Candidate for mayor filing suit to delay vote on North 3 UEP
Cohen-Adkinson says decision should be made after Nov. 3 election
A candidate for Cape Coral City Council is challenging the next phase of the city’s decades-old utility extension project.
Mayoral candidate Lisa Cohen-Adkinson announced Wednesday that she has retained an attorney to challenge council’s decision take the final vote for the North 3 Utilities Extension Project the day before the General Election.
The vote, she said, would leave residents within the extension area on the hook for upwards of $330 million.
Cohen-Adkinson said she retained attorney Anthony Sabatini out of personal funds and plans to have the suit filed by Friday.
“Keeping in mind, I live in the South Cape where I purchased my home with assessments in and paid. I have no financial dog in this race. I am only doing this because there is a bigger picture and if the north Cape starts to go into bankruptcy and foreclosure in abundance, it will absolutely affect everybody’s marketable values throughout the entire city,” she said.
Cohen-Adkinson said she knows deep down the city can absolutely get the numbers down, by at least 30%.
“I know we can,” she said.
By filing suit, Cohen-Adkinson said she just wants to delay the vote – stop Council from making a third of a billion-dollar decision before the election, when the contract for the project would not expire until January 2027.
“That needs to be the focal point. Why are we rushing to do this and commit the residents the day before the election? That is the whole message here,” she said. “I don’t want to hear an 18-month delay. If we sign the contract on time, how is there a delay?”
City Spokesperson Melissa Mickey said the city had not received any official notification of a lawsuit as of Wednesday afternoon.
In addition to the mayor’s race, there are three city council seats on the ballot, only one of which includes an incumbent, meaning there will be at least three new faces on the eight-seat board after the Nov. 3 General Election.
The city of Cape Coral assesses property owners when it brings potable water, sewer, and irrigation water into unserved areas. It has done so since 1999.
Residents and lot owners in North 3, east of Burnt Store Road are facing an estimated assessment of $35,264 – land area assessment per 1 EP for an estimated total of $26,920 and CFEC for an estimated total of $8,344. These estimates include water, wastewater and irrigation.
Parcels in North 3, west of Burnt Store Road have an estimated assessment of $41,029 – $32,685 for land area assessment, and $8,344 for the CFEC. These property owners also have the alternative five road improvement that adds $5,765 per EP. The improvement allocates more space to roadway and drainage/greenway functions and providing enhanced multi-modal facilities.
There are other costs as well — $3,000 to $5,000 for the average plumber’s connection cost, $100 for the Department of Health septic abandonment permit, $325 for the water meter purchase and install and $225 for an account deposit.
The city will hold a North 3 UEP Homeowner Informational Meeting from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19, at Cape Coral City Hall in Council Chambers.
City Hall is at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. Council chambers are on the second floor.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email mbradbury@breezenewspapers.com