An ordinance establishing sprinkler regulations is among the agenda items for Wednesday’s Cape Coral City Council meeting

Ordinance 46-23, which proponents say will provide for water conservation, would apply to irrigation systems for new residential and commercial properties within the city. It would apply to using all water sources, as well as systems installed in common and open space within residential, commercial developments and individual landscaped areas.

The measure is being introduced with a public hearing set for June 8 unless Council votes otherwise.

The proposed ordinance would require a permit for new installation of landscape irrigation systems, as well as modifications to an existing irrigation system that is $2,500 or more in labor and material based. In addition, prior to starting the construction of a new system, design drawings shall be provided.

Inspection of the irrigation system is also part of the ordinance, on either new systems, or modified existing systems.

The ordinance also includes a variance for those who have a soil moisture sensor and/or an evapotranspiration or weather based smart controller. Those who have these measures would be granted an exemption from the days of the week water restrictions.

According to the ordinance as tendered, “as much as 50 percent of water used outdoors is lost due to wind, evaporation and runoff caused by inefficient irrigation methods and systems. It is the intent and purpose of this article to provide means to alleviate such conditions by improving the long-term sustainability of the water resources, providing an ongoing water conservation program, increase water use efficiency, and prevent and curtail wasteful water use practices.”

Also among the items in Council’s consent agenda is the award contract for North 1 West Utilities Extension Project (UEP) Construction Engineering and Inspection Services (CEI).

If approved, Tetra Tech, Inc. would provide CEI services at an amount not to exceed $11,988.520 with a 5 percent city controlled contingency of $599,426 with a total project cost of $12,587,946.

With the City of Cape Coral’s Office of Capital Improvement completing the design of the North 1 West UEP, a Notice to Proceed was issued for the construction phase of the project.

According to the City, the North 1 West area, which is divided into six contract areas, has four different contractors. On March 22 of this year, the contracts were approved for $203,123,579. Construction, administration, oversight and inspection is required for the construction phase of the project.

The meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. in City Chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. It is open to the public.