is the 4th leading cause of accidental death in the

United States, this type of tragedy can be prevented with ongoing public education about safer water practices, including swim lessons, the buddy system, and parental supervision. With all the water in and around Cape Coral, water safety is particularly important in our community, especially during the summer months.

One of the most important things to teach children is how to be safe in and around the water while having fun. The Yacht Club Community Pool and Sun Splash Family Waterpark will be offering “learn to swim” classes for chil-dren of all ages throughout the summer. Beginning with “Star Babies” for ages 6 months – 3 years, this class will instill a sense of fun in children as they develop confidence and a comfort level in the water. Parents also will learn about water safety and drowning prevention. For pre-school age children (ages 3 – 5 years), “Sea Sprites” teaches beginning swim-ming skills. “Sea Stars” (ages 6 – 8 years) teaches core skills and progresses to advanced strokes. “Swim Stars” (ages 9 – 12 years) introduces children to the backstroke, butterfly and side-stroke. All levels of instruction are offered at both facilities.

In addition to swim lessons, both the Yacht Club Pool and Sun Splash offer water-related summer camps for children as well as community events throughout the summer. The Yacht Club is offering Jr. Splash Camp (ages 5 – 9 years) and Jr. Lifeguard Camp (ages 10 – 15 years). The Yacht also will host an Aquatic Festival on Saturday, July 21 and offer extended eve-ning hours the first Saturday of every month. Sun Splash will be hosting Jr. Lifeguard Camp (ages 10 – 15 years), a “Splash-ca-teer” program (ages 10 – 15 years), plus monthly Water Safety Clinics, Family Fun Nights, and Aqua Theatre Nights. Visit www.SunSplashWaterpark.com to see scheduled dates and details.

For more information on aquatic programs and community events taking place this summer at Sun Splash and the Yacht Club Pool, or to register online, visit www.CapeParks.com. You also can check availability and register for a particular program over the phone by calling the facility of your choice: Yacht Club Community Pool at (239) 542-3903 or Sun Splash at (239) 574-0558. n

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P lease remember that when walking your dogs, pet owners are respon-sible for picking up after their pets. The City will get complaints from neighbors about owners allowing their dogs to do their “business” in

their yard and not cleaning up after the animal. Pet owners should not allow their animals to use any resident’s yard or even a vacant lot for relief

without having a bag available to pick up the droppings. City code does require owners to clean up after their pets and remove any excrement left behind.

As pet owners take to the streets to walk their dogs, the City encourages pet owners to be responsible and consid-

erate of their neighbors. Carry plastic bags (or any other collection option) and pick up the “poo” when

your dog has to answer the call of Mother Nature. n

Please Pick Up after Your Pet

City Testing Open Lock Operations at Chiquita Lock

he City recently received a permit modification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for operations at the Chiquita Lock. The modification allows both gates of the Chiquita

Lock to be fully open when high tide on the river side is higher or the same as the canal side of the lock. This change was requested to help address boat-ing safety hazards caused by boats waiting for passage in a small area. When the tide is higher than the canal, lock passage will be much faster reducing

congestion.The timing and

height of the tides determines when the lock can be fully open and for how long. Based on the modified permit, tests were completed in April. The City would open both lock gates simultane-ously during high

tides to evaluate the currents in the

lock relative to boating safety and estimate the time duration the gates can remain open. From these tests, the City learned there are many days during the dry season that the lock could be open for several hours during a high tide. Open time during the rainy season is expected to be much less as the canal levels are higher. The City also learned that for safe boat passage, it is best to momentarily operate one or both lock doors when the current in the lock would be too fast. However, even this operation allows for faster pas-sage than full lock operation.

Full implementation plans currently are being developed based on data collected by the City during testing, which will include added controls and safety improvements at the lock. These improvements could be completed this summer. n

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Chiquita Lock aerial


Electronic Permit Submission and Review - ProjectDox

C ommunity Development and ITS will be rolling out a new service that allows contractors and residents to submit permit application packages online. ProjectDox will enable City staff to review the

submissions electronically, including digital drawing files.The construction plan review process always has been paper-intensive,

costly and time consuming. Using the new ProjectDox system from Avolve Software, the City hopes to make this process simpler and easier to manage.

The chart below summarizes how the process will work:

Permit applications will be made online via the existing eTRAKiT web portal. Once the application is submitted, ProjectDox will invite the appli-cant to upload drawing files and any other required forms and attachments securely over the Internet. The inbuilt electronic workflow automatically will

notify the appropriate reviewers who approve the plans, and the digital review process begins. Applicants will be alerted electronically when any resubmis-sion is required, and the process repeats itself until final approval. Inspectors also will be able to access ProjectDox projects and drawings to make notes for updates to approved plans that become “as-builts.”

The new system is expected to save time and money for applicants since they no longer need to visit City Hall and bring multiple copies of the volumi-nous paper submissions. The electronic workflow allows the various reviews to take place both electronically and in parallel. Reviewers from one disci-pline will be able overlay marked-up documents from other reviewers to see detailed changes in real time. City staff will be able to mark up the documents and send requested changes and comments electronically to the applicant. Staff also can set up web-based review sessions if needed.

ProjectDox will allow the City to develop simple to highly complex elec-tronic workflows to meet all our business process needs for permits and projects. ProjectDox also makes it easy for review personnel to work together with the citizen or contractor applicant during the entire process. With the appropriate permission, the applicant will have the convenience of self-service access to check review status or updates.

The first phase of the implementation was completed in May and consisted of various miscellaneous category permits, including fences, docks, boatlifts and doors. The process will be expanded to include all residential and com-mercial permits as well as planned development projects. n

Electronic Plan Submission & Review via ProjectDox

ape Coral is a city with a unique and evolving identity. Every busi-ness that calls Cape Coral “home” adds to our community’s charm and character. With the opening of Cape Spirits, the city now can

boast of the first craft distillery in Southwest Florida.JoAnn Elardo, the founder and president of Cape Spirits, Inc., will be

manufacturing and marketing “Wicked Dolphin Rum,” a new artisan rum that will be sold throughout the United States.

JoAnn has a strong background and track record running successful busi-nesses. At their core, these businesses excel in creating “brand” products and having them recognized throughout the marketing and business world.

At Cape Spirits, JoAnn’s team will produce additional products made with rum, including chocolates, BBQ sauce, rum sauce and rum cakes. Future plans include offering other spirits such as vodka and whiskey. Southwest Florida’s only rum distillery will begin manufacturing this summer.

This new business represents one of the best stories for local economic develop-ment. JoAnn recognized the need for more manufacturing and destination-type ac-tivities in Cape Coral, and she thought that a rum distillery would achieve both needs.

This type of creative problem-solving is just what our economy needs to bring more jobs and success locally. Like the pirates of old, JoAnn seized upon a clear opportunity and now is close to brewing that first batch of fine artisan rum under the “Wicked Dolphin” label. Learn more about what’s hap-pening with this new business by visiting www.wickeddolphin.com

The Economic Development Office is striving to create more of these success stories in our local community. If you have an idea for a new business and have the ability to make it happen, why not visit our office and share your vision with us? Visit us at www.bizcapecoral.net or call us at (239) 574-0444. n

Cape Coral to Get “Wicked”

C W ith the start of rainy season, our residents will begin seeing greater numbers of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes

can threaten public health, outdoor activi-ties and quality of life for residents, and each county in the state of Florida has a Mosquito Control District funded by a line item on the property tax bill. Lee County’s district is the largest in the state because Lee County has the largest mosquito problem.

Lee County has about 56,000 acres of salt marsh habitat, which allows mosquitoes to hatch in significant numbers and have a greater flight range. Lee County’s mosquitoes will move from coastal marshes inland and spread over the entire county. Combined with the acres of pasture, ditches, cypress swamps and wooded areas, Lee County provides prime breeding grounds for freshwater mosquito species.

Lee County Mosquito Control operates an aviation fleet and spray trucks to attack the breeding populations of these vectors. The initial priority is to target the insects during the larval stage; however, it usually becomes necessary to treat the adult mosquitoes as well via ultra low-vol-ume spraying.

Residents can visit the district’s website to find scheduled treatment areas or submit a service request. Go to www.lcmcd.org and select “Adult Mosq. Treatment” in the left column or “Make a Service Request” in the top right portion of the main page. n

Summer Rains Bring in Pesky Mosquitoes

10 S U M M E R 2 0 1 2

2012 Storm Season – Cape Coral’s Flooding Threat

t is important for all citizens and business owners to under-stand the potential risks of flooding. In 2008, the federal government issued new flood hazard maps for Lee County

based on updated engineering studies. Please familiarize yourself with the maps and review the actions you can take to minimize health and property risks associated with flooding.

Flooding in Cape Coral can occur from two causes - heavy rain and storm surge. Aside from localized street flooding, the Cape’s stormwater infrastructure has proven to perform well relative to preventing flood losses to homes and businesses during torrential rainstorms. However, it may not have adequate capacity if it rains hard enough for an extended period or if pipes get clogged. The other flood threat, storm surge, is a phenomenon usually associated with hurricanes. Amazingly, the storm surge can be as high as 25 feet in an intense hurricane. The areas most susceptible to storm surge are located near the coastline of Charlotte Harbor, the Caloosahatchee River and Matlacha Pass. Historically, high tides up to 12 feet above normal were reported at Fort Myers and Punta Rasa during the 1926 hurricane. In 1960, Hurricane Donna caused high-water marks of 10 to 11 feet on Estero Island.

In 2004, Hurricane Charley made landfall on the southwest coast of Florida, near Cayo Costa, with maximum sustained winds of 130 knots. Because the eye shrank considerably in the 12 hours before landfall, these extreme winds were confined to a very small area, re-ducing storm surge potential. During landfall, the local area received an average of 3.91 inches of rainfall. Other municipalities within Florida reported storm surge of more than 7 feet and North Naples reported rainfall of 7.48 inches.

If a hurricane watch is issued, please keep in mind that every hur-ricane is different. Base an action plan on information specifically pertaining to the incoming storm.

The flood map in this publication is transcribed from large-scale flood maps and shows the “Special Flood Hazard Area” (SFHA) within the City of Cape Coral. The SFHA is the area where floodplain management regulations must be enforced and mandatory purchase of flood insurance applies. The SFHA includes Zones AE and VE. These large-scale flood maps and other flood protection references are available at City Hall and the Cape Coral Public Library. If you would like assistance with reading the map, please call (239) 574-0553 to ask for help from the Planning and Growth Management Division staff.

The following information provides suggestions of actions you can take to protect yourself and your property.

What You Can Do:Several of the City’s efforts to prevent flooding depend on your

cooperation and assistance. This is how you can help: Do not dump or throw anything into the swales, drainage inlets,

canals, basins or river. Dumping into these waters is a violation of City of Cape Coral Code of Ordinances, Section 9-15. Further, Section 9-107 prohibits the sweeping or blowing of vegetative material into stormwater drains, ditches, conveyances, water bodies, wetlands,

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continued on page 12


Flooding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . from page 10

sidewalks, or roadways. This includes lawn clippings, horticultural trimmings, dirt and fill material, and other debris. Any dirt or lawn clippings blown into the street eventually will be washed into the drainage system. Also, all construction sites are required to have erosion protection devices, as silt and sand can reduce the capac-ity of the drainage system. If this occurs, the drainage system cannot carry the water away as the system was engineered to do. If you see violations, please notify Code Compliance at (239) 574-0613. If your property is next to a drainage inlet, canal, or river, please keep inlets

open and the banks clear of brush and debris. Always check with the Building Division, at (239) 574-0546, before you

build on, alter, re-grade, or deposit fill on your property. You may need a permit to ensure that your project does not cause drainage problems on other proper-ties nearby. If you see building or filling without a City permit sign posted, please notify Code Compliance at (239) 574-0613.

Property Protection MeasuresIf flooding is predicted, one protection

measure that costs nothing is to elevate valuables. This involves putting them on counters, upper cabinets, attics, or upper floors. As Cape Coral is located within a hurricane region, consider installing storm shutters and reinforcing your garage door.

Measures to protect a property from flood damage include retrofitting, re-grading your yard, and correcting local drainage problems. If your property has a low finished floor elevation, you may consider retrofitting your structure. If you don’t know your property’s current floor elevation, you can obtain copies of elevation certificates for buildings that were built since 1993 on the City’s website, www.capecoral.net or by calling (239) 574-0411. Retrofitting can include elevat-ing the structure, flood-proofing doors and walls, re-grading, or installing earthen berms and/or concrete walls. Although these remedies may require a consider-able investment, professionals may recommend these measures to help protect your property during flooding.

If you need advice on retrofitting a structure to address flooding concerns, the City can provide this for you. If requested, an employee from the Community Development Department will, at no charge, visit your property and explain ways to prevent flood damage. We can also offer assistance with your selection process if you need to hire a qualified contractor or consultant to help you solve and/or prevent a particular flooding problem. If you are in a floodplain or have had a flood, drainage, or sewer backup problem, check out these sources of assistance. Please contact the Planning & Growth Management Division at (239) 242-3204, if you need such technical assistance.

If you are interested in learning more about these options, the Federal Emer-gency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have publica-tions available on these topics. Many publications are available, free of charge, at the Department of Community Development, the Lee County library or the Internet. All development within a floodplain requires a permit. For information on obtaining a permit, please contact the Building Division, 1015 Cultural Park Boulevard, Cape Coral, FL 33990 or call (239) 574-0546.

Flood Insurance

Most homeowner's and renter's insurance policies exclude protection from damage caused by flooding. If you don’t have flood insurance, talk to your insur-

ance agent. Structures under construction are also insurable. Almost any building with at least two walls and a roof is insurable against flooding through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which offers affordable, federally-backed insurance. Contents of insurable buildings can be covered by a separate policy, also making flood insurance avail-able to renters. Unless you requested that your flood insurance policy cover the contents, it may only cover the structure. It is possible that flooding wa-ters could cause more damage to the contents than to the structure. If you are in a V-Zone or an A-Zone, you are four times more likely to experience a flood than a fire. Don’t wait for the next flood to buy insurance protection.

Substantial Improvement Requirements

The National Flood Insurance Program requires that if the cost of reconstruc-tion, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement to a building equals or exceeds 50 percent of the building’s market value, then the building must meet current flood zone construction requirements. Substantially damaged buildings also must be brought up to the same standards. Article VI of the City of Cape Coral Land Use and Development Regulations specifies details on flood damage prevention. This information is available at the City Clerk’s office and on the City website at www.capecoral.net.

Natural and Beneficial Functions of WetlandsIn Cape Coral, the areas most susceptible to tropical storm tidal surge are locat-

ed near the coastline of Charlotte Harbor, Matlacha Pass and the Caloosahatchee River. These vast areas extend from Burnt Store Marina to just north of Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve. Most of these areas with the highest susceptibility to flooding are preservation lands owned by the State of Florida. By preserving the native vegetation consisting of salt marshes and mangrove communities, residents of Cape Coral gain significant protection.

The mangroves, in particular, stabilize the shoreline during hurricanes. The mangroves have prop roots, leaves and branches that offer frictional resistance to flowing water. This effect reduces storm erosion and decreases the speed of the flow of tidal inundation and allows the settling of particulate matter. The man-groves use these sediments and the nutrients in the water for growth. Addition-ally, the mangrove environments provide areas for propagation of marine life, bird life, water quality enhancement for surrounding waters, and aesthetic benefits. It is in the best interest of Cape Coral to make sure that the functional integrity of these areas is not degraded.

Emergency Warning System: The Lee County Emergency Operations Center provides the Emergency Warn-

ing System for Cape Coral. A hurricane watch for Lee County will be announced if hurricane conditions are possible for our area within the next 36 hours. A Hurricane Watch means it is time to put the early stages of your hurricane plan into action. Tune in to local radio or television stations listed (see page 4) for the latest distribution of emergency information. Severe weather and flood warning threats are also continuously broadcast by the National Weather Service on special weather radios, on Channel 4, 162.475 MHz. Emergency vehicles also may broad-cast emergency information over an amplified speaker.

The City of Cape Coral has the CodeRED high-speed telephone emergency notification service. The CodeRED system gives City officials the ability to deliver pre-recorded emergency telephone information to targeted areas or the entire city at a rate of up to 60,000 calls per hour. Visit the City of Cape Coral website

continued on page 13

For additional information on how to prepare for flood events,

determine the relative flood risk to your property, estimate your flood insurance premium, and a list of licensed insurance

agents who serve your area, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

There is a 30-day waiting period before National Flood Insur-

ance Program coverage takes effect. Contact your insurance agent

for more information on rates and coverage.


Flooding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . from page 10

at www.capecoral.net or call (239) 574-0425 to enter your con-tact information in the CodeRED database.

If the County declares an evac-uation advisory or evacuation order for your area, please heed the warning and give yourself plenty of time to leave the area.

Because any storm is likely to interrupt electric power, it is important that you have a radio or television that can operate on battery power and that you have a supply of fresh batteries. Be prepared for interruptions of service from cable television and telephone providers.

Flood Safety: Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the No. 1 cause of

flood deaths, mostly during flash floods. Currents can be deceptive and 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If you must walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure that the ground is still there before you step further. Flood waters also can carry microorganisms capable of caus-ing disease via skin contact. Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in their cars

than anywhere else. Do not attempt to drive around road barriers as the road or bridge may be washed out. Avoid power lines and electrical wires. The No. 2 cause of death is electro-

cution. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to LCEC or City emergency management offices. Disconnect electricity and gas lines prior to flooding. Look out for animals, especially snakes. Small animals flooded out of

their environment may seek shelter in homes. Use a pole or stick to poke to turn things over and scare away small animals. Look before you step. After a flood, the ground and floors may be covered

with debris, including broken glass and nails. Floors and stairs covered with mud can be very slippery. Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. A portable genera-

tor uses an internal combustion engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide. Place the generator outside – where exhaust fumes will not enter the house. Only oper-ate it outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain. After Hurricane Charley, the Cape Coral Fire Department conducted more than 400 safety inspections of households in the city using generators. One-fourth of the homes had potentially dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in their houses, and 10 people required hospital treat-ment. If you own a generator, consider purchasing a carbon monoxide detector.

Hurricane Evacuation Safety TipsExperts who have studied the problem of storm damage and ways to mitigate

the consequences formulated the recommendations provided herein. Addition-al information is available in the Lee County All Hazards Guide, prepared by Lee County Emergency Management. The guide is available at City Hall, Fire & Police Headquarters, the library, the post office, and online at www.leeeoc.com.

By considering this information, attending hurricane seminars, purchasing flood insurance, and tuning into media broadcasts and other sources of infor-mation, you may prevent loss of property and life. n

R esidents, business owners and em-ployees of the City of Cape Coral are reminded to sign up for the CodeRED

Emergency Alert System. By entering your contact information in the database, you will receive notification of emergencies through the services of a high-speed tele-phone emergency notification service called CodeRED.

The CodeRED system gives City officials the ability to deliver pre-recorded emergency telephone notifications to the entire city or to geographically tar-geted areas at a rate of up to 60,000 calls per hour. Officials from Emergency Management, the Fire Department, and the Police Department have been trained on the system to ensure all citizens can be informed of any emergency public safety issues.

“The City always will use the media as their primary contact for getting in-formation out to the public with emergency situations,” said Fire Chief Bill Van Helden. “However, CodeRED gives us another tool to communicate directly with our citizens in the event of an emergency.”

While the CodeRED system has an existing database of home and business phone numbers, citizens are strongly encouraged to log on to the City’s website (www.capecoral.net) and follow the link for CodeRED to register their cur-rent information. Those without Internet access can call the Citizen’s Action Center at 574-0425 to request their name and number be added.

Businesses and individuals who have unlisted phone numbers also should sign up. Anyone who may have changed their phone number or address within the past year, and those who prefer to be notified by their cell phones should visit the website and register the new phone numbers. n

Sign Up for CodeRED Emergency Alert System

LeeEvac App Available for Smartphones

ee County Emergency Management has a free app that allows users to see when and where evacuations are being ordered in real-time with push notifications. The LeeEvac app also lets users find their Hurricane Surge

Evacuation Zone at any time by using the onboard GPS or searching by address. The LeeEvac app is available for Android-based phones as well as the Apple iPhone.

Lee County Emergency Management and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), in partnership with Geocove, Inc., developed the LeeEvac app in response to the new storm surge maps and to provide evacuation information that is accessible and relatable to residents and visitors of Lee County.

“The ability to effectively inform people who may be required to evacuate is a critical part of protecting our community. The LeeEvac app uses familiar technology to provide personalized information to help people protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Lee County Emergen-cy Management Planning Chief Gerald Campbell.

The LeeEvac app is free and can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store or the Google Play Android Apps Store. Search for “LeeEvac.” n

LImage courtesy of Mike Trenchard, Earth Sciences &

Image Analysis Laboratory, Johnson Space Center.

From his vantage point high above the earth in the International Space Station, Astronaut Ed Lu captured this broad view of Hurricane Isabel.


W hether you are looking to earn required volunteer hours or simply get more involved in your community, there are a number of op-portunities to volunteer with the Parks and Recreation Department.

The department has openings throughout the year for friendly and enthu-siastic individuals and groups of all ages and interests. You can serve in the Special Events Division where volunteers assist at citywide special events, or at one of the Parks & Recreation facilities such as the Arts Studio, Rotary Park, Youth Center, Coral Oaks Golf Course, Lake Kennedy or Tony Rotino Senior Center. If you have a talent and want to share, the department always is looking for volunteer specialty instructors.

The Parks & Recreation Department is a proud, certified member of the President’s Volunteer Service Awards Program. Through this program, volunteers receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award according to the number of hours served. The award packet includes an official lapel pin, cer-tificate of achievement, and congratulatory letters from the President of the United States and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

For more information on becoming a volunteer with the Parks & Rec-reation Department, please call (239) 573-3128 or contact the recreational facility you are interested in volunteering at directly. n

Parks & Recreation Department Seeks Volunteers

T he Cape Coral Police Depart-ment hosted the inaugural Ashlee Swazey Memorial Gun Safety

Seminar on April 26. About 75 young people attended the two-hour seminar at Police Headquarters to hear about the dangers of playing with guns.

The idea for the seminar came from Dave Swazey, who contacted Cape Coral Police wanting to do something to memorialize his 15-year-old daughter Ashlee. Ashlee was shot and killed accidentally by her boyfriend in 2010.

The event was for children ages kindergarten through high school and their parents. The younger children watched a firearm safety video aimed at teaching them to tell an adult when they see a firearm, etc. Middle and high school children and parents heard a presentation by a Lee Memorial Hospi-tal Trauma Surgeon on the impact of improper gun safety.

Cape Coral Police officers gave away gun locks and demonstrated how to install one on a gun. n

Cape Coral Police Host Gun Safety Seminar for Kids

Code Corner – Landscaping and Maintenancehat are the minimum require-ments for residential landscaping? The City’s landscaping ordinance

provides for these minimum require-ments. Based on the size of the lot, bushes are required as well as at least two shade trees on the property. However, one shade tree can be substituted with three palm trees. There is a large variety of shrubs and plants that are permitted and encouraged.

There are many details to the landscap-ing ordinance. The ordinance has op-tions to assist with maintaining a “Florida Friendly” landscape – one that uses the least amount of water and encourages the use of native plants. The list of permit-ted tree and bush species and size requirements are in the ordinance.

From a code standpoint, the City often receives calls and complaints about the maintenance of trees and bushes. Residents want to know who is responsible for trimming back a neighbor’s tree or shrub if it encroaches on their property. There are no code requirements for trimming bushes and trees unless they inter-fere with traffic visibility or create hazards to the general public.

Tree limbs hanging into a neighbor’s yard are not a violation nor are un-trimmed bushes. Code officers will not come out and ask a property owner to trim back their trees or bushes away from a neighbor’s home. This is a matter that must be resolved between the property owners. However, a property owner may trim encroaching bushes or tree limbs that are within their property line.

To read the entire ordinance, go to the Land Use and Development Regula-tions, Section 5.2. You can access these through our website, www.capecoral.net,

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Code officers will not come out and ask a property owner to trim back their trees or bushes away from a neighbor’s home.

under “Laws and Codes - City Codes and Land Use.”If you have any suggestions for future topics in Code Corner, please

call Code Compliance at 574-0613 or contact Frank Cassidy, Division Manager at 574-0684 (email [email protected]).

Rental Property Registration Program Maintains Cape Quality

To build teamwork and prevent lengthy legal processes, Cape Coral Code Compliance has developed a “Rental Property Registration” pro-gram to create a link between realtors, property managers and owners of rental properties in Cape Coral. The system is accessible via the City’s main website (www.capecoral.net) and collects contact information for

specific rental properties. This is similar to the City’s foreclosure registra-tion program, which is based on establishing a rapport with the responsible

parties to correct code violations and avoid a costly code process. To register, go to the main portal page, and under the “Register” tab in the navi-

gation box, select “Rental Property Contacts.”If you have any questions, please contact Larry Rogowski at (239) 574-0612 or

Frank Cassidy at (239) 574-0684.

City to Discontinue Mailing Licensing RenewalsThe City’s Licensing Division will no longer mail “Business Tax Receipt” and

competency license renewal notices to business owners. License holders can sub-mit renewals from July 1 – September 30 (the final due date each year). On Octo-ber 1, penalty fees will be assessed. For convenience, renewals can be completed via phone, online or in person. To renew online, go to www.capecoral.net and select “Business License” from the “Pay” option in the navigation box. To renew over the phone, call (239) 574-0430. n


ummer has arrived. If you are looking for fun, safe, and edu-cational ways for your children

to spend their summer break, Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department will once again be offering a variety of traditional and specialty summer camps for children ages 3 – 16 throughout the summer. Most of the camps are offered in weekly increments, with different themes, field trips, guest speakers and planned activities.

The majority of camps will begin the week of May 28 when school lets out for the summer and run through the week of August 3. The Youth Services’ Division once again will be hosting its tradi-tional weekly Summer Recreation program for children entering grades K – 9 from May 28 – July 27. The Summer Recreation program will be offered at four different Cape Coral locations this year: Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, Oasis Elementary School, Caloosa Elementary School and Four Freedoms Park. The “August Adventures” program, which will run the final week of summer break from July 30 – August 3 at the Youth Center, is available for children en-tering grades K – 5; however, early registration is required as space is extremely limited.

In addition to traditional summer camps, the Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department offers a wide variety of specialty camps including: Eco Adven-ture Nature Camp at Rotary Park; Fine Arts for Kids Camp at the Arts Studio; Preschool, Horse Camps and Super Summer Science Camps at Four Freedoms Park; Beach Exploration, Summer Adventure and Kayak Camps at the Yacht Club; Jr. Lifeguard and Splash Camps at Sun Splash and the Yacht Club Pool; Skateboarding Camp at Eagle Skate Park; and, different themed adventure weeks at the Wm. “Bill” Austen Youth Center.

While some families may choose to stay with the same program/location for their children throughout the summer, parents can “mix and match” camp weeks between the different Parks & Recreation facilities. For prices, availability and information about specific camps, view the summer Parks & Recreation Program Guide online at www.CapeParks.com, pick up a copy of the 2012 Sum-mer Camp Guide or Program Guide at Cape Coral City Hall or any recreation center, or call the division hosting the camp at the following phone numbers: Cape Coral Arts Studio ........... 574-0802 Eagle Skate Park ...................... 573-0206 Four Freedoms Park ................ 574-0804 Rotary Park.............................. 549-4606 Sun Splash................................ 574-0558 Yacht Club & Pool ................... 574-0806 Yacht Club Tennis Courts ....... 574-0808 Youth Center ........................... 242-3950 Youth Services Division .......... 242-3950

The Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department has plenty of fun day camp options for children of all ages and interests. For more information about year round programs and events, visit our website at www.CapeParks.com. n

SS un Splash is open and the sea-son is in full swing with fun and exciting activities taking place

this summer in honor of the park’s 20th Anniversary season. Sun Splash’s sum-mer schedule began May 25, and the park is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. through August 7.

To kick off the season, Sun Splash sold more than 2,900 “early bird” season passes. While the “early bird” promotion has ended, season passes are still available. In addition to unlimited admission to Sun Splash during regular operating hours, season pass holders receive a discount on parking fees, plus discounts on food and merchandise throughout the park. Season passes may be purchased at any time during the season. For prices and benefits, visit www.SunSplashWaterpark.com.

Sun Splash features more than 14 acres of pools, slides, tubes and rides. This season, guests will notice the addition of digital food displays at both the Calypso Café and the Ice Cream Shop. The popular “Super Snack Card” also will be available to give guests the ability to pre-purchase food and beverage punches at a discounted price as an alternative to carrying cash in the park. Both the Super Snack Cards and the new Tiki Express are continuing to be well received by the guests.

Special events have returned to Sun Splash including “Family Fun Nights” and regular “Aqua Theatre Nights.” Other special events scheduled at the park this summer include a Father’s Day Weekend promotion where Dads can splash for free with the purchase of a child’s admission ticket on June 16 – 17. Sun Splash also will host the park’s 20th Anniversary Birthday Bash on Saturday, June 30. A visit from Nickelodeon’s famous SpongeBob SquarePants is scheduled for Saturday, July 7.

For a complete operating schedule including “Aqua Theatre” and “Family Fun Nights,” admission rates, details about hosting your next birthday party or group outing at Sun Splash, visit www.sunsplashwaterpark.com. Be sure to follow Sun Splash on Facebook and Twitter (twitter.com/sunsplashcc) for inside park details, and quick and easy access to special deals and events. n

Sun Splash Season in Full Swing Summer Camps: Let the Fun Shine!

Recycling Reminder – No Plastic Bags or Shredded Paper

he City reminds residents not to place plastic bags (e.g. grocery bags) and shredded paper into the recycle bins. These materials cannot be recycled and can cause damage to the equipment at the Lee County

Recycling Facility. Please take these items and place them in the regular garbage for disposal.

Cape residents also are reminded not to place trash and recycle containers at the edge of the street prior to 5 p.m. the evening before your scheduled collec-tion day. Residents also are asked to move the containers back to the side of the home on pickup day and not leave containers by the road for extended periods.

The single-stream recycling has been a big success in Cape Coral, and we appreciate the participation and efforts from our citizens. For information on single-stream recycling and items that can be recycled, go to www.lee-county.com/solidwaste and look under the “Residential Information” dropdown menu. n

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New Changes in Public Records Law

T he Records Division in the City Clerk’s Office handles about 650 public records requests per month. One of the requirements when complet-ing these requests is to ensure that exempt and/or confidential infor-

mation is not released. City staff must keep informed on any legislative changes that might change the exemptions and confidentiality requirements.

The Florida Legislature recently made several changes to the Public Records Laws and created new and amended exemptions. One of these changes ex-pands the exemption for law enforcement personnel to include “civilian” law enforcement personnel, whereas it only pertained to “sworn” law enforcement personnel in the previous version of the exemption.

The public is encouraged to review Florida’s Public Records Law to un-derstand what can and cannot be classified as “exempt” and/or “confidential.” Please refer to the First Amendment Foundation’s website at www.floridafaf.org to view a detailed description of recent and upcoming legislative changes. n

Coral Oaks Golf Course

S ummer is in full swing at Coral Oaks Golf Course, and rates are at their most affordable of the year. The fee for 18 holes with cart for Cape Coral residents is only $28 before noon and $25 after noon, or $33 before

noon and $28 after noon for non-residents. The course also offers a special twi-light rate for only $22 for residents and $25 for non-residents after 3:30 p.m.

A summer tradition that continues at Coral Oaks is our Junior Golf Asso-ciation program, where children are learning, improving and having fun. The program is coordinated by volunteers as well as our PGA professionals and is our way of giving back to the community.

In coordination with the PGA of America, July is Family Golf Month, which is a great way for families to get together and enjoy some quality time at an in-credibly affordable rate. Specials include: Free driving range token for any child under age 18 when accompanied by

a parent who purchases a range token; $40 round of golf for a family of four (two parents, two children) after 2

p.m. daily Kids under 18 can play and ride in a cart for only $2.65 after 12 p.m., or

walk or ride for free after 2 p.m. with a paying adultThese great specials will be available the entire summer so look for Family

Golf Month information beginning in July. Coral Oaks hosts a number of charity golf tournaments and group outings

throughout the year, and there is summer availabil-ity during the months of July and August if you are looking to put an event together. Our PGA golf staff has plenty of knowledge and experience when it comes to coordinating events, so give us a call and we will do a great job for you.

If you are looking to improve your game, Coral Oaks offers one of the largest driving ranges in the area with grass as well as artificial surfaces. There also are weekly adult golf clinics held on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, a five-session comprehensive Golf School with multiple dates available, and private sessions taught by PGA instructors with more than 70 years of combined experience.

For those golfers who like to play more often, Coral Oaks offers a wide variety of season pass memberships as well as Men’s and Ladies’ Golf Associations, junior golf programs, tournament play and special outings for group play, all at the most competitive pricing in the golfing industry.

Coral Oaks takes tee time reservations up to five days in advance beginning at 7 a.m. every day. To reserve your space or get more information about hosting a group outing or event at Coral Oaks Golf Course, call (239) 573-3100 or visit the website at www.CoralOaksGolf.com. Don’t forget to sign up to receive free eNews updates, and follow us on our new Facebook and Twitter pages. Remember, every day is a great day at Coral Oaks, and we look forward to seeing you soon! n

Apartment Complex is City’s First LEED Platinum Building

I n April, residents began moving into Coconut Cove, Cape Coral’s first LEED for Homes Platinum-Rated apartment complex. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed by

the U.S. Green Building Council and is a certification system that provides an independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in

ment was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The project features a wide variety of energy saving improvements, including solar water heater systems. The solar water heater system is designed to operate automatically and takes advantage of solar energy. For the families who will call Coconut Cove home, this will result in an 80 percent reduction in water heating and signifi-cant savings in electricity costs. In addition to the water heaters, the construc-tion included high efficiency HVAC systems, low-volume plumbing fixtures, high performance windows, low VOC paint, Energy Star fixtures, and insula-tion that exceeds standard building code requirements. n

key areas of human and environmental health. This includes sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Coconut Cove was developed by Southwest Florida Affordable Housing Choice Foundation along with its partners, the City of Cape Coral, Moore & Spence Architects, NorthBay Energy and Owen Ames Kimball Construction. The collaborative new construction project is an affordable housing rental development located in the vicinity of Cape Coral Hospital. The develop-


he City of Cape Coral submitted a successful bid for 652 acres of foreclosed property through the Lee County Clerk of Courts auc-tion on April 9. All of the properties are located north of Pine Island

Road. The City’s bid was $13,080,100 plus fees. The bid was only $100 over the hidden reserve established by the bank of record.

The “lot” contained 491 properties, which the City can use for public works projects, including retention ponds, lift stations and stormwater improve-ments. Properties also can be used potentially for future parks, fire stations or other public facilities. City staff currently is evaluating all of the properties to determine their future use.

The City received an appraisal with a “suggested” assessed value of $17.5 million, which the appraiser advised was on the low end of the potential value. City Council authorized City staff to participate in the auction during a special public Council meeting prior to the auction.

“The availability of these properties at a much lower cost than their as-sessed value presented a great opportunity for the City,” said Interim City Manager Steve Pohlman. “This acquisition better positions the City to meet some of the future planning needs of Cape Coral.” n

Cape Coral Successful in Bid for 652 Acres of Foreclosed Property

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New Fuel Management System under Consideration

F uel management has been a top priority of the City. Purchasing a di-verse software program will allow the City’s Fleet Management Divi-sion to account properly for all fuel received and used by the City. In

January, the City issued a Request for Proposals for a fuel management software system, and the City received four proposals. The Fuel Management Selection Committee reviewed the proposals and recommended bringing in three vendors who met the City’s requirements.

The three vendors have been scheduled to provide presentations to the Fuel Management Selection Committee. After the presentations, members of the committee will visit other municipalities currently using the proposed fuel management systems to evaluate each system. The committee then will make a recommendation on the most-effective system for Cape Coral’s use. n

City Issues RFP for Value Engineering Services for Southwest 6/7

he City of Cape Coral continues to move forward with the utilities extension project in Southwest 6/7. On May 9, the City issued a Re-quest for Proposals seeking value engineering services in support of the project. The RFP was published locally and nationally. Propos-

als are due by June 11.The selected consultant will evaluate every technical aspect of the existing

Southwest 6/7 project design from 2008 and determine if any cost-savings improvements or modifications are necessary. The consultant also will develop construction bid specifications and technical documentation, permit applications, construction engineering services, and as-built/record draw-ings.

The consultant should complete all services including the bid solicitations by May 2013, and the Southwest 6/7 project should be completed by Decem-ber 2015. n

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C ape Coral’s Economic Development Office and the Re-serve Officer Association of Florida worked together to host a visit by Major General Robert Kasulke. Gen-

eral Kasulke is the Commanding General of the Army Reserve Medical Command and is the top medical leader within these reserve forces nationally.

The City’s goal was to show MG Kasulke the huge invest-ment and opportunities that exist in Cape Coral especially with the new Regional VA Clinic (set to open later this year) and the new Army Reserve Training Center scheduled to be built and open in 2013.

MG Kasulke was provided a short history of the city and overview of current and future development direction. His first major view of Cape Coral was a helicopter tour coordi-nated with the Lee County Sheriff ’s Department. The air tour

Commanding Officer of Army Reserve Medical Command Visits Cape Coralwas followed by a canal tour hosted by Elmer Tabor, a key business leader in the city.

Other visit highlights included a tour of the new Re-gional VA Clinic, the future site of the Army Reserve Cen-ter, the recently restored Iwo Jima statue, the future home of the Military Museum by the Veterans Foundation. He also visited with a variety of key staff from the Lee Memo-rial Health System and top leadership from Cape Coral Hospital.

During his visit, Major General Kasulke announced his intention to develop a cooperative agreement with the new VA Clinic and to see if other medical mission assets might fit within the new mission of the upcoming Army Reserve Center Training site. These potential new partnerships with

diverse businesses can help strengthen the local economy. nMajor General Kasulke

City and School District Partner to Complete Mariner Sidewalks

T he City of Cape Coral and the Lee County School District worked together to build much-needed sidewalks around Mariner High School at Chiquita Boulevard and Tropicana Parkway. The City

designed the project and constructed the sidewalks within the right of way around the school. The School District paid for the $100,000 project. Future plans call for extending these sidewalks south to State Road 78. This project is scheduled for FY 2015/2016 and will be funded by a $275,000 grant. n


Rainy Season Means Residents Should Prepare for Standing Water

I t’s that time of year again. The City of Cape Coral is entering the

rainy season, which typically lasts from June through September. Cape Coral receives an average of 53 inches of rain each year. The rainfall is so heavy at times that standing water in roads and yards is common. Standing water is one of the byproducts of living in a subtropical environment.

It certainly is not unusual to have several inci-dents and reports of flooding during heavy rain. With the majority of the city’s 53 inches of rain falling within a four-month period, some areas are bound to have occasional flooding. However, this flooding often results in an equal flood of phone calls to the Citizen’s Action Center. In most cases, if residents can wait a day or two, the majority of standing water will drain. However, there are situations where standing water remains for several days, and these are the situations that rate as top priorities for response from the City.

What Causes Standing Water?During and after a storm, the rainwater is conveyed through the swales,

where it is filtered. The filtering process removes heavy deposits before the water enters the inlets. Cape Coral’s stormwater eventually flows into about 400 miles of manmade canals throughout the city. These canals are defined as primary stormwater conveyance facilities (drainage systems). The canals receive this water from the secondary drainage facilities, which consist of shal-low roadside swales, pipes and thousands of catch basins/inlets.

With a heavy storm, water will collect in front of these inlets and may cre-ate standing water within a road intersection. The reason this standing water

occurs is because the canal level is higher than normal, to the point where the storm pipes are un-able to release the water. When the water reaches a certain depth in the intersection, it creates such head pressure at the inlet that the water is forced through the pipes. This creates a siphoning effect, which will drain most flooded intersections in a matter of minutes. If the canal levels get too high in the freshwater systems, structures called “weirs” can be removed to bring the water down to an ac-ceptable level.

The tidal action in the saltwater canals greatly affects the secondary drainage facilities when there is a high tide. As the tide recedes, the water flow-

ing through the outfall pipes has less restriction and disperse water from the swale areas faster.

What Can I Do?During the rainy season, we ask that residents exercise patience and caution

– patience in waiting for the rainwater to drain and caution in navigating the rain-soaked streets of the city. Working together, the City staff and residents can get through the daily deluges without incident or injury. If you have any questions or concerns about flooding or drainage, call the Citizen’s Action Center at 574-0425.

Note: The City addresses only the flooding that occurs along the roadways. The homeowner must handle standing water in the backyard and side yards of residences. While the City can provide suggestions or guidance to residents experiencing flooding problems in these areas, actual maintenance is the responsibility of the homeowner. n

Parks & Recreation Celebrates “National Park and Recreation Month”arks are one of the few places where everything comes together – good health, a sense of community, respect for nature, etc. In recognition of all the positive benefits that start in parks, the Cape Coral Parks & Rec-

reation Department is proud to join other municipalities across the state and nation in celebrating July as “National Park and Recreation Month.”

As part of the month-long celebration, local children’s artwork featuring Cape Coral parks will be on display in City Hall. The entire department will team up to host a free “Discover Parks & Recreation Day” at the Cape Coral Yacht Club on Saturday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This special event will include children’s activities, dance and exercise demonstrations, free ice cream and door prizes throughout the day. There also will be a variety of “Family Golf Month” specials offered at Coral Oaks Golf Course. Learn more in the Parks & Recreation insert located in the middle of this newsletter or visit the Parks & Recreation website at www.CapeParks.com.

Parks and Recreation Facilities Provide Many OpportunitiesEven in the heat of the summer, there are a numerous ways for people to rec-

reate and enjoy leisure. The Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department main-tains 39 parks and recreational facilities, including 20 parks with covered picnic shelters that can be reserved in advance for a nominal fee. Nineteen parks have playground areas, and several parks offer boat ramps, tennis/basketball courts

and walking/exercise trails. What are you waiting for? Be sure to get out of the house this summer and take advantage of all the recreational opportuni-ties our local parks offer.

To view a complete Cape Coral parks map, find out about upcoming activities or register for classes and programs online, visit the Parks & Recreation website at www.CapeParks.com.

You can also follow Cape Coral Parks & Recreation on Facebook and Twitter for the latest happenings. Whether your motivation is achieving better health, making new friends or getting more in-volved in your community, it starts in parks! n

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Watch for Potholesas Rainy Season Returns

P otholes are one of the most frustrating problems for drivers. Potholes are created

in a number of ways, although they seem to pop up overnight. They are formed when water seeps into cracks in the surface of the road. With the vibration of the tires over the cracks, the asphalt begins to fail. This is why there are more potholes after it rains.

Potholes also are created when the roadway is stressed by trucks and buses, which can cause a movement of the subsurface. Once there is a weak spot, every car that travels over the spot makes the problem worse. Eventually a section of the material will fail, causing a pothole and the road shoulder to erode.

To report a pothole, call the Citizens Action Center at 574-0425 or use the online Citizen Support Center at www.capecoral.net. Please provide the exact location (street name, side of street, in front of what address). Crews will respond within a reasonable period of time – usually three working days. The City presently has two pothole crews who respond to pothole complaints and proactively look for potholes.

During the rainy season, the City cautions all drivers to try to avoid potholes. If you are unable to do so, remember that the best procedure is to brake before impact and then roll through the pothole at a low speed.

Please note that the City of Cape Coral must have notice of a pothole and failed to respond in a reasonable time to be held responsible for any sub-sequent damage. Timely notification will help facilitate the repairs, and we appreciate the public’s assistance in reporting potholes. n

John McConnell

City’s Chief Inspector Gains Perspective Through a Camera Lens

S ince 2003, John McConnell has spent his work day reviewing construction and project plans, and interpreting architec-

tural drawings, maps, schematics and engineer-ing designs for the City of Cape Coral. John is a licensed building inspector and plans examiner. He is the City’s Chief Plans Examiner, and his staff of two examiners ensures that projects com-ply with established building and zoning codes and regulations.

In addition to his role as Chief Plans Examiner, John is the Chief Building Inspector overseeing the day-to-day activities of the Department of Community Development’s 12 licensed inspectors.

John’s day can be filled with questions, complaints and concerns, and his customers may be kind or critical, depending on the situation. While John has an eye focused on meeting his customers’ needs, when he leaves City Hall, his true passion is in the field of photography where John finds enjoy-ment and satisfaction.

“After a busy day or work week, I look for-ward to the opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy the solitude that photography pro-vides for me,” said John.

John’s interest in pho-tography started in the 1980s after the birth of his first daughter. John had a desire to document everyday life activities with his family, and he began taking pictures at ev-ery school event, holiday and birthday celebration. He discovered he had a knack for the art, receiving numerous compliments on his photographs. He quickly realized that taking pictures was becoming his favorite hobby, and one of his cameras now is a constant traveling partner.

In recent years, John has been focusing his camera lens on nature, landscapes and wildlife, and he takes most of his photographs in South-west Florida. His eagle shots were taken in Cape Coral, while his scenic, driftwood shots are taken on Sanibel or Captiva. His wildlife collection includes a variety of subjects – from an alligator basking in the sun to a bee gathering pollen on a flower. Lately, though, John has been zooming in on capturing birds in flight.

“As a photographer, birds in flight present a unique challenge because you have no idea when they will take flight and no idea where they will go,” said John. “Trying to capture the flight of an eagle certainly will build one’s patience level as this bird will sit in one location for what seems like hours.”

John is featuring some of his favorite photos on the “art wall” in the City Hall lobby in his first public showing in June. City employees and visitors to City Hall will be able to enjoy his beautiful artwork. John also gave the City permission to use two of his eagle photos on the City’s new Facebook banner (www.facebook.com/CapeCoralGov). To view his pho-tos, go to www.photosbyjohn.com.

“At the end of the day, it does not matter to me if it was a good day or bad day at work,” said John. “I know that all I have to do is grab my camera, find a nice, quiet location, and then just wait for the birds to take flight. In that moment, all that matters is the bird and the quiet and the wait. It’s perfect!” n


n April 10, 1962, the Florida Secretary of State signed articles of incorporation into law establishing the Cape Coral Fire Department. The residents of what

was a small community at that time wanted their own fire service, which was being provided by the North Ft. Myers Fire Department. Because of the distance, there were long response times to emergency calls, and these long response times were made worse during rainy season because Del Prado Boulevard was a narrow and often bumpy road.

A retired New York City Fire Battalion Chief Fred Bahr was selected to help lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Cape Coral Fire Department. Shortly after formation, the Fire Department’s first Fire Chief Edward Kocik was elected and served until 1970.

About a year after establishment, the Cape Coral Fire Department took de-livery of the first new Fire Engine – a 1963 John Beam High Pressure pumper. Shortly after, the City received a 1964 John Beam ladder truck, which carried

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T he Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce is proud to pres-ent the RE/MAX Realty Team’s

Red, White & Boom on Wednesday, July 4 from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge on Cape Coral Parkway. For several years, the best of Cape Coral’s business community has come together to celebrate the Fourth of July with a full day of patriotic fun, entertainment and spectacular fire-works show. This event, which is free to attend, has won the reputation as the best location to honor America on the Fourth of July in Southwest Florida. By land or by sea, the experience is remarkable as more than 20,000 people come together in the spirit of our country’s Independence Day.

This year’s Red, White & Boom will have something for everyone. The Ki-wanis of Cape Coral will sponsor the “Family Fun Zone” with inflatable bounce houses, climbing walls and obstacle courses. More than 100 vendors will be

Red, White & Boom Set for Wednesday, July 4

Cape Coral Fire Department Celebrates 50 Years of Service

offering food, drinks, novelty items, jewelry, and arts and crafts. There also will be free giveaways and drawings throughout the day.

Upgrade your “Boom” experience for a nominal fee and enjoy a spe-cial VIP area with food, drinks and an air-conditioned tent provided by Caloosa Tent & Rental. Cat Country 107.1 has lined up a great live show on the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stage, and Harley Davidson Buell of Ft. Myers will present “The American Tribute,” a live on-stage presenta-tion to honor local servicemen and women serving in Iraq and Afghani-stan. The presentation will feature a

special fireworks salute to those who have fallen in the line of duty. In addi-tion, this year marks the second running of the CenturyLink “FREEDOM 5K Race” across the Cape Coral Bridge at 7:15 a.m. For complete information, visit www.eventscapecoral.com. n

a full complement of ground ladders. The Fire Department then hired its first two paid firemen: Tim Herrick and Gib Patten.

When Cape Coral incorporated in 1970, the Fire District was abolished and the Fire Department became a City department under the City Charter and Municipal Articles of Incorpora-tion. Tim Herrick was named the City’s first Fire Chief in 1971.

Today, the Cape Coral Fire Department operates from 10 fire stations and responds to nearly 19,000 calls for ser-

vice. It is the busiest fire department in Lee County and has 192 personnel trained in firefighting and emergency medical

disciplines, hazardous materials, high angle rescue, trench col-lapse, search and rescue, underwater vehicle extrication, marine

firefighting and fireboat operations.The Fire Department recently kicked off a year-long celebration recognizing

the department’s 50 years of service to the community. After 50 years serving the citizens of this city, the Cape Coral Fire Department has become recog-nized as one of the most respected fire departments in the State of Florida. n

ARKS t Inside! On The Move - Cape Coral, Florida · 2019-07-22 · 2 SUMMER 2012 On The Move is a...

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