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— INSIDE
CAPE CORAL BREEZE Cape Coral’s Community Newspaper Since 1961
Vol. 62, No. 19
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
50 Cents
North 1 West UEP info session set for today By CHUCK BALLARO
news@breezenewspapers.com
Property owners in the North 1 West Utility Expansion Project area may have a lot of questions, especially concerning costs, projected at $33,000-plus for a standard-sized lot if paid in advance. The city of Cape Coral will try to answer those questions and more at an informational meeting and open house set for 5 to 8 p.m. today at City Hall. “The open house is for residents in the North 1 West project area to ask one-onone questions specific to their property and individual situations,” said Kaitlyn Mullen, city spokesperson. “As you know, public hearings provide a platform for residents to provide input, but that is a one-way communication and does not allow for a back-
“The open house is for residents in the North 1 West project area to ask one-on-one questions specific to their property and individual situations.” — Kaitlyn Mullen, city spokesperson.
and-forth discussion. Property owners can speak with a representative on topics such as what to expect during UEP construction, septic tank abandonment, endangered species in the project area, the city's hardship program and oneon-one Q&A sessions regarding UEP assessment payment options, Mullen said. Residents must check-in for one-on-one sessions to secure a time slot with city staff. Homeowners are asked to bring their assessment notice to assist staff in answer-
ing questions. All six project contractors will be in Council Chambers; the Health Department and a representative knowledgeable about endangered species will be on the catwalk; and the hardship representative will be available in the city manager’s lobby for privacy. The one-on-one Q&A regarding UEP payment options will take place in conference room 220A. “We expect this event to be well-attended so residents can understand how the
See NORTH 1 WEST UEP, page 4
Mayor asks council member to respond to accusation she is not living in district
AT A GLANCE
By VALARIE HARRING
Inside today’s Breeze
vharring@breezenewspapers.com
Town of Fort Myers Beach using heavy equipment to remove dead fish from beaches.
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NEWS OF NOTE Hours change at Florida Disaster Recovery Centers
process works,” Mullen said. The UEP will provide the area with city water, sewer, and irrigation services. New roads and stormwater improvements will be built as part of the project. The city has already extended utilities to nearly all of Cape Coral south of Pine Island Road and is currently working its way north. The city estimates that for those who choose to pre-pay in full between March 2023 through Sept. 30, 2023, the assessments for a 10,000-square-foot lot in North 1 West will be $26,617 — $7,246 for water, $13,330 for sewer and $6,041 for irrigation. The estimated Capacity Facility Expansion Charge is $6,750 — $1,106
Cape cuts ribbon at Del Prado Linear Park playground
As of Monday, March 6, all remaining Disaster Recovery Centers in Florida By CHUCK BALLARO will be open 9 a.m. to 6 news@breezenewspapers.com p.m., Monday through SatThe ribbon-cutting at the Del Prado Linear urday. Park was set to start at 10 a.m., but that didn’t To find a center you can stop families from giving the new playground go online to disaster recova test drive a little bit early. ery center locations. The city of Cape Coral is putting its $60 The FEMA Disaster million GO Bond for city parks to use by renRecovery Center in Cape ovating old parks and building new ones. Coral is located at the Lake Friday, the city celebrated the completion of Kennedy Center, 400 Santa improvements on the city’s only linear park by Barbara Blvd. cutting the ribbon on the park that runs along Although the deadline to Del Prado Boulevard north of Pine Island apply for assistance for damRoad. age from Hurricane Ian has The event was at the newest addition to the passed, survivors who were park, the playground and the basketball court affected by Ian can still conon the east side of Del Prado, at Northeast tact FEMA to: 16th Place and Northeast 12th Terrace. ■ Get help understanding Members of Cape Coral City Council, city FEMA decision or request staff and Special Pops came to witness the for information letters. event. ■ Check the status of Mayor John Gunter said the event was a your FEMA application. kickoff to many other milestones for city parks ■ Get information about help with rental assistance or other basic needs. ■ Get referrals to agencies or non-profits that may offer assistance FEMA is not able to provide. ■ Meet with a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representative. ■ Meet with a mitigation specialist about protecting your home and property from future natural disasters. You do not need to go to a DRC to get assistance. You can go online to disasterassistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. For the latest news on Florida’s recovery from Ian, visit floridadisaster.org/info or fema.gov/disaster/4673. By CHUCK BALLARO
this spring. “This is just another example of our commitment to the community to make sure we provide the best amenities we can to our residents,” Gunter said. “In the next six weeks, we’ll have three more ribbon-cuttings for other parks and two groundbreakings.” Among the happiest was Councilmember Jessica Cosden, who lives just blocks away from the park and can now bring her children to enjoy it after months of little voices asking when the park would open. “I’m excited for the people in the area and myself because we’re so close we can walk here. There were kids in the park already when I got here and it filled my heart with joy that people are already enjoying it,” Cosden said. In 2018, Cape Coral voters approved a $60 million expansion of the city's parks and recreation amenities. They approved a 15-year
See DEP PRADO LINEAR PARK, page 4
Above, members of the Cape Coral City Council and city staff cut the ribbon on the upgraded Del Prado Linear Park on Friday. At left, youngsters try out one of the new attractions at the already-popular playground. CHARLES BALLARO
A Cape Coral City Council member accused of failing to meet the residency requirements to seek and hold office has responded, saying Hurricane Ian forced a temporary relocation. Councilmember Patty Cummings responded to Mayor John Gunter who, on Monday sent the District 4 representative a letter stating that the city was notified of a complaint filed with the Governor's Office alleging that she currently does not reside in her district as required by the city's charter. As the charter vests council with the authority to judge the qualifications of its members and to determine grounds for forfeiture of office, Gunter asked Cummings to respond to the city elected board within seven days, including an explanation if an issue does exist. Cummings said the only Councilmember issue is the damage wrought Patty Cummings by Hurricane Ian. “As you all are aware, many of us in Cape Coral have been affected by the recent hurricane that swept through our community and I am no exception,” Cummings said in a written response to Council Tuesday. “I am currently a part-time resident in District 4 with the full intent to be living in District 4 full-time by March 22, 2023. “I relocated from my full-time residence due to hurricane damage and I have been actively looking for a full-time residence since then. Unfortunately, it's been difficult due to the housing shortage. “At one point, I was presented with an opportunity on a home but had to decline due to severe mold growth throughout the house. To further articulate, my family has recently experienced a problem with mold which hospitalized one of them. Thus, it was highly important we find a home that was clean and safe. “I am still a part-time resident in District 4 with a driver's license and voter's registration card that displays my District 4 address. Additionally, I receive my mail at this same address.” She provided an address she said will become her "full-time permanent address" by March 22. “This will fulfill my residency requirements as a full-time District 4 Councilmember,” she wrote in the response also copied to the city attorney, city clerk and interim city manager. The complaint, which also alleges Cummings was not a resident of District 4 when she submitted paperwork to qualify to appear on the municipal ballot in 2022, was received by Matt Caldwell, state committeeman for the
See ACCUSATION, page 4
Elks donates wheelchairs to VA hospital
news@breezenewspapers.com
The Veterans Administration doesn’t just rely on funding from the federal government. It relies on volunteers and donations from organiLegal Notices . . . . 5-8 zations and private citizens to help lighten the Local Tides . . . . . . . 3 burden. When the Elks Lodge 2596 of Cape Coral Sports . . . . . . . . . . . 3 learned that the VA Hospital in Cape Coral needed wheelchairs, the fraternal organization Weather . . . . . . . . . . 2 got to work. On Friday, the Elks presented the hospital with 12 wheelchairs for use for patients arriving and leaving the hospital. John Nugent, a member of the lodge, said he 7 48445 46010 1 called the hospital to ask if there was anything it
INDEX
needed. The hospital volunteer representative said they needed wheelchairs, the type that can be pushed. It seems the chairs were disappearing and there weren’t enough chairs for everyone to go into the hospital. “What we did was buy 10 wheelchairs. Later, someone bought two more for a total of 12,” Nugent said. “So, their veteran members can wheel themselves from their vehicle to the hospital for their appointment in comfort.” The Elks got their shipment of chairs in just a few days, continuing their longtime partnership with the VA. Nugent said the Elks got a grant from the hospital a couple years ago for homeless veter-
ans for more than $4,000. At Christmas, the Elks gave more than $3,000 in presents and have given donations of $500 for dinners for veterans of the war in Afghanistan and multiple donations to the veterans hospital. The VA isn’t the only organization they help. The Elks also made a $5,000 donation to the Cape Coral Caring Center. “That money went to help those primarily in the community to help pay for utility bills,” said Elk Rich Kampf. “Our main goal is to invest in the local community. One goal is to give back to local veterans and the other is caring about fam-
See WHEELCHAIRS, page 4