INSIDE: Legal Notices
www.capecoralbreeze.com
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
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City, YMCA look to partner on $40 million parks complex By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
A possible partnership between the city of Cape Coral and YMCA of Southwest Florida, Inc. could bring a $40 million parks complex to Cape Coral, including a competitive-size swimming pool. Cape Coral City Council will decide today whether to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding with the non-profit for a YMCA facility at Lake Meade Park on Northeast 22nd Street off Kismet Parkway. According to the resolution, if Council agrees, the two parties will begin a “good
faith effort” toward a development agreement for “a private YMCA facility that will include, but not be limited to a fitness center, gymnasium, and an outdoor competition-sized swimming pool” at the currently undeveloped park. In addition, “roads, parking, playground, splash pad, sports courts and fields, sidewalks, restrooms, picnic tables, pavilions and landscaping” would be built. The resolution states that the anticipated cost of the facilities is approximately “$12,000,000 by city, $12,000,000 is currently unidentified funding by county
and state budgets and other grants, and $16,000,000 in a private capital campaign from YMCA.” The development would come in two phases, the first for planning and permitting related to design and engineering; the second for construction of the YMCA facilities. The YMCA would be the developer for both phases and would be required to provide to the city proof of funding and private capital commitments before phase two could commence. If a proposed development agreement is reached, it will come back to the Cape
Lee County provides update on FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
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ordinance regarding motorized toys and model airplanes, boats and cars in city parks. The ordinance states that power model toy permits are required. In addition, “motorized model and toy airplanes, flying objects, boats, cars, or other flying or nonflying vehicles and watercraft that are sole-
See PARKS COMPLEX, page 4
By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
The North Fort Myers High School girls soccer team was recognized Saturday at the annual Breakfast of Champions as the Breeze’s Team of the Year for 2023-24.
Breeze honors student athletes By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
The Breeze celebrated student athletes from all over Cape Coral and the West Zone Saturday with its third annual Breakfast of Champions held at Cape Vineyard Community Church. “It's always satisfying to see hard work pay off so this event is doubly satisfying for The Breeze as we can see young athletes rewarded for their hard work and also get the satisfaction of completing another year, our third, of this program,” said Breeze Newspapers Publisher Ray Eckenrode. “It's something we couldn't do without the hard work of our staff – especially C.J. Haddad, Chris Strine and Laurie Ragle – and without the support of our community sponsors.” Cape Coral Breeze Editor Chris Strine added, “I think our third Breakfast of Champions was the best yet. The turnout was great and it was an honor to be able to recognize so many of our stu-
See BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS, page 3 1
In other business: ■ A public hearing will be held for an
Fertilizer ban in effect
NEWS OF NOTE
Lee County staff provided an update at the Lee Board of County Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday related to the county’s diligent work to provide all requested and required documentation in response to FEMA’s efforts to retrograde the county’s Community Rating System classification. Watch the update portion of the meeting via this link: https://youtu.be/YL8r9GrY FOE. The county on Monday submitted documentation on all 414 properties identified by FEMA. County staff will remain available and responsive to FEMA staff as the agency reviews the documentation. It’s anticipated that review could take about a month. The county also has updated its website dedicated to this issue, www.leegov.com/femacrs. The website now includes a document called “Lee County’s Floodplain Management Post-Hurricane Ian Compliance Response to FEMA” as well as an Executive Summary. The Lee County Commissioners is committed to retaining the CRS rating of 5 to maintain the discount available to residents with NFIP policies.
Coral City Council for its consideration.
Breeze Associate Sports Editor CJ Haddad, left, with Ryleigh Acosta, who was selected as the Breeze’s 2023-24 Female Athlete of the Year. PHOTOS BY VALARIE HARRING
Officials are reminding residents that fertilizer bans are now in effect. Starting June 1, both Cape Coral and Lee County have bans on the use of fertilizers that contain nitrogen or phosphorus during the summer rainy season that runs to Sept. 30. “Eliminating the use of phosphorus and nitrogen during the wet season helps to protect our canals and waterways, quality of life, and economy,” Cape Coral officials stated. “Excess nutrients can cause harmful algal blooms that can cause fish kills, harm pets and wildlife, and potentially injure people who encounter it.” Critical points of the Cape Coral fertilizer ordinance include: ■ No fertilizer is allowed if a flood watch/warning, a tropical storm watch/ warning, or a hurricane watch/warning is in effect. ■ Fertilizer cannot be used within 15 feet of any body of water. ■ Phosphorus fertilizer is prohibited any time of year unless a soil test in the past two years identifies a phosphorus deficiency. ■ The percentage of slow-release nitrogen content in any fertilizer used during the remainder of the year (October-May) must be at least 50%. No grass clippings or vegetative debris may be swept or blown into stormwater drains, conveyances, bodies of water, sidewalks or roadways. Lisa Kreiger, operations manager of Lee County’s Natural Resources Department, said the county adopted its ordnance in 2008, that prohibits fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus being applied to turf and/or landscape plants in unincorporated Lee County. “The reason the ordinance was adopted was an effort to minimize negative envi-
See FERTILIZER BAN, page 3