City to discuss information plan for changes to public input
Public comment may be moved from near beginning to tail end of Council meetings
Cape Coral City Council will discuss Wednesday plans to best inform residents of changes to meeting times and procedures.
Council will hear a strategic communications plan designed to “inform and educate Cape Coral residents, media, and stakeholders about the updated City Council meeting procedures and encourage meaningful participation under the new format.”
As proposed in a resolution to amend Council’s Agenda Rules of Procedure, Council meeting start times will move from 5 p.m. to 4 p.m. Council workshops, which are followed by South Cape Redevelopment Agency meetings will start at 9:30 a.m. instead of 10:30 a.m.
In addition to changes to meeting times, the amended rules would move public comment from near the beginning to towards the end of Council meetings.
Council also would now require that residents who wish to speak to fill out, and turn in, a public comment card before the start of its meetings.
Comment cards could still be submitted electronically.
The resolution amending rules of procedure was developed as per Council discussion and direction at its May 14 workshop where there was a consensus to place Citizen’s Input toward the end of the meeting just before Councilmember Reports as well as to implement the comment card system. It is No. 18 on Wednesday’s lengthy consent agenda.
Consent agenda items are passed as a whole without discussion unless otherwise pulled by a member of Council.
If the resolution to amend is approved, at future meetings, public input on consent agenda items would be come after Council votes on its consent agenda.
In other business:
• The public hearing portion of Wednesday’s meeting includes Resolution 172-25, which would establish an increase in administrative costs charged to a violator if the city prevails in prosecuting a case before the special magistrate.
The city set the monetary amount of $94 for the recovery of administrative costs, an amount that was established for several years.
If passed, the amounts will include:
* Stipulated agreements and agreed orders: $100
* Day of hearing costs of prosecution in a special magistrate case: $305
* Full or partial reduction of code enforcement lien: $305
If adopted, the fees will take effect immediately.
• Resolution 135-25, an amendment to a contract between the city and Pennoni Associates, Inc. for construction administrative services for the Jaycee Park improvement project for $280,070. This brings the total project amount to a not- to-exceed amount of $853,635. The item is on the city’s consent agenda.
In 2023, the council adopted a resolution that authorized the final design services for the project to Pennoni Associates, Inc. for a contract amount of $573,565.
According agenda documents, construction administration services were not included in the initial contract because the services were not needed until the project was bid and under construction. Now that construction is underway, the services are required from the firm. The contract will be extended by 350 calendar days to cover the duration of construction.
• Resolution 170-25, which if approved, would authorize the city manager to enter into a contract for sale and purchase of land for the preservation of burrowing owl habitat for $55,000 plus approximately $3,000 in closing cost. The city would assume the North 2 EUP assessment in the amount of $9,385 for a total value of $67,385. The property is at 457 Juanita Place. The item is on the city’s consent agenda.
• North 1 East UEP Roadway options for Northeast 24th Avenue and Diplomat Parkway. The discussion is in regard to comparisons between a roundabout and a traffic signal at this intersection. The matter will be discussed during the unfinished business portion of the meeting. This topic was moved from last week’s workshop agenda.
The Wednesday, June 4, meeting will take place at 5 p.m. in City Council chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. The meeting is open to the public.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com