Fire station loan on Council agenda
City manager John Szerlag is expected to ask the Cape Coral City Council on Monday to approve the city enter into a bank loan to pay for a fire station on Burnt Store Road, with proceeds also going toward construction costs for the Southeast 47th Terrace streetscape project.
Of the proposed $8.1 million loan from IberiaBank Corp., $3,750,580 would go toward the new Fire Station No. 11 expected to open in the fall; $4,120,122 would go toward the $13 million streetscape project, with the rest going toward fees.
According to the memo sent out by Szerlag, additional improvements to the streetscape project to be funded would include information kiosks, cameras and license plate readers as well as fiber cables, bollards, electric vehicle chargers and improved lighting in Big John’s parking lot at a total cost of $805,000.
A companion resolution to approve the IberiaBank loan comes with the ordinance. The bank is offering a fixed rate of 3.05 percent and the ability to prepay without penalty.
Another hot-button issue the city council is expected to tackle is trailer parking on city-owned parking lots with an ordinance to be considered.
The ordinance would prohibit the parking of any trailer in the South Cape in any city-owned lot between 2 and 6 a.m.
Outside of those times, it would also be illegal to stop, stand or park in a city lot any trailer that is not attached to a motor vehicle, for a period lasting longer than two hours or outside of spaces designated for parking.
A trailer attached to a motor vehicle would be able to use two spaces but would have to be contained in the areas designated by the white lines.
Construction trailers, such as those being used for the streetscape project would be able to use city parking lots as long as a valid building permit has been issued, the trailer is in an area adjacent to where construction is taking place, and where it doesn’t block walkways or vehicular traffic.
Failure to comply would result in a $100 fine per day, with trailers subject to removal by the city.
Council will also consider its future with the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council membership. It is expected city staff will ask to pay the $49,952 due for the city’s place on the council.
Cape Coral has been in the RPC since the 1970s, but the erosion of their responsibilities over the last decade has led many municipalities to reconsider membership, including Cape Coral, placing the PRC’s future in jeopardy.
Also on the docket will be the FLC Board of Directors selection, a discussion with the Burnt Store Right-of-Way Committee and the Reinstatement of the Parks Master Plan Stakeholders Group, regarding the impact of the purchase of the Golf Course property to the plan.
Council meetings begin at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.