Check Out Our SUMMER 2019 CITY PARKS Insert Inside! 2019 Hurricane Season Begins It’s time to prepare emergency plans and supplies now he 2019 Hurricane NOAA also predicts two to four major hur- Season started ricanes (Category 3,4 or 5) this season. Hurri- T June 1. Hurricanes canes pose the greatest threat to life and proper- are among nature’s most ty however, tropical storms and depressions can powerful and destructive also be devastating. The primary hazards from phenomena. The National tropical storms, tropical depressions, and hurri- Oceanic and Atmospheric canes, are storm surge flooding, inland flooding Administration (NOAA) from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes, Climate Prediction Center and high surf and rip currents. is predicting a near-normal Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water Atlantic hurricane season. generated by a storm’s winds. This hazard is This outlook forecasts a historically the leading cause of hurricane 40 percent chance of a near- related deaths in the United States. Storm surge normal season, a 30 per- and large battering waves can result in large loss cent chance of an above-normal season and a 30 percent chance of a below-normal of life and cause massive destruction along the coast. season. The hurricane season officially extends from June 1 to November 30. Storm surge can travel several miles inland, especially NOAA predicts nine to 15 named storms and four to eight to become hurricanes. along bays, rivers, and estuaries. continued on page 4 Plans for 6.5 Mile Paved Path HIGHLIGHTS n Hurricane Season ....................... 4 PAID in North Cape Moves Forward n River Crossing Project ................... 5 ECRWSS US Postage FT. MYERS, FL MYERS, FT. Permit No. 521 No. Permit SUN Trail Design Complete PRSRT Standard PRSRT n School Bus Benches Installed ............ 6 POSTAL CUSTOMER POSTAL esign is complete for Cape Coral’s section of n Fleet Management Awards .............. 7 the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) n North 2 UEP Construction Update ....... 8 D Trail. A $1.8 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation funded the design. n FY 2020 Budget Process ................. 9 The paved 12-foot-wide trail will span about 6.5 n Project Lifesaver ........................ 9 miles. The SUN Trail will extend from Burnt Store n Cape Coral’s Flooding Threat ........... 10 Road to Del Prado Boulevard and will be constructed along the north side of Van Buren Parkway, the east n Special Flood Hazard Area Map ...... 10-11 side of El Dorado Boulevard, and the north side of n Flood Safety ........................... 13 Kismet Parkway. The $12 million path will be funded n Annual Water Quality Report ........... 14 through state grants. The city plans to install concrete side pads to some n City Expands Water Resources .......... 15 of the existing driveways that will be impacted by the trail to allow for ad- n Skimmer Incidents Down .............. 16 ditional maneuvering and parking space. Additionally, the rear setbacks of n Boat Ramp Payment Boxes Eliminated .. 19 these properties may be reduced to allow for longer driveways. n Fertilizer Restrictions ................... 20 continued on page 6 2 SUMMER 2019 WWW.CAPECORAL.NET City of Cape Coral Council Members DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 2 DISTRICT 3 DISTRICT 4 John Gunter John Carioscia Marilyn Stout Jennifer Nelson (239) 574-0437 (239) 574-0437 (239) 574-0437 (239) 574-0437 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] DISTRICT 5 DISTRICT 6 DISTRICT 7 Dave Stokes Rick Williams Jessica Cosden (239) 574-0437 (239) 574-0437 (239) 574-0437 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] City of Cape Coral Administration City Manager City Clerk Financial Services Information Technology Services Public Works John Szerlag Kimberly Bruns, Director Victoria Bateman, Director Michelle Hoffmann, Director Paul Clinghan, Director City Attorney Community Development Fire Department Parks and Recreation Utilities Department Dolores Menendez Vince Cautero, Director Ryan Lamb, Chief Kerry Runyon, Director Jeff Pearson, Director Editor/Public Information City Auditor Economic Development Human Resources Police Department Connie Barron, Andrea Butola Ricardo Noguera, Manager Lisa Sonego, Director Dave Newlan, Chief Assistant City Manager 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]. WWW.CAPECORAL.NET SUMMER 2019 3 Mayor’s Message elcome to the summer issue of On The to implement solutions. We cannot allow toxic water to ment opportunities in Move. The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season disrupt our quality of life and the environment. both countries. These vis- W officially began June 1 and experts predict City Manager John Szerlag is working to negotiate its are already starting to a normal season. The best way to protect your the purchase of the abandoned golf course property with pay off. Baise will embark family and your home is to be prepared. Please Ryan Company. These ongoing negotiations surround on an exchange program don’t wait until a storm is headed this way. This environmental concerns related to its use as a former and will be sending doc- newsletter includes important emergency pre- golf course. This 175-acre parcel is one of the few large tors and nurses to the Lee paredness information to help keep you and your parcels available for parks and recreation development Health System. The doc- families safe this summer. and will be a valuable asset to our community. tors and nurses will be staying here in our hotels and We are hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s blue- Your City Council will begin to work on the up- will be eating in our local restaurants. green algae crisis. Staff is working closely with the coming FY 2020 Operating Budget in August. Based By the time the school year begins, there will be Florida Department of Environmental Protection to on preliminary figures, we expect to see property 200 school bus benches installed throughout the city obtain preapproval for mitigation options if a toxic values increase this year, which will provide some in an effort to protect children at school bus stops. We bloom infects our saltwater canal system this sum- additional tax revenue. will continue to have a school resource officer at each mer. Cape Coral is now the 8th largest city in Florida We also expect to receive results from the Citizen school in the city. As a reminder, when children head and people are attracted to our city by the sunshine Survey that was recently conducted. The City conducts back to school please watch for students walking to and abundance of water. We have more than 400 this survey every two years using the National Research and from school and school bus stops and be careful miles of freshwater and saltwater canals that provide center, which provides benchmarks that will be used to around school bus stops. fishing and recreation opportunities. Improving the compare Cape Coral to other cities across the country. Your City Council will reconvene in July, after quality of this valuable resource is critical to our Cape Coral is moving forward with plans for a a brief summer break. On behalf of our great City, environment, our residents and our local economy. Sister-City relationship with Baise, China. I traveled I wish you a safe and enjoyable summer. n This is an important issue for Cape Coral and I to China with other city officials following a visit Regards, will continue to work with our Southwest Florida from Baise delegates. The purpose of our partnership Mayors and encourage our state and federal officials is for cultural, educational and economic develop- City Manager’s Message elcome to the summer issue of On The decisions and to chart the future course for the level water supply. There is an Move, our community newsletter. This is- of service we want to provide. Essentially, a multi-year article in the newsletter W sue features our annual focus on hurricane budget is the foundation for economic sustainability. about another water preparation. As you read through the publication, We received our preliminary taxable property value resource project, the you will find valuable information on how you and estimates from the Lee County Property Appraiser, Cape Coral/Fort Myers your family can be ready for any storm that impacts and Cape Coral’s values increased 6.48 percent, which Caloosahatchee River our area. The experts predict a near-normal hurri- is higher than the 5 percent the City projected. If the crossing project that will cane season with nine to 15 named storms this year. millage rate is unchanged, this increased value equates provide reclaimed water Our summer issue serves as an information tool to about $3 million in additional property tax revenue. during the dry season. This project will also allow Fort for our citizens providing details about flooding risk, This additional property tax revenue will be included in Myers to reduce their treated water discharges to the storm surge and hurricane preparation plans and my proposed operating budget released in mid-July. It is River. All around, this project is good for Cape Coral, kits. By distributing this important information to all good to see Cape Coral property values have continued Fort Myers, and the environment. residents and businesses in Cape Coral, the City earns to move in a positive, sustainable direction. You will start to see school bus benches being valuable information points toward our Community We have some positive news on the City’s efforts installed throughout the city as part of a pilot program.