An American flag will soon fly on a 250-foot flagpole at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge \u2014 Cape Coral City Council green-lighted the project Wednesday.<\/p>\n
City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said the continuation of the enabling resolution from council\u2019s March 4 meeting was because council members were unsure about the ability to raise the remaining funds for the endeavor.<\/p>\n
That money has been secured with a donor, who wants to remain anonymous, guaranteeing any shortage of funds from the continuing fundraising effort.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn trying to find a solution that I could get a check and not cash it \u2013 essentially that is what we have done,\u201d Ilczyszyn said. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fundraiser has raised $281,221 as of Wednesday.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Councilmembers Rachel Kaduk, Keith Long and Jennifer Nelson-Lastra voted against the resolution.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am still struggling with this. I am appreciative of the donor to backstop the dollars,\u201d Kaduk said, adding that the initial construction is covered through donations, but there is an ongoing cost for maintenance and upkeep forever. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs elected officials we set the vision and priorities of the city. This came from the city manager. I do have an issue of this,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Council should focus on infrastructure and fiscal responsibility \u2013 investing in projects in tangible ways, she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis does not. I will not support this,\u201d Kaduk said. \u201cWhen we move forward with projects, it\u2019s aligning with priorities we as a council have set. I am a patriot, I love this country, and flag. It\u2019s about the responsibility and alignment and focusing on the needs of the residents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kaduk said it is a heart project for the city manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is just not what was needed. Our people did not come to us for that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of us as citizens can bring recommendations and requests to us. We shouldn\u2019t cut out people who are having to serve the city,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ilczyszyn thanked all of the donors and those who will still donate in advance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The height of the pole reflects the 250th\u00a0anniversary of the nation, which ended up being the tallest flagpole in the state.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s procurement code.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything over $100,000, you all need to approve,\u201d he said. \u201cEven though it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nelson-Lastra asked what the actual maintenance costs would be for the flagpole.<\/p>\n
The cost would be between $15,000 to $16,000 a year, the city manager said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if someone donates a $200 tree \u2013 once the tree is planted in the ground, we are maintaining the tree \u2013 fertilizing, trimming, and watering it. Probably in the first two years we have paid more than $200 for the tree,\u201d Ilczyszyn said.<\/p>\n
He said staff visited the Clearwater Harley Davidson, which has a 204-foot flagpole \u2013 the tallest in the state today.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have five flags inventoried,\u201d he said, adding that the manufacturer that makes the flag will repair them for free, except for the $300 shipping cost. \u201cIf you order and allow them time to manufacture them and ship them, the flags are only $14,000.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Councilmember Bill Steinke said they are already maintaining a flag at that location, as well as others throughout the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this council was extremely clear when you brought this idea forward. It wasn\u2019t 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\u2019ve fulfilled your obligation to make sure it was 100% donated, for that reason alone I will support the motion. It didn\u2019t cost the taxpayers anything,\u201d Mayor John Gunter said.<\/p>\n
More information, including how to make a donations may be found at capecoral.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n