[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6655001,"mediaKeyId","5423065-c06930fc2de22c352dba2c000b567a0f","parentId",5423065,"title","Votes at a glance: Cape Coral City Council, July 16, 2025","audioSeconds",2022,"startMs",403000,"endMs",2425000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5423065-c06930fc2de22c352dba2c000b567a0f&start=403&end=2425","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5423065-c06930fc2de22c352dba2c000b567a0f/thumbnail_403000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655001/Cape-Coral-City/Lee-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Cape-Coral-City-Council-July-16-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655001-dcfba5fbcf412fb24340e8d4a1321c06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142274&Signature=SV414YFn5TO8QTdGzzF9MgYdOh3VWAghdxesltjW5LhYZ6JAJLWn1Ahod4UdLc7V3N0v29Sn~JMmw3dUJl3np52Oev3EG5rt--CyZJ~HPpx2RBn1trVXPsrCdHDNCENGU5BzBxPm90RZXFnHi39C7v~QsDWLVbyyvbFJ71S9JCpYVSxtcmN0L-VgFH7KgBhF9JutVnh7s0m~K8hTzOmk6Aup2CMFVa6WrsgU-EHfnTeUWwXrRqJKK3hoDP4ZB4Iu8UjEBhWfJ8mgqr4Y-i1GbXAx~MKGQyDoQJbGrX31hfnArF7Vql5o-PY81dhDQcSNH-YhtX2I1WaxJcbZ2eY8tQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cape Coral, FL","date","2025-07-17T12:48:07.107Z","article","The Cape Coral City Council took multiple formal votes at its July 16 meeting. Key outcomes:

- Consent agenda (partial): Council approved the consent agenda items that were not pulled on a roll-call vote. (Seven items were approved as part of the bulk consent motion.)

- Resolutions 190-125, 190-225 and 190-325 (purchase of parcels for wildlife habitat): Approved, 8–0. Staff said purchases are funded by an FWC grant and Friends of Wildlife will assume operations and maintenance.

- Resolution 180-125 (urban forestry master plan funding): Motion to approve the resolution failed, 2–6 (Steinke and Donnell voted yes; Long, Gunter, Kaduk, Hillrain, Lastra and Lehman voted no).

- Ordinance 23-25 (small-scale future land use amendment for property at 2307 Bellotto/Volado Parkway from multi-family to commercial professional): Approved on first hearing/legislative vote, 8–0. Planning staff and the applicant said the change makes an existing medical office conforming.

- Ordinance 33-25 (voluntary annexation of approximately 8 acres for Floor & Decor Outlets of America at 2800 NE Pine Island Road / 1481 Barrett Road): Approved, 8–0. Staff said annexation will not create an enclave and that any future development will be reviewed under city zoning and land‑use processes.

- Committee schedule change: Council approved moving the July 30 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting time to 9 a.m. to occur prior to the CRA meeting.

Several items were introduced and set for future public hearings, including a rezoning and multiple vacation-of‑right‑of‑way items with public hearings set for Aug. 6, 2025. The boathouse LOI and Sands Boulevard bridge options were discussed at length but did not produce a final vote; staff will return with formal settlement or funding documents for council consideration.

This “votes at a glance” roundup lists recorded roll-call outcomes and next steps; individual agenda items contain further detail and staff follow-up tasks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - July 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal votes taken at the July 16 Cape Coral City Council meeting, including roll-call results and next steps for approved items.","taxTitle","Cape Coral City, Lee County, Florida","taxId",4188,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655006,"Council backs repair of Sands Boulevard bridge; federal funding uncertain, mitigation underway",681,3659000,4340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5423065-c06930fc2de22c352dba2c000b567a0f&start=3659&end=4340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5423065-c06930fc2de22c352dba2c000b567a0f/thumbnail_3659000.jpg","/articles/6655006/Cape-Coral-City/Lee-County/Florida/Council-backs-repair-of-Sands-Boulevard-bridge-federal-funding-uncertain-mitigation-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655006-8e0b7ca6010f7f44a78a741c262b5d89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142274&Signature=hcYRbmeNVOAxCC2xWfAvi3~tgzfUjMTTmHo3dHvq6xWDgta3fO7SgkX-H-uFAfkAXRR0jBQjWHY1-mQUlGc1yA7aRTniGS8qu2G2-5vvmTZ7BeCre963O6f8xdJ1ui2SYuuS6~DLEbC2dHmJoFW85y9iayJY9WuZTtlWrZvdobQd-1UOZ3qIs33A4hurFis~x3HcWpbpGBDP-~kezjBN0wqdnENBeMpzBSCVAXplv26lmMZO0nttDe~rMSMaaWk~kJ21BmsKz9m6TXjgtjm946S4l0G5-5UY2ip-IeMGmhhyTT3ZZBaHcwMrahT7NHaDnll4MImTU2RUt2qEH0sr2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cape Coral City Council members on July 16 expressed support for repairing the North Brown Bridge (Sands Boulevard) over the Estero Canal rather than permanent removal or replacement, while city staff warned that federal and state reimbursements are uncertain and could require a multi-month review.

Assistant Public Works Director James Brakefield and Public Works Director Matt Williams briefed the council: the latest consultant work showed the principal damage is to the north-side seawall and abutment rather than the bridge deck itself, and the repair scope now includes seabed and tie-back work that substantially increased cost estimates compared with the original post‑Ian assessment. Staff said the original repair estimate (immediately after Hurricane Ian) was roughly $500,000 for design; the revised permanent-repair estimate is higher and could approach the previously discussed $1.8–$1.9 million range if full seawall replacement is required.

Staff explained they are pursuing amendments to the federal DDIR process to attempt an 80/20 Federal/Local split through FHWA reimbursement, but FDOT cautioned that FHWA may take a more conservative review and that FDOT currently lacks discretionary funds to cover shortfalls. The city manager and public‑works staff said they will request an approximate six‑month review period from FHWA/FDOT while advancing designs and mitigation work that can be done without committing city funds now.

Council members said repair is the prudent path while the city seeks federal funds: “To me, the only option is to do the repair on the bridge,” the mayor said, noting repair would be cheaper and preserves the opportunity to capture previously allocated federal funds. Staff recommended moving forward with the repair option; the council directed staff to continue work on the repair plan and pursue funding amendments with FHWA and FDOT. Staff also said mitigation design began in June with the intent to stabilize scour and backfill loss ahead of any longer federal review.

No formal ordinance or resolution vote was required; the council’s remarks indicated consensus to proceed with repair-oriented design and funding pursuit. Staff emphasized that if the federal reimbursement is later denied, the city faces significantly higher local costs and could consider alternatives at that time.","City staff recommended repairing the North Brown Bridge over the Estero Canal and seeking FHWA/FDOT reimbursement under a revised damage report; council directed staff to pursue repair while noting the federal review could take months and mitigation work is underway to limit further damage.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655011,"City outlines terms of boathouse LOI; council presses for quick demolition of burned structure",546,2452000,2998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5423065-c06930fc2de22c352dba2c000b567a0f&start=2452&end=2998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5423065-c06930fc2de22c352dba2c000b567a0f/thumbnail_2452000.jpg","/articles/6655011/Cape-Coral-City/Lee-County/Florida/City-outlines-terms-of-boathouse-LOI-council-presses-for-quick-demolition-of-burned-structure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655011-1ce6b4f3976ff4ea27b11db5263357ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142274&Signature=lzwjVHmkKnIailbUM0VBfgjhWrIN8njVl4CrvYOv3EIV6tupvY4AD8Q5ChP4FpehRPQD22W4G9lqPaECUvWXe-H5DPTHpar6wGq3lK9JRg2pJtloHWTKKY10WPlLBPaK~nhPRRI-ivPxCJ01KWvn2G1d3-c2yY6EBvwAywqAu4ooYohQFoe4JtIjlUswvHsztCmcKvnqmGaLmtcokOl5rHf8H1bTTBk1cOfP7tvB-CsU8tlfTyCNNE9nNuEcoqPFFeYg--1clVounV-YUgmFntqpLrQ155ZC4fZa8v2vc03~bc6V7ZJfdFeFSoqDKuJ7spFl2ddzFn1UEseL9QRXFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff updated Cape Coral City Council on July 16 about a negotiated letter of intent (LOI) with the current boathouse operator to replace a burned structure with a new, privately built facility that the city will own once the project receives a certificate of occupancy. The LOI would be followed by a settlement agreement cancelling the existing lease and a concessionaire agreement that sets operations and long-term oversight.

City Manager and legal staff said the LOI improves financial terms for the city: the agreement would remove prior exclusions and give the city profit sharing from dollar one of sales, moving from prior 5.5–6% split arrangements to a stepped 5%, 6% and 7% profit-sharing schedule depending on gross sales levels. Staff said the operator would reimburse half the cost of certain fuel tank replacements and contribute to construction of a substantially larger building the operator will construct on City property. The city will front $1 million to the project, payable over 10 years; staff estimated the new building’s construction cost at roughly $5 million.

Under the LOI the term would be 30 years and the agreement would be a concessionaire license rather than a lease, which the city attorney said gives the city more operational control. The LOI also removes an exclusivity clause for restaurant operations in the yacht-club area, instead offering the operator a first right of refusal so the city retains ability to pursue other food-service operators in the future.

Council members expressed urgency about demolition of remaining damaged structures. The current leaseholder and operator have disputed the cause and effect of the fire, creating a legal dispute staff said must be resolved as part of a settlement agreement. City Attorney and staff said they had included a 30‑day demolition requirement in the LOI but that the date could be shortened; several council members urged the city to accelerate demolition to a one-week window once the settlement is final, citing hurricane-season safety concerns. The manager said the city would be ready to issue permits and had been preparing demolition logistics.

Staff said they expect to return to council with the settlement and concessionaire agreements for formal approval, possibly on Aug. 6, and stressed there are detailed operational provisions in the draft concessionaire agreement intended to preserve city oversight over the yacht-club property. No formal vote was taken July 16; the presentation was an informational update and direction to finalize documents.","City staff reported a negotiated letter of intent for a new concession at the boathouse, including 5–7% split profit sharing on sales and a requirement that the private operator construct a new facility the city will own; council signaled urgency to remove the damaged structure during hurricane season.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":46,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655016,"Cape Coral approves purchase of parcels for burrowing-owl habitat using FWC grant money",422,2003000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5423065-c06930fc2de22c352dba2c000b567a0f&start=2003&end=2425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5423065-c06930fc2de22c352dba2c000b567a0f/thumbnail_2003000.jpg","/articles/6655016/Cape-Coral-City/Lee-County/Florida/Cape-Coral-approves-purchase-of-parcels-for-burrowing-owl-habitat-using-FWC-grant-money","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655016-7e8e798f78c264fd2684abe918701347/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142274&Signature=Xc8Ds-mUJ4B0UtNqNx1NaAT1~RHRbkqQB~4ErgcnZV-gQbVr6S1kXyjIlk-l4lCFWBuCMnGHu8brICnQogt6tHvktrmVRkTcT4Y6mlkSbZmMH2lqD22APuI9FVsYRN8wvnZvY05fP0V8h1EPzYMns7fnpmCTtAGqKeln5QK5IKGIUQ9br-44RdMeFeoSLIM~yqNudEE96gAJ3nZLngNiKldIW9CezZ3iL~DzyXaxiQ4vW-o43JBm6KMTnVBQEo9Cs2fmtiYbys92XmDAGn7nSNGSM-em8~3SVquWnkvUHlvXbapoY4NkP~LI0PETG-TqmlRuy9OkdUTYqup8frQNxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cape Coral City Council voted 8-0 on July 16 to approve three resolutions authorizing the purchase of vacant parcels within a conservation area, using grant funding to preserve habitat for burrowing owls and gopher tortoises.

Real Estate Division staff told council the total price for one of the highlighted parcels exceeded the appraisal because it filled a gap between two lots the city already owned; the property owner requested $75,000, the appraisal was $65,000 and the city negotiated to $70,000. Dawn Andrews of the Real Estate Division told council that the packet numbers include assessments, closing costs, surveys and appraisals in a single lump sum.

Andrews said the purchases are funded through a grant program and that none of the monies spent on the transactions came from the city’s general fund; she said the purchases to date will fully expend a $900,000 grant if pending negotiations close as planned. The city has purchased six parcels under the program with a seventh closing at month end and was seeking to complete three additional purchases that were bundled on the motion approved July 16.

Council members and staff said the acquisitions can be more cost-effective than forcing private development that would trigger mitigation costs for the property owner. “It’s gonna cost him for the two properties to mitigate the owls and gopher tortoise nests that are on that property, almost a $100,000,” Andrews said; staff argued acquiring the land for preservation avoids uncertain mitigation outcomes and creates contiguous habitat.

Friends of Wildlife will assume operations and maintenance for the newly purchased parcels under an agreement, City staff said. Councilmember Lastra asked a staff estimate of acreage the purchases would create; staff reported the two discussed parcels would total approximately 1.6 acres once completed. The resolution bundle—identified in the agenda as Resolutions 190-125, 190-225 and 190-325—passed on a single roll-call vote.

Votes: Council approved the bundled resolutions 8–0. The roll call showed “Aye” responses from Long, Steinke, Donnell, Gunter, Kaduk, Kilraign, Lastra, and Weiner.

Staff said the city’s purchase strategy is intended to create a mosaic of preserved lots managed for wildlife, and that the grant covers purchase and associated closing costs so the city’s general fund is not directly out-of-pocket for the acquisitions.","Council approved three resolutions to buy multiple lots to create contiguous habitat for burrowing owls and gopher tortoise conservation; the purchases are funded through a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) grant and will be maintained by Friends of Wildlife.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655021,"Cape Coral council rejects $300K-era urban forestry master plan after debate on costs and scope",1570,430000,2000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5423065-c06930fc2de22c352dba2c000b567a0f&start=430&end=2000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5423065-c06930fc2de22c352dba2c000b567a0f/thumbnail_430000.jpg","/articles/6655021/Cape-Coral-City/Lee-County/Florida/Cape-Coral-council-rejects-300K-era-urban-forestry-master-plan-after-debate-on-costs-and-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655021-212ca4860c392461f4eb3b52909e14c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142274&Signature=A254058cdhvd-rmzBmCccCyuANsxZiMsE1NI1jyx63gY5KT7vLKeDWnJYDT0vGGNIwogVKY071xg4ttbg~GNvLSO0Bh6NtQl~Gb8p7rpZa~OHr-6UTcg6ST3pyVQ2gaEN56Krtq1eqA56m416kftfRmUXt~TikTpqbL6~9ivWFT69zPfXVJU7DcQA5W-53hkus~njtPtnmRYPULphPN7yVyXyRqtaQ8kJ7qZO~kF-tJL0xkOTveM4Gx-Mx356ZqAFATIbeWkJbrCAMCV5E7fHmX5gIuAdoRVEm~ynOB08tkd7xc7slLboNmy2eegNq4pkMVy~XzQWDIKMVrabnZCRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmembers on the Cape Coral City Council voted 6-2 on July 16 to defeat a resolution to fund an urban forestry master plan, a consultant-led study city staff said is intended to map the city’s tree canopy, recommend planting and preservation strategies, and identify code changes and grant opportunities. The motion to approve the plan failed after hours of discussion about costs, outcomes and timing.

Proponents described the plan as a strategic step to grow the city’s canopy beyond its present 11–12% coverage. “In order for us to grow our tree canopy…to 20% you’re looking at having to plant over 500,000 trees in the city,” City Arborist Omar Leon told council, adding the plan would include canopy analysis using lidar and parcel-level mapping and would produce short- and long-term actionable recommendations.

City Manager staff said the arborist has already attracted grants that offset some program costs; the manager said the arborist had “received numerous grants that exceed this” plan’s budget request. Leon and staff said the master plan would also review codes and ordinances so the city can guide private-property canopy growth and preserve existing trees as development continues.

Skeptical councilmembers questioned whether the consultant plan was the best use of limited funds. “If it hasn’t impeded us from obtaining the grants and the recognition that we’ve got thus far…is the juice worth the squeeze?” Council Member Long said, noting recent recognitions and asking whether the money should instead be spent on trees.

Council discussion ranged from technical points—average installed tree costs (Leon estimated a typical 10-foot, 3-inch-caliper “ordinance” tree at roughly $1,000–$1,400 installed with a one-year warranty) and species diversity—to the plan’s role in unlocking future grants, mitigating heat and aiding future capital and commercial development.

After a motion to approve the resolution, the roll call resulted in two “aye” votes and six “no” votes; the motion failed. Council members Steinke and Donnell voted to approve the plan; Long, Gunter, Kaduk, Hillrain, Lastra and Lehman voted against it. No alternate funding or phased approach was adopted at the meeting.

City staff said the arborist will continue developing the city’s urban forestry program and that the proposal under consideration would have been delivered by an outside consultant; Leon explained the plan’s deliverables would include an urban tree canopy assessment, species-diversity analysis, prioritized plantings, short- and long-term action items and recommendations for ordinance changes. Staff also noted the plan was identified in the city’s strategic management plan adopted in 2021 or 2022.

Opponents focused on near-term budget constraints: the council had just completed a budget workshop earlier in the day and several members said they preferred directing funds to planting trees now rather than to a consultant-led plan. Proponents said without a plan the city risks inefficient plantings and missed grant opportunities and that the plan is designed as a 10–20 year roadmap rather than a single-year project.

The item was on the consent agenda as Resolution 180-125 and was pulled for discussion. No follow-up vote or substitute motion was approved at the meeting.","Council debated whether a consultant-driven urban forestry master plan is needed to guide tree-planting, canopy preservation and code changes before voting 6-2 to reject the measure. City arborist Omar Leon and city staff described the plan as a long-term, data-driven blueprint to grow canopy and unlock grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Cape Coral City Council, July 16, 2025

Council backs repair of Sands Boulevard bridge; federal funding uncertain, mitigation underway

City outlines terms of boathouse LOI; council presses for quick demolition of burned structure

Cape Coral approves purchase of parcels for burrowing-owl habitat using FWC grant money

Cape Coral council rejects $300K-era urban forestry master plan after debate on costs and scope