Five new members join Cape Coral City Council
Elected board determines committee appointments; finds it cannot appoint a mayor pro tem
The newly elected members of Cape Coral City Council were sworn into office Wednesday.
Five new members took their seats on the dais, as each read the oath of office surrounded by family and loved ones.
One by one, each new council member came to the front of the room, placed their hand on a Bible, and recited the words that swore them to support, protect, and defend the Constitution and government of the United States and the state of Florida, as well as faithfully perform their duties and uphold the city charter.
New council members included Laurie Lehmann in District 2, Derrick Donnell in District 3, Jennifer Nelson-Lastra in District 4, Joseph Kilraine in District 5, and Rachel Kaduk in District 7.
The elected members now join Mayor John Gunter, District 1 Councilmember Bill Steinke, and District 6 Councilmember Keith Long.
Among the housekeeping duties to make their appointments official, the newly formed council also approved memberships and roles on varying committees.
Council voted to continue membership to the Florida League of Cities, Florida League of Mayors, Metropolitan Planning Organization in Lee County, National League of Cities, Southwest Florida League of Cities and U.S. Conference of Mayors.
As for who will serve on which committee, Council determined:
• Affordable Housing Advisory Committee: Nelson
• Audit Committee: Lehmann
• Charter School Governing Board: Kilraine
• Transportation Advisory Committee: Kilraine, Kaduk, Steinke, Lehmann; Nelson and Gunter alternate
• Community Development Block Grant: Donnell
• Planning & Zoning Commission: Long; Kilraine alternate
• Metropolitan Planning Organization: Kilraine, Kaduk, Nelson, Lehmann, Steinke; Gunter, Long and Donnell alternate
• National League of Cities: Donnell; Nelson alternate
• Horizon Council: Kaduk, Kilraine alternate
• Tourist Development Council: Steinke
Gunter will continue in his role of office manager of the city council offices.
As for naming a mayor pro tem, council was unable to do so based on a referendum added to the charter back in 2002.
Because Council had held a meeting following the General Election but before the swearing in, the time to appoint a new Mayor Pro Tem had passed, meaning one cannot be appointed at least until November of 2025, City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner advised the board.
Meghan Bradbury contributed to this report.