2020 Cape Coral Candidate Responses

1. How has the Cape Coral government, over the past several years, balanced growth with the needs of water resources?
Needs more balance

Additional Comments
The problem is properties owners have a right to develop their property. Where the city has fallen short is not extending the UEPs at a faster pace with fixed deadlines, or using it’s size to force the state to put in statewide phosphorus free fertilizer laws like 11 states already have. I would suggest a ban much like was put into place over a year ago in Minnesota where we lived prior to moving to Cape Coral.

2. What should be the single most important goal of the Cape Coral City Council with respect to waters within the City and impacts to receiving waters such at the Caloosahatchee River and Matlacha Pass?
Banning with all cities on the West and East Coast effected by Lake Okeechobee to force the state to ban phosphorus in all fertilizer as mentioned above, and increase fines for water quality violations.

3. Should the Cape Coral City Council continue to seek sources of water for lawn irrigation from outside the City’s jurisdiction?
Yes

Additional Comments
I think reducing Fort Myers discharge of their reclaimed directly into the Caloosahatchee River/Pine Island Sound and using it for irrigation in Cape Coral was a win for water quality efforts.

4a. With regard to the City’s continuing efforts to remove the Chiquita Lock, is boating safety more important than reducing pollution to the Caloosahatchee River, Matlacha Pass and associated wildlife habitat?
Yes

Additional Comments
Human life is always a priority to me. However, below is the answer I have given every voter who asked me my position:

I have lived behind the Chiquita lock for seven years now and I am familiar with it. If it were a perfect world my preference would be to remove it as the city has requested. I say this because the current lock is a safety issue when boats are waiting over two hours to get though in the narrow channels. We also have missed the 10 PM lock close and have had to tie our boat up overnight at Rumrunners. So, removal would be my preference. However, the reality is the city council made the poor decision to authorize the exact same law firm and attorney who lost the last removal case. The city council has authorized another $500K in taxpayer money to move forward again in a process that last time took four years and spent over one million dollars for attorneys, expert witnesses, and consultants to lose the court case. There is an option that would work and the land area is there for upgrading the lock with two high speed locks that would allow two way traffic which is acceptable to Mike Hannon who sued the city and won last time. I actually met with Mike Hannon and we discussed the issue to see if his organization could support that option and he said yes. The city had that option was looked at in 2010 and the cost to build was 3.2 million. I would rather do the compromise now and upgrade to a two-lane high-speed lock than have the city spend over a million dollars again and kick the can down the road for another four years. To only end up at the same point we are currently at now. Also, if Mike Hannon wins again it would be the city’s third attempt so Mike Hannon would win attorney fees and all his costs.

So, a simple answer now. I would recommend moving forward with upgrading the current lock system to a two-lane high-speed lock system that was designed for longer boats with wider beams than the current lock.

4b. Would you support a compromise position by replacing the Chiquita Lock with an improved and higher capacity lock?
Yes

Additional Comments
Please see my answer to 4a.

5. How important is it to regulate lawn fertilizer within the City’s jurisdiction?
Very important

Additional Comments
I was the first candidate to file to run for council over a year ago now and I have said since day one the first ordinance I would bring is an all year fertilizer ban based on the Minnesota model that I know works.

6. What is the cause of more frequent algae blooms in Cape Coral’s freshwater canal system?
Improper application of fertilizer on both residential and commercial properties. I believe city codes could be changed to also be less water dependent. I grew up in Arizona and understand limited water landscaping. We need to encourage native plants in residential projects and demand them in commercial development.

7. Is using treated wastewater as part of the City’s dual water system, a source of nutrients in the City’s canal system?
Yes

Additional Comments
However, using the treated wastewater is at least a buffer to direct discharge into the river. We need to look at the current watering schedule and if there are better water application rules available.

8. Would you be willing to meet with Calusa Waterkeeper representatives to discuss Cape Coral water quality issues and priorities?
Yes

Additional Comments
Absolutely. I am a registered nurse and water quality is not in my wheelhouse and I have already reached out to a few individuals such as Jason Pim, Michael Dreikorn, and others to be individuals I could reach out to with environmental issues. I want to make sure my five children and 11 grandkids enjoy the area long after I have left this world.

No response yet

1. How has the Cape Coral government, over the past several years, balanced growth with the needs of water resources?
Needs more balance

Additional Comments
We need to look at continued ways to improve preservation and water recharge areas, work with key stake holders and develop a stronger voice with county, state and federal officials.

2. What should be the single most important goal of the Cape Coral City Council with respect to waters within the City and impacts to receiving waters such at the Caloosahatchee River and Matlacha Pass?
Continuing to work with scientists, environmentalists, engineers, other stakeholders, on best methods to improve our water quality and eliminate algae blooms.

3. Should the Cape Coral City Council continue to seek sources of water for lawn irrigation from outside the City’s jurisdiction?
Yes

Additional Comments
If this question is targeted on the pipeline between Fort Myers and Cape Coral. This water transfer is important for several reasons. It pipes treated wastewater into our system for irrigation to help us during the dry season. The pipeline also helps stop dangerous discharges of polluted water into the Caloosahatchee from the Fort Myers side.

4a. With regard to the City’s continuing efforts to remove the Chiquita Lock, is boating safety more important than reducing pollution to the Caloosahatchee River, Matlacha Pass and associated wildlife habitat?
No

Additional Comments
But with a qualifier. The environment is the most important factor, but since there is no substantiated scientific evidence that removing the Chiquita Lock will result in an adverse affect on our environment, on tidal flow or on marine life, then you must look at other negative factors to keeping the lock in place. Boater safety is one of them. Having boats wait outside the lock, especially during storms, has led to accidents. Marine life, like manatees and dolphins, have also become trapped in a lock that frequently breaks down and takes 28 minutes to allow boats in and out.

4b. Would you support a compromise position by replacing the Chiquita Lock with an improved and higher capacity lock?
No

Additional Comments
No. As I said earlier, there is no scientific evidence that shows important environmental advantages of keeping the lock in place, plus there is a high cost involved. The lock was originally put in place to keep pollutants from septic systems from flowing into our estuary. Now that city utilities are in place that problem has been eliminated. There also is no evidence that tidal flow will be adversely affected or that species, like the small tooth sawfish, will be impacted by removing the lock.

5. How important is it to regulate lawn fertilizer within the City’s jurisdiction?
Very important

Additional Comments
Storm water runoff carrying harmful nutrients, like phosphorous and nitrogen, from fertilizers are major concerns for our local environment. As the city works on a new fertilizer ordinance, we must first educate the community and those that apply any fertilizers or chemicals, to the new rules. Then, that ordinance must be aggressively enforced to limit those harmful nutrients from flowing into our waterways. I can see monthly public updates to council and on the city’s website, regarding education and enforcement efforts on the ordinance.

6. What is the cause of more frequent algae blooms in Cape Coral’s freshwater canal system?
It is local storm water runoff bringing harmful nutrients from fertilizers and other products into our waterways, especially during high storm season.

7. Is using treated wastewater as part of the City’s dual water system, a source of nutrients in the City’s canal system?
Yes

Additional Comments
It can be a contributor since our treated wastewater has a fertilizer component in it. It depends on where a property is along the pipeline as to what level that fertilizer impact might be, but it is certainly something that deserves further study as to its impact.

8. Would you be willing to meet with Calusa Waterkeeper representatives to discuss Cape Coral water quality issues and priorities?
Yes

Additional Comments
Absolutely. I have had a good relationship with the group during my time with The News-Press, resulting in many conversations and editorials supporting the importance of environmental preservation and restoration. I look forward to continuing that relationship in the future.

1. How has the Cape Coral government, over the past several years, balanced growth with the needs of water resources?
Needs more balance

Additional Comments
They are only interested in build build build

2. What should be the single most important goal of the Cape Coral City Council with respect to waters within the City and impacts to receiving waters such at the Caloosahatchee River and Matlacha Pass?
Leave the Chiquita lock. Modernize it. It impacts the water quality.

3. Should the Cape Coral City Council continue to seek sources of water for lawn irrigation from outside the City’s jurisdiction?
No

Additional Comments
It is reclaimed water. Promised unlimited use in the inception of sewer/dual water/ city water system in 1990. My how that has changed.
Continue on the current plan. Golf course and other water “gobblers” should be restricted. No watering Tue. That is what they are doing.

4a. With regard to the City’s continuing efforts to remove the Chiquita Lock, is boating safety more important than reducing pollution to the Caloosahatchee River, Matlacha Pass and associated wildlife habitat?
No

Additional Comments
as stated above. Keep the lock. Modernize

4b. Would you support a compromise position by replacing the Chiquita Lock with an improved and higher capacity lock?
Yes

Additional Comments
it can be modernized with new technology. Must be in State environmental Guidelines

5. How important is it to regulate lawn fertilizer within the City’s jurisdiction?
Very important

Additional Comments
We need to investigate the new lower N2 (Nitrogen) fertilizers. Lower Phosphates as well

6. What is the cause of more frequent algae blooms in Cape Coral’s freshwater canal system?
Runoff from homes and businesses ( fertilizer etc.). Every thing drains into canal system. Might have been alright 50 years ago but not now.

7. Is using treated wastewater as part of the City’s dual water system, a source of nutrients in the City’s canal system?
Maybe

Additional Comments
I need to research this question. Good question. Food for thought.

8. Would you be willing to meet with Calusa Waterkeeper representatives to discuss Cape Coral water quality issues and priorities?
Yes

Additional Comments
I am sure you can teach an old science teacher a lot more than I know now.

1. How has the Cape Coral government, over the past several years, balanced growth with the needs of water resources?
Has provided the right balance

Additional Comments
Although we have had several challenges, including the worst-ever algal bloom, we have also made considerable progress. We identified 3 sizeable sources of water to supplement our irrigation system, reducing the amount of water drawn from canals. In doing so, we stopped Fort Myers from dumping millions of gallons of effluent wastewater into the Caloosahatchee River. We stopped FGUA from building a shallow injection well that could have contaminated our drinking water. We are a testing ground for blue-green algae treatments, helping scientists across the world learn best practices. FGCU is researching the impacts of algal blooms on air quality. We increased funding for our stormwater program, asking staff specifically to use that additional funding for projects that reduce nutrients in stormwater before it hits canals.

2. What should be the single most important goal of the Cape Coral City Council with respect to waters within the City and impacts to receiving waters such at the Caloosahatchee River and Matlacha Pass?
To me, everything starts on the ground. I want to revisit the fertilizer ordinance, look into bioswales, bioreactors, and other forms of filtration that prevent nutrients in stormwater from even reaching our canals. These canals are the collectors that ultimately reach the outer waters.

3. Should the Cape Coral City Council continue to seek sources of water for lawn irrigation from outside the City’s jurisdiction?
Yes

Additional Comments
I support this because it enables us to draw less water from canals. Lower canal levels leave us more susceptible to concentrated waters — making algal blooms more likely. Our irrigation program is innovative and well-used, but I do want to improve our wastewater treatment process and look at nutrient removal.

4a. With regard to the City’s continuing efforts to remove the Chiquita Lock, is boating safety more important than reducing pollution to the Caloosahatchee River, Matlacha Pass and associated wildlife habitat?
Yes

Additional Comments
There should be a “Maybe” answer available. Human life is at the top of my list. However, I don’t believe that lock removal proponents are only concerned about boater safety. They are also concerned about convenience and property values. I would put reducing pollution above convenience.

4b. Would you support a compromise position by replacing the Chiquita Lock with an improved and higher capacity lock?
Yes

Additional Comments
There should be a “Maybe” answer available. Any responsible Councilmember would need more information about cost and just how improved this new lock would be. I also am (still) waiting on updated data about the environmental impact of removing the lock.

5. How important is it to regulate lawn fertilizer within the City’s jurisdiction?
Very important

Additional Comments
We can’t directly control Lake Okeechobee, or the temperature, or the amount of rain. But we can control this factor.

6. What is the cause of more frequent algae blooms in Cape Coral’s freshwater canal system?
First, Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the water. Nutrients can occur naturally in the water, but we know that they also come from Lake Okeechobee releases via the Caloosahatchee River, and from local stormwater runoff (100% of which drains into our canals). Locally, these nutrients can come from fertilizer, pet waste, and other human-related sources. Finally, a changing climate (hotter weather and drier dry seasons, causing warmer water and more concentrated nutrients in our canals).

7. Is using treated wastewater as part of the City’s dual water system, a source of nutrients in the City’s canal system?
Yes

8. Would you be willing to meet with Calusa Waterkeeper representatives to discuss Cape Coral water quality issues and priorities?
Yes

1. How has the Cape Coral government, over the past several years, balanced growth with the needs of water resources?
Needs more balance

2. What should be the single most important goal of the Cape Coral City Council with respect to waters within the City and impacts to receiving waters such at the Caloosahatchee River and Matlacha Pass?
To ensure that we are maximizing our efforts to ensure excellent water quality.

3. Should the Cape Coral City Council continue to seek sources of water for lawn irrigation from outside the City’s jurisdiction?
Yes

Additional Comments
Specifically for assistance during the dry season.

4a. With regard to the City’s continuing efforts to remove the Chiquita Lock, is boating safety more important than reducing pollution to the Caloosahatchee River, Matlacha Pass and associated wildlife habitat?
No

Additional Comments
I think the question is unbalanced because the safety of the environment and the safety of the boaters is equally important.

4b. Would you support a compromise position by replacing the Chiquita Lock with an improved and higher capacity lock?
Yes

Additional Comments
Only if the removal of the lock is no longer an option.

5. How important is it to regulate lawn fertilizer within the City’s jurisdiction?
Very important

6. What is the cause of more frequent algae blooms in Cape Coral’s freshwater canal system?
Nutrients, primarily from fertilizer, coupled with sunlight.

7. Is using treated wastewater as part of the City’s dual water system, a source of nutrients in the City’s canal system?
Maybe

Additional Comments
The level of chemicals and nutrients varies based on the rainy and dry seasons and is difficult to determine if the primary source is from the City.

8. Would you be willing to meet with Calusa Waterkeeper representatives to discuss Cape Coral water quality issues and priorities?
Yes