An American flag will soon fly on a 250-foot flagpole at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge — Cape Coral City Council green-lighted the project Wednesday.
City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said the continuation of the enabling resolution from council’s March 4 meeting was because council members were unsure about the ability to raise the remaining funds for the endeavor.
That money has been secured with a donor, who wants to remain anonymous, guaranteeing any shortage of funds from the continuing fundraising effort.
The 250-foot flagpole at Bernice Park, which will be designed, fabricated and installed by Dynamic South, Inc. has a price tag of up to $420,000.
“In trying to find a solution that I could get a check and not cash it – essentially that is what we have done,” Ilczyszyn said. “We entered into an escrow agreement to backstop the project. That donor has wired the balance of the funds that are needed to pay for the contract. The city has the funds in our account.”
The fundraiser has raised $281,221 as of Wednesday.
Ilczyszyn said they will continue the Raise the Flag fundraiser through July 4. As they continue to raise funds, they will reduce that amount in the escrow and draw whatever balance is left to pay off the contract.
Councilmembers Rachel Kaduk, Keith Long and Jennifer Nelson-Lastra voted against the resolution.
“I am still struggling with this. I am appreciative of the donor to backstop the dollars,” Kaduk said, adding that the initial construction is covered through donations, but there is an ongoing cost for maintenance and upkeep forever.
“As elected officials we set the vision and priorities of the city. This came from the city manager. I do have an issue of this,” she said.
Council should focus on infrastructure and fiscal responsibility – investing in projects in tangible ways, she added.
“This does not. I will not support this,” Kaduk said. “When we move forward with projects, it’s aligning with priorities we as a council have set. I am a patriot, I love this country, and flag. It’s about the responsibility and alignment and focusing on the needs of the residents.”
Kaduk said it is a heart project for the city manager.
“It is just not what was needed. Our people did not come to us for that,” she said.
Councilmember Bill Steinke, who made a $1,000 contribution to the fundraiser during a previous meeting, said they are all citizens of the Cape, the city manager included.
“All of us as citizens can bring recommendations and requests to us. We shouldn’t cut out people who are having to serve the city,” he said.
Ilczyszyn thanked all of the donors and those who will still donate in advance.
“We live in the best country in the world. I want to say thank you. It was never about me as the city manager. It is still about our nation, and honoring the freedoms and our flag,” he said.
The height of the pole reflects the 250th anniversary of the nation, which ended up being the tallest flagpole in the state.
Ilczyszyn said since the city are the ones holding the funds in the public treasury as a public fundraiser, in order to expend those monies, or approve those expenses they have to follow the city’s procurement code.
“Anything over $100,000, you all need to approve,” he said. “Even though it’s not taxpayer money, the procurement code still applies to any fund. We are holding the fund in the public treasury, and you all have to approve the release of the funds.”
Nelson-Lastra asked what the actual maintenance costs would be for the flagpole.
The cost would be between $15,000 to $16,000 a year, the city manager said.
“Even if someone donates a $200 tree – once the tree is planted in the ground, we are maintaining the tree – fertilizing, trimming, and watering it. Probably in the first two years we have paid more than $200 for the tree,” Ilczyszyn said.
He said staff visited the Clearwater Harley Davidson, which has a 204-foot flagpole – the tallest in the state today.
“They have five flags inventoried,” he said, adding that the manufacturer that makes the flag will repair them for free, except for the $300 shipping cost. “If you order and allow them time to manufacture them and ship them, the flags are only $14,000.”
Ilczyszyn said as of right now the city would handle the maintenance through the general fund. He said with that, he has been in communication with different restaurants that are planning a Memorial Day fundraiser, which might be held on an annual basis to cover those costs.
Councilmember Bill Steinke said they are already maintaining a flag at that location, as well as others throughout the city.
“I think this council was extremely clear when you brought this idea forward. It wasn’t our intent to pay for the cost of the construction of this project utilizing city dollars. At that time, you decided to do a campaign on receiving donations. You’ve fulfilled your obligation to make sure it was 100% donated, for that reason alone I will support the motion. It didn’t cost the taxpayers anything,” Mayor John Gunter said.
More information, including how to make a donations may be found at capecoral.gov.
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