Cape eyes removal of Chiquita boat lock
A permit to remove the Chiquita boat lock, a resolution to continue the city’s exploration of taking over electric utility operations and the setting of a maximum property tax rate are among the issues on Monday’s Cape Coral City Council agenda.
The newest of the topics is the resolution seeking a permit to remove the Chiquita boat lock with and through Avalon Engineering utilizing the city’s Miscellaneous Engineering Services Contract.
The permit process would be conducted in two phases. Phase 1 addresses the development of the permit application methodology to remove the lock and assist in the permit process at a cost of $41,610. Phase 2 addresses the environmental modeling and design for lock demolition at a cost not to exceed a combined total of $200,000.
For the second consecutive meeting, council will discuss, and possibly vote, on a resolution to approve continuing its Municipal Electric Utility study with Spencer Consulting Services in the amount of $48,000.
The resolution was withdrawn during discussions at last week’s meeting as council members asked to look at the franchise agreement proposals drawn up by the city and LCEC. The negotiations on a new 30-year agreement with LCEC has drawn some fingerpointing from both sides while the city continues to research the MEU feasibility.
A resolution to set the proposed millage rate cap to fund the city’s Fiscal Year 2016 operating budget will be discussed and put up for a vote. City Manager John Szerlag has suggested a .75 mil tax cut to 6.9570.
If council approves the new mil rate, they could decide during budget discussions in the coming weeks to reduce it further. They would not be allowed to exceed the 6.9570 rate, providing it is approved on Monday.
One mil is equal to $1 per $1,000 of assessed, taxable property valuation.
Other business includes:
Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance approving a planned development called Sunset Pointe near the west end of Cape Coral Parkway.The development is a single-family residential subdivision seeking special exceptions and deviations to the Land Use & Development Regulations as well as engineering and design standards.
Developers propose a gated community consisting of 58 residential sites with a centralized lake. They also are asking to allow two model homes and a parking lot to service those models through buildout.
Council also will deal with four personnel related resolutions seeking the addition of four full-time positions in the Community Development Department. Staff also seeks authorization to pay up to the maximum of the salary range to fill specific vacant positions in other departments.
Cape Coral City Council meets at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.