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H I G H L I G H T SnCouncil District Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

nWater & Sewer Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

n2018 Hurricane Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

nSister City in China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

nPark Improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

nAnnual Toy Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

nCity Selling Surplus Property . . . . . . . . . . . 10

n47th Terrace Streetscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

nArts & Musical Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

nKeep the Wreath Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

nGarbage Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

nStreetlights Added in 2018-2019 . . . . . . . 15

nFire Dept Open House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

nSouth Cape NYE Ball Drop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

nSpecial Event Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Cape Coral Voters Approve $60 Million Parks Bond

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C ape Coral voters approved a $60 million expansion of the city’s parks and recreation amenities. The measure passed with 54 percent of the vote. The “yes” votes

tallied 37,494 and the “no” votes totaled 32,475 (46 percent). There were 69,969 total votes cast.

The approved 15-year bond will fund major parks and recreation improvements throughout the city. These improvements include seven new neighborhood parks, about $10 million in improvements at Cape Coral Yacht Club, and development of Festival Park, Lake Kennedy Park and Yellow Fever Creek Environmental Park.

The parks projects also include improvements to existing parks. Residents will see new playground equipment, shade structures, pavilions and improved parking areas at various parks.

“As with all Parks and Recreation projects, I am committed to seeing that these projects meet our residents’ expectations,” said Parks Director Kerry Runyon. “We will be holding meetings to listen to your ideas and will work to

City Council Adopts FY 2019 Operating Budget

T he operating budget for Fiscal Year 2019 was adopted by City Council on September 20 in the amount $779.8 million. The City’s primary operating fund, the General Fund, comprises 27.1 percent

or $211.6 million of the total budget.The adoption of the annual

operating budget is an under-taking that requires a great deal of consideration by City Council. Planning and budget development for FY 2019 be-gan early in the calendar year. During the months of January through April, departments developed their operating

continued on page 6

Check Out Our CITY PARKS Insert Inside!

Major parks and recreation improvements to be made citywidebring those ideas to fruition.”

The City will be holding meetings to listen to our residents to help select some of the amenities for the

new neighborhood parks. In the meantime, City staff are fast at work preparing bond documents and gathering information to determine what projects can get underway as quickly as possible.

“Now, we begin the hard work to put in place what our residents told us they wanted and what the City committed to doing,” said City Manager John Szerlag. “The approval of this bond will help improve the quality of life for our Cape Coral residents.”

The City is expected to issue the bond for funds in 2019, with improvements to existing parks to begin shortly after. Project plans, financial data about the City’s use of bond funds, and regular progress reports will be provided to residents.

For more information about the Cape Coral Parks GO Bond, included projects, and timeline, visit www.capecoral.net/gobond.n

Budget maintains property tax rate

2 W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 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 newsletter@capecoral.net.

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

John Gunter (239) 574-0437

jgunter@capecoral.net

Marilyn Stout (239) 574-0437

mstout@capecoral.net

John Carioscia (239) 574-0437

jcarioscia@capecoral.net

Dave Stokes (239) 574-0437

dstokes@capecoral.net

Jessica Cosden (239) 574-0437

jcosden@capecoral.net

Rick Williams (239) 574-0437

rwilliam@capecoral.net

Jennifer Nelson (239) 574-0437

jinelson@capecoral.net

City of Cape Coral AdministrationCity ManagerJohn Szerlag

City AttorneyDolores Menendez

City AuditorAndrea Butola

City ClerkKimberly Bruns, Interim

Community DevelopmentVince Cautero, Director

Economic DevelopmentTerri Hall, Interim Manager

Financial ServicesVictoria Bateman, Director

Fire DepartmentRyan Lamb, Chief

Human ResourcesLisa Sonego, Director

Information Technology ServicesMichelle Hoffmann, Director

Parks and RecreationKerry Runyon, Director

Police DepartmentDave Newlan, Chief

Public WorksPaul Clinghan, Director

Utilities DepartmentJeff Pearson, Director

Editor/Public InformationConnie Barron, Manager

3WWW.CAPECORAL.NET W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

Mayor’s Message

City Manager’s Message

W elcome to our Winter issue of On The Move. Happy holidays to our residents and snowbirds.

As I wrap up my first year as your mayor, it has been an honor and privilege to represent the Cape Coral community. Along with my fellow council members, the city is moving in the right direction, and our future looks bright.

This has been a very busy and productive year for your City Council. I am especially excited about our recent election results. Cape Coral voters overwhelmingly approved a $60 million general obligation parks bond referendum that was on November’s General Election ballot. This decision by the voters will elevate Cape Coral’s appeal to current and future residents. On behalf of your City Council I thank you for taking the time to vote on this important decision for your city’s future.

We are wrapping up the year with several ac-complishments including an agreement with LCEC that Council asked me to negotiate. We quickly found a solution to the challenge of putting full-time school resource officers in all Cape Coral schools, as required by the state. As noted elsewhere

in this newsletter at the end of September Council adopted the FY 2019 budget. One of the primary responsibilities of the City Council is to approve and adopt the annual operating budget. Council main-tained the same property tax rate (millage) of 6.75 as the previous two years. Achieving solid financial stability is a multi-year process. We continue to invest dollars in our roads, streetlights and medians. Cape Coral is one of the best-value cities in Florida, and future and current businesses look to locate or ex-pand in cities that provide a lower cost of living. The streetscape project in the South Cape is expected to be complete soon and should attract new investments in the downtown area. With the investment opportu-nities we are also creating at Seven Islands and Bimini Basin, and with the upcoming Land Development Code rewrite, I expect Cape Coral to continue grow-ing at a fast pace.

Along with this year’s accomplishments, there are several challenges our city is facing. We must ensure our state and federal legislators are making policy decisions in the best interests of our citizens. Council has been addressing water quality issues for several years and this summer’s harmful algae blooms

highlight the importance of water quality in our city. Another challenge we face involves building the commercial tax base of the city to reduce the reliance on residential property taxes. Council will continue working to develop solutions to these challenges as we continue to move forward.

Cape Coral is the 9th largest city in Florida in population, and that is a significant milestone. As mayor, it is important to represent Cape Coral’s short-term and long-term interests when issues arise that may affect our city. We value the input and ideas of the community we serve. There are many great ways to volunteer and stay involved in local government affairs. I am happy to be working with my fellow council members and am excited about this year’s successes. I also look forward to Cape Coral’s future.

My best wishes to you and your family during this holiday season. n

Regards,

M erry Christmas and happy holidays to our Cape Coral residents and visitors. Welcome back to our snowbirds.

We are just about to wrap up 2018, and we certainly have had an active and productive year in Cape Coral. As the year winds down, we have a lot to celebrate and even more to look forward to.

Cape Coral residents voted yes for the $60 million parks bond that was on the General Election ballot in November. These funds will be used for the construction of city-wide parks projects including new neighborhood parks and improvements to existing parks. The community’s support of the general obligation bond allows the City to deliver on the vision of providing our families with the highest quality of life through our parks and recreation amenities. Now that the community has spoken, our efforts will go into high gear. The result will be an unprecedented expansion of the City’s parks system delivered in the same efficient, effective, and transparent manner the Cape Coral community has come to know and expect.

City Council recently adopted the City’s FY 2019 Operating Budget. The final budget maintains

the millage rate of 6.75 mils. We are keeping our promise to be fiscally responsible to our citizens by striking a good balance between adequate revenues and investment in the city. This budget continues our capital investment plan. The Plan includes $6.5 million toward paving our roads, $312,000 for median improvements, $100,000 for new streetlight fixtures and $520,000 for alley-paving.

The City also is advancing development opportunities for the Bimini Basin and City-owned properties at Seven Islands and the D&D boat ramp. A rewrite of the Land Use and Development Regulations is almost complete. The rewrite was the result of a consultant’s recommendation that will assist in streamlining the development process in Cape Coral.

Our 2018 hurricane season came to a close on November 30, and while it was a slightly above normal season with 15 named storms, the good news was that none of them made landfall in Cape Coral. The news was not as good for our Florida neighbors in the Panhandle. The catastrophic damage caused by this year’s storms are a constant reminder that we should not take our good fortune for granted, and we should always be prepared every hurricane season.

We have some challenges we are facing in 2019, the harmful algae blooms in our saltwater canal system this summer has illustrated the immediate need for our state and federal officials to establish action plans to address our water quality issues. Speaking of action plans, we have some challenges to determine the next steps for the operations of our City charter schools. We are finishing the evaluation of the administrative and business support functions of our City’s charter schools to ensure their economic sustainability. A plan based on best practices will be presented in the coming months.

As you can see, 2018 was a successful year and we have our plates full as we head into the new year. Cape Coral is a great city with wonderful residents. Thank you for your continuing support. I wish you and your family a very happy holiday season. nBest regards,

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CITY OF CAPE CORALCITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND COUNCIL DISTRICTS

Legend

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District 1 – John Gunter

aicsioraC nhoJ – 2 tcirtsiD

tuotS nyilraM – 3 tcirtsiD

District 4 – Jennifer Nelson

District 5 – Dave Stokes

smaililW kciR – 6 tcirtsiD

District 7 – Jessica Cosden

5WWW.CAPECORAL.NET W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

City to Conduct 2019 Citizen Survey

T he City of Cape Coral will be conducting the biennial Citizen Survey in February/March next year. The City plans to use the services of the National Research

Center, Inc. The NRC has con-ducted the past eight Cape Coral surveys. The NRC has a “Na-tional Citizen Survey” template that many municipalities use to solicit public opinion on a broad range of City services.

The Center is associated with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), and staff members employ scientific methods in conducting the research for the city. By using tried and true methods of data collection and analysis, the City is assured of receiving valid results.

About 1,200 residents will be selected randomly to participate in the mail survey. If you receive a survey from the Center, please take the time to respond to the questions. Each person who receives a survey represents more than 150 citizens, so your input is very important as we move forward with gathering opinions from the community.

Once the survey is complete and the results tabulated, the findings will be presented to City Council. The survey allows the City to compare results with established benchmarks. The City anticipates completion of the project and a final report from the National Research Center by summer.n

Southwest 6/7 UEPRefunds Being Calculated

T he City is calculating refunds for property owners in the Southwest 6/7 Utilities Extension Project area. Projects costs are being finalized and the City is calculating the amount that the original estimated assessment ex-

ceeded the actual construction costs.For customers that opted to pay

the assessments through the amor-tized option, or tax billed method, the City will make the appropriate adjustment to their assessment balance. Customers who paid the assessment and are due a refund, will receive a check in the mail in approximately 60 days. When the

project costs are finalized, refunds will be provided to the current property owner based on Property Appraiser records.

Notification will be mailed to Southwest 6/7 property owners that are due a refund and/or balance adjustment.n

No Change for Cape Coral Water & Sewer Rates

W e have good news for our water and sewer customers. Our annual

Cape Coral’s cost for water, sewer and irrigation remain lowest in Southwest Florida

rate sufficiency analysis con-ducted by Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. indicates no rate increase will be needed this year. In fact, no increases are anticipated for the next five years.

The City of Cape Coral is able to provide rate security due to the ongoing utilities extension projects to install water, sewer and irri-gation lines. Southwest 6&7 is complete, and North 2 is well under-way with North 1 next in line to receive city utilities.

By keeping rates constant, Cape Coral maintains the lowest over-all water, sewer, and irrigation costs in Southwest Florida. While utilities expansion is a major reason the rates remain unchanged, the City’s irrigation system also plays a role. This system supplies treated wastewater and canal water for irrigation use to Cape Coral customers. The average irrigation customer uses about 20,000 gal-lons of irrigation water each month during the dry season. In Cape Coral, the cost for this reuse water is $9.50 per month.

Most other cities do not have a reclaimed irrigation system.

Irrigation water comes from other sources, most notably their potable water system. Customers served by these systems pay substantially more for their irrigation water.

The City is recognized as an industry leader in the production of drink-ing water and provision of reuse water for irrigation services. By continu-ing to set the standard, our customers are guaranteed to receive the highest quality utility services at the best costs.n

2019 Operating Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . from page 1

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NOAA's GOES-East captured this image of Hurricane Michael as it came ashore near Mexico Beach, Florida on Oct. 10, 2018. According to the National Hurricane Center, Michael intensified before landfall with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, heavy rainfall, and deadly storm surge. (NOAA).

2018 Atlantic Hurricane Tracks (through November 30, 2018).

2018 Hurricane Season Wrap Up

T he 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season has been, as predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), an active and slightly above

normal year for tropical cyclone activity. As of the end of November, there were 15 named storms, eight of which were hurricanes. Two of the hurricanes reached Category 3, “major” strength. This is down from six major hurricanes in 2017.

However, the two major hurricanes this season, Michael and Florence, caused catastrophic damage in the U.S., pri-marily in Florida and Carolinas.

Hurricane Florence made landfall mid-September, battering North and South Carolina with winds more than 90 mph, storm surge as high as 6 feet, and record rainfall totals. Hurricane Florence became the wettest hurricane on record to impact the Carolinas.

Less than a month later, Hurricane Michael slammed Florida’s panhandle in mid-October as one of the strongest landfalling hurricanes in U.S. history. Hurricane Michael came ashore near Mexico Beach with winds in excess of 155 mph and storm surge as high as 15 feet. Each of these major hurricanes

left a trail of destruction that will take communities years to recover. Preliminary findings estimated that the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season

had over 150 fatalities and damages totaling more than $35 billion. Also, this hurricane season marked the fourth consecutive year in which a storm developed before the official start of the season with Tropical Storm Alberto forming on May 25. Although Southwest Florida survived the 2018 Hur-ricane Season with no direct impact, the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones continue to increase, making it necessary for all of us to remain prepared for disasters throughout the entire year.n

budgets for the three year rolling budget period of Fis-cal Years 2019 - 2021. In June, the budget requirements along with the Lee County Property Appraiser’s initial value estimates, were presented to City Council.

For the seventh consecutive year, our property tax base increased over the previous year. These increases came after five consecutive years of decreasing value resulting in a loss of about 60 percent. The financial model for FY 2019 initially assumed an increase of 5 percent but final property values increased more than 8 percent. The City was able to again meet it’s goal of holding the reliance on ad valorem taxes in the General Fund to less than 50 percent of total revenues.

The City Manager’s budget was reviewed by City Council during workshops held in August. The adopted operating budget held the operating millage

steady at a rate of 6.750, the same rate as Fiscal Years 2018 and 2017. City Council adopted a 62 percent cost recovery from the Fire Service Assessment, which was an increase from 59 percent the previous year and lower than the 64 percent cost recovery in FY 2017. This was a planned increase. Council adjusted the cost recovery down to 59 percent in FY 2018 to account for substantial building value increase assigned to “Ranch” style homes by the Lee County Property Appraiser.

The Budget provides $6.5 million for road paving for the seventh consecu-tive year, $100,000 for new streetlight fixtures, $312,000 for median improve-ments, and $520,000 for alley paving.

The City’s final operating budget is available to review on-line by visiting the Financial Services Department page on the City’s website at www.capecoral.net.n

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Burrowing Owl FestivalReturns to Rotary Park February 23

T here is one bird species, the burrowing owl, that is known through-out Cape Coral and many people come from all over just to see Cape Coral’s little-feathered friends. There are even some lucky people who

share a yard with these cute little guys. They quickly win hearts with their lack of fear, curious looks, and adorable babies and they love to watch people as much as people love to watch them.

The burrowing owl is a species of special concern and the official city bird of Cape Coral. They are birds of prey and feed on insects, anoles, frogs, and mice. These small owls make their home in the ground or sometimes in a culvert and are excellent at decorating their houses, too. They bring bits of trash to place about their burrows in order to dissuade predators from

approaching their homes.Residents and visitors can learn more about these fas-cinating creatures at the 17th Annual Burrowing Owl

Festival, sponsored by Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and Cape Coral Parks and Recreation, on Saturday, February 23 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Rotary Park (5505 Rose Garden Road).

There will be educational programs, children’s crafts, guided walking tours, bus tours to nearby owl

burrows, butterfly house access, live animals, food and a great time for all ages. The cost is just $5 per person and

children under 16 are free. Don’t miss this awesome day and bring your family and friends for a day packed full of fun and learning. For more information, please call (239) 549-4606.n

Sister City Project with Baise, China Builds MomentumChinese delegation invited to Cape Coral for a formal visit

T he City is moving forward with plans to establish a cultural partnership and

sister city with Baise, China. Six del-egates from the Baise Municipality Guangxi Zhuang in China are plan-ning to visit Cape Coral in February.

In a formal invitation letter to Baise Mayor Zhou Yijue, Cape Coral Mayor Joe Coviello wrote, “As we look to the future of this partnership, we envision a growing awareness and appreciation of each other’s culture as well as opportunities that may be of mutual benefit to our communities.”

The City’s Economic Development Office (EDO) is coordinating the planning process of the visit. “We are looking forward to finding avenues to explore cultural and business opportunities,” said Cape Coral EDO Interim Manager Terri Hall.

A Chinese Delegation Welcome Committee was formed to include repre-sentatives from key sectors in the Cape Coral community including educa-tion, healthcare, and private-sector businesses. During their visit, the delegates

will get an opportunity to visit the City of Cape Coral Charter Schools, Lee Health’s Cape Coral Hospital, and Ecological Labora-tories, which already conducts a great deal of business in China.

The Welcome Committee consists of City of Cape Coral representatives Pearl Taylor, Nita Whaley, Karen Ramos and

Maureen Buice, Organizer JoAnne Killion, Lee Health’s Lorri Philbin and Stephanie Wardein, Ecological Laboratories’ Michael Richter, Abby Rich-ter, Delvia Lukito, and Dr. Shou Tao, HD PR Group’s MerriBeth Farnham, CCIM Sperry Commerical Global Affiliates’ Theresa Blauch-Mitchell and Carlos Acosta, the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce, and City of Cape Coral Charter School Authority’s Superintendent Jacquelin Collins and Kathleen Paul-Evans.

Baise is more than 20 times the size of Cape Coral with 12 counties and 135 townships. However, the two cities share similar climates and are both popular tourist destinations.

The Welcome Committee’s Organizer JoAnne Killion is the brainchild behind this partnership idea. She brought her idea to the City two years ago after moving to Cape Coral with her student exchange business. “I picked Cape Coral because it is such a safe city,” said Killion. “Now I will be excited to share this with the people that I know from China. My hope is that they fall in love with Cape Coral as much as I have.”n

Chinese Delegation Welcome Committee

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day Set for March 16

C ape Coral residents should mark their calendars for the annual House-hold Hazardous Waste Collection Day. The Lee County Solid Waste Division will collect hazardous waste in Cape Coral on Saturday,

March 16, 2019 at the Public Works Annex, located at 1750 Everest Parkway. Collection hours will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the general public.

Household chemical waste cannot be placed in dumpsters or residential collection carts for curbside pickup. Citizens need to dispose of these items at a scheduled drop-off collection day, which is a free service provided by Lee County Solid Waste in partnership with the City. Residents can also take items to the Lee County Household Chemical Waste Collection Facility, which is located at 6441 Topaz Court in Fort Myers.

Residents can bring drain cleaners, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, liquid paint and thinners, polishes and strippers, fluores-

cent tubes, electron-ics, car and boat batteries, auto oil and antifreeze, gas pro-pane tanks, flares and

ammunition, and boat flares.n

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Improvements at Three Cape ParksBeing Made with Assistance from Grant Funds

P ark improvements are keeping Cape Coral’s Parks Maintenance staff busy the last few months. The following improvements projects have been planned for some time and were not included in the General Ob-

ligation Parks Bond plan that was recently supported by Cape Coral voters:n Saratoga Lake Park: A new fenced playground with equipment suitable for children ages 2-12 has replaced the aging play equipment at Saratoga Lake Park. Fitness stations were also recently installed at the Park. These improve-ments were made possible by a grant awarded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Agency - Land and Water Conservation Fund. The grant will also provide Saratoga Lake Park with improvements to the ADA restroom ramp and a new kayak launch.

Saratoga Lake Park’s new playground equipment.

n Sirenia Vista Park: The kayak launch at Sirenia Vista Park is in the process of being improved to include a handicap accessible launch. Decking and docking will be replaced to complete the project, which is being completed with the help of grant money received from the Lee County Tourism Development Council.n Yacht Club: The water foundation located in the roundabout of the Yacht

Club’s Main Building was re-cently fixed and equipped with brand new LED lighting. Over the next few months, the public may notice steps being taken to remove the beach pavilion. This is one of the improvements included in the 2016 Park's Master Plan to increase the size of the beach and improve park aesthetics. For more information on Cape Coral's parks and projects, visit www.CapeParks.com.n

Cape Coral Firefighter ReceivesPrestigious ScholarshipC ape Coral Fire

Engineer/Driver Marty

Redovan was selected to receive an all-expenses-paid Honeywell and DuPont scholarship to attend the Fire Depart-ment Instructors Con-ference (FDIC) Interna-tional in Indianapolis in April next year.

Each year 20 outstanding firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and first responders are selected to attend the weeklong FDIC event, which is the industry’s premier source of advanced training on firefighting tools, tactics and safety for first responders. The Scholarship includes paid travel expenses, hotel accommodations, food vouchers and admission to the event. Scholarship recipients are nominated by their peers and awarded by an independent panel that considers record of service and training background.

Fire Engineer Redovan was nominated by Retired Fire Lieutenant Michael Camelo Sr. in honor of his son, the late Fire Engineer Michael Camelo Jr. Engi-neer Camelo attended the 2018 FDIC event and training was one of his passions.

Engineer Redovan is a Marine Field Training Officer, Paramedic, and member of the Hazmat Team. He began his career in fire service in 2006 and has served the Cape Coral community since 2012. Engineer Redovan is a Cape Coral resident and coaches his son’s little league team in his spare time. n

Fire Engineer/Driver Marty Redovan

Cape Coral Irrigation Supply Adequate for Now

S ince the start of the dry season, the City has been monitoring the freshwater canal levels to ensure adequate irrigation supply. All adjust-able weirs have been placed in their most elevated positions, and grates

and weir plates have been installed for full harvesting of stormwater supply. The City's freshwater canal levels are just below the water levels as this time last year.

Proper lawn irrigation is the No. 1 way to conserve our limited water resources and ensure the canal levels remain at optimum levels for all uses. Lawns also require less water during the winter months and need only one inch of water weekly. Overwatering of lawns pushes water below the root zone making the water inaccessible. Depending on the type of sprinkler heads on your irrigation system, each zone only needs 20-45 minutes of wa-tering on scheduled days to achieve one inch of watering per week. Irrigation systems also need to be maintained to be as efficient as possible for optimum conservation purposes.n

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Cape Coral Fire Department AnnualToy Drive

T he Cape Coral Fire Department will be collecting toys and

gifts for children in our com-munity who have special needs, suffer from chronic illnesses such as cancer, are in foster care, or have families strug-gling with financial difficulties. Donations for boys and girls of all ages (newborn to 17 years) are needed.

Gifts for teens are often in short supply. Please consider

donating gift cards, makeup, body soaps and lotions, perfume or cologne, arts and crafts supplies, sport equipment, or entertainment items for this age group.

“The need is evident and the dona-tions we receive have a clear, positive impact. Last year over 1,500 children re-ceived toys,” said Fire Chief Ryan Lamb. “Thanks to the continued support and generosity of the Cape Coral commu-nity, we are able to help our neighbors enjoy the holiday season, which they may not otherwise be able to do.”

Please bring new, unwrapped toys or gifts to any of the below fire stations no later than Wednesday, December 19:

Remember Your Watering Schedule for Dry Season

Conserving now is important to maintain an adequate supply of irrigation water

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

C ape Coral has entered the dry season. While the supply of ir-rigation water currently is ad-

equate, the lack of rainfall we experi-ence during the dry season, combined with greater demand, can put a strain on the City’s irrigation supply. The City relies on canal water from the freshwa-ter canal system as a supplement to the reuse water produced from our wastewater reclamation plants.

It is very important for our residents to follow the City’s year-round water-ing schedule to avoid tighter watering restrictions. Please remember that during the dry season, lawns require less water than hot, summer days.

Our two-day watering schedule is in effect for all residents whether you are using the City’s dual-water system or private wells. There is a specific four-hour timeframe on the designated days for watering. The water days depend on the last number of the home address.

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

Non-residential, duplexes and other multi-family units can water on Monday and Friday from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.n

Community can drop off toys until December 19

n Station 1 . . . . . . 4610 Coronado Parkwayn Station 2 . . . . . . 701 Nicholas Parkwayn Station 3 . . . . . . 1627 Everest Parkwayn Station 4 . . . . . . 2007 Santa Barbara Boulevardn Station 5 . . . . . . 1029 Diplomat Parkwayn Station 6 . . . . . . 4540 Chiquita Parkwayn Station 7 . . . . . . 3942 Burnt Store Road Nn Station 8 . . . . . . 707 SW 1st Streetn Station 9 . . . . . . 4107 Pelican Boulevardn Station 10 . . . . . . 3623 Gator Circle Westn Station 11 . . . . . . 1038 Burnt Store RoadIf you have a business or a group that would like to partner with the

Cape Coral Fire Department for toy collections, please contact aschuch@capecoral.net or call (239) 242-3303.n

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Kayak Shack at Four Mile Cove Open for the Season

T he Kayak Shack at Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve is open for the season from now until May 26. This is a great time of year to spend some time outdoors. Paddle quietly through mangrove tunnels to a

portage where you can stop for a picnic lunch at the Eagle Scout pic-nic place. Then launch your kayak on the other side of the portage to see the best areas of the preserve.

Paddle away the stress of the outside world in the secret tunnels of this beautiful mangrove pre-serve. You may encounter a variety of wildlife, including many bird species, turtles, raccoons, otters, stingrays, manatees, and occasionally a bottlenose dolphin. This outing is perfect for anyone interested in an adventure and exploring undeveloped, natural areas of Southwest Florida.

Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve is a 365-acre preserve that is located at the east end of SE 23rd Terrace, just north of the Mid-Point Bridge. Single kayak rentals are $20 for two hours or $30 for four hours. Tandem kayak rentals are $30 for two hours or $45 for four hours. The Kayak Shack is open on Saturdays and Sundays only from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. All kayaks must be returned by 4 p.m., the last 2-hour rental may depart no later than 2 p.m.

For more information about kayak rentals and upcoming kayak programs and adventures, please contact Parks and Recreation at (239) 549-4606.n

Cape Coral Fire Department Response toHurricane Michael

City Preparing to Sell Surplus Property ParcelsT he City is finalizing plans to sell 109 City owned properties that have

been officially declared “surplus property”. These properties are not being used nor projected to be used for municipal purposes in the

forseeable future.The City Council authorized the sale of the surplus properties in

November and staff is preparing these properties to be listed for sale on the local multiple listing service (MLS). All properties must be listed for a period of 30 days before any contracts for sale and purchase can be considered. Contracts will be presented to the City Council for approval via the ordinance process.

A list of the surplus properties can be obtained from the City’s Real Estate Divi-sion to any interested parties. Individual parties interested in purchasing surplus real property, can contact the City’s Real Estate Division at (239) 574-0541.n

T he Cape Coral Fire Department deployed numerous personnel to assist with the recovery efforts for Hurricane Michael, which made landfall in the Florida

Panhandle on October 10. That day, an engine and four firefighters deployed as part of a strike team of engines to Panama City. In addition to respond-ing to accidents with extrication and trauma alerts, they worked with others from around the country helping to clear debris, tarp roofs, set up points of distribu-tion for supplies, and do what they could to boost morale. After almost 10 days, another group of four CCFD firefighters took their place and continued assisting with recovery efforts for another week.

A couple of days after Hurricane Michael made landfall, the CCFD also de-ployed four battalion chiefs: one as the strike team leader of tenders in south

Bay County, one as the strike team leader of tenders in north Bay County, one as the strike team leader of tenders in Gulf County, and one as the strike team leader of engines in Panama City. Tenders are tankers that hold thousands of gallons of water. The CCFD has a tender that is used to supply water to firefighters in the areas of Cape Coral that do not have hydrants. During the response to Hurricane Michael, these resources were invaluable as many parts of the Panhandle did not have access to water. The tenders supplied water for multiple brush fires, residential structure fires, and commercial structure fires, including a chemical explosion.

Cape Coral’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was also part of the initial response. Four members deployed to Panama City the day after landfall for a week to help with sheltering operations. Two Cape Coral Emergency Management coordinators, a Public Works manager, and five more CERT volunteers later deployed to Gadsden County where they con-ducted damage assessment for a week.

“Having experienced firsthand the challenges that a community impacted by a hurricane faces, we were honored to be able to assist our fellow Florid-ians in their recovery from Hurricane Michael,” said Fire Chief Ryan Lamb, “The Cape Coral Fire Department and Emergency Management diligently train and prepare in order to be able to provide a committed response to our community in a disaster situation. We are proud when we are able to use these skills to help others in need.”n

Hurricane Michael

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Rotary Community GardenNow Open

A fter much anticipation, the Cape

Coral Rotary Clubs officially opened the Rotary Community Garden in Septem-ber. The garden was dedicated to the citi-zens of Cape Coral, to be managed by the City of Cape Coral through Rotary Park.

The garden, locat-ed just north of City Hall, features 52 garden plots that are 10'x4' in size, including 5 handicap ac-cessible plots. All the plots are equipped with drip irrigation. Hand watering is also available from four hose stations located throughout the garden. Garden-ers can enjoy the shade under the Seminole chickee hut, which is also home to free gardening programs and gardener meetings. Mulch and compost are provided in bins, along with a three-system composting section to dispose of weeds and unwanted organic material. A locked shed has wheelbarrows and tools for gardener use. Gardeners are also welcomed to nibble on the tasty fruits and edible trees planted around the garden fence. This beautiful garden is the perfect spot to grow your veggies or flowers and to make new friends.

Garden plots are available to rent annually from October 1 through Sep-tember 30 for just $100 per year on a first come, first serve basis. For more information or to reserve your garden plot, please call (239) 549-4606 or stop by Rotary Park located at 5505 Rose Garden Road.n

Garden plots are available for rent

SE 47th Terrace Streetscape Nearing CompletionT he SE 47th Terrace Streetscape Project

has made significant progress since early fall, with a huge milestone being

met – all businesses in the project limits are now on the new water main line.

Cape Coral residents and visitors can drive through the majority of the project limits, which is from Coronado Parkway to SE 15th Avenue. Underneath the beautiful streetscape lies critical infrastructure to support the fu-ture growth of this bustling business district.

“Many people don’t realize nearly half of the project budget funded critical utility infrastructure, and this is much more than a beautification project,” said Yvonne McClellan, public information specialist for the project. “This is a project where the City is investing in lasting infrastructure to support future

growth in downtown South Cape.”A new water main line, made of ductile

iron pipe, replaces the old concrete water main that had been in use for several years. This new main will support reliable and consistent water service for many years to come. In addition to the new water main line, a wide range of new utility infrastructures were installed including a new sewer main, a new irrigation main, and conduit for elec-tric and fiber optic cables. The conduit was installed to power the new streetlights and to support future improvements, which could include cameras, informational kiosks and license plate readers.

Wide brick paver pathways, lush land-scaping and stylish streetlights have been installed to enhance this unique area of

locally-owned, one-of-a-kind retailers, restaurants and shops in downtown South Cape. Since the project kicked off in early February, busi-nesses have been open and the project’s construc-tion man-ager, Chris-Tel Construction,

has taken care to minimize road closures and maintain access to the busi-nesses as much as possible. These businesses need support while construc-tion is in its final stretch.

The construction manager is leading the project team through the final stretch of construction and crews are actively working in the easternmost block of the project limits from east of Vincennes Boulevard intersection to just west of SE 15th Avenue. Crews completed asphalt paving of more than half of this block in mid-November. Several crews have been working on installing curbing, filling areas in between curbing to lay the brick pavers for the multi-use pathway and complete driveway aprons and valet/load-ing zones in this segment of the project limits. At the intersection at SE 15th Avenue, crews continue to work on installing the final pieces of storm drain structures to quickly remove water from the roadway.

In recent months, the construction crews have made major gains in in-stalling brick paver crosswalks at every intersection within the project limits, across driveway entrances into the Iguana Mia parking lot and in Club Square on either side of SE 10th Place.

The SE 47th Terrace Streetscape project will be substantially complete by the end of the year. All work is expected to be finished in January.n

New paver crosswalks and utilities infrastructure are being installed as part of the streetscape project.

New paver crosswalks and decorative street lighting are a few features of the streetscape project that is almost

complete on SE 47th Terrace.

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Cape Coral Arts & Music Festival

January 12-13T he Cape Coral Arts & Music Festival (for-

merly known as the Cape Coral Festival of the Arts) will be held the weekend of

January 12-13 on Cape Coral Parkway. The 34th annual event that is hosted by the Rotary Club of Cape Coral will take place from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sun-day. Over 300 artists and craftspeople are selected to exhibit this year.

Last year, the event added a music festival that is hosted by the South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Associations. Local estab-lishments are expected to host a variety of live music entertainment and create a “music walk” for patrons that will begin late afternoon and into the night on Saturday, January 12.

For more information about the festival and ways to get involved, visit the website at www.capecoralfestival.com or email chair@capecoralfestival.com.n

Specialized Smoke Alarms Available Free of Charge

for Hearing Impaired

S moke inhalation is the number one cause of death in a fire, and most fire fatalities occur between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. while people are asleep. Smoke and fumes from a fire won’t wake up someone who is sleep-

ing, but a smoke alarm will. Three out of five home fire deaths happen from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no work-ing smoke alarms.

Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in home fires in half. The Cape Coral Fire

Department has been awarded a grant from the Federal Emergency Manage-ment Administration (FEMA) for an outreach campaign to increase home fire safety for Cape Coral’s deaf and hard of hearing community.

Thanks to the grant, the Cape Coral Fire Department can install, free of charge, specialized alarms for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and for those who wear hearing aids or cochlear implants that they remove when sleeping. These life-saving alarms utilize bed shakers and strobe lights to warn those who can’t hear audible alarms of fire danger.

“Everyone deserves to hear the beep,” says Fire Marshal C. Dave Raborn. “Thanks to this grant, we can help protect a portion of our citizens who need special assistance during a fire. We will continue to provide a safe community through prevention.”

Participation in this program is voluntary and is offered to qualified indi-viduals living in Cape Coral. Applications can be found on the Cape Coral Fire Department website at www.capecoral.net/fire or by calling (239) 242-3264.n

M arissa Logsdon, a teen volunteer at the Cape Coral Historical Museum,

recently designed a t-shirt to sell in the Museum Gift Shop. The design represents the newest addition to the Museum’s collection, which is a fossil bone from a mastodon or mammoth

that was found during a utilities extension project in Cape Coral. The bone was turned over to the museum by the City during a reception in September.

Marissa is sharing her talents with the Museum and giving back to the community. Marissa moved from Jacksonville to Cape Coral when she was three and she is one of many volunteers that assist at the Museum. Marissa is a senior at North Fort Myers High and plans to attend college and major in il-lustration with a minor in creative writing. She recently attended the Ring-ling College of Art and Design’s PreCollege Program.

When asked when Marissa started to draw, “I've been drawing for just about as long as I can remember. However, I only began to get serious about drawing in middle school—around 6 or 7 years ago. It’s been a long time since then,” she said. Aside from drawing, Marissa enjoys reading and video games. Among all of her experiences while volunteering at the museum her favorite is creating a t-shirt design for the Museum.

The Cape Coral Historical Museum was established at its current loca-tion (544 Cultural Park Boulevard) in 1987 and since that time volunteers

Cape Coral Historical Museum Volunteer Marissa Logsdon.

have been the heart the operation. Museum vol-unteers give tours, assist at special events, conduct maintenance of buildings and historical preserva-tion projects.

If you are interested in volunteering contact the Museum at (239) 772-7037 or apply online at capecor-alhistoricalmuseum.org/VolunteerApplication.n

Cape Coral Historical Museum Teen Volunteer Designs T-shirt

to Sell in Museum Gift Shop

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Firefighters Urge Everyone to Help“Keep the Wreath Green”

T he Cape Coral Fire Depart-ment an-

nual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign began on Saturday, December 1. For the sixth year, Cape Coral firefighters have placed a wreath illumi-nated with green bulbs at Fire Station 4, located at 2007 Santa Barbara Boulevard.

If a preventable fire such as cook-ing, smoking, holiday decorations, candles, etc. occurs between

December 1 and January 1, one of the green bulbs will change to red. The first two years of the campaign ended with the wreath displaying five

red bulbs. Since then, only one or two green bulbs have changed to red. The Department is pleased with this trend, indicating that the community is be-coming more fire safety conscious during the holidays.

Though fire safety should be a year-round priority, particular precautions need to be taken during the holiday season, and the “Keep the Wreath Green” campaign serves as a reminder of this. With the hectic holiday season, it is easy for families to become complacent about fire safety. “As everyone gets busier during the holidays, we often become rushed, distracted or tired,” said Fire Chief Ryan Lamb. “With the additional use of decorative lighting, live Christmas trees, increased cooking activities, and the burning of candles, the risk of fire in homes increases.”

Fortunately, with a little added awareness and some minor adjustments to holiday cooking and decorating, the season can remain festive and safe for everybody. “By taking some preventative steps and following simple rules of thumb, most home fires can be prevented,” says Andrea Schuch, Public Affairs Specialist for the Cape Coral Fire Department.

To prevent these holiday fires and to help “Keep the Wreath Green,” the Cape Coral Fire Department offers these holiday safety tips:

n Decorations: Choose holiday decorations carefully, using those only made of flame-

resistant, flame-retardant, or non-combustible materials. Keep decorations away from heat sources. Of the fires that began with deco-

rations, nearly half occurred due to the decoration’s proximity to a heat source. Keep decorations away from windows and doors that might be needed as

a means of escape.

n Candles: Keep candles at least 12” away from decorations or other combustible

materials. Two of every five home decoration fires are started by candles. Never leave candles unattended. Extinguish them when you leave the room. Use sturdy candle holders that won’t tip over.

n Lights: Use only lights listed by an independent testing laboratory and pay close

attention to the manufacturer’s instructions for use. Closely inspect all holiday lighting before use to insure all wires, bulbs

and connections are in a safe condition. Discard any lights with exposed wires, broken insulation, cracked or missing bulbs, or other defects. Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not become damaged. Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

n Christmas trees: Before purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is identified by the manu-

facturer as fire-retardant. When choosing a live Christmas tree, look for signs of freshness by lightly

pulling branches through your closed fist. Fresh trees should retain their needles during this test. Have the tree lot operator provide a “fresh cut” by removing 1-2” from the

base of the trunk. Immediately place the tree in water and add water daily. Keep a close

check on the dryness of the tree and remove the tree when needles easily fall off. Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit and is at least three feet away

from any heat source like fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights. The Cape Coral Fire Department has provided all Christmas tree vendors

in Cape Coral with hanger tags for the trees that are printed with these important safety tips to remind consumers what precautions to take to prevent Christmas tree fires.

n Cooking: Unattended cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire

injuries. After Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are the peak days for home cooking fires. When frying, grilling, or broiling, stay in the kitchen. Keep anything that

can catch fire away from the stovetop and turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen, even if it’s for a short period of time. When simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food, stay in the home and

check on it frequently; use a timer as a reminder if necessary. Create a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas

where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.

n Smoking: Ask smokers to smoke outside. Use large, deep ashtrays and wet cigarette butts with water before discarding. Keep matches and lighters up high, away from children.

n Ensure there is a working smoke alarm on each level of your home and practice fire escape plans with all family members and holiday guests.

“The holidays can quickly turn from joyful to tragic when a fire occurs,” said Andrea Schuch. “By taking simple precautions, Cape Coral residents and visitors can stay safe, have holidays that are healthy and happy, and avoid potential fire hazards to Keep the Wreath Green.”n

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Garbage, Recycling & Yard Waste Collection in Cape CoralTips to ensure your trash gets picked up properly

W aste Pro provides trash collection services for Cape Coral residents. The company uses the automated process and specific containers, which requires the containers to be placed in a certain location and

position for proper pickup.Proper placement at the curb can avoid

additional time spent on a route and spill-age, especially on windy days. Wheeled carts should be placed at the edge of the pavement or curb on a level surface and kept at least three feet away from other containers, vehicles, mailbox posts and basketball hoops, which can interfere with the automated collection arms. The wheeled carts should be placed no later than 6 a.m. on the day of your normal scheduled collection. Point wheels and handle facing away from the street.

The tan colored container should be used for household garbage. All garbage should be bagged to avoid litter when carts are emptied. Use the green con-tainer for recycling only and do not bag items for recycling.

Yard waste should be placed in a paper bag or in a 40-gallon or smaller garbage can with a lid and handles on each side. The weight of the can should not exceed 50 lbs. Palm fronds can be stacked neatly. Tie and bundle tree limbs and branches that are smaller than 4 inches in diameter and less than 6 feet in length.

Televisions, other electronics, furni-ture and appliances should be placed curbside on the same day as your nor-mal collection. Items should be sepa-rated from garbage, recycling and yard waste. To schedule pick up, call Waste Pro (239) 337-0800.

Hazardous items such as paint, motor oil, household chemicals and pes-ticides will not be collected at the curb and must be taken to the Lee County Household Chemical Waste Collection Facility located at 6441 Topaz Court

in Fort Myers, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is no charge for disposal of hazardous materials from residences.

In the event of a missed collection or questions concerning services provided by Waste Pro, Cape Coral residents should call Waste Pro at (239) 337-0800 for assistance. Additional information can be found on the Waste Pro website, www.wasteprousa.com/cape-coral/.

GA R B AG E :

Do: • Use the tan container for garbage only. • Place the container curbside by 6 a.m. on collection day. • All garbage should be bagged. • Any items that do not fit in the container should be placed 3 feet

away from the container. • Point wheels and handle facing away from the street.

Don't: • Overfill the container. • Place hazardous materials, paint or liquids in the garbage container.

R E CYC L I N G : Do: • Use the green container for recycling only. • Place the container curbside by 6 a.m. on collection day. • Cut or flatten cardboard so that it fits in the container. • Place container 3 feet away from other containers, vehicles, mail-

box posts or basketball hoops. • Point wheels and handle facing away from the street.

Don't: • Bag items in the recycling container. • Overfill the container. • Place hazardous materials, paint or liquids in the recycling container.

YA R D WA S T E : Do: • Place all yard waste curbside by 6 a.m. on collection day. • Place yard waste in cans, bags, or bundles of no more than 50 lbs. each • Place palm fronds in neat piles of no more than 50 pounds. • Tie and bundle tree limbs and branches that are smaller than 4

inches in diameter and less than 6 feet in length.

Don't: • Mix yard waste with garbage and/or recycling. • Place un-containerized grass clippings or leaves at the curb. n

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Coral Oaks Winter Happenings

C oral Oaks Golf Course welcomes back our winter

residents and visitors. If you have not been to the course lately, you’ll want to come out and play. The course is in excellent condition, the best it has been since open-ing in 1988. Coral Oaks is the place to play during your winter stay.

Coral Oaks offers the most competitive rates in Southwest Florida and the best season pass membership golf packages in the area. Annual season pass memberships start at $1,500 and 9-month passes start at $800, or, play all the golf you want to play for $3,750 with our unlimited annual golf pass. Members also

receive discounts on merchandise and range balls and have priority on seven-day advance tee times. These are the best values around and we encourage everyone who likes to play golf regularly to become a member.

Coral Oaks’ PGA professional golf instructors have the experience and knowledge to improve your game and they offer free weekly clinics, golf schools, individual lessons and the best junior golf programming in all of Southwest Florida. Coral Oaks Golf School is a five-session comprehen-sive program that covers golf funda-mentals, ball flight laws, full swing review, and all short game aspects,

with 90-minute sessions and a 5-to-1 student to instructor ratio. Look for sev-eral Golf School sessions to be offered during peak season, beginning in January.

Coral Oaks’ junior programming includes skill levels for beginners, inter-mediate and advanced players and covers golf instruction, life skills, and golf etiquette. Another instructional option is personal instruction, which is always the best way for a beginner to start learning the game. Personal lessons are tailored to each golfer’s individual needs and provide individual instruction.

Coral Oaks also offers "Friday 9 & Dine" events beginning on January 18, Men’s and Ladies’ Golf Associations, junior golf programs, tournament play, and special outings for group play.

Coral Oaks gift cards can be purchased at the golf course or over the phone for any amount of $10 or more and can be redeemed for greens fees, driving range balls, merchandise in the Pro Shop, food and beverages in Knickers Pub, and golf lessons.

If you have interest in any golfing programs, golf outings, group bookings, hosting a banquet or party at the most competitive prices in the area, please call Coral Oaks at (239) 573-3100.

To book a tee time up to seven days in advance, please call or visit the web-site at www.CoralOaksGolf.com. Remember, every day is a great day at Coral Oaks and we look forward to seeing you soon.n

Cape Coral Recognized As 2nd PlaceDigital City Winner

in 125-249,000 Population Category

T he City of Cape Coral took second place in the 125,000-249,000 population category of the 2018 Digital Cities Survey. The

Center for Digital Government announced the winners recently for their annual survey, now in its 18th year. The Digital Cities Survey recognized cities using technology to improve citizen services, enhance transparency and encourage citizen engagement.

“We are honored to be named a top digital city for the second consecutive year,” said City Manager John Szerlag. “This award highlights our efforts when it comes to leveraging data to improve city services for our customers.”

The Digital Cities Survey focuses on the Top 10 characteristics of a Digital City: Open, Mobile, Engaged, Collaborative, Secure, Staffed/Supported, Con-nected, Efficient, Resilient and Use of Innovation and Best Practices. Cape Cor-al participated in the survey in the past and placed 2nd in 2012, 3rd in 2016 and 1st in 2017. Since 2016, the City has made several upgrades to the IT infra-structure and expanded the amount of open data sets and apps available to the public via the “Open Government” page on the City’s website (www.capecoral.net). These improvements were accomplished in part by the City’s selection to participate in “What Works Cities,” a national initiative to help cities enhance their use of data to improve services and engage residents. “What Works Cities” helped the City of Cape Coral find ways and opportunities to make additional data available to the public.

“As the number of people who prefer to access information via the internet continues to increase, it is important to find more ways to make information available and also to ensure the security of that information,” said Information Technology Services Department Director Michelle Hoffmann. n

City Continues to AddStreetlights

I n FY 2018, City Council allocated $100,000 in funding to install almost 200 new streetlights at high-priority locations

throughout Cape Coral.City Council restarted the long-dormant street-

light program in FY 2015. Since then, about 800 new streetlights have been installed in the city.

The street lighting has been added to school bus stops. City staff coordinates with the Lee County School District to determine the locations of semi-permanent bus stops. Streetlights have also been added to intersections to improve safety. LCEC provides quotes to install new streetlights and the City approves light installation locations.

City Council again approved $100,000 in the FY 2019 budget for the continuation of the streetlight program. Future streetlights will be installed at major intersections and major road corridors. These streetlights are pri-oritized based on intersections and roads with high traffic volumes and high incidents of vehicle crashes. When these priorities are completed, staff will focus on requested streetlights from residents.n

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At Fire Station 5, the Wild-land Safety Station, guests were able to see the Fire Department’s monster brush truck and learn about mosqui-tos and other insects with the Lee County Mosquito Control District. LCMCD also had one of their helicopters available for visitors to explore.

Fire Station 6 was the Ve-hicle Safety Station. Firefight-ers conducted vehicle extri-cations to demonstrate how they rescue someone trapped inside a car after a crash. The Florida Highway Patrol was in attendance with a squad

car, and SafeKids conducted car seat checks, inspecting eight car seats and providing/replacing one car seat.

At Fire Station 8, the Lee County EMS Station, visi-tors were able to tour an ambulance and the LeeFlight helicopter. Fire Station 9 was the Child Safety Station. This station had an inflatable fire safety smoke house, face painting, and 9-1-1 and Fingerprinting for Kids. Fire Stations 7 and 10 were also open for visitors.

The Cape Coral Fire Department Open House is a lot of fun for guests and firefighters alike, but it is an important community event. “The Open House enables Cape Coral residents and visitors to learn about the different aspects of the CCFD, our all-hazards response capabilities, and our commitment to the wellbeing of the people in our community,” said Fire Chief Ryan W. Lamb. This year, over 2,000 people visited at least one fire station, with many guests visiting more.n

Community Welcomed at 9th Annual Cape Coral Fire Department

D uring Cape Coral Fire Department’s ninth annual Open House, all 10 fire stations welcomed visitors and offered fire safety information, takeaways, station

tours, a scavenger hunt, the opportunity to meet firefighters, and fire trucks and equipment displays.

To deliver a diverse and community-focused experience, a unique activity, typically provided by a partner agency, was also available at most of the stations. “We always enjoy the in-volvement of our partner agencies,” said Public Affairs Special-ist Andrea Schuch. “It is important to promote what services they offer for improving quality of life and keeping the com-munity safe.”

Fire Station 1 was the Save-a-Life Station. OneBlood re-ceived enough donations from open house visitors to help save 12 lives. The Gulf Coast Humane Society had adoptable dogs for visitors to meet.

At Fire Station 2, the Water Safety Station, the Cape Coral Fire Department’s Dive Team showcased their specialty dive equipment and one of the Depart-ment’s rescue boats. The Cape Coral Police Department Marine Unit also brought their jet skis and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary’s mascot “Coastie” was there to edu-cate and entertain guests.

Fire Station 3 was the Cape Coral Police Department Station. CCPD K-9 officers, SWAT team members with their BearCat vehi-cle, and Police Chief Dave Newlan were at this station to meet and greet with guests.

A junior firefighter obstacle course was set up at Station 4, the Junior Firefighter Station, so young-er guests could experience what it is like to be a firefighter. Young visitors donned fire gear, carried a bundle of fire hose, dragged a victim (in this case a large stuffed bear) to safety, climbed up a ladder and through a window, used a hose to put out a virtual fire, and crawled through a smoke-filled tunnel to rescue a stuffed animal trapped inside. Fire Chief Ryan W. Lamb also met with members of the community at this station.

Open House

CAPE CORAL Fire DepartmentTOY DRIVE

DON'T FORGET!

See the story on page 9

Community can drop off toys until December 19

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Cape Coral’s VR/Wesson Earns CareerSource Grant for Workforce Training

C ape Coral-based VR/Wes-son has been awarded a $30,375 CareerSource

Florida Incumbent Worker Train-ing Grant to train its manufactur-ing employees to meet the requirements for international standards certification.

During the next year, VR/Wesson will focus on obtaining the latest version of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification as an advanced manufacturer for the aerospace and medical device industries. ISO certifications ensure that global specifications for products, services, and sys-tems are met to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency on an international level.

VR/Wesson has been applying ISO standards in its operations since it opened, though the company will be training its staff to achieve a specific ISO certification, which will “expand opportunities to get more business,” said Vice

President of Sales Steven Scott. “Expanded global business will likely result in the need to hire more people and possibly expand its current operation.”

VR/Wesson manufactures standard cutting tool inserts, tool holders, and milling cutters for a broad range of industries including; automotive, steel-making, agricultural, construction and mining, marine, sport, and recreation-al. The company is located in the North Cape Industrial Park. VR/Wesson employs a staff of about 30 who operate high-end, robotic manufacturing machines that can run 24-hours a day. Owner and President Tom Fliss was the owner of AGI when he relocated to Cape Coral in 1999. Fliss acquired VR/Wesson in 2003.

The Cape Coral Economic Development Office (EDO) recently toured VR/Wesson’s manufacturing facility during a monthly BizWalk. The BizWalk program was designed to allow the EDO team to personally meet local business owners and learn first-hand about their operations, products, services, and needs.

The Florida Incumbent Worker Training Grant ensures small businesses can train and retain skilled full-time employees. The grants reimburse Flor-ida companies up to 75 percent for pre-approved training costs. Companies choose their training provider based on the skills needed.

For more information about Cape Coral-based VR/Wesson, visit VRWes-son.com. To learn more about the CareerSource Florida Incumbent Worker Training Grant, visit www.careersourceflorida.com.n

Business Recruitment Specialist Nita Whaley of the Cape Coral Economic Develop-ment Office, along with representatives from Lee County Economic Development, Cape Coral Technical College, CareerSource Florida, and the SWFL Manufacturers’ Association met with VR/Wesson representatives during a recent BizWalk.

City Manager Appoints AssistantCity Clerk Kimberly Bruns

as Interim City Clerk

C ity Manager John Szerlag has appointed Assistant City Clerk Kimberly Bruns as “Interim” City Clerk. The appointment was made following the retirement of City Clerk Rebecca van Deutekom, who served as

Cape Coral’s City Clerk since 2010.The City Clerk’s Office serves

as a resource to the Cape Coral community, Council and staff by maintaining and preserving of-ficial documents and proceedings within the City. The City Clerk is the official custodian of public records and oversees the Records Management Division. The City

Clerk also provides required legal notices, qualifies candidates and files campaign reports dur-ing elections.

Bruns began her

employment with the City in 2009 and worked in customer billing services and as a research specialist in the City Clerk’s Office before being promoted to the assistant city clerk position. Earlier this year, Bruns earned the Certified Municipal Clerk Designation, which is awarded by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Inc.n

City Clerk Rebecca van Deutekom retires

City Clerk Rebecca van Deutekom pictured with Mayor Joe Coviello and

City Manager John Szerlag.

Interim City Clerk Kimberly Bruns

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Arts Studio Gallery Renovation, Holly Daze Art

Sale & Public Art Restoration

T he past six months have been busy at the Cape Coral Arts Studio. As a recipient of the Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs Grant, the Arts Studio is making significant improvements to advance it-

self as a premier art and cultural center.Some of the enhancements include

a total transition to LED lighting, the installation of hurricane-rated windows and doors, plus new floors, walls, and ceilings in the art gallery. Stop by the Arts Studio to inquire about classes, tour the studio and to check out the renovations.

Holly Daze: Each December, the Arts Studio plays host to the "Holly Daze” fine arts sale. The holiday event runs until December 21 and features the artwork of students, instructors, com-munity partners, and local artists. There will be jewelry, ceramics, painting, glass, fiber, metals and much more. Stop by and purchase unique, handmade holi-day gifts for the art lovers in your life.

Public Art Restoration: Residents have noticed that the beloved Rubicond is no longer standing in the Cape Coral Arts Studio’s Rubicond Park. Tiite Baquero's “Twin Leaf Tail Rubicond” was the first work of public art in the City of Cape Coral. The sculpture, erected in 1981 is a landmark on Coronado Parkway. Although this highly valued piece of public art was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma the sculpture is being restored. The res-toration work is being directed by Tiite Baquero. We eagerly await Rubicond’s return in the coming weeks.n

Sun Splash Prepares for 2019 Season

S un Splash employees are getting ready for the 2019 season with the waterpark sched-uled to open Saturday, March 9, 2019.

During the “off-season,” Sun Splash staff takes time to determine what needs to be done to ensure a positive guest ex-perience for the upcoming season. There are many projects underway to prepare for opening day.

Due to a manufacturer’s defect, Pirate’s Cove has been closed since August. The blue soft surface sur-rounding the play structure has been resealed twice because the color was transferring to feet, hands, and bathing suits. A new company is replacing the surface to avoid future issues.Other projects for the 2019 season include: n Removing and replacing all of the old support and cross membersn Treating welds with epoxy and galvanized zinc paint on the tower to the

Electric and Power Surge Slidesn Rebuilding the bridge to the tubes for Cape Fear, Fun-L-Tunnel and Zoom Slides

The City also is addressing the aging pool pumps and motors at the facility. Most of the pumps are about 24 years old. Staff is reconditioning the items that can be fixed and replacing the rest. Staff also is evaluating whether the sand needs to be replaced in the sand filters and conducting normal pressure washing and painting.

Every pool is being inspected for leaks, while every bolt on the slides is being checked and treated for rust. This task takes more than a month to do utilizing a boom lift that must be rented specifically for this purpose.

We are looking forward to the 2019 season. The sales staff is reaching out to groups such as schools, churches, special organizational and businesses to recruit group bookings.

For more information about the upcoming season, visit the Sun Splash website at www.sunsplashwaterpark.com.n

City Offers Volunteer Opportunities on Local Committees

F or citizens who wish to participate directly in city govern-ment, there are volunteer opportunities available. Residents can serve on a local government advisory

committee, board or government commission.Commissions and boards sometimes are assigned

significant powers of policy-making and/or administra-tion. Advisory committees serve an important function in providing expertise in certain areas of city concern. Usually established at the request of the City Council, they may deal with is-sues and problems deemed worthy of special consideration and advisement.

Committees add another degree of local government responsiveness to the public inter-est. They provide an excellent opportunity for

citizens to actively participate in the operation of their local govern-ment. As a result of the citizen involvement and participation, all the boards provide much-needed assistance in assuring that actions taking by the City are not only in the best interest of the City but also have the support and input of its customers.

Vacancies occur on boards and committees on a regular basis due to term limits, resignations or other circumstances. To view current vacancies and timelines/requirements for submitting

applications, please visit the City’s website at www.capecoral.net and select “City Clerk” from the “De-partments” option at the top of the webpage. Look for the “Boards and Committees” menu on the left side of the webpage. Interested residents also can contact the City Clerk’s Office for additional details at (239) 242-3243.n

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City and SCHEA to Host

South Cape NYE Ball DropRing in the new year and celebrate the completion

of the streetscape project

T he City of Cape Coral and South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Associations will host a New Year’s Eve Ball Drop on Monday, December 31.

The event will take place on SE 47th Terrace and will begin at 7 p.m. Attendees will celebrate the New Year and enjoy the completed streetscape project.

There will be live music featuring Soulixer and Signal III. Cape Coral Construc-tion Industry Association Executive Director Bill Johnson will be the emcee for this year’s event and there will be a beach ball drop at midnight.

For more information about the event, please visit

the “South Cape NYE Ball Drop” Facebook event page or contact director@southcapeentertainment.com.n

T hree Oasis High School students will be

performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City on February 10.

The young sing-ers were selected after auditioning for the Honors Choir Group, which is an interna-tional organization through World Strides. The Oasis High School students will attend a five-day program and receive in-struction from world class composers and conductors. The program includes rehearsals, workshops and Broadway shows.

Two-hundred choral students were selected to attend this year’s program from 49 states, Washington D.C., Canada, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Poland, Qatar, South Korea and Venezuela.n

Pictured left to right: Katie Weinstein, Heather Koskinas and Kiara Morrill

will be performing at Carnegie Hall

Oasis High School Singers to Perform at Carnegie Hall

in February

Land Development Code Project Almost Complete

T he City’s Department of Community Development began a massive overhaul of Cape Coral’s Land Use and Development Regulations (LUDRs) in 2016 following a consultant’s recommendation to update

the dated and sometimes conflicting regulations. LUDRs establish the zoning and future land use of all properties within the city.

Many of the existing regulations can be dated back to the 1970s when the population of Cape Coral was around 10,000. The purpose of the project is to promote growth, streamline the development process, clarify regulations and eliminate zoning classifications that are rarely used. There are several elements to the code rewrite, including:• Comprehensive Plan text amendments• Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map amendments• Text of the Land Development Code• A new Zoning Map for the city

The Council discussed some of the major changes to the Land Development Code during a recent Committee of the Whole meeting. The Council took no action on micro-cottage village developments, accessory dwelling units and guest houses, mobile food vendors and parking on the grass. These issues were removed from the draft changes to prevent any delay in the code rewrite.

Several community workshops and public hearings have been conducted throughout the rewrite process. The City’s consultant, Calvin Giordano Associ-ates, held four community workshops. The Planning and Zoning Commission held their first public hearing in May and their final public hearing is scheduled for January 9. Following the Commission’s final public hearing, the Commis-sion and City staff will make recommendations to Council. Final adoption of the new Land Development Code is expected in February.

If you have any questions about this project, please contact Robert Pederson, Planning Manager at (239) 573-3169.n

City Submits $13 million in Hurricane Irma

FEMA Reimbursement Process

F ederal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance Grant Program provides federal assistance to government organizations

following a disaster declaration. The program reimburses percentages of eligible costs based on the category of work and dates completed.

FEMA provides assistance for debris removal, life-saving measures, and the repair, replacement or resto-ration of disaster-damaged publicly-owned facilities.

The City submitted a comprehensive list of damages to public property in December 2017. FEMA Inspectors completed site inspections in March 2018. The City has completed almost all of the repairs including over 10,000 street signs damaged by Hurricane Irma. The deadline to complete all work related to Irma is March 16, 2019.

Hurricane Irma cost the City more than $17 million. Debris management was the largest portion of the cost at over $13 million. City workers and con-tractors collected more than 1.6 million cubic yards of debris post-disaster. All debris sites were closed and passed inspections by the Department of Environmental Protection.

City staff submitted nine claims totaling almost $13 million to date. The claims are initially reviewed by a Program Delivery Manager assigned to the City. The claims are then are reviewed by FEMA’s Consolidated Resource Center. Once the review is complete, any claim over $1 million is routed to Washington D.C. for review and approval. Ultimately, the funds will be remitted to the State of Florida as the grantee and then to the City as the subgrantee.n

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4th Annual Cape Coral Historical MuseumBluegrass Jamboree on January 26

T he Cape Coral Historical Museum annual Bluegrass Jamboree is Saturday, January

26 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The music event will be held at the Cape Coral Historical Museum, which is located at 544 Cultural Park Boulevard.

This year Nu-Blu, an award win-ning nationally known band will be featured as the headliner. Nu-Blu has partnered with Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine and Bluegrass Ridge Radio for a digital radio show on their Face-book page, www.bluegrassmusic.com. Segments of these shows will be aired on Bluegrass TV which is available to over 60 million homes.

In addition to Nu-Blu the lineup includes Southwest Florida’s Swing-ing Bridge and Cape Coral’s Linda Fazioli’s Tribute to Patsy Cline. Blu-Ridg, another local bluegrass band will be entertaining guests as they enter the gate. Dick Spottswood of Bluegrass Country 88.5 will be the emcee again this year.

This year’s Bluegrass Jamboree will feature nationally known band Nu-Blu.

Dick Spottswood of Bluegrass Country 88.5 pictured above with local band Blu-Ridg.

A new addition to this year’s event is food trucks. Currie’s Smokin Hot BBQ and The Frozen Chosen will be on site.

As in the past the Museum wants to give back to the community by allowing two local organizations use the event as a fundraiser. Trafalgar Middle School will be selling desserts and Boy Scout Troop #8463 will be assisting with parking cars for a $3 donation.

Come on out, bring your chairs and enjoy an afternoon of relaxing at Cultural Park while listening to American roots music. Gates open at 11 a.m., the opening ceremony begins at noon. General addmis-sion tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of the event. There are limited VIP tickets $40 in ad-vance $50 (if available) at the gate. There is a parking donation of $3 that will go to the Boy Scouts of America. Tickets available by call-ing (239) 772-7037.n

Special Event Season in Full SwingF or over 30 years, the Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department’s

Special Events Division has assisted fellow community organizers and produced a wide array of events that help transform Cape Coral into

“the place to be.” These events bring families and friends together from all over Southwest Florida, as well as city visitors, for a common purpose - to celebrate, participate, and have fun in a united fashion.

Special events can provide an economic engine for many businesses in Cape Coral by helping to drive more hotel stays, increase the number of patrons visit-ing restaurants and increase overall business in general. The city's annual Coco-nut Festival, Tour de Cape, Cape Bike Nights, and Red, White & Boom are just a few of the events the Special Events Division plans and facilitates each year. 

Another special event season has arrived and there are a number of excit-ing special events planned.

Cape Bike Nights will be held on February 9 and April 13 from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on SE 47th Terrace. More than 12,000 people head to downtown Cape Coral on Bike Nights to enjoy live music, great food, vendors, and motorcy-cles lining the downtown streets. Due to the recent streetscape improve-

ment project, some traffic flow changes will be taking place this season. Please check www.CCBikeNight.com for more details about Bike Night events and scheduled entertainment.

The annual “Holiday Boat-A-Long” boat parade will take place on Saturday, December 15 at Four Freedoms Park with festivities beginning at 4 p.m. This event features stage enter-

tainment, followed by a free "Movie in the Park" featuring "Christmas Vacation" at dusk. To enter your boat in the parade, please contact Sea Tow at (239) 945-4820.

The Special Events team will kick off 2019 with the 28th Anniversary of “Tour de Cape,” with a 5K run and family bike ride on Saturday, January 19. On Sunday, January 20 Bike Tours ranging from 15-100 miles will take place. All “Tour de Cape” events will be originating from Cape Harbour (5848 Cape Harbour Drive).

In addition to these annual events, the Special Events Division offers free “Movie in the Park” events at neighbor-hood parks throughout the year. Winter dates for free movies in the park include: n Saturday, December 15 at Four Free-doms Park (following the Boat-a-Long)n Saturday, February 2 at Jaycee Park.

These events feature a family-friendly movie showing on a giant inflatable movie screen at dusk. Grab your friends and neighbors and bring a blanket or chairs to enjoy a fun evening under the stars.

For more information about these events or if you wish to volunteer, please visit www.CapeParks.com or call (239) 573-3123.n