Funding questions bump flagpole approval to March 25 meeting
Cape Coral City Council said Wednesday it wants assurances that a plan to install the state’s largest flagpole near the Cape Coral Bridge in time for our country’s 250th anniversary will be paid for with donations.
A resolution to award a bid to Dynamic South for the design of the flagpole at Bernice Braden Park was continued to the next regular council meeting after council members expressed concerns that the entire $420,000 has not yet been raised although there is donor commitment for the full amount, according to the city manager.
Councilmember Bill Steinke made the motion to continue the conversation to the next council meeting on March 25, which was objected by Councilmembers Jennifer Nelson-Lastra, Laurie Lehmann and Keith Long.
Steinke said the contractors are not going to do anything until they get a down payment.
“They are not going to get a down payment until council approves the action,” Steinke said, adding that he would love for the project to be done by July 4th.
The construction lead time is about 15 weeks for completion.
The motion to continue discussion until the end of the month will allow legal to put something together to meet the scrutiny of at least five people on council, Steinke said.
He made a donation toward the donor commitment, which is to fund the difference between donations received and the cost of the project.
“I want to honor the donor that has provided the backstop between now and three weeks from now. I want to take the first thousand dollars away from the donor,” Steinke said, adding that will lessen the remaining balance. “This isn’t a display of anything other than I believe we should have the flag.”
City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said the only council member that he does not meet weekly with is Keith Long.
“The rest I have spoken with. I have advised all of you and you know this. There is a donor that is willing to cover the balance due. We were not going public with that to protect them,” he said. “There was an offer, a response. We have it in writing.”
Ilczyszyn said the donor asked that the city continue to fundraise.
“We are here tonight because we have assurance,” he said.
According to the draw schedule, there needs to be 50% in order to put money in for manufacturing, draw 40% at substantial completion and the final 10% when the permit closes, Ilczyszyn said.
“Maybe there is something we can develop with the donor that would cross that path and allow for that contingency,” Councilmember Joe Kilraine said.
City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner said he has some ideas that would hopefully alleviate some concerns raised. He said he is optimistic that with three weeks time he can structure something that would nullify any of the doubts council raised.
“I can firm it up and make sure it is a locked down, no problem issue. I think that is the right route to approach,” Boksner said.
As of Wednesday night, the campaign has raised $270,611. Ilczyszyn said there is no deadline for the funds – that the funds will be until the end of the project.
“It’s been six months. I am not sure how long we continue the fundraising expedition. Six months,” Kaduk said, adding that they first spoke about the campaign on Aug. 13.
Mayor John Gunter said one of the concerns that he has is the city has a minimum bid of $420,000.
Resolution 70-26 was to award the bid to Dynamic South, Inc. for the design, fabrication, and installation of a 250-foot flagpole at Bernice Braden Park in an amount not to exceed of $420,000 – “utilizing those funds existing or to be deposited into the Flag Trust Fund.”
“If we enter into that binding contract with this individual, my concern is the delta between the $270,000 and $420,000. We are signing a contract with the city of Cape Coral. The city of Cape Coral is ultimately responsible. The motion would have to be extremely articulate of what we are approving and not approving,” Gunter said. “This council has already had conversations previously – not interested in using public dollars to support this initiative.”
Steinke said what was required to get started has been accomplished.
“The dollars that would initiate the project and take to a certain point of completion has already been paid for. We have the money to get started. Those people that have contributed would like to see it get started,” he said. “I have full faith and confidence that the dollars will be raised based on our citizenry and the way they feel about our veterans.”
Many council members said they loved the idea, but had pause because the total had not yet been raised. Others asked how the item got to the agenda if the total was not in hand.
Kilraine said he would like to see the terms and conditions, as well as a contingency built in. He said he is asking for a document to understand what permitters might be in here from a contingency standpoint to reduce the city’s liability.
“We have been telling the citizens all along that it is not going to be done with taxpayer dollars,” Councilmember Laurie Lehmann said, adding that she likes the idea of the flag and flagpole.
She said it’s not a one-and-done cost, as there are maintenance and insurance associated.
“How is that going to be covered? How much is that?” Lehmann said. “We need to have all the pieces of this. The city is on the hook for the maintenance and insurance. We need to know the whole picture.”
Those who wish to donate to the project may do so at givebutter.com/raisetheflag .
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com