ARKS t Inside! On The Move - Cape Coral, Florida · On The Move is a quarterly newsletter produced by the City of Cape Coral for the citizens of the city. The publication is mailed

n February 9, the City Council halted all future utilities extension projects indefi-nitely. Council had previously authorized

the design work to extend “water first” to the entire north Cape (North 1-8) within the next three years. However, City Council reconsidered the plan and voted to hold off on any future projects.

Current rate structures are being reviewed by an independent rate consultant (Burton & Associates) to determine the necessary increases on monthly water and sewer bills to cover the City’s debt obli-

S P R I N G 2 0 0 9

Council Halts Utilities Extension Projectsgations. The City must pay for $482 million of capital projects associated with water and sewer operations. This includes the $110 million water plant in the north Cape, authorized design work for discontinued projects in SW 6/7 and North 1 – 8 in the amount of $7.8 million, and other water and sewer capital projects.

With very few new connections expected, and no capital expansion fees from future utilities extension projects, the financial burden to meet the debt obliga-tion will be determined by the City Council. Bond

companies require the pledge of a reliable revenue source to issue debt for projects. While water and sewer billing would be pledged regardless, the deci-sion to shelve all utilities projects means that capital expansion fees will not be available to pay the debt obligation and offset rate increases.

New rate proposals could be submitted to City Council for discussion by the time you receive this newsletter. Any rate study will be posted on the City’s website (www.capecoral.net) on the “Reports” page under “Publications.” n

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H I G H L I G H T SnMayor/City Manager Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 3nCouncil Moves to Workshops . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5nOnline Citizen Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5nPolice Officer of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6nWatering Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6nPolice Employee of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7n2009 Citizen Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8nSun Splash Opens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10nTisdale at Sounds of Jazz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11nDo the Right Thing Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13nRecord Manatee Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14nFire/City Employees of the Year . . . . . . . . . . 16nFree Gun Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17nNew Charter High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19nCity Council Elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

On The MoveA Q u A R T e R Ly u P d A T e F R o m y o u R C I T y H A L L

W ith about 800,000 Florida children without heath insurance, the state ranks near the bottom of all states in terms of

uninsured children.

That is why the Florida Police Chiefs Association has launched the Florida KidCare Outreach Campaign to help raise awareness about Florida KidCare. The Association is working in coop-eration with the University of South Florida’s “Florida Covering Kids and Families,” and the Cape Coral Police Department is joining in this effort.

Many uninsured families may not realize they are eligible for health care coverage through Florida KidCare. More than half of uninsured children in Florida are eligible for low-cost or free health care coverage right now. Parents only need to apply to see if they qualify. The program covers a variety of services including doctor and hospital visits, immunizations, surgery, prescriptions, emergencies, and other services. Cov-erage is available to children under 19 years of age who do not have insurance, regardless of income.

“As police officers, we come in contact with par-ents and children every day,” said Cape Coral Police Chief Rob Petrovich. “When times are tough, some-

times just knowing that support is there for the kids can help moms and dads get through these stressful times.”

When fami-lies have access to affordable health coverage

and preventative health care, stress and financial strain is reduced. This, in turn, can produce a posi-tive effect on the safety of the community.

The Cape Coral Police Department will be receiving Florda Kid-Care application packets from the state campaign

Check Out Our CITY PARKS Insert Inside!

Monthly bills of existing customers will have to be adjusted to meet City’s debt obligations

Cape Police Campaign for “Florida KidCare”

2 S P R I N G 2 0 0 9 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 e-mail to [email protected].

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

D I S T R I C T 5

D I S T R I C T 2

D I S T R I C T 6

D I S T R I C T 3

D I S T R I C T 7

D I S T R I C T 4

Gloria Tate 239-574-0437

[email protected]

William Deile 239-574-0437

[email protected]

Peter Brandt 239-574-0437

[email protected]

Eric Grill 239-574-0437

[email protected]

Derrick Donnell, Ed.D 239-574-0437

[email protected]

Tim Day 239-574-0437

[email protected]

Dolores Bertolini 239-574-0437

[email protected]

City of Cape Coral AdministrationCity ManagerTerry Stewart

City AttorneyDolores Menendez

City AuditorDona J. Newman

Assistant City ManagerCarl Schwing

City ClerkBonnie Potter

Community DevelopmentCarl Schwing, Acting Director

Economic DevelopmentTerry Stewart, Acting Director

Financial ServicesMark Mason, Director

Fire ServicesBill Van Helden, Chief

Human ResourcesWayne Howard, Director

Information Technology ServicesJohn MacLean, Director

Parks and RecreationSteve Pohlman, Director

Police DepartmentRob Petrovich, Chief

Public WorksChuck Pavlos, Director

Editor/Public InformationConnie Barron, Director

3www.CAPeCoRAL.NeT S P R I N G 2 0 0 9

Mayor’s Message

City Manager’s Message

elcome to the spring issue of our quarter-ly newsletter, On The Move. For the past couple of months, I have been fortunate

to participate in some important networking op-portunities that eventually could produce divi-dends for our city.

First, let me welcome back to the dais, Gloria Tate, who was appointed to fill the vacant District 1 council seat and serve the remaining year left in the term. Council Member Tate served as the District 1 representative for nine years, and her experience was one of the key reasons that she was selected. We appreciate everyone who took the time and expressed interest in serving on City Council. Please remember that this Council seat, as well as the Mayor’s seat and Council districts 4 and 6 will be on the ballot in November.

As most of you know, we have some serious economic challenges facing our country. The continuing concern with our economic situation and the steep decline of property values presents some difficult financial issues for our City Council and City Administration.

o you have an investment portfolio? If so, then you know investment professionals recommend that you diversify and not put all your retirement eggs in one basket. Why? No two investments

perform the same way at the same time. When you di-versify your investments, you can potentially offset losses (risk) in one category with gains (reward) in another. This provides stability, and the same advice holds true with establishing revenue streams for government funding.

On several occasions, I have spoken of the problems created by our overreliance on property taxes as the main revenue source in our General Fund. About 65 percent of Cape Coral’s General Fund revenue comes from property taxes. Is that a large percentage? Considering that most municipalities have 30 – 35 percent of their General Fund supported by property taxes, the answer obviously is “yes.”

What does this mean? Quite simply, when the stability of our General Fund is reliant on property values, any huge swing in value will have an inordinate impact on our city’s ability to fund and provide services.

With values on a sharp downturn these past three years, property tax revenues have fallen significantly. In the past two years, the City lost $30 million in property

In January, I attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington, DC. The president of the organization, Mayor Manny Diaz from Mi-ami, served as my key liaison, as he “showed me the ropes” and gave me advice and guidance as to how I could best deliver the message about Cape Coral to the many audiences at the conference. Mayor Diaz emphasized to me prior to the conference the importance of Florida’s 3rd largest city becoming a major player and leader for Southwest Florida.

The next few days, I took every opportunity to talk about “Cape Coral” and tell our story to any-one who would listen – and there were quite a few people who did. If you want a detailed version of all the conference activity, please go to our City website and read my letter to fellow Council members and residents. All in all, I believe the conference was a very productive and positive event for our city.

Getting back to the home front, our City Council is facing some tough decisions about our revenues and expenditures for the upcoming budget. We are continuing to discuss with City staff the various op-tions available, including revenue diversification and

tax revenue. Various factors impacting the upcoming budget, including a huge decline in property values, could produce another $30 million reduction in property tax revenue, taking us back to 2004 revenue levels.

No other municipality in Florida will suffer this extreme of an impact, which is what an overreliance on property taxes can do to a community. This is why revenue “diversifica-tion” is the key to a city’s financial stability during uncertain economic times. Other Florida cities use various revenue sources for their General Fund such as a public service tax, franchise fees, fire service fee, streetlighting districts, com-munications tax, etc. These sources are more reliable and not prone to wild fluctuations like property tax revenues, which ebb and flow based on the market.

As part of our budget discussions, City staff is providing options for City Council to consider, which could establish new (or modify existing) revenue sources for our General Fund. Should they be implemented, our recommendation is to make these revenue changes “revenue neutral.” In other words, revenue produced by establishing a new funding source would be offset by an equal reduction in the property tax rate. For example, if a public service tax is established on electricity and produces $5 million in revenue, the prop-

service reductions. Because of our heavy reliance on prop-erty taxes, our city is more adversely im-pacted by wide shifts in property values. Services will have to be reduced substantially if the current forecasted loss in property tax revenues occurs, which is more than $30 million.

Another communication that I will be provid-ing to you will be the “State of the City” address. This address will be recorded and made available for viewing online. The “State of the City” will focus on where we are as a community and the many challenges that lie ahead. Please check the website, www.capecoral.net, where the video will be posted when complete.

Thank you for your time and attention. n

erty tax rate would be lowered to reduce property tax revenues by $5 million. This makes the public service tax “revenue neutral.”

The philosophy of diversification is wise advice in retirement planning as well as budget man-agement. By looking at diversifying our General Fund revenue sources, we can position Cape Coral to be more stable in future years and be less reliant on our residential tax base for funding.

We will be providing more information on the budget process and revenue stabilization as budget discussions continue. The information will be on our City website, www.capecoral.net. Please feel free to email us with any questions or concerns you may have on this subject: [email protected].

Thank you for your time. n

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KidCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . continued from page 1

coordinators. All police officers will carry the information with them and provide the packets to families who need health care.

“Our priority is to keep our community safe, and helping families find health care services for their children is an important step,” said Chief Petrovich. “If you are a family in need, or know a family in need, please feel free to ask any of our officers for a KidCare packet when you see them.”

Packets also will be available in the police station lobby at 815 Nicholas Parkway. Families can apply online and learn more about Florida KidCare by visiting www.flor-idakidcare.org. The toll-free phone number is 1-888-540-KIDS. n

City Discontinues Mailing of Annual Report

T he City of Cape Coral Annual Report for 2008 will now be available only on the City’s website: www.capecoral.net. The annual report has been printed and mailed to all residents the past few years; however,

due to budget constraints, the publication no longer will be sent to every home and business.

The 2008 report should be completed and online by mid-April. n

Report will be completed and posted online

City Transitions to One-Day Pickup for Garbage

n January 12, Waste Management began collecting garbage, recycling and yard waste on the same day, one time a week. The change will make collection more efficient and eliminate the need for residents to

place items for pickup at the curb three different days of the week.

“The transition process has been very smooth with few complaints,” said City Manager Terry Stewart. “This can be attributed to the partnership and communication between Waste Management and the residents of Cape Coral.”

Waste Management divided the city into five areas for pickup. A map is available on the City website at www.capecoral.net. Use the “Find” option in the navigation box to go to the “Maps” page. The map also is available on the “Resident” links page.

Here is a reminder of the rules for garbage and recycling collection:➤ Garbage and Recycling must be placed within three feet of the curb by 6

a.m. on your pick-up day.➤ Garbage should be in a 35-gallon or smaller container with a lid and a

molded handle on each side. Garbage should not protrude from the contain-er or bag. The container or bag should not exceed 50 pounds.

➤ Bulk items will be picked up with your garbage (e.g. sofas, chairs, mat-tresses, dishwashers, etc).

➤ Recyclables should be in a bin and/or paper bag. Bottles, jars, and cans should be rinsed out and placed in the recycle bin. Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, telephone books, paper, and junk mail should be in a paper bag on top of the recycling bin. Cardboard boxes should be broken down flat and no larger than 2 feet long and 4 feet wide, bundled or tied no more than six inch-es high. Please do not place any recyclables in plastic bags. Note: The City of Cape Coral provides recycling bins at no cost for residents. If you do not have a bin, contact Waste Management Customer Service at (239) 334-4115.

Garbage and Recyclables should be placed on the left side of the driveway facing the house.

Here are the rules for yard waste collection:➤ Yard Waste must be placed within three feet of the curb by 6 a.m. on

your pick-up day.➤ Yard Waste should be in a 36-gallon or smaller container, with a handle

on each side or placed in securely tied bundles no longer than 4 feet. The container and bundles should weigh no more than 50 pounds. Unbundled palm fronds may be placed at the curb stacked neatly with the base facing the roadway. Do not mix palm fronds with other yard waste.

➤ Yard Waste should be placed on the right side of the driveway facing the house.

Electronics and White GoodsElectronics and White Goods will be picked up on your day of service

provided you contact Waste Management Customer Service Center at (239) 334-4115 at least 48 hours prior to your service day. They should be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. on your collection day.

Electronics devices include computers, monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, copier, telephones, televisions, cathode ray tubes, stereo equip-ment, microwaves, lamps, etc.

White goods include refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, stoves, wash-ing machines, dryers, water heaters. n

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Old Production Equipment Replaced in Council Chambers

he City has replaced the outdated production equipment in City Council Chambers with new digital cameras and projectors. The new cameras replace the original analog equipment installed in

2001. The original equipment had surpassed their useful lifespan of 5-7 years and was no longer supported by the manufacturer. The cameras and robotics were failing, and the City had been experiencing technical problems for the past couple of years.

The new equipment will provide better quality video for viewers of CapeTV and better viewing opportuni-ties for people who attend meetings in Council Cham-bers. The new cameras and projectors should be installed within the next few weeks. n

Camera operators run the production equip-ment at a City Council meeting


ot a question? The online Citizen Support Center may have the answer. Since being launched last September, the CSC has logged more than 250 questions and answers in the center’s

“FAQ Database.”

The Support Center provides a one-click location from the City’s main portal page (www.capecoral.net) to find answers to questions, ask questions or request service from the Action Center.

Citizens are encouraged to visit the Support Center if they have a question. Search the “FAQ Database” first

to see if the question has been asked and answered. If not, submit a question and then check back for the answer. Please note that this is not “real time,” and it may be a

day or two before the question is answered. Individu-als who have immediate need for service should call the Citizen’s Action Center at (239) 574-0425. n

he City Council has changed the for-mat of their meeting schedule, return-ing to regular voting meetings every

other week and holding workshops on the alternate weeks.

During the workshops, City Council will review the items on the upcoming agenda with City staff and discuss any issues or ques-tions they may have. This will allow staff time to address any changes desired before City Council votes on the item the following week.

While there will be no public input at the workshops, there will be the usual citizens input section at the regular Council meetings. Public hearings also will provide opportunities for the residents to speak on ordinances and resolutions.

The new schedule began in March. All meetings will be televised on CapeTV, Chan-nel 98 on Comcast cable. The meetings also can be viewed online at www.capecoral.net. n

Online Citizen Support Center is Information Source

City Council Moves to Workshop Schedule

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More than 250 questions have been answered in FAQ database

Additional Council MeetingsBudget / Strategic Planning

2009 City Council Workshops

4:30 PM

2009 City Council Meetings

4:30 PM


Officer Howard Post is Cape Coral Police “Officer of the Year”

O fficer Howard Post was named the Cape Coral Police Department’s “Officer of the Year” for his efforts in identifying and arresting a suspect in a

strong-armed robbery.

On January 14, 2008, units responded to a purse snatch-ing. The 93-year-old victim who was pushing a shopping cart fell to the ground as the suspect snatched her purse, which had been tied to her walking cane.

Officer Post was the primary officer on the call. He along with other officers conducted an area canvass for additional witnesses to the crime. After interviewing the shaken vic-tim, he was able to determine her activities prior to the rob-bery. He found that the victim had gone into Paesano's just before the robbery occurred. Officer Post made contact with the management and reviewed the tape of the parking lot just prior to the incident. Officer Post detected a male in

Two-Day Watering Schedule for All Cape Residents

A s the dry season continues, all Cape Coral residents must be aware of the two-day irrigation schedule for watering their lawns. Resi-dents on wells and the dual-water system have a specific four-hour

timeframe on their designated days for watering. The watering days depend on the last number of the home address.

Please remember that as the dry season continues, residents who are using wells for irrigation may fall under tighter restrictions should the South Florida Water Management District determine that a water emergency exists.

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

➤ 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

Non-residential, duplexes and other multi-family units can water on Monday and

Friday from midnight to 8 a.m. n

Fire Station No. 1 is Nearing Completion

A fter a year of construction, the Fire Department an-ticipates opening the new Fire Station No. 1 in March or April. The new station is located at 4610 Coronado

Parkway and will replace the City’s first firehouse, which opened in 1962 at the corner of Chester and Lafayette streets.

The station has greater staffing capacity and the ability to house more fire apparatus as the Fire Department attempts keeps up with demands for ser-vice. It is designed and engineered to withstand the full force of a Category 5 hurricane while keeping crews and apparatus safely sheltered until after the storm passes. The facility also has the ability to operate independent of LCEC in a post-storm scenario for an indefinite period of time if major power interruptions are realized.

The two-story fire station is designed for vertical evacuation of personnel in the unlikely case of water rising from coastal storm surge. The comple-tion of Fire Station No. 1 completes a five-station contract between the City of Cape Coral and Lodge Construction of Ft. Myers, which has built three replacement fire stations (No. 1, No. 3 and No. 4) and two new stations (No. 8 and No. 9). All five stations demonstrate the City’s commitment to public safety. They are well-designed and landscaped nicely to integrate in local neighborhoods.

Fire Station No. 1 remains one of Cape Coral’s busiest fire stations with an aerial ladder, rescue unit, EMS and a fireboat operated by the City’s firefighters. Plans for old Fire Station No. 1 (known as the Chester Street Firehouse) are in discussion now and the hope is that any future use of the original firehouse can be a tribute to the important role it has played in Cape Coral for almost 50 years. n

Officer Howard Post

the store video who matched the description of the sus-pect. The victim was able to positively identify the suspect through still photos.

Officer Post asked the employees of Paesano’s to call the police department if they see the suspect in the area. A few hours later, the suspect returned to the parking lot, and he was identified as the same person from earlier in the day.

The relentless efforts of Officer Post and all the officers involved yielded an arrest and possibly prevented another attack on an elderly victim. Officer Post went above and beyond the normal call for service and his unselfish com-mitment to the safety and security of the citizens of Cape Coral have made him the Cape Coral Police Department’s 2008 Officer of the Year.

Congratulations Officer Post! n


Julissa Sanchez is “Employee of the Year” for Cape Coral Police Dept.

ulissa Sanchez was named the Cape Coral Police Department’s

“Employee of the Year” for her commitment to the officers in the Special Operations Bureau.

Julissa always has shown a love for her job and the officers who work for the Cape Coral Police Department. She has taken responsibility for com-pleting several tasks within the Bureau’s Traffic Unit. This has allowed the officers more time to focus on other activi-ties. Julissa is always ready to stop what she is doing and help any officer who may need assistance.

Julissa also has assisted officers with our Spanish-speaking citizens at traffic stops and at DUI checkpoints. Julissa completed Checkpoint Op-erations School and helps manage operations at the checkpoints. Julissa also transcribes taped statements from Spanish-speaking witnesses for the Traffic Unit and the Investigative Services Bureau.

Julissa is a tremendous asset to the Special Operations Bureau and the department as a whole.

Congratulations, Julissa. n

ven in the face of substantial staff reductions the past 18 months, the Building Division has continued to improve its customer service level. This was achieved through cross training and the use of additional

resources from other divisions in the Department of Community Development and City departments. A volunteer corps has been established to further assist with service levels.

Customer wait times have continued to decline with an average wait time of 18 minutes. This is very close to the Division goal of 15 minutes. The time to process a permit has been reduced to an average of 6-7 days. The goal is 8 days.

Even though there are fewer permitting requests due to the current housing market, the Building Division is committed to any process enhancements that can help maintain or improve customer service. n

Building Division Works to Continue Customer Service

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Risk Management – What is it?T he City of Cape Coral has a Risk Management division in the

Human Resource Department. But what exactly is “risk manage-ment?”

According to Michael Quigley, the City’s Risk Manager, risk manage-ment is the process of identifying risk (exposure), assessing risk, and taking steps to reduce risk to an acceptable level.

“Factors that may put the City at risk for lawsuits and claims are impor-tant to know and address,” said Quigley. “By addressing these factors, we can protect the taxpayers’ money and potentially save a life.”

Risk Management provides assistance in eliminating or minimizing losses. The staff works in conjunction with City Management, City Attor-ney, and employees in the investigation, defense and settlement of claims. The risk manager often will attend depositions, mediations, hearings and trials on behalf of the City.

Risk management promotes the best safety practice through preventive,

proactive programs to department and em-ployees. The long-term goal is to minimize insurance and other costs, including lost time and manpower, associated with safety.

The risk manager prepares forecasts of insurance and other risk management costs for budget and planning purposes. The manager also ensures that risk management functions are carried out in accordance with State and Federal regulations, approved City ordinances, union agreements, and administrative regulations. Risk Management pro-vides counsel to management on a broad range of risk-related management issues.

“The City receives many inquiries, requests and claims for damages,” said Quigley. “We will evaluate all of them, and if they have merit, they will addressed; however, the role of Risk Management is to establish guidelines and processes that limit the City’s exposure and liability.” n

Julissa Sanchez

Gloria Tate Appointed to District 1 Seat

ormer Councilwoman Gloria Tate was selected to complete the remaining term of Mayor Jim Burch, the District 1 Council member. Burch was appointed

to the mayor’s seat in November 2008 following the departure of Mayor Eric Feichthaler, who resigned to run for Lee County commissioner.

On December 15, the City Council selected Tate to fill the vacant District 1 seat. Council Member Tate previously represented District 1 for nine years, from 1996 to 2005. She will complete the final year remaining in the term. The District 1 seat will be up for election in November 2009. n

F Gloria Tate


T he City of Cape Coral has received a federal grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prepare a Habitat Conservation Plan to pro-tect endangered species of flora and fauna. Residential development

in the Cape has, and will, continue to conflict with the habitat of a number of species listed by the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973. One of these species is the Florida scrub-jay.

The Endangered Species Act prohibits the “take” of any listed species, meaning it is illegal to “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect” any listed species. It also is unlawful to make modifica-tions to habitat, which could cause injury to a listed species.

In 1982, Congress approved an amendment to allow the “incidental take” of species if an "incidental take permit" is obtained. Incidental take permits are to be based on a Habitat Conservation Plan. These plans provide a frame-work that allows for the completion of projects while conserving at-risk spe-cies of plants and animals.

The Endangered Species Act provides standards that Habitat Conserva-tion Plans must meet before the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can issue an incidental take permit. These plans must include:

➤ An analysis of the impact that would result from the taking➤ Measures to minimize such impacts➤ Funding mechanisms➤ Alternatives considered and description of why the alternatives were

not selectedUltimately, applicants for an incidental take permit must demonstrate that

Cape Plans for Habitat Conservationtheir development program will mini-mize and mitigate the impacts of the taking. Habitat conservation plans must demonstrate that the authorized taking will not sub-stantially damage the sustainability of the species. Be-cause areas of Cape Coral are host to listed species, the eventual need for an incidental take per-mit is inevitable.

Numerous properties contain the habitat of the Florida scrub-jay, which is federally listed as “threatened.” The worldwide range of the Florida scrub-jay is limited to the state of Florida, and this bird has been listed since 1987. Major populations of the Florida scrub-jay have declined from 37 per-cent to 65 percent. The species has disappeared from seven of its original 35-county range. Platted parcels are so small that viable use of their prop-erty may depend on offsite mitigation.

Mitigation success often depends on conservation within large parcels. The development of a city-wide Habitat Conservation Plan is intended to identify mitigation sites and establish a mitigation program. This will reduce the incidental take permitting process needed for land development and infrastructure projects. The plan also should help to achieve the long-term viability of the species. Through the Habitat Conservation Plan, the City hopes to promote the viability of state-listed species that are not on the Endangered Species list. This includes the bald eagle, the gopher tortoise and the burrowing owl.

The City will host a public workshop and provide information on the plan on our website. Please watch for announcements of the time and date of the public workshop. nT he City will be conducting its annual Citizen’s Survey in March/

April to solicit input and feedback from Cape Coral citizens.

“Our annual survey allows us to compare our progress against established benchmarks and identify areas of concern within our commu-nity,” said City Manager Terry Stewart. “This becomes even more impor-tant with our current economic situation and falling tax revenues, as we try to identify the services levels we realistically can provide.”

The survey again will be conducted by the National Research Center, Inc. in cooperation with the International City/County Management Asso-ciation. This is the fourth year the City has used this organization to con-duct the survey. The Center has developed a standardized National Citizen Survey that can be customized by jurisdictions throughout the country. Their process and high quality survey methods provide an affordable and professional survey tool at a very reasonable cost. The cost for the basic survey is $9,600.

“We expect the survey materials to be mailed to 1,200 randomly selected residents sometime this month,” said Stewart. “We encourage the residents who receive the survey to complete the questionnaire and help us deter-mine the direction of the city.” n

2009 Annual Citizen’s Survey Coming Soon

he Building Division started additional certifica-tion programs for inspectors to permit them to provide energy efficiency inspections and di-

saster recovery inspections. These new services are necessary to allow the City to meet the new Florida Building Code requirements, which became effective on March 1. n

Inspectors Attain Additional Certifications to Meet New Building Code Requirements

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Florida scrub-jay


Galvanized Pipe Replacement Project Update

T he City of Cape Coral's stormwater system was designed and installed by Gulf America Corporation when the city was built. The company used galvanized steel/corrugated pipe, which at that

time, was a state-of-the-art product and had been used for the past 40 years. The City’s current stormwater system has about 521 miles of galva-nized steel, corrugated pipe.

Much of the gal-vanized steel pipe has been failing due to corrosion. This has resulted in problems such as sinks holes and restricted stormwater flow. During the next several years, the City may need to replace this entire system to ensure proper drain- Galvanized steel pipe has been failing due to corrosion.

Freshwater Vegetationhe City of Cape Coral is known for its extensive canal system. Many miles of these canals are freshwater canals, which are full of life. These

canals support bass, bluegill, a variety of turtles, birds, osprey, opossums and numerous other animals. To maintain this diversity of wildlife in the canals, the water needs one important ingredient: plants.

Just as plants grow in your yard, the canal bottom provides a bed for aquatic plants. Sunlight can penetrate the depths of shallow canals, allowing aquatic plants to

grow.

Aquatic plants in the canals are essential for a number of rea-sons, including absorbing nutrients (fertilizers) from yard and stormwater runoff, helping to prevent algae blooms thus increas-ing water clarity, and providing habi-tat, food and protection for wildlife.

Native aquatic plants commonly referred to as submerged aquatic vegetation are beneficial for aquatic ecosystems.

There are many different types of

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age throughout the city. To date, about 58 percent, or 300 miles, has been replaced. The remainder will need replacement as well.

The City is replacing the corroded galvanized steel pipes with High Density Polyethylene pipe (a hard plastic material) and corrugated aluminum pipe.

The benefit of using these new materials is that polyethylene pipe is smooth bore, will dispense of stormwater faster, and is easier to manually place and handle. Aluminum will not rust, is lighter than corrugated steel, and will not be in-fluenced by ground contents. This updated pipe also has a life of 80 years to 100 years. n

plants in the Cape canals, some are native species and some are non-native. Non-native or exotic plants can out-grow native plants, and are often treated biologically (with grass carp) or chemically (with an aquatic herbicide).

The City’s Environmental Resources Division and Lee County Hyacinth Control District work in conjunction to

treat exotic plants and maintain the aquatic vegetation that is an essential part of the canal’s health. Native vegetation will not be treated unless it reaches levels that interfere with navigation, and then only to minimally resolve the problem.

As we are coming into the spring season, these plants will start their grow-ing cycle and will continue through summer. In fall, more of these plants will be seen due to the declining water levels, and the “topping-out” of plants as they reach the surface. Please, be tolerant of these plants, as they are neces-sary for a healthy ecosystem. For more information, please call the Environ-mental Resources Division at 574-0745. n

The new corrugated aluminum pipe.

Littoralzone

Pickerelweed

Giant Bulrush


P rogress continues with the North Spreader Canal Ecosystem Manage-ment Agreement process. The process started July 2008 and involves government agencies, environmental groups and interested members

of the public. Six stakeholder meetings have been held and most were full-day meetings. Several Technical Committee meetings also have been held. There has been extensive discussion and presentations on the EMA process, historic ecosystems, development changes, estuarine habitat, mangroves, salt marshes, exotic vegetation, fish populations, oysters, sea grasses, historic creeks and a variety of other topics. The list of potential improvement proj-ects has been refined and reviewed.

The EMA process is at-tempting to develop the strategies neces-sary to protect environmental quality and wildlife habitats in Matlacha Aquatic Preserve (the state-owned buffer preserve) and Charlotte Harbor as these areas relate to the North

North Spreader Canal Ecosystem Management Agreement Progress ContinuesSpreader canal system and the entire 117 square mile Ga-tor Slough wa-tershed. Under the provisions of the related legal agree-ment executed in May 2008 by the City of Cape Coral, Lee County Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, consensus on the improvement strategies is to be developed by June. The schedule also calls for the EMA stakeholders to vote in March on their confidence in the progress being achieved. If they are not confident of the progress, the permitting process to rebuild the Ceitus barrier and boat lift is to begin.

The Ceitus stormwater barrier and boat lift was removed last July as a temporary measure to arrest further erosion damage to the tidal wetlands and mangrove forest. Since removal, the tidal flow through the west side breach has essentially stopped, arresting the erosion damage as was hoped. n

Sun Splash Opens on March 21 – Get Early Bird Season Passes

S un Splash Family Waterpark will open for the 2009 season on Saturday, March 21. For the first time, Sun Splash is offering special

“Early Bird” pricing for season passes.

“Early Bird” season passes are available through April 12, and prices range from $29 – $59 for Cape Coral residents, and $39 – $79 for non-residents, a savings of 30 percent to 40 percent from last year’s season pass prices. After April 12, season pass prices will go up to $39 – $79 for Cape Coral residents and $49 – $99 for non-residents. This price remains 10 percent to 20 percent less than 2008 and provides local residents a more affordable way to enjoy Sun Splash all season. As an added bonus, every season pass household will receive a free coupon book with more than $150 in savings at Sun Splash. Call the waterpark at 574-0558 or visit our website at www.SunSplashWaterpark.com for the most up-to-date information about season passes and the park.

The staff at Sun Splash is busy putting the final touches on the park and gearing up for another excit-

ing season filled with slides, tubes, pools, and fun. This summer, our guests will experience some new features as well. We have continued to update the

look and feel of the park by branding our three new speed slides with eye catching logos and adding more vibrant colors throughout the facility. The Café has been expanded to better serve our guests in a timely manner and the Gift Shop was revamped with a more enticing look and new merchandise. Come visit us this season and enjoy all the great elements that have been added to the park. Sun Splash will be open 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from March 21 through April 5. The park also will be open every day of Spring Break (April 6 – 14) from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.. To see the complete operating schedule and 2009 admission prices, visit our website www.SunSplashWaterpark.com. n

Additional erosion has been stemmed since the re-moval of the boat lift.

Breaches formed in the mangroves surrounding the boat lift (lower left), which has since been removed.

Sun Splash Electric Slide


Wayman Tisdale to Highlight 20th Annual Sounds of Jazz & Blues

G roove your way into spring at the 20th Annual Sounds of Jazz & Blues

on Saturday, March 28 at Jaycee Park in Cape Coral. The event will feature jazz artist Wayman Tisdale, former college and NBA basketball star and now acclaimed musician.

By the time he retired in 1997 after 12 years in the NBA, Tisdale already had made the transition to a career in music. In 1995, he re-leased his debut CD, appropriately titled “Power Forward,” which climbed to No. 4 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart and crossed over to the R&B charts. “In the Zone,” “Decisions” and “Face to Face” all landed in Billboard’s Top 10, with 2001’s “Face to Face” going to No. 1, as did his latest album, “Way Up.”

The event is sponsored by LCEC. Tickets for the Sounds of Jazz & Blues are on sale now for only $20 in advance or $25 at the gate. Ticket outlets include SunTrust banks throughout Lee County and select branches in Collier and Charlotte counties, Rainbow Records in Cape Coral, Cape Coral City Hall, and Brent’s Music in Fort Myers. Tickets also can be purchased online at www.completeticketsolutions.com or through the website for Smooth Jazz 100.1. New this year, a limited quantity of VIP tickets with reserved seating is available for $40 each in advance. Call 573-3125 for more information.

Jaycee Park is located at 4215 SE 20th Place in Cape Coral. Gates open at 3 p.m. and the concert begins at 5 p.m. Free parking is available off of Del Prado Boulevard along SE 15th Avenue (between SE 44th Street and SE 46th Street) and at Cape Elementary. Free shuttle service from the parking areas will provide transportation to and from the concert entrance. n

I n January, the City of Cape Coral’s Transportation Division hosted an open house at King’s Way Christian Center to discuss the proposed improvements on Del Prado Boulevard. With nearly

60 people in attendance, the open house allowed the public to review the proposed improvements and ask questions of the project team. A majority of the participants were in favor of the roadway plans and were pleased with the bridge work already completed.

Site preparation work and detention pond construction has begun as part of the fifth and final phase of the Del Prado Boulevard widening project. Over the next several months, crews will continue to excavate two reten-tion ponds on Del Prado Boulevard near NE 16th and NE 20th Place and to install storm drain structures near the Gondolier and Exotic canals.

This spring, the project team will begin roadway improvement work as crews shift traffic to the west side of Del Prado Boulevard from just south of Kismet Parkway to Diplomat Parkway. Construction work will flow from the north end of each segment to the south with the east half of Del Prado Boule-vard closed for construction and the other half open for two-way traffic.

Phase V of the Del Prado Boulevard widening project will be constructed in the following segments:

Segment I: South of Jaguar Canal to Diplomat Parkway

Segment II: Intersection of Diplomat Parkway

Segment III: South of Diplomat Parkway to north of Pine Island Road

Segment IV: Intersection of SR 78/Pine Island Road

Improvements along this 2.3-mile stretch of roadway on Del Prado Bou-levard from just south of Kismet Parkway to just south of SR78/Pine Island Road will include widening the road from four to six lanes, the installation of curbs and gutters, street lighting, landscaping, 10-foot-wide, multi-use paths, and new traffic signals. Phase V work will continue with an antici-pated completion by spring 2011. n

Del Prado Boulevard Widening Project

APelican Soccer Complex Renovations Completed

fter several weeks of renovations, the park im-provements at Pelican Soccer Complex were completed in February. In addition to four

new soccer fields, landscaping and additional park-ing, a new concession/restroom building and two playgrounds were added. This beautiful addition to the Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department will allow families to play, eat and relax while taking in a soccer game. n

Wayman Tisdale

Residents review the plans for the Del Prado Boulevard Widening Project at a recent public session.


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ape Coral’s budget constraints brought new challenges to City gov-ernment. One area affected was Economic Development, where the early retirement of the director, Mike Jackson, left the office with no

leadership. City Manager Terry Stewart opted not to fill the position, and he assumed oversight of the office.

The office now will have a greater focus on the existing businesses in the city by making them aware of business resources available to them. One of the ways businesses can let the City know about their growth plans is to complete a Busi-ness Census, located on the office’s website: www.bizcapecoral.com. If business-es that want to grow could take a few minutes and fill out a Business Census form, we would have a better idea which local businesses need our assistance.

The staff of three includes the Business Development Coordinator, who assists existing businesses with City issues and growth plans; Business Recruitment Specialist, who markets the city to business targets around the country; and, a Business Development Specialist who keeps the administrative wheels turning.

The goal is to strengthen our desired business clusters and create more higher-paying jobs for residents. By determining which businesses support a particular cluster and helping to grow those that currently exist or recruit-ing them, we can do much to support our home-grown businesses. There are more than twice as many home-based businesses as storefront businesses.

The City currently has incentive programs to encourage business growth:

osen Park is the new boat launch facility located east of the inter-section of SE 24th Avenue and SE 15th Terrace on the north side of Chantry Canal. The canal connects directly to the Caloosa-

hatchee River. Rosen Park is a 14.40-acre park containing two, oversized boat ramps, three picnic shelters, and a waterfront boardwalk along the canal.

Rosen Park is named for the founders of Cape Coral – Leonard and Jack Rosen. The two brothers spent weeks looking over the landscape of Southwest Florida before they decided on the parcel of land, now known as Cape Coral.

Boaters who want to use the new boat ramps will have to pay a $10 per day boat trailer parking fee payable at the electronic machine between the boat ramps and restrooms. Cape Coral residents who boat more of-ten may prefer to get an annual parking decal for only $30. These decals can be purchased during regular business hours at the Parks & Recre-ation counter in City Hall, the Harbormasters’ Office, or other recreation facilities.

For annual and transient boaters, wet slips are available. Each slip is designed to handle vessels up to 40 feet in length, with electric and potable water service at dockside. This will be a live-a-board authorized marina providing wet slip storage availability to the northeastern area of the Cape Coral. For more information about Rosen Park, boat trailer parking, or annual and transient boat slip rental rates and availability, call the Marine Services Division at 574-0809. n

Economic Development Office “Under New Management”

Rosen Park is Newest City Park

C oral Oaks Golf Course will be hosting the first “Play Golf Cape Coral” Day on Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. This spe-cial event is designed for golfers of all ages, including new golfers

who would like to learn the game. “Play Golf Cape Coral” Day will feature free, 10-minute golf lessons, club demos, and participation by major golf vendors such as Taylor Made, Paragon and many more. There also will be food and drink specials, as well as prize drawings throughout the day. A trick shot show will take place in the afternoon to conclude the day’s activities.

This is a great opportunity for the whole family to come and check out Coral Oaks Golf Course and learn more about the sport of golf. Coral Oaks is located at 1800 NW 28th Avenue in Cape Coral off Van Buren Parkway between El Dorado Boulevard and Burnt Store Road. For more information about Coral Oaks Golf Course or “Play Golf Cape Coral” Day, visit www.CoralOaksGolf.com or call (239) 573-3100. n

Coral Oaks Golf Course to Host “Play Golf Cape Coral” Day

• Cash payment for each of a minimum of 10 new jobs that pay above the average wage for that occupation in Lee County

• Deferral of impact fees for up to 10 years to a targeted business relocat-ing or expanding in the Cape and creating a minimum of 10 new jobs

In 2008, Economic Development identified about 2,500 specific company targets, which are being contacted and qualified for future recruitment. The companies are in the IT/software, back office, office headquarters, and bio-science research and development sectors. Consistent with the nature of companies in our region and the space available, they are closely held and have fewer than 50 employees.

The greatest percentage of business location decisions begin with research conducted online. Therefore, the most important component of the City’s Economic Development promotional and business communication activities is its website: www.bizcapecoral.com. The site was re-engineered in 2008 and was recognized by the Florida Economic Council with its “Stellar Award.”

Additional Business Assistance Websites➤ www.connectcapecoral.com is a searchable database of every Cape

Coral business that has obtained a Business Tax Receipt. This powerful tool was created by the City in 2005. Users can produce lists of information show-ing businesses by name and type.

➤ www.bizcapecoralgis.com is known as the “Cape Coral Prospector.” Driven by the insight that 80 percent of all business site decisions require existing buildings, the Prospector is a searchable database of available com-mercial buildings. The site also lists property that has zoning appropriate for commercial development. The site provides maps, layers of GIS information, and can generate data reports on consumer behavior and business activity. Data for this site is provided by owners and commercial real estate profes-sionals. n


D o you know a young person who has done something kind, helpful or courageous? If so, then the Cape Coral Police Department’s “Do The Right Thing” program wants to hear from you.

The program is now in its 14th year of acknowledging and awarding school-aged kids for their positive accomplishments and efforts as role models. During the school year, students of all ages are recognized for their selfless actions and moments of courage.

“Our future is here with us today in our youth,” said Police Chief Rob Petrovich. “We can encourage our young people to do the right thing by recognizing behavior that exemplifies strong moral and ethical character.”

The “Do The Right Thing” program seeks out the students who set a positive example by making the right choices. We celebrate their choices by honoring them publicly and personally. The acknowledgement and recognition of positive behavior reinforces the exemplary conduct and encourages similar behavior.

“We all have been given free will to make our choices in life, and it can be challenging to make the right choice,” said Chief Petrovich. “We want to say ‘good job’ to those young people who do make the right decision when faced with difficult situations and circumstances.”

In the past years, the program has recognized a variety of exemplary behavior.

“Do The Right Thing” is Looking for Students Who Do Extraordinary Things

An elementary student, “Paul,” taught himself enough of a foreign language so that he could communicate with a classmate who did not speak or understand English. “Joe” asked if he could visit a neighbor whose husband had just passed away so she would not be so lonely. He returned on numerous occasions to visit and help with household chores. A high school student, “Tyler,” jumped into a pool and pulled out a struggling child before the child’s mother realized what was happening. “Olivia” found a bicycle and turned it over to the police, even though she did not have a bike of her own.

The Police Department’s Community Outreach program accepts nominations on an ongoing basis for students who have done something positive and made a difference in their own, or someone else’s life. If you know a student who has excelled in areas beyond the classroom, please nominate him or her for our “Do The Right Thing” award. You can pick up an application at school or on the Police website at www.capecops.com. For more information, call 242-3342. n

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City Continues withE-Government Enhancements

he City of Cape Coral continues to look for opportunities to serve the citizens via the Internet. Two additional online services have been added to the site: www.capecoral.net.

Residential Permit CalculatorThis new interactive feature was recently added to our e-Government capa-

bilities. It allows residents and construction companies to obtain accurate es-timates of permit fees for any residential construction project online – thereby saving time by not having to visit the City to obtain the estimate. The calculator can be found on the Permits page under “Apply for” in the navigation section.

GIS Online Enhancement – Loan Payoff ReportA new feature has been added to the City’s GIS Online Mapping and

Property Information service. The GIS mapping allows residents to view an interactive map of the city and view a large number of informational lay-ers. Aerials can be viewed and detailed parcel information can be obtained by searching via 17-digit strap number, owner name or site address. The program has added the “Loan Payoff ” report. After a parcel is located, check the “Loan Payoff ” category and click “Run Report.” The system will display a report showing all open loans and their payoff balances. This feature is significant to the real estate and financial community as it allows them to retrieve information quickly.

Access the GIS Mapping and Property Information Service by clicking on “Property Profile” on the main portal page: www.capecoral.net. n

DTRT program recognizes positive accomplishments of students

Implementation of New Financial Management Software Underway

ne of the most important activities in 2009 will be the replacement of the dated HTE software system, which has been in use since 1993. The City selected the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne package for Financials

and the CRW TRAKiT package for Community Services. Additionally, the Avolve Software ProjectDox system was selected for electronic permit submission and review. Implementing these systems will be a major priority for the City’s Information Technology Services Department this year.

Work already has begun to install the CRW TRAKiT system, and we are working with CRW to map optimal business processes to be incorporated into the workflow for the new system.

TRAKiT consists of the following major modules:• PermitTRAK to handle the permitting process• ProjectTRAK to handle the major project process• LicenseTRAK to handle the Business Tax Receipt process• CodeTRAK to handle Code Enforcement• CRM TRAK to handle Citizen Requests (i.e. the Citizen Action Center)• E-TRAKiT provides residents with access to permit applications,

inspection scheduling, annual business license renewal, etc.A major advantage of TRAKiT is its tight integration with the City’s GIS

(Geographical Information System.) TRAKiT information can be related back to a parcel address which, in turn, is fully referenced by the GIS system. The overall goal is to have TRAKiT fully operational by the end of August.

The Avolve Software ProjectDox system is an independent software package for online permitting. Work to implement ProjectDox will start in March. ProjectDox will allow construction companies to submit their entire packages online, which will save dollars by eliminating the multiple paper packages. The review status will be visible to the applicant online, and “red-lined” drawings also will be interactively shared with the applicant. n

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R esearchers from nine organizations and agencies counted a record number of manatees in Florida waters in January

during the annual manatee synoptic survey.

This year’s preliminary total of 3,807 surpasses the previous record of 3,300, set in January 2001.

Last year’s total was 2,817; however, that does not mean there are 990 more manatees today. It means that there were at least 2,817 manatees last year and at least 3,807 this year.

During the 2001 count and the 2009 count, conditions were very favorable for counting manatees. Cold water tem-

Record Number of Manatees Counted in Florida

T he Fire Department is prepared for our annual brush fire season and wants you to be prepared as well.

This year, our brush fire season follows a summer of above-nor-mal rainfall. That is good news. There is plenty of healthy vegetation in the urban interface areas with dense growth. The first few cold fronts this year were strong enough to begin the drying process, but the fronts were pre-ceded by rain. As we move into the spring months, the cold fronts become weaker and a bit drier with eventual wind shifts from the east.

We are asking residents to be on guard for illegal outdoor burning. Bon-fires, campfires and debris burns are illegal in Cape Coral and most of Lee County. We ask for the public to assist us by reporting incidents of arson or in-tentional fire-setting to the 9-1-1 dispatch center. You can remain anonymous.

Brush fires are extremely dangerous, especially when they are near the urban areas or are set so far inland that it takes crews extended periods of time to arrive. Brush fires can be a tremendous strain on resources and are dangerous for firefighters, the public and wildlife.

If you live near a wooded area, please manage your property and keep grass cut low. Maintain at least 30 feet of clearing between the wooded areas and your home. Keep pine needles off of the roof and out of the gutters. Avoid the use of straw or mulch in flower beds on the sides of your house, and maintain your sprinkler system in working order.

There already have been sev-eral fires this season, but the goal is to have fewer each year and no catastrophic fires. With your help we can look forward to a quiet brush fire season this year. n

Brush Fire Season New Police Headquarters on Schedule and Under Budget

he new Cape Coral Police Headquarters is progressing on schedule to construction completion in June 2009 for less than the Guar-anteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $19,114,414. Foundations, tilt

walls, structural steel, and upper floor decks have been completed in the main building. Electrical and plumbing under the first floor slab is near completion. Ductwork installation for the upper floors is in progress. The generator building walls and rough-in has been completed and the two 800 kW generators have been lo-cated on their foundations. Most site utilities and drain-age work is completed, with rough grading of the park-ing areas underway. The roof work will be completed in February providing for the building to be dried-in by early March. n

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peratures forced large numbers of the cold-sensitive marine mammals into warm water refuges, such as the Florida Power & Light discharge area on the Orange River, where they are easy to count.

Another factor is that on both days, the weather was clear and the wind was light, mak-ing observations from aircraft easier.

Boaters need to be mindful of the manatees’ presence. Each year, Lee County has one of the higher incidences of boat/manatee deaths. With more manatees in the water, boaters must

be very aware and alert on the waterways. n


Alligators a Common Sight in Cape Coralhe American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), is one of 22 species within the family crocodilians (al-

ligators, caimans, crocodiles and gharials), and populates wetland areas throughout the southeast United States. A relic from before the dinosaurs, the American alligator almost became extinct because of hunting (mostly for the skin trade) and loss of habi-tat through development. This creature has made an astounding comeback over the past few decades, largely due to conservation ef-forts and alligator farming, but also because of fewer demands for alligator products. It is again the top predator of swamps, marshes, lakes and rivers.

The alligator’s form and function are ideal for life as a predator. With dark green skin and its ability to swim fast, often with just their eyes and the tip of their snout breaking the surface of the water, alligators are generally unnoticed before they strike at prey. Eye sight, hearing and sense of smell are all acute for hunting during day or night. With a mouth full of teeth and a bite force that can exceed 2,000 pounds per square inch, prey is eas-ily swallowed whole if the opportunity arises. Prey usually consists of fish, turtles, snakes, birds, and mammals including feral pigs. An adult male can grow to 13 feet and can weigh more than 1,000 pounds. Females are slightly smaller and can grow to about nine feet. While this is the norm, exceptions do arise and some alligators can exceed this. Juveniles have lighter colored skin with yellow spotted bands across their bodies and there can be as many as 20 to 50 of them in a clutch. Female alligators build their nests in dirt

T mounds and will fiercely guard the nest un-til the brood hatches. Hatchlings will stay with the mother for up to two years before going off on their own.

Because of their size and nature, Ameri-can alligators have the reputation of being man-eaters, and as human settlements encroach on their habitat, interactions be-tween alligators and humans will continue to occur. Some developments such as golf course ponds and manmade canals may attract alligators, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) receives more than 18,000 nuisance alligator

calls per year to remove alligators that may pose a threat to people.

Alligators and humans can coexist, but some guidelines must be observed:

➤ As with all wildlife, it is illegal to feed alligators. When fed, an alligator will associate humans with food.

➤ Never allow unsupervised children or pets in or near a natural water body. Heed posted signs that alligators are in an area.

➤ Alligators are a part of Florida’s natural environment; observe or photo-graph from a safe distance. Never approach or harass an alligator.

FWC will remove an alligator that is longer than four feet and poses a threat to humans. Call 1-800-392-4286 for more information regarding trap-ping of nuisance alligators. n

Payoff Information in a Clickecognizing an opportunity to provide dynamic support for the citi-zens, the City has developed an easy-to-use online payoff information service. The information is available on the City’s GIS Mapping and

Property Information program. This database can be accessed from the City’s main portal page (www.capecoral.net) using the “Property Profile” link.

The GIS maps and payoff information are updated on a regular basis. Users can find information about tax-billed assessments, loan balances and their monthly utility bill balance. Please keep in mind that the information

supplied via the website is for informational purposes only, and should not be utilized in lieu of a com-

pleted payoff form.

This application was designed for our cus-tomers. Realtors can use the service to provide

information to their client, and there is no wait time of 5 – 7 business days for a completed payoff

information request. Investors or future resi-dents can use the information to gain a better perspective of specific Cape Coral properties. The information is available anytime. n

RCity to Place Liens on Properties for Unpaid Utility Bill Balances

he City is now placing liens on all properties that have a delinquent utility bill balance. An unpaid water/sewer account will trigger the placement of a lien that stays with the property rather than the

customer. Florida law permits a municipality that has issued revenue bonds for water and sewer projects to place a lien on any property where an unpaid monthly water bill exists (Florida Statute 159.17).

The “Lien of service charges” is permitted to be attached to all lands or premises served by any water system or sewer system until the revenue bonds are paid. These liens are primary liens and stand ahead of all other liens with parity to property taxes. The liens also remain with the property and must be satisfied for the property to change hands or for service to be reestablished.

While the City is given the authority to foreclose on any property that is more than 30 days delinquent, customer service representatives will do their best to work with all customers to bring their accounts current or arrange payment plans. Anyone who is having problems paying their monthly utility bill should call Customer Service at 574-7722 for assistance. n

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Photo courtesy of News-Press


T he median curbing of Skyline Boulevard between Mohawk Park-way and Gleason Parkway began in January. The project includes placement of curbs around the center median, addition of five,

left-turn lanes, and one restricted turn lane. The City also will be closing three existing median crossings. The placement of additional pavement on the outside edge of the existing pavement will facilitate U-turn movements in three areas.

In addition to the median curbing on Skyline Boulevard, improvements are proposed at the intersection of Skyline Boulevard and Mohawk Park-way. Turn lanes and curbing will be added to Mohawk Parkway, east of Skyline Boulevard and to Skyline south of Mohawk Parkway. This work is proposed to be completed before the median curbing is done on Skyline Boulevard.

After construction is complete in May, the medians on Skyline Boule-vard will be landscaped. A variety of xeriscape plants, shrubs, trees and ground cover will be installed, and once established, the landscaping will require little to no irrigation. n

Skyline Boulevard Median Curbing

he Chiquita Boulevard design project is in its final stages of completion. The project team plans on hosting an open house to introduce the design project to residents and business own-

ers along Chiquita Boulevard.

This project is being designed in two phases: Phase I from the Vet-erans Memorial Parkway to SR 78/Pine Island Road and Phase II from just north of Cape Coral Parkway to Veterans Memorial Parkway.

Improvements along the five-mile stretch of roadway on Chiquita Boulevard from SR 78/Pine Island Road to Cape Coral Parkway will in-clude widening the road from four to six lanes, the installation of curbs and gutters, street lighting, landscaping, sidewalks, and traffic signals.

An important component for each project team is making every effort to minimize the impacts to local businesses and residents while still maintaining a safe work zone to all drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and construction crews. Motorists are reminded to obey posted speed limits of 35 mph and to seek alternate routes whenever possible.

For more information about the City of Cape Coral Roadway Im-provement projects, please contact Maricelle Venegas, Public Informa-tion Specialist at 707-9050 or visit us at www.capecoraltransportation.com. n

Chiquita BoulevardWidening Design Project

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TRichard Wylie Receives the “2008 Firefighter of the Year” Award

Jones and Hammer Named City Employees of the Year

he Cape Coral Fire Department honored Battalion Chief Richard Wylie as the 2008 Firefighter of the Year. Wylie was recognized for his 27 years of service, leadership and dedication to the Fire Department.

Wylie worked his way up the ranks from firefighter to his current position as Battalion Chief. He began his career after graduating from Cape Coral High School in 1981. His grandfather was a police officer in Gary, Indiana and his father was a police officer for the City of Cape Coral. Since he was a child, he always knew he wanted to serve the public.

With several key command staff opting for early retirement, the Fire Department faced the challenges of testing and training new recruits, and placement of engineers and lieutenants. The Department also needed to implement “Mayday” and “Rapid Intervention” training on the proper use of Mayday protocols and rapid crew deployment for trapped and incapacitated firefighter rescue. All of these challenges needed to be accomplished within 90 days. Wylie immediately transferred from Operations to the Division of Training and quickly identified the needs.

Wylie has been able to meet or exceed all of the expectations placed upon him. This has resulted in a substantial cost savings to the City of Cape Coral, as well as having trained personnel respond to the needs of the community. n

he City of Cape Coral honored their employees of the year at the City Council meeting on January

26. Laura Jones and Mitzi Hammer re-ceived the annual award for their efforts to save an 84-year-old resident.

On September 26, 2008, Cape Coral Mini Bus Driver Laura Jones went to pick up one of her regular passengers, Bob Mahar, who was 84 years old and lived alone. When she arrived at his home, Laura knew something was wrong because Mr. Mahar was not on the front porch waiting for her. Laura radioed Recreation Specialist, Mitzi Hammer and explained the situation. Mitzi called Mr. Mahar’s home phone and received no answer. She then called the doctor to confirm that he had an appointment scheduled. After confirming the appointment, Mitzi contacted the police and fire departments and met them at Mr. Mahar’s home.

Mr. Mahar was found in his bed, disoriented and unable to move. He was transported to the hospital, and it was later determined he had suf-fered a stroke a few days earlier. Had the drivers not intervened he would have remained in his bed for an undetermined amount of time. Sadly, Mr. Mahar has since passed away.

Thanks to these fine employees who cared enough to follow through and go above and beyond their job responsibilities, Mr. Mahar was able to spend the final days of his life surrounded by his family. n

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Mitzi Hammer and Laura Jones


he Cape Coral Police Department is distributing gun locks free of charge to residents who keep firearms in their

homes. To promote better gun safety, the depart-ment acquired 500 gun locks in January through “Project ChildSafe.” The program is a component of "Project Safe Neighborhoods," an initiative to prevent gun violence. The program is supported by the firearms industry, U.S. Department of Jus-tice and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

The initial supply of 500 gun locks was claimed by residents within a few days, and Cape Police ordered an additional 500 locks. After hearing about the success of Cape Coral’s efforts to encourage better gun safety, Charlotte County Deputy Philip Schofield contacted Cape Police Officer Gerald Moll and offered 500 gun locks that the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office had available.

“I want to thank Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Cameron for partnering with our department and providing this supply of gun locks for our citizens,” said Police Chief Rob Petrovich. “His contribution will help in our efforts to secure guns within the homes, and keep our children and families safer.”

T

Installation of 30-inch Bypass Line will Prevent Future Problems

n December 2008, City Council approved a project to install a 30-inch bypass

line in the sewer force main collec-tion system. The 30-inch line will allow the City to isolate an existing 42-inch line for inspection. The 42-inch line was installed in 1992 and has been in service since. City crews discovered significant corrosion on a pipe at the inlet to the Southwest Water Reclamation Facility head works where the 42-inch pipe discharges. The bypass pipe will route sewer flow into the plant via a 30-inch force main that was installed during a more recent utilities extension project.

Although smaller than the existing line, the 30-inch bypass pipe will be sufficient to handle the flow that currently passes through the 42-inch pipe. Once the bypass line is installed, the City will isolate the older, 42-inch pipe and inspect the pipe’s condition with television cameras to determine if it is still in sound condition. Any repairs that are deemed necessary can then be planned. While the pipe is isolated, the City will use the opportunity to replace the flow meter to the Southwest Water Reclamation Facility with a new calibrated meter. Costs for this project are paid from the Utility oper-ating budget. n

I

Cape Police Providing Free Gun Locks to ResidentsCharlotte County Sheriff provides 500 locks after Cape’s initial supply is distributed

Accidents involving firearms in the home can result from an unauthorized individual, often a child, finding a loaded and unsecured firearm in the house. Too many times, police are called to homes where a child has accessed a loaded firearm with tragic results.

“The owners of firearms can reduce the risk of unintentional injuries or deaths when they un-derstand that they have a responsibility to handle firearms safely and store them in a secure man-ner,” said Chief Petrovich. “As a law enforcement agency, we want to help encourage responsible

gun safety by providing these locks to our citizens.”

“Gun locks provide more than just a safer household for children,” added Officer Moll. “By using these locks, gun owners also can meet the legal re-quirements that may help to avoid possible criminal charges.”

The gun locks are available at the front desk in the main lobby of the Police Department. For more information, citizens can contact the Cape Police Department’s Crime Prevention Office at (239) 242-3710. n

When School’s Out, the Fun is on with Parks & Recreation

hether you are looking for something for your children to do during Lee County’s Spring Break from April 6 – 14, or have started planning for the summer, the Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department of-

fers a wide variety of safe, educational and fun programs for all ages on days that school is not in session. During Spring Break, Sun Splash Family Waterpark will be open every day from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Youth Services Division will be offering “Escape the Cape Spring Break” daily; Four Freedoms Park will be hosting a Horse Camp for girls; and, the Yacht Club will be offering a “Spring Break Adventure Camp.”

During Summer Break, which begins the week of June 15, Cape Coral Parks & Recreation will be offering weekly pro-grams ranging from Fine Arts Camps to Eco Adventure Nature Camps to Sports & Specialty Camps to the more traditional Summer CAMPtacular and Middle School/High School Fun DAZE. For more infor-mation about the programs being offered, see the special Parks & Recreation insert in this newsletter or visit www.CapeParks.com and view the current Parks & Recreation program guide. n

W


S wim LessonsSwimming is a great way to stay physically fit, and swim lessons

provide an invaluable tool in assisting your children to become safe around the water. The Yacht Club Pool offers swim lessons for ages 6 months through adult, with certified lifeguards on duty at all times. Synchronized Swimming

Synchronized swimming is a sport that combines swimming, gym-nastics and ballet. The summer session will culminate in the production of our 30th Annual Synchronized Swim Show, complete with music, costumes, and scenery. For more information, contact the Yacht Club at 574-0806.Water Aerobics

Water aerobics are one of the safest and most enjoyable ways to stay fit. Almost anyone, regardless of age, can perform water aerobics. Water sup-ports the body and joints during exercise, reducing both impact and the chances of injury. Exercise in the water also can prevent overheating by continuous cooling the body. The Yacht Club Pool offers three different types of water exercise:

• Deep Water Aerobics - No impact, water flotation belt provided. This class helps improve flexibility, muscle strength, and cardiovascular con-ditioning. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Cost is $3.50 per class,

• Shallow Water Aerobics - A high-energy workout designed to increase endurance while strengthening and toning muscles. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per class.

• Arthritis & Fibromyalgia Water Exercise - Created by the National Arthritis Foundation and taught by a certified instructor, this class pro-vides slow, gentle exercises that help with muscle and joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 12: 30 p.m. Cost is $1 per class.

For more information about aquatic programs offered at the Cape Coral Yacht Club, call 574-0806. n

Yacht Club Pool Offers Wide Variety of Aquatic Activities

William Austen Youth Center T.I.G.E.R.S.

T he William “Bill” Austen Youth Cen-ters T.I.G.E.R.S. program is Teamwork Involving Group activities, Exercise,

Recreation and Sports. The program has been one of the main programs at the Youth Center this past year. The T.I.G.E.R.S. daily after-school program includes activities such as arts and crafts, homework assistance, sports, games, playground time, exercise, access to computer stations and the latest video systems. Our trained recreation staff focuses on a happy, healthy and safe environment for students. The Youth Center T.I.G.E.R.S. participants are discovering the path of suc-cess through positive guidance and a healthy environment. For more information about programs offered at the Youth Center, call 242-3950 or visit our pages on the Cape Coral Parks & Recreation website at www.CapeParks.com. n

Splash camp

T he City of Cape Coral has entered an agreement with Mid-Cape Racquet & Health Club to manage the Yacht Club tennis courts. Mid-Cape took over operations on February 9, and the organization

also began offering new tennis programs at Burton Memorial Park, Camelot Park, Jim Jeffers Park and Joe Stonis Park. Mid-Cape's contract is for three years with the option that either party can dissolve the agreement.

"We made this move to provide more services to our residents and to of-fer tennis lessons at our neighborhood parks," said Steve Pohlman, director of the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

The Yacht Club Tennis Courts, located on the grounds of the Yacht Club Community Park, feature five lighted tennis courts, which are open to the public from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The courts also are available to the public for an hourly fee of $4 for residents and $5 for non-residents.

Mid-Cape representative Suzanne Lynch said that while the company is looking to expand the tennis programs in the city, they will not change the overall management approach.

"We're trying to offer a stronger tennis program but we are not looking at making any wholesale changes," Lynch said.

Out of four companies that bid for the contract, Mid-Cape came in as the lowest. They also had the added benefit of being located in the Cape.

"We felt the Mid-Cape Racquet & Health Club was the best and most economical bid,” said Pohlman. “We also are very pleased that the contract was awarded to a local company.”

Mid-Cape will manage the courts and the Yacht Club's pro shop, which offers tennis shoes, equipment and racquet stringing services. A resurfac-ing of the Yacht Club courts is planned for April, after the current tennis leagues have completed their programs. n

Mid-Cape Racquet & Health Club to Manage Cape Coral Tennis Courts


Lean Government Continues to Streamline Services

n the continuing pursuit of waste elimination, the Lean Government project has concluded two more Kaizen Events in the month of February.

In the past year, we have streamlined more than 15 processes in six different departments, which helped to reduce time and steps. Several were in the Department of Community Development, including site development review, cycle time for code cases, routing and tracking permits, and customer wait times. Public Works evaluated the swale improvement process, and Finance looked at the purchase order and invoice processes. The City Clerk’s Office streamlined the business tax receipt process, while Human Resources improved firefighter recruitment and hiring contract staff for Parks and Recre-ation. Parks worked on their maintenance process.

Even with new challenges, the City of Cape Coral is continuing to find ways to maintain or assist in the continuous improvement effort.

In February, the Kaizen teams reviewed the sidewalk process in Public Works/Services division and the records management process in the Police Department. Both teams mapped out the process, reviewed all steps and elimi-nated or minimized non-value added steps to increase productivity.

The Lean Government program has created a web page to provide informa-tion and updates. To visit the page, go to the City website at www.capecoral.net. Lean Government is on the City Manager’s page. n

I I n February as part of the third and final phase of the Santa Barbara Boulevard improvements, the project team opened two of the three northbound lanes to traffic as crews finished the widening of the

east side of Santa Barbara Boulevard from SE 12th Street to SE 24th Street. The recently completed work allowed crews to mobilize farther south on Santa Barbara Boulevard and begin construction south of Veterans Parkway.

Last month, crews shifted traffic to the west side of Santa Barbara Bou-levard from SW 28th Street/Kamal Parkway to Gleason Parkway/SE 32nd Street. In addition, the temporary closure of side streets at SE 28th Terrace and SE 32nd Street was necessary for crews to construct the east side of Santa Barbara Boulevard. The road construction work will flow from the north end of each segment to the south with the east half of Santa Barbara Boulevard closed for construction. The other half of Santa Barbara Boule-vard will be open for two-way traffic. The traveling public is reminded that left turns from side streets onto Santa Barbara Boulevard are not permitted during this phase of construction.

Phase III of the Santa Barbara Boulevard widening project will be con-structed in the following segments:

n Phase III North: State Road 78/Pine Island Road to 1,500 feet north - Complete

n Segment A: SE 8th Street to SE 12th Street - Pending

n Segment B: SE 12th Street to SE 19th Street - Ongoing

n Segment C: SE 19th Street to SE 24th Street - Ongoing

n Segment D: Veterans Parkway to Gleason Parkway - Ongoing

n Segment E: SE 24th Street to Veterans Parkway (Signalization and resurfacing only) - Pending

n Segment F: SR 78/Pine Island Road to just south of Hancock Bridge Parkway - Pending

Improvements along this three-mile stretch of roadway on Santa Barbara Boulevard from just south of SR 78/Pine Island Road to Gleason Parkway will include widening the road from four to six lanes, the installation of curbs and gutters, street lighting, landscaping, six-foot sidewalks, and new traffic signals. Significant coordination with Lee County Electric Coopera-tive will be necessary to relocate the massive transmission poles currently in the medians. Phase III work will continue over the next several years with an anticipated completion by spring of 2011. n

Santa Barbara Boulevard Widening Project

New Charter School Breaks Groundn February 24, the City held a ground-breaking ceremony for the new City of Cape Coral Charter High School. The 700-student facility will be located on the campus with Oasis Charter Elementary and Oasis

Charter Middle School.

McGarvey Development Company was selected to build the $7.9 million, 50,000-square-foot school, which is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2009-2010 school year in August.

“This is the final piece of our dream to provide a quality K-12 charter school system for the families of Cape Coral,” said Dr. Lee Bush, principal of Christa McAuliffe Charter Elementary. “We are excited for the parents, the kids, the teachers and the community.”

Students attending the new charter high school will spend time in explora-tion, questioning, critical thinking and cooperating, rather than just simple memorization of facts. The high school features state-of-the-art technology, including interactive Smartboards in every room, Apple student laptops on a wireless network, and a graphic design lab. Students may access the Cambridge University curriculum, which allows for free college tuition for students receiving a Cambridge diploma. There also is a business program that includes a complete culinary arts area. School officials are discussing a university partnership that would allow for dual enrollment opportunities for students, as well as community access to the university’s programs from the high school campus.

Funding for the school comes entirely from the State of Florida via the Florida Educational Finance Program. The program is based on student en-rollment, and capital outlay dollars that also are enrollment-driven. For more information about the high school, call Principal Chris Terrill at 945-1999. n

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Council Elections on Tap for September/November

T he City of Cape Coral will be holding primary and general elections in 2009. Voters will be choosing a mayor and council members for Dis-tricts 1, 4 and 6. Cape Coral municipal elections are non-partisan.

The Primary Election will be Tuesday, September 15, and the General Elec-tion will be Tuesday, November 3.

Candidates are required to qualify to run for any Council seat. Qualifying for potential candidates will be the week of July 6, beginning at noon on Mon-day and ending at noon on Friday.

Requirements to run for City Council All candidates must be continuous, full-time residents of Cape Coral for an

entire calendar year preceding their qualification for office. Candidates quali-fying in Districts 1, 4 and 6 must reside in their respective districts. The terms of office for mayor and council are four years. All terms begin the first regular Council meeting after the General Election.

The fee to run for mayor is $360.44, which includes the filing fee of $150 plus the Election Assessment fee of 1 percent of the office’s annual salary of

$21,044.20 ($210.44). The total fee to run for council is $278.88, which includes the filing fee of $100 plus the Election Assessment fee of 1 percent of the annual salary of $17,887.57 ($178.88).

The forms for the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository can be found on the City website (www.capecoral.net). A campaign file may be opened with the City Clerk’s office any time prior to or dur-ing qualifying week. Opening a bank account does not need to be done immedi-ately, but it is recommended that the account be opened as soon as possible after filing these forms. Only persons designated as treasurer or deputy treasurer can sign campaign account checks. A candidate may act as his/her own treasurer or deputy treasurer. Up to three deputy treasurers may be appointed to sign checks in the treasurer’s absence.

During the qualifying period beginning at noon Monday, July 6 through noon Friday, July 10, candidates can pay the required fees and complete all necessary paperwork in the City Clerk’s Office. A Financial Disclosure Form must be com-pleted, and you must show your voter registration card.

For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s office at (239) 574-0417. n

T he City is hosting the 2nd Annual Canal Cleanup Day on Sunday, March 15 to help clean up the canals and waterways in Cape Coral. The event begins at 8 a.m. at the Yacht Club pavilion. Last year, about

90 volunteers participated and removed 2,500 pounds of debris from the city’s canals and waterfronts.

With more than 400 miles of canals and waterways, a community effort is necessary to keep these waterways clean. Boaters and non-boaters can join City staff in this effort to remove litter from our waterways. Participating boaters will be able to use the boat ramp for free if they check in before launching. Kayaks will be permitted to launch from the beach, and volunteers on foot will be sent to waterfront sites. Trash bags and gloves will be provided at the Yacht Club.

Several local businesses are donating door prizes and food. A morning snack is available, and a full lunch will be served at noon. T-shirts will be provided to all volunteers.

The canal cleanup is organized by Cape Coral’s Environmental Resources Division and Keep Lee County Beautiful. Additional support is provided by Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, Waste Management, MWH, Pae-sano’s Foods, Saturn, First Round Draft, Dat’s a Sub, Diamond Billiards, Everest Marina, Capt. Rob’s Bait and Tackle, Hogbody’s, Leapin’ Lizard, FOS Furniture, ScreenPrint Plus, Marine Concepts, The Daily Grind, Dex and A Pizza Grill.

Food and beverages are provided by Geo’s Italian Restaurant, Papa John’s Pizza, The Daily Grind, I Like It Like That Bakery, New York Stuff-a-Bagel and Chocolate Forest.

Additional door prizes and coupons are being provided by Bubba’s Roadhouse and Saloon, Ada’s Fitness Center, Foster’s Grille, Anthony’s on the Blvd., SeaTow, Boater’s Paradise, Burris Propeller Service, Ledo Pizza, Biker Barn and Hustler’s.

For more information, or to register for the cleanup, please call Kim Cress-man at 574-0785. RSVPs are requested. For upcoming cleanup events, please visit the Keep Lee County Beautiful website: www.klcb.org. n

Public Invited to Participate inAnnual Canal Cleanup Day Event

T he City has been receiving complaints from residents about a company called “Florida Water Testing, Inc.” Repre-

sentatives of the company are approaching homeowners and offering to test their water at no charge. They take samples and then show the residents results they claim indicate contamination. In this latest complaint, the elderly homeowner was charged $4,000 for a water purification system that was completely unnecessary.

“We are encouraging our residents, especially those who are on the City utility system, to say ‘no’ when one of these individuals offer to test their drinking water,” said City Manager Terry Stewart. “They may represent themselves as being associated with the City, but they are simply trying to make a buck off of bogus test results.”

Florida Water Testing has dozens of complaints with the Better Business Bureau and has an “F” rating from the organization. Every year, the City receives complaints about this company. Unfortunately, the homeowner is placed in a difficult situation once they pay for the equipment and have it installed.

The City of Cape Coral has very stringent state and federal drinking water standards that must be met by our water plants. We use very sophisticated equipment and advanced procedures to process and test your drinking water. Our tap water meets or exceeds all state and federal standards in quality, safety and appearance.

If a resident has any questions or concerns about their drinking water, please contact the Citizen’s Action Center at 574-0425. n

City Cautions Residents about Companies Selling Water Purification Systems

Check out the current program schedule & REGISTER ONLINE at

www.CapeParks.com

➤ RemindeR: Program Guides are no longer being mailed. Pick up a copy of the Summer Program Guide at any Recreation Center after April 12.

➤ e-neWS COminG SOOn: Sign up for FREE e-mail updates!Go to www.CapeParks.com and register for FREE Parks & Recreation e-mail updates TODAY!

CHeCK OUT OUR UPCOminG ACTiViTieS : ➤

Parks & Recreation Department

Remember, these are just a few of the activities being offered… Visit www.CapeParks.com to view a complete schedule & REGISTER ONLINE!

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Parks & Recreation FUN!Parks & Recreation Department

MARCH14 - Indoor Marketplace at Rotino Senior Center, 9am-1pm14 - Advanced Saltwater Fishing Workshop at the Yacht Club*14 - Four Freedoms’ Breyer Horse Day at Saddlewood Stables*14 - Shamrock-n-Roll Dance at the Youth Center, 7-10pm 16 - Fashion Show & Luncheon at Lake Kennedy Center, 11am-2pm20 - Lake Kennedy Day Trip to Marco Island Trolley & Snook Inn*21 - Bead Show at the Arts Studio, 9am-4pm

21 - Sun Splash Family Waterpark Opens for the Season, 10am-5pm27 - Schools’ Out Program at Oasis Elementary*, 6:30am-6pm27 - March Madness at the Yacht Club Pool, 6-9pm27 - Dinner Show with “Destiny” at Lake Kennedy Center* 28 - Fashion Show at the Rotino Senior Center*, 1-3pm28 - 20th Annual Sounds of Jazz & Blues at Jaycee Park, 3-11pm28 - 6th Annual Rock & Roll Dinner Dance for Special Populations at LKSC*, 7-10pm

ApRil1 - Sunset Celebration at the Yacht Club Pier, 4-7pm2 - Fish ID Class at the Yacht Club*, 6-9pm3 - “Ring of Fire” Exhibit opens at the Arts Studio (runs through 4/24) 3 - Rotino Center’s “Senior Prom,” at the Yacht Club Ballroom*, 6:30-10pm3 - Youth Services’ Date Night at Oasis Elementary*, 7-11pm4 - Rotino Center Day Trip to “All Shook Up” at Broadway Palm*4 - Skate Jam Contest at Eagle Skate Park 3pm

6 - Registration for Boys & Girls Basketball (ages 9-14) begins at City Hall 6 - Lee County Spring Break begins - See Spring Break Activities!

Spend SpRing BReAk witH pARkS & ReCReAtion!Lee County Spring Break is April 6-14

April 6-10 - Four Freedoms’ Spring Break Horse Camp for Girls* (7-16 yrs)

April 6-10 - Spring Break Adventure Camp at the Yacht Club* (8-12 yrs)

April 6-14 - “Escape the Cape” Spring Break at Oasis Elementary* (K-9th)

April 6-14 - Sun Splash Open for Spring Break Fun (All ages); Daily 10am-5pm

10 - “Ring of Fire” Artist Reception at the Arts Studio, 5-7pm 10 - Full Moon Kayak paddle at Eco Park*, 7-9pm 11 - Rummage Sale & Kayak Demo Day at the Yacht Club, 8am-1pm11 - “Play Golf Cape Coral” Demo Day at Coral Oaks, 10am-3pm11 - Cape Bike Night on SE 47th Terrace, 5-10pm11 - Spring V.I.P Dance at the Youth Center 7-10pm12 - Easter Egg Hunt at the Yacht Club Pool, 10am12 - Last Day to get “Early Bird” prices on Sun Splash season passes14 - Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife Meeting at Rotary Park, 7-9pm14 - Yacht Club Baseball Bus Trip to Tampa - TB Rays vs. NY Yankees*17 - Lake Kennedy Dinner Show featuring Tom Charles*18 - Baby Flea Market at Four Freedoms Park, 9am-12pm18 - Annual Spring Native Plant Sale at Rotary Park, 9am-2pm18 - Bead Show at the Arts Studio, 9am-4pm 23 - Dolphins & Mermaids Marine Biology class at the Yacht Club*, 7-9pm23 - Lake Kennedy Day Trip to Hermann’s Lippizan Stallion Farm*

* Pre-registration is required.

REMINDER: Program Guides are NOT being mailed. Pick up your Summer Guide after April 12 or view activities and REGISTER ONLINE at www.CapeParks.com

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Parks & Recreation FUN!25 - Beginner’s Guide to Kayaking at Eco Park*, 9-11am30 - Near Shore Fishing Course at the Yacht Club*, 7-9pm

MAy2 - Skate Jam Contest at Eagle Skate Park, 3pm

2 - Cinco de Mayo Street Party on 47th Terrace, 5-10pm4 - Spring Mini Class Session begins at the Arts Studio*8 - May’s Bouquets exhibit opens at the Arts Studio9 - Mothers Day Memories (create your own gift) at the Youth Center, 1-4pm9 - Family Fun Night at Sun Splash Family Waterpark, 5-8pm12 - Lake Kennedy Day Trip to Belleview Biltmore in Clearwater*15 - May’s Bouquets Artist

Reception at the Arts Studio, 5-7pm 15 - Four Freedoms’ Mother-Son Night of Fun at the Yacht Club*, 6-9pm 15 - Cahlua & Cream Dinner Show at Lake Kennedy Center*, 7pm21- Lake Kennedy Day Trip to Solomon’s Castle in Ona*23 - Bead Show at the Arts Studio, 9am-4pm25 - Schools’ Out Program at Oasis Elementary*, 6:30am-6pm25 - Sun Splash Open for Memorial Day Fun, 10am-5pm

JUne5 - School’s Out for Summer Fun Day*, 12-6pm5 - Youth Services’ Date Night at Oasis Elementary*, 7-11pm6 - Skate Jam Contest at Eagle Skate Park, 3pm8 - Summer Classes begin at the Arts Studio*11 - Youth Services Schools’ Out Program at Oasis Elementary*, 6:30am-6pm

12 - Lake Kennedy Day Trip to Starlite Princess in St. Pete*12 - Kid’s All American Fishing Derby at the Yacht Club Pier*, 9am-12pm12 - Schools’ Out Program at Oasis Elementary*, 6:30am-6pm13 - Family Fun Night at Sun Splash Family Waterpark, 5-8pm

15 - Beginning of Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Summer Camps - See back cover for more details!

20 - Bead Show at the Arts Studio, 9am-4pm26 - Lake Kennedy Dinner Show featuring “Moments in Time” w/ Gonnelli & Sanderson*

ViSit CApe CoRAl’S ReCReAtion CenteRSGeneral Parks & Recreation Information . . . . . . . 573-3128 Cape Coral Arts Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 574-0802Coral Oaks Golf Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 573-3100Four Freedoms Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 574-0804Lake Kennedy Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 574-0575Rotary Park Environ Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 549-4606Special Populations Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 574-0574Sun Splash Family Waterpark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 574-0558Tony Rotino Senior Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 574-0807Yacht Club Community Park & Pool . . . . . . . . . . . 574-0806Youth Center / Eagle Skate Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242-3950

* Pre-registration is required.

2009 SUMMER CAMP PREVIEwParks & Recreation Department

When school’s out, Cape Coral Parks & Recreation is open for fun and adventure! A wide variety of weekly summer camps and recre-ation programs will be offered from June 15 - August 21 including:

SwiMMing leSSonS & CAMpS at Sun Splash and the Yacht Club Pool

(6 mo-15 yrs)

Swimming lessons for all ages plus camps that teach swimming, lifesav-ing water rescue skills, crafts and more will be offered at both aquatic facilities.

pReSCHool SUMMeR CAMpS at Four Freedoms Park (3-5 yrs)

Six different themed camps includ-ing Hooray USA, At the Sea Shore, Camping Out, and more!

SUMMeR CAMptACUlAR Choice of locations: Oasis Elementary, Christa McAuliffe,

or Four Freedoms Park (K-5th)

Includes field trips, guest speakers, arts/crafts, and a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

AqUAtiC, FiSHing & BoAting CAMpS at the Yacht Club (4-17 yrs)

Various aquatic themed camps for different age groups such as Beach Bums Exploration, Beginner’s Fishing, Adventure Camp, Kayak-ing, Power Boats, and Sailing.

SUpeR SCienCe CAMpS at Four Freedoms Park (6-12 yrs)

Different science themes will be explored each week including “Go Green”, “Space / Rockets” and “Super Science Specials.”

Fine ARtS FoR kidS CAMpS at the Arts Studio

(7-12 yrs)

Featuring weekly art themes including sports and stars, jungle safari, under the sea, pixie dust and more!

eCo-AdVentURe nAtURe CAMp at Rotary Park (8-12 yrs)

Weekly environmental themes featuring outdoor activities such as hiking thru the swamp, following animal tracks, netting minnows and cooperative games and crafts.

SUMMeR HoRSe CAMp

Hosted by Four Freedoms (7-16 yrs)

Offered at Saddlewood Horse Club and filled with elements of English, Western, vaulting and horse knowledge, as well as riding, games on

horseback, and a parent presentation.

ACtiVity CAMpS at the Youth Center (8-18 yrs)

Different themes each week, such as sports and heroes, with activities including guest speakers, movies,

arts & crafts projects, field trips and more!

Middle SCHool / HigH SCHool FUn dAZe

at Oasis Middle School (6th–10th)

Includes two field trips per week, guest speakers, special events, and more!

pleASe note: Space is limited and registration is required

prior to the start of camps; Be sure to sign up early to ensure your child’s spot!

For more information about Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Summer Camps,or to REGISTER ONLINE, visit www.CapeParks.com

Documents

ARKS t Inside! On The Move - Cape Coral, Florida · On The Move is a quarterly newsletter produced by the City of Cape Coral for the citizens of the city. The publication is mailed